Wiltshire Ecological Appraisal April 2017
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Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire Ecological Appraisal April 2017 A Report on behalf of St. Modwen Developments Ref: 0229-EA-FM www.green-ecology.co.uk - 0845 474 8774 - [email protected] Green Ecology is a trading name for GE Consulting Services (UK) Ltd registered number 08435536 Registered office: Unit 10C, Gidleys Meadow, Christow, Devon, EX6 7QB. VAT Number 160595992 St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire Site details Site Name Chippenham Gateway Site Location south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire Central OS Grid Reference 391925 179265 Client St. Modwen Developments Quality Assurance Report Title Ecological Appraisal Report Reference 0229-EA-FM Author Faye Midmore BSc MSc ACIEEM Checked By Mark Witherall BSc MCIEEM Approved By Mark Witherall BSc MCIEEM Revision No. 2 Issue Date 04 April 2017 Summary of Changes Minor changes to Exec Summary and Conclusions Revised By Faye Midmore BSc MSc ACIEEM The content of this report that has been provided by Green Ecology is true, and has been prepared and submitted in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the stated client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by Green Ecology, no other party may use, make use of or rely on the contents of the report. No liability is accepted by Green Ecology for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided. Green Ecology has exercised due care in preparing this report. It has not, unless specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the content of this report and Green Ecology assumes no liability for any loss resulting from errors, omissions or misrepresentation made by others. Any recommendation, opinion or finding stated in this report is based on circumstances and facts as they existed at the time that Green Ecology undertook the work. Nothing in this report constitutes legal opinion. If legal opinion is required the advice of a qualified legal professional should be secured. © Copyright GE Consulting Services (UK) Limited 2017 St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire Executive Summary This report presents the results of an Ecological Appraisal of land south of Junction 17 of the M4 motorway in Wiltshire (central OS grid reference: 391925 179265) in relation to a proposed outline planning application for a warehouse/ employment development. It includes a mitigation package designed to overcome the impacts of the development. A desk study, Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey and protected species surveys for reptiles, bats, great crested newt, breeding birds, invertebrates and dormice were undertaken in 2015 and 2016 to provide baseline data for the site and assess the ecological implications of the development. The Site is 27.2 hectares (ha) and comprises arable and cattle-grazed improved grassland with very limited botanical diversity, species-rich hedgerows, veteran trees, broadleaved woodland, scrub and tall ruderal vegetation. A small stream runs through the centre of the Site and several ditches are present. All hedgerows were considered to meet the criteria of Section 41 Habitats of Principal Importance/ local BAP priority habitats and eleven hedgerows were identified as ‘Important’ under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. Mature trees may also meet the criteria of local BAP priority habitats. The Site was found to have evidence of a range of protected and notable species, including breeding birds, badger, commuting/ foraging bats (including Annex II species), roosting bats and notable deadwood invertebrates. The outline proposal will result in the loss of up to 24ha of arable and improved grassland, the stream corridor, a section of woodland, > 1km of hedgerows and mature/ veteran trees. There will be a significant adverse impact on seven sections of ‘Important’ hedgerows, multiple mature trees of importance to notable deadwood invertebrate fauna and roosting, commuting and foraging bats. A mitigation strategy has been devised and will include: A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and Landscape and Ecology Management Plan (EMMP) produced prior to each detailed application and adhered to; Planting/ translocation of an equivalent or greater length of lost hedgerows to maintain/ enhance connectivity. 10m wide species-rich/ tussocky grassland buffer strips adjacent to boundaries; Creation of strips of annual arable weeds; Creation of wildlife friendly SUDS features, including the diversion of the existing stream, surrounded by a range of structurally diverse habitats; Tree planting as long-term compensation for the loss of trees. Protection of retained standard trees in Site’s outer boundaries; European Protected Species (EPS) licence for tree removal where bat roosts are present; Natural England licence for partial closure of badger sett; Dark corridors for bats around Site peripheries and the provision of bat boxes; Provision of bird boxes and landscape schedules that provide nuts, nectar seeds and berries. It is considered that the residual impact on the majority of ecological receptors will be neutral, however there will be a residual adverse impact on veteran trees and deadwood invertebrates which could be mitigated for in the long-term. Ecological Appraisal 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Description of Development ..................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Scope of Report ....................................................................................................................... 1 2 Planning Policy and Legislation ............................................................................................... 2 2.1 Habitat and Species Legislation ............................................................................................... 2 2.2 National Planning Policy Framework ........................................................................................ 2 2.3 Regional/ Local Planning Policy ............................................................................................... 2 2.4 UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework ..................................................................................... 3 2.5 Local Biodiversity Action Plan .................................................................................................. 3 3 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 4 3.1 Survey Limitations .................................................................................................................... 4 4 Ecological Baseline Conditions ................................................................................................ 5 4.1 Desk Study ............................................................................................................................... 5 4.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey ............................................................................................ 6 4.3 Fauna ..................................................................................................................................... 11 5 Evaluation and Impact Assessment ....................................................................................... 24 5.1 Designated Sites .................................................................................................................... 24 5.2 Habitats .................................................................................................................................. 24 5.3 Badger ................................................................................................................................... 26 5.4 Bats ........................................................................................................................................ 27 5.5 Breeding Birds ....................................................................................................................... 28 5.6 Dormouse .............................................................................................................................. 29 5.7 Great Crested Newt ............................................................................................................... 29 5.8 Invertebrates .......................................................................................................................... 29 5.9 Reptiles .................................................................................................................................. 30 5.10 Water Vole ............................................................................................................................. 30 5.11 Other Species ........................................................................................................................ 30 6 Further Survey Work ............................................................................................................... 30 7 Mitigation Strategy for Outline Application ..........................................................................