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
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© 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.
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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 ...... 32 7.1 Site Clearance and Avoidance Measures ...... 32 7.2 CEMP ...... 33 7.3 Mitigation, Compensation and Enhancement Measures ...... 33 8 Conclusions ...... 39 9 References ...... 41
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Figures
1: Site Boundary 2: Phase 1 Habitat Survey Results 3: Tree Locations and Assessment Results 4: Bat Activity Transects & Results 5: Automated Bat Detector Results 6: Dormouse Tube Locations 7: Location of Waterbodies within 500m 8: Reptile Refugia Survey – Felt Locations 9: Breeding Bird Survey Results 10: Invertebrate Survey Results 11: Ecological Constraints Plan
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Survey Methodologies ...... 54 Appendix 2 – Plant Species List ...... 64 Appendix 3 – Target Notes ...... 67 Appendix 4 – Great Crested Newt Survey Results ...... 70 Appendix 5 – Invertebrate Report ...... 75 Appendix 6 – Hedgerow descriptions and assessment ...... 85 Appendix 7 – Tree Survey Results ...... 87 Appendix 8 – Breeding Bird Survey Results ...... 91 Appendix 9 – Reptile Survey Dates, Weather and Results ...... 94
Ecological Appraisal 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
1 INTRODUCTION
This report presents the results of an Ecological Appraisal (EA) at Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire (central OS grid reference: 391925 179265) in relation to a proposed planning application. The surveys were commissioned by St. Modwen Developments and relate to a proposed outline planning application. The area within the application boundary, hereafter referred to as the ‘Site’, is shown in Figure 1.
The Site is located is located immediately south-east of Junction 17 (J.17) of the M4 Motorway, Wiltshire and comprises a series of arable fields and cattle-grazed pasture to the south of the B4122 road. The Site also supports veteran trees, a small stream, species-rich hedgerows and small areas of broadleaved woodland, scrub and tall ruderal habitats.
1.1 Description of Development
The proposed development comprises an outline application for the erection of up to 1,000,000 sq ft of Class B8 (storage and distribution) employment space and associated infrastructure, including full details of the vehicular access to the B4122.
The outline design will result in the loss of several ecologically valuable field boundaries which bisect the Site although retains the boundaries around the application boundary. The fields and stream corridor will be largely lost. There are several retained areas which may provide some opportunities for ecological mitigation and enhancements.
1.2 Scope of Report
This report updates a previous Ecological Assessment (Ecus 2014) and includes various ecological surveys undertaken in 2015 and 2016, based on the results of initial surveys and consultation with Wiltshire Council’s ecologist.
The report provides an evaluation and impact assessment of the ‘worst case scenario’, based on two possible layouts issued by Angus Meek Architects (dwg 2502 F-0012-D and dwg 2502 F-0011D). An overall mitigation strategy has been developed, which will need further detail as part of future reserved matters applications.
The aims of this report are to:
Identify and describe the habitats and species likely to be affected by the proposed development and evaluate the significance of any potential effects;
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Assess the ecological value of the Site and identify key ecological constraints to the proposed development; Provide recommendations for mitigation and enhancement opportunities in accordance with relevant planning policy, legislation and other published guidance.
2 PLANNING POLICY AND LEGISLATION
2.1 Habitat and Species Legislation
Species and habitats receive legal protection in the UK under various legislation, including:
The Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended); The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulation 2010 (also known as the Habitat Regulations, it implements the EU Habitats Directive in England and Wales); The Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000; The Hedgerows Regulations 1997; The Protection of Badgers Act 1992; and The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.
Where relevant, this report takes into account the legislative protection afforded to specific habitats and species.
2.2 National Planning Policy Framework
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Governments planning policies for England and how local planning authorities should incorporate them into their own policies and plans. Section 11 of the NPPF contains several policies targeted at enhancing the natural environment and requires local authorities to consider how impacts on biodiversity can be minimised and provide net gains in biodiversity. Additional Planning Practice Guidance (PPGs) supports the NPPF and includes guidance on:
Landscape; Biodiversity, ecosystems and green infrastructure; and Brownfield land, soils and agricultural land.
2.3 Regional/ Local Planning Policy
Wiltshire Council adopted the Wiltshire Core Strategy Development Plan Document in January 2015 which provides an overarching policy framework for Wiltshire up to 2026. Core Policies (CP) which were considered as part of this report include:
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CP50: Biodiversity and Geodiversity; CP52: Green Infrastructure.
2.4 UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) was succeeded in 2012 by the ‘UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework’ which demonstrates a whole-environment strategy on how the UK contributes to achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. In England, ‘Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services’ (Defra, 2011) sets out the strategic direction for biodiversity policy in the future. The former UK BAP was used to draw up lists of species and habitats of ‘principal importance’ which continue to be regarded as priorities under the Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework and are identified under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006; these species have been considered throughout this report.
2.5 Local Biodiversity Action Plan
The latest available Wiltshire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was produced by the Wiltshire Biodiversity Partnership in 2008. The plan includes a Generic Action Plan, ten Habitat Action Plans and a Bat Species Action Plan, which covers all bat species in Wiltshire. The Wiltshire BAP is a tool which summarises and directs the activities of statutory, private and third sector organisations delivering biodiversity activity in Wiltshire and the Action Plans are material planning considerations under Policy 50 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy.
The Wiltshire and Swindon Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group have since published Landscape Biodiversity Areas which provides an additional framework for landscape-scale conservation with which to coordinate conservation efforts in Wiltshire and Swindon. The Site lies within Area 4: Cotswolds Limestone Lowlands, which highlights woodland, limestone grassland, neutral grassland and rivers as priorities for conservation.
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3 METHODOLOGY
Ecological surveys comprised:
Desk Study; Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey; Badger Meles meles survey; Breeding bird survey; Tree surveys for bats; Bat activity surveys; Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius survey; Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus survey; Invertebrate survey; Reptile survey; and Water vole Arvicola amphibius survey.
The survey methodologies are provided in Appendix 1. Note that the scope of surveys included a wider area than the application boundary.
3.1 Survey Limitations
Care has been taken to ensure that balanced advice is provided on the information available and collected during the study period (s), and within the resources available for the project. However, the possibility of important ecological features being missed due to survey timings, absence during surveys or the year of survey cannot be ruled out. In addition the lack of evidence or records of protected species on Site does not preclude their presence from Site.
During the great crested newt survey, the temperature was below the suitable temperature of 5oC for bottle-trapping during the second visit; therefore this method was not undertaken on this visit.
Static bat detectors were moved to different locations for each recording month which meant that a comparative analysis of bat activity along different features could not be undertaken. Conclusions could therefore only be drawn from general activity across Site, along with a comparison to transect survey results. Static detectors failed to record on four nights of the total recording period. However a total recording period of 112 nights was still obtained, which was considered to provide sufficient information with which to assess the value of the Site for commuting and foraging bats.
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4 ECOLOGICAL BASELINE CONDITIONS
4.1 Desk Study
4.1.1 Designated Sites
One Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and nine County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are found within 2km of the Site boundary, as summarised in Table 1. There are no Natura 2000 sites within 10km of the Site boundary.
Table 1: Designated sites records within 2km of site boundary (provided by WSBRC)
Site Name Approximate Description Location Statutory Stanton St. 25m north of Geological SSSI. One of the country’s few complete exposures Quintin Quarry Site boundary, of the Cornbrash, a formation developed along most of the and Motorway across M4 slip length of the English Jurassic outcrop. The Lower Cornbrash of Cutting SSSI road both cutting and quarry is notably fossiliferous. Non-statutory CWS Swinley 800m south- Small, single semi-improved field with patches of richer Meadow west grassland. Manor Farm 1.1km south- Three small pastures in a shallow valley on oolitic limestone Brook Fields west separated by a brook and scrub woodland. Supports areas of unimproved calcareous grassland. Ell Wood 1.5km north- Mostly semi-natural ancient woodland on Kellaways sands and east clay. Stanton Park 1.6km north- Semi-natural broadleaved woodland, conifer plantation and west mixed woodland on a flat ancient woodland site on clay soil, north of the M4 motorway. Kington Langley 1.7km south- A small field with damp neutral grassland communities. Meadow east Seagry Wood 1.7km north- Mixed conifer and sweet chestnut plantation on an ancient and Oak Hill east woodland site. Located on gently sloping land on clay and greensand with a rich ground flora including abundant bluebells. The Shrubbery 1.75km east Small woodland set in parkland with a stream running along the southern boundary. North Draycot 1.8km north- Old parkland - a high concentration of very old oak trees (many Park east pollards) in semi-improved grassland. Chalkenhams 2km north-east Unimproved, cattle-grazed, species-rich neutral grassland with damper areas supporting common spotted orchids. A small woodland of oak with bluebells and mature hawthorn is present in south part of site.
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4.1.2 Protected and Notable Species
The data request from WSBRC returned numerous records within the 2km search area (extended to 4km for bats) around the Site. The results have been referenced throughout this report within the relevant sections; the full dataset is available on request.
4.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
4.2.1 Site Summary
The Site is situated in a rural landscape approximately 5km north of Chippenham. The Site is bordered by the M4 motorway, A350 dual-carriageway, Day’s Lane and agricultural land. The surrounding area is predominantly rural with several farmsteads and small villages.
The area within the application boundary is approximately 27.2 ha, although a wider area within the same land ownership was surveyed.
The survey area comprised a mixture of large arable fields and cattle-grazed pasture divided by a network of native hedgerows, veteran trees and broadleaved woodland. The majority of hedgerows were considered species-rich, containing several native woody species, although the ground flora was lacking due to agricultural management close to the hedgerow base. A small stream dissects the central area from west to east, eventually flowing into the River Avon to the east.
Figure 2 shows the results of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat with associated plant species lists and Target Notes (TNs) included in Appendix 2 and 3, which should be read in conjunction with the following habitat descriptions. The habitat classifications are in accordance with the JNCC Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (2010).
Several notable plants were returned as part of the desk study, detailed in Table 2 below. Only post-1990 records are shown, the full data set is available on request. None of these species were found during the various field visits.
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Table 2: Notable plant records provided by WSBRC
Species Conservation Record details status Lichen Caloplaca crenulatella A lichen NS Stanton St. Quinton (1.25km away) and Kington St Michael (2km away), both recorded in churchyards in 2007. Flowering plant Meadow brome Bromus County 1.2km south-west at Manor Farm Brook commutatus Fields CWS (2007). Sulphur clover Trifolium NS, 1.2km south-west at Manor Farm Brook ochroleucon RLGB.Lr(NT) Fields CWS (1992). Butcher's-broom Ruscus aculeatus HSD5 1.7km south-east at The Shrubbery CWS (2000). Bird's-nest orchid Neottia nidus-avis RLGB.Lr(NT) 1.8km north-west within Stanton Wood CWS (1991). Creeping forget-me-not Myosotis County 1.95km south (1984 – 1991). secunda Dwarf spurge Euphorbia exigua RLGB.Lr(NT) Approx. 2km north (1984 – 1991). Violet helleborine Epipactis County 2km north-east within Seagry Wood CWS purpurata (2003). HSD5 = Annex 5 of Habitats Directive. Taking in the wild may be subject to management measures. NS = Nationally Scarce, occurring in 16-100 hectads in UK. RLGB.Lr(NT) = Taxa which do not qualify for Lower Risk on IUCN Red List, but which are close to qualifying for Vulnerable. In Britain, this category includes species which occur in 15 or fewer hectads. County = Taxa considered notable in Wiltshire
4.2.2 Arable
The Site is dominated by large arable fields, which had been rolled and seeded with rye grass Lolium sp., having been harvested for cereals in 2015 and maize in 2014 (Max Sealy, landowner, pers.comm.). The fields consisted a monoculture of rye grass, with little botanical interest.
Small field margins, 0.5 - 1m in width were present around the majority of fields and contained a range of common grasses, herbs and hedgerow species. In shady and disturbed areas, species such as nettle Urtica dioica, docks Rumex spp., red campion Silene dioica, cleavers Galium aparine, thistles Cirsium spp., hogweed Heracleum sphondylium, prickly sow-thistle Sonchus asper, white dead-nettle Lamium album, fool’s parsley Aethusa cynapium, bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, common ragwort Senecio jacobaea, bugle Ajuga reptans and ground ivy Glechoma hederacea were occasional to frequent.
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Sunnier, open margins (e.g. TN 1) with bare ground also contained species associated with arable field margins such as scarlet pimpernel Anagallis arvensis, parsley-piert Aphanes arvensis, eyebright Euphrasia officinalis agg., cut-leaved crane's-bill Geranium dissectum, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, common toadflax Linaria vulgaris, black medick Medicago lupulina, field forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis, common broomrape Orobanche minor, rough poppy Papaver hybridum, field madder Sherardia arvensis, white campion Silene alba, goat's-beard Tragopogon pratensis, common vetch Vicia sativa and field pansy Viola arvensis.
During a previous survey (Ecus 2014), two small patches of pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and early purple orchid Orchis mascula were recorded on the northern south-facing banks of the northern field (TN 1) and a field to the north, outside the Site boundary (TN 2). These species were not found during any of the more recent surveys; it is possible that these were within the grassy road verges rather than the Site itself.
Field entrances often supported common species associated with disturbed ground such as goosefoot Chenopodium sp., redshank Persicaria maculosa, nipplewort Lapsana communis, black nightshade Solanum nigrum and docks. In 2015 A small strip of unharvested maize, no more than 10m wide was present along the eastern edge of the south-eastern field (TN 3).
4.2.3 Improved Grassland
Improved grassland was found in the south-western corner of the Site; comprising two fields of agriculturally improved grassland, used for cattle grazing. Both fields had low botanical diversity, typical of this habitat type.
The southern field was sown with Italian rye-grass Lolium multiflorum and was likely to be used for silage production and cattle grazing (TN 4). The sward was approximately 30cm in height and contained very few forbs, limited to creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, clover Trifolium sp. and dandelion Taraxacum agg. Few other plants were recorded within the sward of this field other than occasional ruderal plants at the margins and below lengths of temporary electric fencing.
The western field was dominated by perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne with occasional annual meadow-grass Poa annua and herbs including creeping thistle Cirsium arvense,
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greater plantain Plantago major and common chickweed Stellaria media. It is understood that this field is cut for hay (Max Sealy, landowner, pers. comm.).
4.2.4 Hedgerows
Fifteen hedgerows were present within the wider survey area, forming several field boundaries. Most of the hedgerows were species-rich, supporting five or more native shrubs and often containing mature trees. Typically the hedgerows appeared to be managed on rotation and were thick and bushy to the base with few gaps. The majority of hedgerows had been fenced off from browsing by cattle or featured a 0.5 – 1m margin adjacent to arable crops. All of the intact/ species-rich hedgerows qualified as S41 Habitats of Principal Importance1 and would be included in Wiltshire BAP’s Hedgerow habitat action plan. Ten of the hedgerows within the Site boundary were considered ‘Important’ under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 (specifically Hedgerows 2 – 9 and 11 - 12). Appendix 6 summarises the main species recorded.
4.2.5 Scattered trees
Mature/ veteran trees were present in several boundaries in particular Hedgerow 3 which dissected part of the Site from east to west (TN 5). Species were dominated by pedunculate oak Quercus robur and ash Fraxinus excelsior, however mature field maple Acer campestre and crack willow Salix fragilis were also recorded.
Mature trees were subject to a more detailed inspection as detailed in Appendix 7 and the most significant summarised in Section 4.3.2 below. Many of the trees were considered to be important ecological and landscape features in the context of the Site and were likely to be covered by Wiltshire BAP Wood-pasture, Parkland and Ancient Trees Habitat Action Plan (HAP).
4.2.6 Semi-natural broadleaved woodland
A small section of semi-natural broadleaved woodland was present in the centre of the Site, adjacent to the western part of a small stream (TN 6). Approximately 6m wide, the woodland contained a range of native trees and shrubs and may exist as a result of an outgrown hedgerow. Woody species included blackthorn Prunus spinosa, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica, field maple, oak, hazel Corylus avellana, elder
1 Under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006
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Sambucus nigra, rose Rosa sp., willow Salix spp., ash and apple Malus sp. The woodland was dense and shaded and supported very little ground flora although occasional bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta was recorded.
4.2.7 Plantation broadleaved woodland
Blocks of plantation woodland were present within and adjacent to the Site boundary, generally associated with road embankments.
At the south-western boundary, semi-mature ash dominated woodland was present forming a buffer to Day’s Lane. This woodland had a limited ground flora, with occasional shrubs in the understorey and edges such as rose, bramble, hawthorn and small oak trees. Embankments adjacent to the A350 and B4122 contained a more diverse canopy, with a mixture of densely planted trees and shrubs of varying heights forming areas of broadleaved woodland and scrub. Canopy and shrub species included ash, oak, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, beech Fagus sylvatica, sweet chestnut Castanea sativa, willow, elm Ulmus sp., apple, field maple, gorse Ulex europeaus, hazel, elder, blackthorn, hawthorn, spindle Euonymus europaeus and rose.
4.2.8 Scrub
Patches of scrub were found within and adjacent to the Site boundary, often forming mosaics with plantation woodland and areas of tall ruderal vegetation. Dense and scattered scrub included species such as bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., willow, butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii and hawthorn.
4.2.9 Tall Ruderal and semi-improved grassland mosaic
Long stretches of scattered and dense tall ruderal vegetation, interspersed with areas of semi-improved grassland were present along the banks of a small stream and dry ditch located within the centre of the Site. Bankside vegetation included meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, common fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica, great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum, false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, nettle, docks, hogweed and hedge bindweed.
Scattered and dense tall ruderal vegetation was found throughout the rest of the Site, often associated with uncultivated field corners and fence lines and comprised weedy species indicative of disturbance or enrichment such as nettle and thistles.
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4.2.10 Swamp
A dense stand of bulrush Typha sp., great willowherb, soft rush, hard rush Juncus inflexus and common ragwort was located adjacent to the woodland and stream corridor, indicative of damp conditions, although no standing water was present at the time of survey (TN 7). Willow scrub surrounded the northern edge of this area, at the woodland periphery.
4.2.11 Running Water
A small stream crossed the central part of the Site (TN 8), flowing from west to east to eventually joining Sutton Benger Brook offsite to the east and later the River Avon further downstream. The modified channel was approximately 0.5m wide and heavily choked with vegetation such as fool's-water-cress Apium nodiflorum, great willowherb, meadowsweet, horsetail Equisetum sp. and curled dock Rumex crispus. There was very little water present and in some places it appeared completely dry, however the presence of aquatic plants suggests it may be seasonally flooded.
4.2.12 Ditch
A ditch was present running north-south through the northern arable field, from the B4122 road to the stream (TN 9). This ditch contained a dry channel, approximately 0.5m wide, with sloping banks to 1.5m. The ditch was dry at the time of survey and contained tall ruderal vegetation such as cock’s-foot, teasel, nettle and creeping thistle. At its northern end, the ditch became choked with bramble, nettle and small shrubs.
Several other dry ditches were recorded on Site, often adjacent to hedgerows and which appeared to have been dry for some time.
4.3 Fauna
4.3.1 Badger
Numerous records of badger were returned by the records centre within a 2km radius, ranging from 1976 to 2008.
An active badger sett was found on Site, close to the B4122 (TN 10). The sett comprised at least four entrances within dense scrub and nettles adjacent to the field boundary fence, with fresh spoil heaps present. A distinct pathway led south approximately 5m to a south- east facing entrance within the field where fresh spoil, bedding and badger hairs were found. It was concluded that these entrances formed a main sett.
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A disused single burrow was found in woodland close to the stream. The entrance was a suitable size for badger but no evidence such as spoil, footprints or hairs were noted. It may have been a seasonally-used outlier or abandoned. Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus was also very active across the Site so it is possible that old setts may now by occupied by this species.
4.3.2 Bats
The data search returned 15 bat records within 4km of the survey boundary with only brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposoderous being recorded. The results are summarised in Table 3 below.
Table 3: Summary of bat records within 4km of Site (provided by WSBRC)
Species UK Status/Distribution* Record Summary Brown long-eared Common and 11 records including several roost bat widespread (1998 – 2011) in Sutton Benger, Stanton St. Quintin and Leigh Delamere. Greater horseshoe Rare and confined to south-west Roost site recorded in 1999, bat England and south Wales. approx. 3.8km south. Lesser horseshoe Rare and confined to western England, Historic roost site (1988), approx. bat Wales and western Ireland. 3.8km south. *Statistics from Bat Conservation Trust www.bats.org.uk
Tree Assessment
A number of trees were identified as having bat roost; a summary is provided in Table 4. Tree locations and their categories are shown in Figure 3; with full details of the survey results provided in Appendix 7.
Table 4: Summary of tree assessment results
Tree tag no. or ref Category (Collins 2016) 35, 42, 43, 50, 53, 55*, 56*, 70 Moderate
34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 47, 48, 54, 57*, 64, 67, 73, 79*, 191, 193, 76**, Moderate – low 192** 36, 39, 45, 49, 59*, 60*, 61*, 62*, 71, 74, 78, 80*, 121*, 122*, 123*, Low 131, 63**, 68**, 69**, 72**, 75**, 82**, 132**, 133**
46, 51, 52, 58*, 65, 66, 77, 81*, 134, 135 Negligible *Outside application boundary, no further survey necessary **Dense ivy obstructing view. Reassessment required after severance of ivy.
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Tree Emergence Surveys
Emergence surveys on a selection of trees found a possible common pipistrelle roost within Tree 50 on Hedgerow 3. A single bat appeared to emerge from a cavity near the base of the tree, approximately 40 minutes after sunset. No further surveys were undertaken to establish actual presence, however considering the age of this tree and number of features, presence was considered likely for small numbers/ individual pipistrelle bats.
Table 5 summarises the emergence survey results.
Table 5: Summary of tree emergence surveys
Tree Date Survey results 34 and 35 28/05/2015 No emergence 75 29/06/2015 No emergence 37 27/07/2015 No emergence 50 24/08/2015 Single common pipistrelle possible emergence, 40 minutes after sunset, from hole near base of tree. Activity also recorded close to sunset (beginning 16 minutes after sunset). 53 (51 & 52 21/09/2015 No emergence also viewed adjacent)
Bat activity surveys
A summary of bat passes recorded during each month of the 2015 activity transect surveys is provided in Table 6 overleaf. Figure 4 gives an indication of the areas where bats were most frequently encountered and the general levels of activity.
Common pipistrelle was the most frequently encountered bat species during transects with lower numbers of soprano pipistrelle, serotine, Myotis sp., noctule and brown long-eared bat. Although bat activity was not particularly high across the Site, several areas were identified which were found to consistently support higher numbers of bats. This included the hedgerows through the centre of the main site (H3, H4, H5 and H7) and the edge of the woodland along the western boundary. Overall, more bats were encountered in the southern part of the main Site than the north, the latter being more lit from artificial lighting along the B4122 and M4 motorway as well as having a less established network of hedgerows.
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Table 6: Summary of species recorded and total number of passes during each bat activity survey
Pp Ppy Msp Psp Es Nn Pa Total Passes Transect 1 (north) April 0 May 17 17 June 19 1 3 1 24 July 4 3 7 August 8 2 2 2 3 17 August - dawn 1 1 September 30 1 3 1 3 1 39 TOTAL 78 4 8 6 8 1 0 105 Transect 2 (south) April 0 May 33 1 5 2 41 June 13 1 1 15 July 42 42 August 63 1 4 1 69 August - dawn 1 2 1 4 September 65 7 3 4 79 TOTAL 217 12 8 10 2 0 1 250 Pp = Common pipistrelle; Ppy = Soprano pipistrelle; Psp = Pipistrelle species; Msp = Myotis species; Es = Serotine; Nn = Noctule; Pa = Brown- long-eared.
During the automated detector surveys, across a total survey period of 112 nights (4 nights failed to record) between April and October, approximately 12000 bat passes were recorded. A summary of the average bat passes for each species recorded per month is provided in Graph 1 below.
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Graph 1: Average bat passes per month recorded during automated bat surveys 2015
140 Species and
percentage (%) of total 120 Pp (69.66)
100 Psp (9.27) Ppy (9.25)
80 Msp (5.2)
Es (2.58)
60 Nn (1.6)
Pa (1.14) 40 Nl (0.93)
Rh (0.22) 20
Average number of bat passes per per night passes bat of number Average Rf (0.08)
Mn (0.04) 0 April May June July Aug Sept Oct Pn (0.04)
Pp = Common pipistrelle; Ppy = Soprano pipistrelle; Psp = Pipistrelle species; Pa = Brown- long-eared; Es = Serotine; Nn = Noctule; Msp = Myotis species; Nl = Leisler’s; Mn = Natterer's; Rh = Lesser horseshoe; Pn = Nathusius pipistrelle; Rf = Greater horseshoe.
Figure 5 gives an indication of areas with most frequent bat activity, based on the results of the automated detector surveys. A high diversity of bats were recorded (at least ten species) across all parts of the Site, although as with the transect surveys the southern half of the Site which supported several mature hedgerows, consistently supported a greater frequency of bats. In particular, hedgerows H2, H4 and H9 and the woodland edge adjacent to Day’s Lane supporting consistently higher numbers of bats.
Common pipistrelle was the most frequently encountered species (almost 70%) during all months of survey, being recorded in all detector locations and likely to be using the Site for regular commuting as well as foraging. Soprano pipistrelle and unidentified pipistrelle species were also recorded frequently throughout the survey period, particularly in the southern part of the Site. Peaks of Myotis sp. numbers were found in June and August, also recorded in most locations of the Site, but particularly the wooded embankments around the periphery of the main Site.
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Very small numbers of greater and lesser horseshoe bats were recorded during the surveys, with single passes occasionally recorded on several of the central hedgerows and outer boundaries of the main Site. Slightly higher numbers were recorded around the southern field adjacent to Day’s Lane.
The small number of passes suggest that horseshoe bats use the Site very occasionally to commute to other areas, however the southern field and those to the south were used for cattle grazing at the time of survey, which may also make this area of value to foraging horseshoe bats as dung beetles can form a significant part of their diet (Vaughan 1997). Both horseshoe bat species were mostly recorded later in the survey period (late August – early October), which may be related to a seasonal food resource e.g. the night flying dung beetle Aphodious rufipes. This is an important prey species for adults and young of greater horseshoe bats and is usually available from late-July to October.
A total of five passes of the uncommon Nathusius’ pipistrelle were also recorded along the boundaries of the southern field, again suggesting the Site is used by this species for very occasional commuting.
4.3.3 Breeding Birds
As part of the desk-study, records were returned for Red-listed BoCC (Eaton et al., 2009) species within a 2km radius of the Site comprising skylark Alauda arvensis, cuckoo Cuculus canorus, marsh tit Poecile palustris, song thrush Turdus philomelos and Schedule 12 species barn owl Tyto alba.
A total of 32 species were recorded during the breeding bird surveys in 2016, of which 23 showed confirmed, probable or possible likelihood of breeding. A summary of all species recorded during the survey (which included a field to the north of the Site boundary) and their conservation status is provided in Table 7 and illustrated in Figure 9. Full details of the survey results are provided in Appendix 8.
2 Schedule 1 species in Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
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Table 7: Bird species recorded during the breeding bird survey 2016 and their conservation status in the UK
Peak Count/ Conservation No. surveys Species Breeding status* Status** occasions in which recorded Blackbird Turdus merula Possible – H/S G 12/3 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Probable – T G 2/2 Blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus Confirmed – NY/H G 10/3 Buzzard Buteo buteo Non-breeding - F G 4/3 Carrion crow Corvus corone Possible – H G 12/3 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Possible – H/S G 12/3 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Probable – T G 4/3 Dunnock Prunella modularis Probable – T S41,A 10/3 Great black-backed gull 1/1 Non-breeding - F A Larus marinus Great tit Parus major Possible – H/S G 4/3 Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Possible – H/S G 2/2 Herring gull Larus argentatus Non-breeding - F S41, R 3/2 Jackdaw Corvus monedula Non-breeding - F G 10/3 Lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus Non-breeding - F A 2/1 Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus Confirmed – FL G 19/3 Lesser whitethroat Sylvia curruca Possible – S G 2/2 Linnet Carduelis cannabina Possible – H S41, R 2/1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Possible – H A 4/1 Magpie Pica pica Confirmed – NY/H G 8/3 Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Possible – H N/A 2/2 Robin Erithacus rubecula Confirmed – NY/S/H G 7/3 Rook Corvus frugilegus Non-breeding - F G 67/3 Song thrush Turdus philomelos Possible – S S41, R 1/1 Skylark Alauda arvensis Probable – T S41, R 1/2 Stock dove Columba oenas Non-breeding - F A 6/1 Starling Sturnus vulgaris Possible – H S41, R 21/1 Swallow Hirundo rustica Non-breeding - F G 6/2 Swift Apus apus Non-breeding - F A 2/1 Whitethroat Sylvia communis Probable – T G 4/2 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Possible – H G 19/3 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Confirmed – NY/S/H G 16/3 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Probable – P S41, R 2/2 * Breeding Status: Non-breeding F – flying over; Possible breeders H = species observed in breeding season in suitable nesting habitat; S = singing male present (or breeding calls heard) in breeding season in suitable nesting habitat; Probable breeders T = permanent territory presumed through registration of territorial behaviour (song etc.) on two different days at least one week apart; P = pair observed in suitable nesting habitat in breeding season; Confirmed breeders NY = nest with young seen or heard; FL – recently fledged young. ** Conservation status: R = Red listed BoCC, A = Amber listed BoCC, G = Green listed BoCC (Eaton et al., 2015); S41 = Section 41 Species of Principal Importance.
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Of the species recorded, seven were of national significance, e.g. listed as a Section 41 Species of Principal Importance (NERC Act 2006) or BoCC Red or Amber-listed species (Eaton et al. 2015). A summary of their locations and behaviours is provided below:
Dunnock (Probably breeding): males regularly heard singing, often in the same location on more than one survey occasion within hedgerows throughout the site; Linnet (Possibly breeding): seen on a single occasion within suitable nesting habitat within a hedgerow in a field to the north of the Site (outside the Site boundary); Mallard (Possibly breeding): observed within a wet ditch in the centre of the Site and within field compartment in the southern extent during the first survey only; Song thrush (Possibly breeding): A male heard singing on a single occasion within the southern boundary; Skylark (Probably breeding): singing male recorded within suitable nesting habitat in the same location on two survey occasions to the north of the Site (outside the Site boundary); Starling (Possibly breeding): several individuals seen foraging or flying overhead, suitable nesting habitat available on Site; Yellowhammer (Probably breeding): pair observed in suitable nesting habitat within a hedgerow in the south-western extent of the southern boundary.
In addition, a single barn owl was recorded in flight during a dusk bat survey crossing the eastern field between Hedgerow 3 and the stream corridor; the latter of which was considered to provide good habitat along which barn owl could hunt. No barn owl roosts or nests were recorded during the tree inspections although some of the mature trees did have potential for nesting and roosting barn owl.
Overall the Site was considered to provide good nesting and foraging habitats for a range of bird species, in particular within hedgerows. The potential for significant populations of ground-nesting species such as skylark was limited due to intensive arable and livestock rotations, with many of the crops being sown in autumn and lack of winter foraging habitat such as stubbles. This species was only recorded in a grassland field to the north of the Site, which was presumably subject to a less intensive management regime than the Site itself.
4.3.4 Dormouse
There were no records of dormouse returned by the local records centre and no nests or evidence of dormouse was found during the 2015 survey. As a result they are considered absent from the Site.
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4.3.5 Amphibians/ Great Crested Newt
The data search returned 21 records of great crested newt within 2km of the survey boundary, with records found at Stanton Manor (2000), Stanton St. Quintin (1999), several along the M4 corridor (2007 -2010), Draycott Cerne (1979) and Kington Langley (1979). The closest record was 550m north-east. There were also several records for common toad Bufo bufo, a S41 Species of Principal Importance.
Five water bodies were included in the great crested newt survey, four were outside the Site boundary and one, a wet ditch, was within the boundary. No great crested newts were recorded during the four-visit survey in any surveyed water body. Pond 2 and 5 (onsite ditch) did not contain sufficient water throughout the survey season to complete the surveys, however as the surveys were undertaken during the peak breeding season, great crested newt were also considered absent from these water bodies.
Ponds 1, 3 and 4 supported smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris, common frog Rana temporaria and common toad (the latter of which is a S41 Species of Principal Importance. A summary of the pond locations and survey results is provided in Appendix 4.
4.3.6 Invertebrates
The local records centre returned several invertebrate records of conservation interest, as summarised in Table 8 below.
Table 8: Summary of invertebrate records of conservation interest within 2km of Site (provided by WSBRC)
Species National Conservation Status Moth Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis, Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi, Dusky S41 Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria, Garden Dart Euxoa nigricans, Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae Butterfly Purple Emperor Apatura iris NT Pearl-bordered Fritillary Boloria Euphrosyne, Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina, EN, S41 White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus, Wall Lasiommata megera NT, S41 Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages, White Admiral Limenitis camilla, Grizzled Skipper VU, S41 Pyrgus malvae Beetle (Coleoptera) Microrhagus pygmaeus County
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S41 = Section 41 Species of Principal Importance; NT = Species which occur in 15 or fewer hectads in Britain; EN = IUCN Red Data List ‘Endangered’; VU = IUCN Red Data List ‘Vulnerable’; County = taxa considered notable in Wiltshire.
During the invertebrate survey, the mature and over-mature trees on and adjacent to Site were found to be important for saproxylic (deadwood) invertebrates. A total of seven key invertebrates were recorded, including three which are Nationally Scarce3 and five which are indicators of landscape where there is thought to have been a good continuity of old trees with deadwood habitats (Harding & Rose, 1986 with subsequent modifications by Alexander, 2004). Hedgerow 3 (TN 5) was considered to be of most value to deadwood invertebrates, featuring the highest percentage of mature trees, however other parts of the Site were considered important.
Table 9 summarises the key findings of the survey, with the locations of these records illustrated in Figure 10.
Table 9: Important invertebrates recorded during survey
Species Conservation Ecology and Distribution Location on Site name status Pediacus SFG3 Found under the bark of trunks and branches Larvae were dermestoides of recently dead broadleaves, where they found under the A Cucujid feed on fungi. Nationally it occurs locally bark of a fallen beetle across much of England and Wales as far ash branch by north as Yorkshire. Hedgerow (H) 15. Triplax SFG3 Larvae and adults are found in association Two dead adults russica with a range of bracket fungi on dead trees, were found in red An Erotylid with Inonotus hispidus on ash being heart-rot of an beetle particularly favoured. The majority of its over-mature ash British sites lie to the south-east of a line (tree 50) in H3. between the Severn and Humber estuaries, This appears to though it is largely absent from the south- be the first west peninsula. There is also a disjunct occasion on population in the Scottish Highlands. which it has been recorded in Wiltshire. Biphyllus SFG3 The larvae feed in cramp-ball fungus Daldinia Found in lunatus concentrica, which is usually found on dead company with A Biphyllid ash trunks and branches. Platyrhinus beetle B. lunatus has a similar distribution to Triplax resinosus on russica, being quite widely distributed as far cramp-balls on a north as Yorkshire, though becoming much mature ash scarcer in Wales and south-west England, pollard (tree 37) in and with a handful of sites in southern H3. Scotland. Orchesia NS Both adults and larvae are found in bracket A number of dead micans fungi, with Inonotus species being especially adults were found A false favoured. In western Britain, it is frequently on I. hispidus
3 As defined in relevant national Species Status Reviews
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Species Conservation Ecology and Distribution Location on Site name status darkling found in wet woodland in association with brackets growing beetle Inonotus radiatus on dead alder. O. micans on a heart-rotted has a wide, but very scattered distribution in ash pollard (tree wooded landscapes across England and 57) in H9 (offsite). Wales, though it is not known in Scotland. Prionychus SFG3 P. ater is a saproxylic species, usually being Larvae were ater found in association with old, open-grown found in moist (Fabricius) trees in parks, wood-pastures and orchards. red-rot at the A darkling Larvae occur in moist heart-rot of a range of base of the old beetle broadleaves, often being found near the base ash pollard (tree of the tree. It occurs locally across southern 37) in H3. England, and is also found at scattered sites in the eastern half of Wales. Platyrhinus Nb/SFG3 It occurs primarily in the fruiting bodies of the One larva was resinosus cramp-ball fungus Daldinia concentrica, found in a A weevil which grows on dead ash trunks and Daldinia fruiting branches, though it is also sometimes found body on a mature on other related fungi, such as Hypoxylon pollard ash (tree fragiforme on beech. Quite a restricted 37) in H3. distribution in England from Yorkshire southwards, with most records being from a band of counties across the Midlands. Brown tree Na Found in association with mature to over- Workers were ant Lasius mature trees where these are growing in found in the old brunneus relatively open situations, such as parkland, ash (tree 50) in wood-pasture and hedgerows. Nests are H3. constructed in dead heartwood. L. brunneus is a warmth-loving species, with a very limited distribution across southern England that is centred on the Thames and Severn basins. There are also a few sites for it in the southern Welsh borders. NS – Nationally Scarce. Taxa which are estimated to occur within the range of 16 – 100 10km squares. This category replaces the ‘Na’ and ‘Nb’ sub-divisions into which Nationally Scarce species were often assigned in earlier reviews. Na – Nationally Scarce Category A. Taxa thought to occur in 30 – 16 10km squares of the National Grid. Nb – Nationally Scarce Category B. Taxa thought to occur in 31 – 100 10km squares of the National Grid. SFG3 – Saproxylic Fauna Group 3 - Saproxylic beetles that occur widely in wooded land, but which are collectively characteristic of ancient woodland with dead wood habitats (Harding and Rose, 1986, as updated by Alexander, 2004).
In addition to the key species described above, mature trees in the hedgerows also supported other local saproxylic Coleoptera, such as the clown beetle Abraeus perpusillus, woodworm beetle Ochina ptinoides, fungus beetles Cis vestitus, Orthocis alni and Mycetophagus quadripustulatus and the weevil Acalles misellus.
Fourteen mature ash and oak trees within the Site boundary were considered to be of actual or potential importance for deadwood invertebrates. These comprise:
Hedgerow 2 – tree 75; Hedgerow 3 – trees 36, 37, 38, 43, 48, 49 and 50;
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Hedgerow 4 – trees 51, 52, 53, 70 and 73; Hedgerow 5 – tree 64;
In addition, seven trees were identified offsite in Hedgerows 1, 9 and 10 as being of actual or potential importance for deadwood invertebrates:
Hedgerow 1 (off-site) – tree 80; Hedgerow 9 (off-site) – trees 55, 56 and 57; and, Hedgerow 10 (off-site) – trees 59, 60 and 61.
Hedgerows and small areas of woodland on Site may also support other invertebrate fauna of interest. For example, the western woodland shelterbelt adjacent to the Site boundary supported well-grown elm suckers, the foodplant of the white-letter hairstreak butterfly, a S41 Species of Principal Importance. The Site lies within the breeding range of this butterfly, and records from WSBRC show it is found within 2km of the Site boundary.
4.3.7 Reptile Survey Results
The desk study returned records of grass snake and slow-worm within a 2km radius of the Site boundary. These were fairly old, dating from 1960 – 1999.
No reptiles were recorded during the reptile survey (see Appendix 9) and they are considered likely to be absent from Site.
4.3.8 Water vole
Two records of water vole were reported as part of the desk study exercise (2000 and 2011), both on Sutton Benger Brook around Kington St Micheal, 2km south-west.
No evidence of water voles was found during the survey and at the time it was considered unsuitable, lacking open water along most of its length and largely without steep banks suitable for water vole to burrow. However, Sutton Benger Brook passes the Site 500m to the south and is connected to the Site via the stream; therefore there is potential for water vole to colonise the Site in future years should the stream become suitable.
4.3.9 Other Species
As part of the desk study, WSBRC returned records of additional species of conservation interest; summarised in Table 10 below. None of these species were recorded during the surveys although some of the habitats on and adjacent to Site were considered to have potential to support them.
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Table 10: Desk study results – other species of conservation interest
Species Year of record and approximate Conservation Likely status on site locations status European 1978 Kington St Michael (1.75km S41 Although a historic record, the hedgehog from Site). hedgerow bases had potential Erinaceus to support hedgehog. europaeus Harvest 300m north and 2.3km south-east S41 Harvest mouse require areas mouse in Sutton Benger (both in 1974). of tall grass such as cereals, Micromys road verges, hedgerows, minutus ditches and reed beds. Although nearby records are historical, the Site did provide some suitable habitat for this species, particularly along the stream and ditch corridor. Eurasian Draycott Park Farm (2010) 1.3km County Site not particularly suitable for water east. this species given the absence shrew of water year round. However Neomys their presence along the fodiens stream cannot be completely ruled out. S41 = Section 41 Species of Principal Importance. County = taxa considered notable in Wiltshire
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5 EVALUATION AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT
This section evaluates the ecological features of the Site and the likely impacts in the absence of mitigation.
5.1 Designated Sites
The Site is located 25m from Stanton St. Quintin Quarry and Motorway Quarry SSSI. This SSSI, located beneath/ adjacent to the M4 motorway carriageway, is designated for geological features and is therefore not considered further within this report.
Nine CWS are located within 2km, the closest being Swinley Meadow, 800m from the Site boundary. These CWS are generally considered unlikely to be affected by the proposed development considering the distance, habitat types (woodland and unimproved grassland) and lack of connectivity. However The Shrubbery CWS, at Sutton Benger is adjacent to Sutton Benger Brook which is connected to Site. Although unlikely to affect the CWS itself, there is potential for Sutton Benger Brook to be contaminated during construction and operation.
5.2 Habitats
5.2.1 Arable and Grassland Fields
The majority of the Site consisted of habitats of relatively low ecological value, the fields being dominated by arable crops and improved grassland. The fields lacked substantial field margins and although a range of arable weeds were recorded, the assemblage was not considered to be particularly rare, or meet the criteria for selecting wildlife sites in Wiltshire and Swindon (Large 2013) or Plantlife’s Important Plant Areas.
The Site was considered against the Wiltshire Biodiversity Action Plan’s Farmland habitat priority. The action plan covers arable, mixed farming, arable plants and farmland birds. Given that the Site supported a poor arable plant assemblage and low assemblage of farmland birds, it was unlikely to be considered a priority habitat.
Arable and improved grassland are common in the surrounding area and their loss is not considered to be significantly adverse.
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5.2.2 Mature trees
Mature/ veteran trees within hedgerows H2, H3, H4, H5, H7 and H8 were considered to be of high ecological value. These trees were considered of importance biologically because of their age, size or condition. They may meet the criteria for the Wiltshire BAP priority habitat ‘Wood-pasture, parkland and ancient trees’. This document defines veteran and ancient trees as follows:
“The presence of large old trees is the key characteristic and the main reason for these habitat types being of special nature conservation interest. The associated wood-decay invertebrate and epiphyte communities are uniquely species-rich, and a high percentage of rare and threatened dead wood species are now associated with ancient and veteran trees. Veteran trees are defined by Read (2000) as “trees that are of interest biologically, culturally or aesthetically because of their age, size or condition.” Strictly speaking a veteran tree is any tree which has passed its mature stage, whilst an ancient tree is any tree which is truly old – typically over 500 years.”
A search of the Woodland Trust’s ancient trees records did not identify the trees on Site as veteran or notable trees, however given that they support some rare deadwood invertebrates, the trees were considered to be of county importance for nature conservation. Hedgerow 3 in particular supported a large number of mature/ veteran trees, including Tree 37 and 50 which supported valuable invertebrate assemblages and Tree 50 supporting a possible bat roost.
The loss of mature/veteran trees within hedgerows H2, H3, H4, H5, H7 and H8 cannot be mitigated for in the short- to medium-term, considering their age and importance within the landscape, and therefore a significant adverse impact is predicted.
5.2.3 Hedgerows
All hedgerows on Site are considered to meet the S41 Habitats of Principal Importance (NERC Act 2006) and Wiltshire BAP priority habitat criteria and eleven (nine within or forming the Site boundary) are important under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. Hedgerows were considered to be of county – regional importance for nature conservation.
The development will result in the removal of seven hedgerows (H2 – 8), totally over 1km in length, all of which are considered ‘Important’ under landscape and ecology criteria of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997.
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As part of the strategic landscaping these hedgerows (excluding mature trees) will be translocated to new locations and supplementary planting undertaken to ensure that they are continuous. This will mitigate for the loss of hedgerows, and if successfully translocated will result in a much faster establishment than planting a new hedgerow.
In addition to these losses, potential significant impacts could occur as a result of compaction of roots and accidental damage during construction to both retained and tranlocated hedgerows, and poor management during the operational phase.
5.2.4 Woodland
Woodland was considered to be of local importance for nature conservation value. Although this habitat was only present in small blocks or strips, its location was likely to contribute to connectivity within and around the Site. Woodland (including semi-natural and plantation) is included as a priority habitat within the Wiltshire BAP. The development will result in a small loss of semi-natural broadleaved woodland in the north-eastern corner of the Site, at the eastern end of the stream. This is an adverse loss, althrough it is not considered to be significant.
5.2.5 Stream Corridor
The stream corridor was considered to be of local importance for nature conservation value. It lacked permanent water and was likely to have been modified as part of agricultural management in the past. However, it formed a corridor across the Site, in an otherwise heavily-managed agricultural environment and supported a range of grassland, tall ruderal and scrub vegetation which was likely to have provided food and shelter for a range of species.
Most of the stream will be lost as part of the development; this is considered to a significant adverse impact. Furthermore, the watercourse links to other offsite watercourse and there is potential for pollution of offsite receptors as discussed in Section 5.1 above.
5.3 Badger
One main badger sett has been identified on Site. The Site is likely to form part of the home range for this sett and will be used for commuting and foraging.
The sett is mainly located within the woodland embankment, however one entrance is located within the arable field itself. Whilst the sett will be able to be retained and a buffer
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has been established between the sett and built footprint, there is potential for adverse effects, such as damage and disturbance to the sett (in particular the entrance within the arable field).
During operation, the development will also result in the loss of foraging habitat, especially along hedgerow bases and areas of grassland which may indirectly impact badgers by forcing them to other areas to forage. Given the number of busy roads in the area, this may result in increased mortality through road traffic accidents.
The development could therefore result in adverse impacts on badger populations at a local level during both construction and operation.
5.4 Bats
Hedgerows and woodland edge provided foraging and commuting habitat for at least ten bat species including large numbers of common pipistrelles, low densities of Annex II species greater and lesser horseshoe bats and the rare/ under-recorded Nathusius’ pipistrelle. The southern part of the Site (Hedgerows 2-7 and woodland adjacent to Day’s Lane) was considered to be important for bats to forage and commute across the Site, probably to reach foraging areas and roosts in the wider landscape. Several trees were also identified with potential for roosting bats, with a possible common pipistrelle roost being identified within Tree 50 (Hedgerow 3). The site was considered to be of local – parish conservation value for bats.
The proposed development has the potential to impact on bats in several ways:
Loss of roosts due to tree removal; Loss of foraging and fragmentation of commuting corridors due to habitat removal; and Fragmentation of corridors due to artificial lighting.
5.4.1 Roosts
All of the hedgerows within the centre of the Site (H2, H3, H4, H5, H6 and H7) and part of the southern boundary (H8) will be removed as part of the development. Whilst no bat maternity roosts were identified, Hedgerow 3 contains a possible common pipistrelle roost and several other trees in H3, H4 and H5 contrained features that could be utilised by roosting bats. The development will result in the loss of these roosting sites and potential roost features.
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5.4.2 Habitat loss
The removal of the hedgerow commuting features through the centre of the Site may impact bats by causing avoidance behaviour which results in bats having to find potentially longer, less efficient routes to foraging areas. Habitat fragmentation has been shown to have potentially detrimental effects at the population level (Russ & Montgomery 2002) as more energy is required to reach foraging sites.
As part of the strategic landscaping, hedgerows will be translocated to form a buffer along the southern boundary, therefore mitigating for the loss of Hedgerow 8 and enhancing commuting routes east-west. The proposal also retains corridors around the peripheries of the Site which will continue to connect the Site to surrounding habitats in the wider landscape. Impacts on commuting bats are therefore considered to be minor.
The loss of mature trees and the stream corridor is likely to reduce the availability of invertebrate prey, and therefore result in a loss of foraging habitat. This is likely to be adverse at the local scale, although a review of aerial photography shows that other favourable foraging habitat is available nearby, for example parkland around Draycot Cerne to the east and watercourses to the south.
5.4.3 Lighting
Lighting during construction and operation has the potential to negatively impact on bats during the active season, particularly for light-averse species such as Myotis sp. and horseshoe bats which are known to use the Site in low numbers. The design will need to ensure that lighting is carefully considered in order to minimise fragmentation impacts on bats and prevent any significant adverse impacts on these species.
5.5 Breeding Birds
The Site is considered to be of value to a range of bird species, providing suitable breeding habitats for low numbers of birds of conservation concern and foraging/ commuting habitat for barn owl. It supported a small range of farmland birds, mainly associated with hedgerows, such as dunnock, song thrush, starling and yellowhammer..
The development will result in the loss of approximately 24 ha of farmland habitat and seven associated hedgerows with trees which will have adverse impacts on local bird populations, by reducing the amount of available breeding sites and foraging areas, especially with
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regards to hedgerow habitat. During construction and operation birds could also be displaced from the Site due to disturbance effects.
Ground-nesting species skylark was only recorded in low densities (potentially 1 pair per 30ha) to the north of the Site boundary and therefore the development is not considered likely to affect this species.
Barn owl may lose valuable hunting areas although considering the small amount of suitable habitat being lost compared to the average home range of a barn owl (1 – 2km from the nest during breeding (approx. 320 ha) and 3 – 6km during winter) (Barn Owl Trust (2012)), the loss is unlikely to be significant to the local population.
5.6 Dormouse
Dormice are considered absent from the Site and therefore are not considered further in this report. Dormice are slow colonisers and specific mitigation is therefore not considered to be required.
5.7 Great Crested Newt
Great crested newt are considered absent from the Site and surrounding area and no specific mitigation is required. This species is not considered further within this report.
5.8 Invertebrates
The assessment of the Site has identified mature and over-mature trees with deadwood as a key habitat feature likely to be of importance for invertebrates, in particular a diverse saproxylic invertebrate fauna. The presence of seven species of note, some of which are of very restricted occurrence within Wiltshire indicates that the invertebrate fauna associated with mature and over-mature trees at the Site could be of county importance for nature conservation. Habitats such as hedgerows and woodland shelterbelts, whilst not targeted during the Site survey, are considered to have some potential to support locally important invertebrates such as the white-letter hairstreak butterfly.
The loss of over 1km of hedgerows with fourteen mature oak and ash trees identified as having actual or potential importance for deadwood invertebrates (in particular Hedgerow 3), is likely to have an adverse effect on the important saproxylic invertebrate populations on the Site, as well as potential impacts on locally important populations of other invertebrate fauna.
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Given the lack of information on saproxylic invertebrate assemblages and the resource of mature to over-mature trees in this part of Wiltshire, it is not known whether this effect will be significant at the county level. However, parkland at Draycott House, less than 1km to the east may provide some significant trees and support a similar fauna.
5.9 Reptiles
No reptiles were recorded during the surveys and therefore their presence on Site is considered unlikely. However common reptile species are relatively mobile and there could be small populations on Site in future years. Therefore, during construction there is a small risk to individuals/ low numbers of common reptile species through accidental injury or mortality although this is unlikely to be significant to the local population.
5.10 Water Vole
Water vole are considered absent from the Site, however given that they could recolonise in the future, further survey work and mitigation has been provided in the sections below.
5.11 Other Species
The development of the Site will represent a loss of habitat for other species such as hedgehog, harvest mouse, common toad and water shrew which could potentially use the Site now or in the future. However with the exception of common toad, these species are not known or likely to be present on Site (from existing records), nor was any evidence found during the Site surveys. Should they be present in future years, the loss of hedgerows and the stream could have adverse effects on these species within the zone of influence or at the local level.
6 FURTHER SURVEY WORK
The survey results detailed in this report are considered valid for a period of two years. Any changes to the proposed masterplan may require further survey work.
Prior to a tree felling, further tree surveys will be undertaken to establish the current use of trees by bats. This is currently scheduled for May – August 2017 prior to enabling works commencing on Site. The surveys detailed in Table 11 are recommended, depending on the final tree removal plan. Emergence surveys should take place in the optimal bat activity season, May – August inclusive.
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Table 11: Recommended further surveys on ‘Moderate’ and ‘Moderate-Low’ trees prior to felling
Tree tag no. or ref Category (BCT 2016) Likely requirements if tree to be affected 35, 42, 43, 50, 53, 70 Moderate Undertake emergence prior to felling. Soft fell under supervision, pending results of survey. 34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 47, Moderate - Low Undertake emergence prior to felling. Soft fell 48, 54, 64, 67, 73 under supervision, pending results of survey. 76, 63, 68, 69, 72, 75 Ivy obstructing full Sever ivy and re-inspect (climbed inspection) assessment.
Tree 50 Due to access issues during the tree assessment, it was recommended that a small (9mm) endoscope would be required to fully survey this tree.
A pre-works check for badger setts should take place approximately 1 month prior to enabling and construction works.
A pre-works check of the stream corridor for water vole should be undertaken in the event they have moved into the area prior to works. Ideally this will be undertaken between April and October prior to works commencing in this area, when water vole are more active.
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7 MITIGATION STRATEGY FOR OUTLINE APPLICATION
A plan showing the key ecological constraints identified during the ecological appraisal is provided in Figure 11.
This section outlines the measures required to avoid, minimise or compensate for the impacts detailed in Section 5 above by applying the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the NPPF paragraph 118 which states:
“If significant harm resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused.”
7.1 Site Clearance and Avoidance Measures
A Site clearance stragegy will need to be implemented prior to construction works to avoid impacts to retained habitats, species and ecological features where possible. This includes:
Protecting all retained trees, hedgerows, and woodland with a buffer strip of at least 5m and weld mesh fencing. To prevent degradation root protection zones following British Standard 5837:2012 should be established; Areas highlighted for retention and/ or landscaping should also be fenced off where possible to prevent unnecessary compaction of the soil through vehicle movements; The design will avoid the loss of the main badger sett. However, partial closure of the badger sett will be required under licence to avoid adverse impacts to one of the entrances/ tunnels. This will involve closing the entrance within the arable field and installing a curtain fence underground to prevent tunnelling from the retained sett into the Site. One-way gates and monitoring will be undertaken prior to closure. A buffer will be established between the development zone and retained badger sett in which no development, machinery or vehicles are allowed; A tool-box talk will be delivered and an Ecological Clerk of Works will be present during vegetation clearance; Phasing vegetation removal to allow faunal species to find alternative habitat. Where possible this will be undertaken outside the breeding bird season which runs March to August inclusive; Hedgerow translocation will take place as specified in the landscape strategy; Tree removal is likely to be limited to autumn and spring if bat roost features have been identified;
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Felled mature oak and ash will be moved to a suitable receptor to allow deadwood invertebrates to colonise alternative habitats;
7.2 CEMP
A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be produced, detailing measures to protect existing ecological resources during construction. This should be reviewed by and agreed with an ecologist prior to enabling works and include details such as:
Details of vegetation to be retained and protection measures to be incorporated; Maintenance of protective measures during enabling and construction works; Details of site compounds, storage and access routes; Timings of work to avoid sensitive periods, e.g. bird nesting and bat active season; Details of construction lighting (if required); Pollution prevention procedures, to include avoidance measures for stream; Person responsible for ensuring CEMP is followed; Any species-specific measures that contractors need to be aware of.
7.3 Mitigation, Compensation and Enhancement Measures
Table 12 below outlines the mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures required to minimise impacts to ecological receptors which have been described in Section 5 above.
A detailed Landscape and Ecology Management Plan (LEMP) will be produced prior to any detailed application, expanding on the below measures required to protect biodiversity. This Plan will include objectives for the delivery of ecological enhancements and prescriptions for the long-term management of the Site as outlined below. The LEMP could be secured via a planning condition.
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Table 12: Recommended mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures to be incorporated into design
Ecological Mitigation and Compensation Enhancements Receptor Designated Pollution prevention measures will be outlined in the CEMP, including N/A Sites measures to avoid contamination of the stream, which links to Shrubbery CWS downstream via Sutton Benger Brook. Arable and Up to 10m wide buffers retained adjacent to Site peripheries (within the Site None Grassland boundary) – to be planted with species-rich meadow mix of local provenance Habitats appropriate to the local conditions and soil type; To mitigate for the loss of botanical interest within the arable field margins, cultivated areas for annual species will be maintained. This will include arable weeds (e.g. common poppy Papaver rhoeas, corn marigold Glebionis segetum and cornflower Centaurea cyanus) and be situated along road verges. The strip will be tilled every autumn to ensure that the arable weeds flower each year. Hedgerows Species-rich hedgerows, equivalent or greater in length than the amount lost Additional native hedgerow planting parallel (>1km), will be translocated or created on Site; to existing woodland/ hedgerows and within New hedgerows to comprise native species, of local provenance with the developed area to screen habitats from standard trees incorporated every 20m. Species to include a mixture of development and increase connectivity/ blackthorn, hazel, hawthorn, field maple, elder, holly, dogwood, wayfaring-tree green infrastructure in accordance with and spindle; Policy 52 of the Local Plan. Strategic landscaping/ habitat creation to be commenced as soon as possible to allow habitats to establish prior to enabling and construction; Phased hedgerow clearance; Buffer strips adjacent to hedgerows/ woodland at the Site peripheries will be managed for wildlife to protect/ enhance the hedgerow. The buffer will be 10m wide and seeded with a nectar and pollen rich meadow mix depending on the soil type; Hedgerows to be maintained as tall, dense and bushy structure at least 2.5m tall.
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Ecological Mitigation and Compensation Enhancements Receptor Mature/ Parkland creation and woodland creation to mitigate for the loss of woodland Landscaped areas within development to veteran trees and trees. An area of at least 1.5ha is recommended with at least two trees include native or wildlife friendly species planted for each mature tree lost from hedgerows – this can form strategic that provide nectar, seeds, fruit and nuts. landscaping and also be undertaken to fill in gaps along the B4122. Stream Waterbodies and swales created to compensate for the loss of the stream Additional wildlife ponds constructed to corridor corridor. This includes the diversion and enhancement of the existing stream create a network of wetland features. and creation of new features; SUDS created in accordance with RSPB/ WWT guidance on Sustainable Drainage Systems: Maximising the Potential for People and Wildlife (Graham et al., 2012); Edges will be planted with native wildflower species and occasional willow shrubs to mitigate for loss of tall ruderal vegetation; Basins and swales planted with wetland species. Badger A pre-works check for new badger setts will be undertaken within 1 month of None works commencing; Obtain Natural England licence and closure single sett entrance following detailed Method Statement; Establish buffer around retained sett; Trenches or large excavations should be covered overnight to prevent wildlife such as badgers falling in and failing to escape. If this is not possible then a strategically placed plank will provide a means of escape. Any large bore pipes should be capped at the end of the day to reduce the potential for badgers and other wildlife entering and becoming trapped; No fences will be erected within wildlife corridors around the periphery of the Site; A badger-proof fence should be constructed adjacent to the B4122 and A350 roads to reduce road mortality. This will encourage badgers around the Site to the south and east, rather than across these busy roads.
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Ecological Mitigation and Compensation Enhancements Receptor Bats Further surveys (see Section 6) and a European Protected Species (EPS) The creation of wetland areas will enhance Licence will be applied for from Natural England once planning consent is the foraging value of the Site for bats. achieved to allow the removal of any trees containing bat roosts. The Wildlife ponds should have species-rich application will need to meet the ‘three tests’ under the Conservation of grassland and willow scrub planted around Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, which comprise: them to encourage invertebrates (food - Regulation 53(2)(e): a licence can be granted for the purposes of source for bats); “preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of Cattle grazing should continue to be overriding public interest including those of a social or economic nature and undertaken on adjacent land on rotation to beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment”; enhance the area for horseshoe bats. - Regulation 53(9)(a): the appropriate authority shall not grant a licence unless they are satisfied “that there is no satisfactory alternative”; and - Regulation 53(9) (b): the appropriate authority shall not grant a licence unless they are satisfied “that the action authorised will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range.”
If there is no change in the classification of trees’ bat roost potential, trees identified as having low bat roost potential (Category 2), which do not require further surveys, must be felled under a method statement, overseen by a licensed bat ecologist. This includes trees 36, 39, 45, 49, 71, 74 and 78. Tree felling will take place in autumn or spring, avoiding sensitive seasons for hibernation and maternity; Trees will negligible potential (Category 3) can be felled with no further surveys; this comprises tree 46, 51, 52, 65, 66 and 77; Alternative roosting provision will be provided for bats. The new building is unlikely to be appropriate due to lighting; however there may be outbuildings or a substations close to the boundary which could be suitable or bat boxes can be provided on large trees; Retained hedgerows and new hedgerows will form several wildlife corridors connecting the Site to the wider landscape from east to west and north to
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Ecological Mitigation and Compensation Enhancements Receptor south, managed specifically for wildlife; The wildlife corridors will be in place prior to construction and be maintained as dark corridors during construction and operation. Light-spill should occur no closer than 10m from hedgerows and woodland edge either by careful design or avoiding artificial lighting during the bat active season. Further advice is given in the Bat Conservation Trust guidance on artificial lighting (BCT, 2014). The lighting scheme should be reviewed and agreed by an ecologist. Breeding Vegetation removal will be phased to allow birds to find alternative nesting Two barn owl boxes will be provided, at birds sites; least 1km from the motorway or dual Vegetation removal should be timed to avoid the breeding bird season, which carriageway; runs from March to August inclusive. If this is not possible, an ecologist New buildings and retained trees should should first check for the presence of active bird nests prior to clearance. Any contain artificial nesting provision for active nests and a suitable buffer of surrounding vegetation should be different bird species. This could include retained until all chicks have fledged; kestrel and swift boxes on the main building A programme of hedgerow translocation will be developed to minimise and tree sparrow and starling boxes close impacts on nesting birds; to edges and away from disturbance. The Habitat enhancements such as hedgerow planting will provide compensation models and locations of installation should for the loss of nesting habitat for hedgerow farmland birds, wide buffer strips be selected under guidance from an and SUDS areas with tussocky grassland may provide compensation for the ecologist. loss of barn owl foraging habitat. Invertebrates The loss of 14 mature oak and ash trees identified as having saproxylic Recommend planting elm Ulmus spp. in invertebrate interest cannot be mitigated for in the short-term due to their age new hedgerows to enhance the area for the and condition, with deadwood micro-habitats only developing over a relatively white-letter hairstreak butterfly (recorded long time period; within 2km of Site. This will need to be A mitigation area will need to be identified which contains an equivalent managed appropriately. number of trees of the same age and species which will be retained over the long-term. A cohort of approximately 20 - 30 younger ash and oak trees (particularly ash), will also be tagged and retained adjacent to the Site, in order to provide replacements for the existing stock of over-mature and
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Ecological Mitigation and Compensation Enhancements Receptor veteran specimens. Pollarding of some of these replacements may help to speed up development of dead wood features; Felled mature trees will be moved adjacent to retained mature/veteran trees to retain deadwood habitats and so that invertebrate fauna has the opportunity to move into alternative habitat. This could be adjacent to eight mature trees within the adjacent land ownership which were identified with invertebrate interest (Trees 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 61, and 80 within H1, H9 and H10). The protection of these trees would need to be secured; Log piles and invertebrate banks will be created in suitable locations for example close to SUDS features. Reptiles Reptiles are considered absent from Site. However, if a significant period of The provision of log piles within wildlife time has passed prior to construction (e.g. three years), affected suitable areas will enhance the Site for reptiles by habitat will be managed prior to removal to reduce its value for reptiles and an providing opportunities for shelter and ecologist will be present to check for reptiles. basking. These can be created from some of the felled material during vegetation clearance, for example close to the wetland area/ SUDS and within areas of species- rich grassland close to field boundaries. Other A pre-works check for water vole will be undertaken within 6 months of works None species commencing; e.g. common Phased vegetation clearance, followed by an Ecological Clerk of Works toad, water (EcoW) will be undertaken during the excavation/ filling of the stream in the vole, harvest unlikely event that a protected or notable species is present at the time; mouse, water Pollution prevention measures during both construction and operation will be shrew, employed to prevention pollution incidents downstream; hedgehog. The creation of wetland habitats will compensate for the loss of the stream and riparian corridor. Wetland areas including open water, marginal and tall ruderal habitats and reed beds will be included in these areas.
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8 CONCLUSIONS
In summary, whilst the majority of the proposed development will sit within low value arable land, it will result in a significant loss of important hedgerows and mature trees which are of value to saproxylic (deadwood) invertebrates, foraging bats and nesting birds.
A mitigation and compensation strategy has been incorporated into the masterplan design to ensure that the proposal and work programme is designed to reduce adverse impacts on ecological features where possible. This includes careful phasing/ timing of works, protection and creation of wildlife corridors, tree planting/ strategic woodland planting and opportunities for roosting bats and nesting birds. In order to compensate for the loss of habitats, the proposed development will include extensive hedgerow translocation and/or creation, new SUDS systems and the planting of trees to provide a replacement habitat for saproxylic invertebrates in the long-term.
Enhancement recommendations have been outlined with the aim of providing a net biodiversity gain, contributing to the aims of National Planning Policy Framework and local policy. Measures will be implemented via a Landscape and Ecology Management Plan.
A summary of the predicted net gains and losses to biodiversity is illustrated in Table 13.
Table 13: Biodiversity net losses and net gains
Ecological receptor Loss Gain Designated sites None None 10m species-rich buffers adjacent 24 ha of poor value grassland/ Arable/ grassland to hedgerow bases within Site arable, with 0.5 – 1m margins. boundaries. Hedgerows 1.13 km A minimum of 1.13km hedgerows 14 mature trees within hedgerows At least 1 standard trees per 20m of with deadwood invertebrate Mature/veteran trees new/ tranlocated hedgerows. interest, plus 22 other mature 1.9 ha parkland/ woodland (at least trees 2 trees planted per tree lost) refer to Woodland 0.15 ha Landscape Strategy for detail. 680m of diverted and enhanced Water course 680m stream. Several new SUDS ponds. Loss of foraging habitat. Sett retained and buffered. Enhanced Badger Disturbance to sett. foraging habitat.
Enhanced commuting and foraging >1km commuting and foraging habitat around edges of Site, kept Bats habitat. Loss of roosting features dark. in trees. Provision of bat boxes. Hedgerow planting, nest boxes and Breeding birds Loss of nesting sites in hedgerows, northern grassland, barn owl boxes.
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Ecological receptor Loss Gain trees and woodland. Protection of retained veteran trees 14 trees identified with saproxylic Invertebrates outside the development footprint. invertebrate interest lost. Long-term gains - tree planting. Reptiles and other Enhanced foraging habitat through None identified. species. habitat creation.
Provided that the measures outlined in this report can be achieved, it is considered that the proposed development will be able to mitigate for the negative effects in the long-term, although there are likely to be short- to medium-term adverse effects whilst new habitats establish.
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9 REFERENCES
Alexander K.N.A. (2004). Revision of the Index of Ecological Continuity as used for saproxylic beetles. English Nature Research Report No. 574. English Nature, Peterborough.
Alexander K.N.A., Dodd S. & Denton J.S. (2014). A review of the scarce and threatened beetles of Great Britain. The darkling beetles and their allies: Aderidae, Anthicidae, Colydiidae, Melandryidae, Meloidae, Mordellidae, Mycetophagidae, Mycteridae, Oedemeridae, Pyrochroidae, Pythidae, Ripiphoridae, Salpingidae, Scraptiidae, Tenebrionidae & Tetratomidae (Tenebrionoidea less Ciidae). Species Status No.18. Natural England Commissioned Report. NECR148. Natural England, Peterborough.
Bat Conservation Trust (2014) Artificial lighting and wildlife. Interim Guidance: Recommendations to help minimise the impact artificial lighting. Available at http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/bats_and_lighting.html
Barn Owl Trust (2012) Barn Owl Conservation Handbook. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter.
Bibby C.J., Burgess N.D., Hill D.A. and Mustoe S.H. (2000) Bird Census Techniques, 2nd Edition. Academic Press, London.
Bright P.W., Morris P.A. and Mitchell-Jones A. (2006) Dormouse Conservation Handbook 2nd Edition. English Nature, Peterborough.
British Standard 5837: 2012 Trees in Relation to design, demolition and construction. Recommendations.
Defra (2011) Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services.
Eaton M.A., Brown A.F., Noble D.G., Musgrove A.J., Hearn R.D., Aebischer N.J., Gibbons D.W., Evans A. & Gregory R.D. (2009) Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 102: 296-341.
English Nature (2001) Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough.
Falk S.J. (1991a) A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps and ants of Great Britain. Nature Conservancy Council. Research and survey in nature conservation. No. 35. NCC, Peterborough.
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Falk S.J. (1991b) A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great Britain (Part 1). Nature Conservancy Council. Research and survey in nature conservation. No. 39. NCC, Peterborough.
Froglife (1999) Reptile Survey: An introduction to planning, conducting and interpreting surveys for snakeand and lizard conservation. Froglife Advice Sheet 10. Froglife.
Gilbert G., Gibbons D.W. and Evans J. (1998) Bird Monitoring Methods: A manual of techniques for key UK species. RSPB, Bedfordshire.
Harding P.T. & Rose F. (1986) Pasture woodlands in lowland Britain. A review of their importance for wildlife conservation. ITE, Huntingdon.
Hundt (2012) Bat Surveys: Good Practice Guidelines, 2nd Ed, Bat Conservation Trust
Hyman P.S. and Parsons M.S. (1992) A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain. Part 1. UK nature conservation report. No 3. JNCC, Peterborough, 1992.
Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995) Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment. Taylor & Francis.
JNCC (2010) Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey – a technique for environmental audit, ISBN 0 86139 636 7.
Large R. (2013) Wiltshire and Swindon Wildlife Sites Handbook. A manual for the operation of the Wiltshire and Swindon Wildlife Sites Project.
Oldham R.S., Keeble J., Swan M.J.S. & Jeffcote M. (2000. Evaluating the Suitability of Habitat for the Great Crested Newt (Triturus Cristatus). Herpetological Journal, Vol 10, pp 143-155.
RSPB Skylark Advisory Sheet (England) http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/skylark_tcm9- 148727.pdf
Stace, C. (2010) New Flora of the British Isles (3rd Edition) Cambridge University.
Strachan R., Moorhouse T. and Gelling M. (2011) Water Vole Conservation Handbook, 3rd Edition. Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Oxford University.
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Appendix 1 – Survey Methodologies
1.1 Desk Study
A desk-based study was undertaken in April 2015 whereby Wiltshire & Swindon Biological Records Centre (WSBRC) was contacted for records of protected/ notable species and sites designated for nature conservation value (statutory and non-statutory) within a 2km radius of the Site boundary, extended to 4km for bat species.
The Government’s mapping website MAGIC (www.magic.gov.uk) was also searched for Priority Habitats within 1km of the Site and European designated Natura 2000 sites (e.g. Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA)) within 10km.
A review of previous survey work was undertaken, which comprised the work undertaken in 2014 by Ecus. Any results of interest have been included within this report where relevant.
1.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
A site walkover was undertaken in accordance with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology (JNCC 2010) on 25 March 2015 by Nicola Darwin BSc ACIEEM and Alex Sams BSc (Hons) MSc ACIEEM. This was updated on 21 and 22 September 2015 and 31 May 2016 by Faye Midmore BSc (Hons) MSc ACIEEM and Alex Sams.
All habitats within the Site were identified, described and mapped during the field survey, and an indicative botanical species list compiled. Plant names follow Stace (2010). The survey was extended to highlight the potential presence of protected and priority species in accordance with the Institute of Environmental Assessment methodology (IEA 1995). This involved a search to identify the presence or potential presence of notable and protected species such as badger, dormouse, bats, reptiles and amphibians. Target Notes (TNs) were used to record any features or habitats of ecological interest.
Where access allowed, adjacent habitats were also considered in order to assess possible impacts of the proposal in a wider context.
A digital map was produced using MapInfo Professional (Pitney Bowes, version 12.0.3). Plant species lists and target notes are provided in Appendix 2 and 3 respectively.
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1.3 Hedgerow Regulations Survey
All hedgerows were assessed under the wildlife and landscape criteria of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 during the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. This involved recording woody species, woodland flora and associated features for the central 30m stretch of each 100m length of hedgerow in accordance with the Regulations. The information was then used to assess whether the hedgerow was ‘Important’ under the Regulations.
1.4 Badger Survey
A badger survey was undertaken on 31 May 2016 by Faye Midmore. The survey involved a thorough search of the Site for evidence of badger activity based on the methodology outlined by Harris, Creswell and Jefferies (1991). A search was made for:
Setts, including earth mounds/ spoil, evidence of bedding and runways between setts; Latrines, often located close to setts, at territory boundaries or adjacent to favoured feeding areas; Prints and paths; Hairs within sett entrance or caught on nearby fencing; and, Other evidence including snuffle holes, feeding and playing areas and scratching posts.
Where setts were observed, their status and the level of activity were noted. Sett status can be broadly classified as:
Main sett – Sett within a badger territory that appears to be the largest (usually with at least five holes) and the most well used, with much activity in the vicinity, is categorised as the main sett. Main setts always have active badger runs leading away from them and are normally marked by latrines. Social groups have one main sett, which is the most important sett in the territory. It is used throughout the year and is the main breeding sett.
Annexe sett – Setts are categorised as annexe setts where they are assumed to form part of the main sett area but where the sett is unlikely to be directly linked by an underground passage to the main sett either due to a barrier (e.g. separated by a watercourse or ditch) or by distance. Annexe setts are normally linked to the main sett by a well-used path and lie within 150m of a main sett entrance.
Subsidiary sett – Setts that offer an alternative sett complex to the main sett are categorised as subsidiary setts. Subsidiary setts are normally, at least, 50m from the main sett and are not always obviously linked by a well-used path to the main sett (unlike annexe
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setts). Subsidiary setts often exhibit moderate levels of activity, are larger than outlier setts but smaller than main setts. Subsidiary setts are often marked by latrines.
Outlier sett – These setts often comprise of just one or two entrances. They are used infrequently and can be found at the boundaries of a badger social group’s territory.
1.5 Bat Surveys
Tree Assessment
The trees on Site were initially inspected by Alex Sams on 25 March 2015 for their bat roost potential in accordance with best practice methodology at the time, published by the Bat Conservation Trust (Hundt, 2012). Trees were inspected from ground-level with the aid of binoculars for features of potential value to bats such as holes, cracks/ splits, loose bark, cavities, dense epicormic growth and ivy.
Signs indicating possible use by bats were also recorded such as scratches, staining, bat droppings, the distinctive smell of bats and audible sounds. Trees were assessed according to their potential to support bat roosts and placed into the following categories in accordance with Collins (2016) (categories in accordance with the previous best practice guidelines (Hundt 2012) are provided in brackets):
Known or confirmed roost; High (Category 1*) – Trees with multiple, highly suitable features capable of supporting larger roosts; Moderate (Category 1) – A tree with one or more potential roosting sites that could be used by bats due to their size, shelter, protection, conditions and surrounding habitat but unlikely to support a roost of high conservation status (not species conservation status); Low (Category 2) – Trees with no obvious potential, although the tree is of a size and age that elevated surveys may result in cracks or crevices being found; or the tree supports some features which may have limited potential to support bats; or Negligible (Category 3) – Trees with no potential to support bats.
Any tree identified as being High to Low (Category 1*, 1 or 2) were then subject to a more detailed inspection on 29 April 2015 by a team comprising Alex Sams, Paul Spencer of Corylus Ecology Ltd (BSc, MSc, MCIEEM, Natural England licensed bat ecologist, Lantra NPTC Level 2 tree climber) and Elizabeth Bradshaw of Helix Ecology (BSc, DPhil, MCIEEM, Natural England licensed bat ecologist, Lantra NPTC Level 2 tree climber). Trees were fully inspected with an endoscope (when necessary and if access to features was safe to do so)
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either by tree climbing or from a ladder. Trees were reassigned categories where appropriate based on the new information and recommendations developed for future work.
Tree locations of those surveyed are shown in Figure 3.
Tree Roost Emergence and Bat Activity Surveys
Bat activity surveys and tree roost emergence surveys were undertaken once a month between April and September 2015 in general accordance with best practice guidance at the time (Hundt 2012).
Following informal consultation with the county ecologist, it was agreed that tree emergence surveys would be undertaken by concentrating survey effort in areas of trees with greatest potential to support roosting bats rather than on every tree. The tree emergence survey commenced 15 minutes before sunset and continued for approximately one hour or until visibility of potential roosting features was impaired. Surveyed trees are shown in Figure 3.
The emergence survey was followed by walked transects of approximately two hours. The Site was separated into two transect routes which were planned to include features with potential for use by foraging and commuting bats, such as hedgerows, woodland edge and mature tree lines, illustrated in Figure 4. The routes were interspersed with ‘point-counts’ where surveyors stopped for three minutes to listen for bats. Starting locations were altered between surveys to prevent biased results. From June 2015, the transect length was shortened based on new information about the proposal layout and form.
A pre-dawn survey was also undertaken in August, commencing 1.5 hours before sunrise and continuing until sunrise.
During the survey, each surveyor was equipped with a manual hand-held detector and recorder (Wildlife Acoustics Echo Meter EM3 or Titley Scientific Anabat Express (transect mode) alongside Elekon BatScanner). When a bat was encountered, the time, species and flight direction/behaviour was noted. All surveys were completed during optimal weather conditions of at least 10oC temperature at the start of the survey, dry and with very little or no wind as detailed below.
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Bat activity transect and tree emergence survey dates and personnel
Date Survey Start Tree emergence Transect Personnel Weather time location length (time) 29/04/15 Dusk 20:13 N/A 2 hrs 55 mins AS & SK 10 – 7.5oC, wind (Beaufort) 1-2, drizzle for part of survey. 28/05/15 Dusk 20:55 34 & 35 2 hrs AS & SK 11 – 8.5oC, wind 1-2, no rain. 29/06/15 Dusk 21:15 75 1 hr 40 mins AS & SK 20 – 17oC, wind 1, no rain. 27/07/15 Dusk 20:50 37 1 hr 28 mins AS & SK 14 – 14oC, wind 1-2, occasional light shower. 24/08/15 Dusk 19:57 50 1 hr 24 mins AS & CS 14 – 14oC, wind 0-1, drizzle at start, then none 25/08/15 Dawn 04:29 N/A 1 hr 40 mins AS & CS 10 – 10.5oC, wind 0, no rain. 21/09/15 Dusk 18:58 51, 52 & 53 1 hr 45 mins AS, FM & 12.5 – 12oC, wind 1, SK no rain. AS = Alex Sams BSc (Hons) MSc, ACIEEM; SK = Sonja Kaulbarsch BSc MSc; CS = Cathy Shaw BSc MSc; FM = Faye Midmore BSc (Hons) MSc, ACIEEM
Static Detector Surveys
Activity transects were supplemented with the use of static automated detectors to increase survey effort. Automated detectors were deployed in hedgerows and woodland edge for up to five nights per detector per month in favourable weather conditions as detailed below. Four detectors (comprising Anabat Express and Song Meter SM2) were deployed each month between April and September 2015 at locations shown in Figure 5, with a total of 116 recording nights.
Static bat detector recording dates
Detector location Dates Nights active 1 - 4 29th - 30th April 2015 2 1 - 4 3rd - 7th May 2015 5 5 - 8 31st May - 4th June 2015 5 9 - 12 27th - 31st July 2015 5 13 - 16 25th - 29th August 2015 5 13 - 16 1st - 5th September 2015 5 17 - 20 1st – 2nd October 2015 2
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Data Analysis
Data recorded during the bat activity surveys was analysed using AnalookW 4.1 (in conjunction with Kaleidoscope conversion software for EM3 detectors) to gain a count of the total bat passes. Identification was guided by information provided in Russ (2012).
Due to difficulties in separating Myotis bat species by call parameters, most Myotis species have been categorised to genus level only. Grey long-eared bats Plecotus austriacus are considered to be absent from Wiltshire, and therefore all long-eared bat calls have been categorised as brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus. The analysed data set is available on request.
To obtain an indication of relative bat activity within different areas of the Site, a calculation was made of the number of bat passes for each species per night. This data could then be used to represent the results temporally and spatially using graphs and maps.
1.6 Breeding Bird Survey
A breeding bird survey was undertaken in spring 2016 according to an adapted Common Bird Census (CBC) methodology (Bibby et al, 2000; Gilbert et al, 1998), consisting of a walked transect route encompassing the entire site, in suitable weather conditions (avoiding cold, windy and wet days, although showery days make acceptable survey weather), as detailed below.
Breeding bird survey dates, times and weather conditions
Visit Date Surveyor Time Weather 1 22/04/2016 MW 06:30 – Light air to gentle breeze, overcast, dry, 9°C, excellent 09:25 visibility 2 31/05/2016 KW 07:45 – Gentle breeze to fresh breeze, cloudy, dry, 12-16°C, 10:30 excellent visibility 3 17/06/2016 KW 07:25 – Calm to light air, overcast, light rain at start then dry, 13- 09:30 16°C, very good visibility MW = BSc MCIEEM; KW = Kerri Watson BSc (Hons)
All bird species were recorded during the breeding bird survey but particular attention was paid to the presence of WCA 1981 Schedule 1 species, birds listed on the UK Red-list of Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC; Eaton et al., 2015), species listed in Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006 and Local BAP species. During the survey, information on species, their locations and behaviour was mapped and recorded.
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1.7 Dormouse Survey
A dormouse tube survey was undertaken between April and September 2015 and involved the placement of 100 tubes at approximately 20m intervals within hedgerows and woodland edge in accordance with The Dormouse Conservation Handbook (Bright et al., 2006). The tube locations are shown in Figure 6. A survey must score a minimum probability score of 20 to provide sufficient survey effort to determine presence/likely absence of the species on a given site (based on 50 tubes). Table 1.7.1 details the months in which tubes were in-situ and the probability score.
Table 1.7.1: Index of probability of finding dormice present (based on best practice guidelines) and months nest tubes were present
Month Index of Probability (Bright et al., Probability Score for Site 2006) for 50 tubes April 1 - May 4 8 June 2 4 July 2 4 August 5 10 September 7 14 October 2 - November 2 - TOTAL SCORE 40
Tubes were checked and removed from Site on 22nd September 2015 by Alex Sams and Faye Midmore.
1.8 Great Crested Newt Survey
Scoping/ Habitat Suitability Index Assessment
A review of OS maps and aerial imagery identified five water bodies within 500m of the Site boundary; comprising four off-site ponds and one ditch/ stream within the Site boundary as shown in Figure 7. Water bodies north of the M4 motorway were discounted as the carriageway was considered a significant barrier to movement.
An assessment of each water body’s suitability to support a breeding population of great crested newts (GCN) was made according to the criteria of the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) (Oldham et al., 2000) following the methodology described in the ARG UK Guidance Note 5 (ARG UK 2010). This calculation takes account of a number of factors to produce a final
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score between 0 and 1, which can be translated into a suitability rating. The factors included within the HSI are geographic location, pond area, the likelihood of the pond drying out, water quality, shoreline shade, the presence of water fowl and fish, percentage macrophyte cover, surrounding terrestrial habitat and the number of ponds within the vicinity.
Presence/ absence survey
Great Crested Newt surveys were undertaken between 8 April and 3 June 2015 in accordance with methods stated within the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines (English Nature 2001) by suitably licensed ecologists. This involved a combination of bottle trapping, torchlight survey and egg searching over four visits within the recommended survey season, as detailed below
Great crested newt survey dates and weather conditions
Visit Date Surveyor Overnight temp. (°C) Weather Turbidity 1 08/04/2015 ND/CS 6 No rain/ wind 2 2 22/04/2015 ND/CS -0.2 No rain/ wind 1 3 07/05/2015 CS/HM 6.3 No rain/ wind 2 4 03/06/2015 CS/HM 7 No rain/ wind 2 ND = Nicola Darwin BSc ACIEEM, Natural England GCN licence holder; CS = Cathy Shaw BSc MSc; HM = Holly Mitchell- Camp BSc (Hons) Natural England GCN licence holder
The survey methods on each visit involved:
Bottle trapping - Plastic bottle traps were set at an approximate density of one trap per two meters along the water’s edge, at an angle that allows for an air bubble to remain in the bottle. A combination of standard bottle traps (secured through the trap with a cane) and floating bottle traps were used. Traps were set in the evening and left overnight, then inspected in the early morning with any animals being released immediately back into the water. Bottle trapping was only undertaken when the ambient overnight temperature was 5oC or above. Torchlight survey - ‘Torching’ of the aquatic habitat was undertaken between dusk and midnight, and involved searching the water body using a high-powered torch which penetrates the water (Clulite Clubman CB2, Cluson Engineering Ltd). The entire margin of the water body was searched, with any amphibians recorded. Torching can only take place if the water is not turbid, i.e. it cannot be undertaken during rain or windy conditions, as visibility is impaired. Egg searching - Submerged and emergent vegetation was checked for the presence of GCN eggs. These can be distinguished by the neat folding at the end of
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leaves and the colour/ size of the egg. Once GCN eggs are found, no further searches using this technique are made.
1.9 Invertebrate Survey
An invertebrate survey was undertaken on 28 July 2015 by Dave Boyce, an experienced entomologist, on behalf of Green Ecology. The aim of the survey was to gather information on the invertebrate interest of the Site, with a particular emphasis on deadwood (saproxylic) invertebrate fauna. The full report is provided in Appendix 5, which also provides a full list of invertebrates noted during the survey.
The survey involved sampling of invertebrate fauna by hand-searching saproxylic habitat features (e.g. heart rot, wood decay fungi) and by beating dead branch-wood of mature trees over an entomological beating tray. The main invertebrate taxon sampled was beetles (Coleoptera), but a range of other groups, such as hoverflies (Syrphidae) were also determined to species level. In addition, readily identifiable groups such as the Orthoptera and butterflies (Lepidoptera) were recorded. In order to gather as much information as possible on saproxylic habitats, invertebrate sampling was restricted to old trees, though some brief notes were made on other areas that appeared to have potentially interesting invertebrate habitat features.
1.10 Reptile Survey
Surveys to ascertain the likely presence/absence of reptiles were undertaken following current good practice methodologies (Froglife 1999). This involved the deployment of 200 0.5m2 artificial refuges (roofing felt) on 25 March 2015 in areas of suitable habitat such as hedgerow bases and woodland edges as shown in Figure 8. Refuges were left to ‘bed-in’ prior to a series of visits in optimal weather conditions, in which the following survey methods were undertaken:
Direct Observation – A search for reptiles whilst basking in open cover/ vegetation by walking carefully and slowly and looking in areas where reptiles could be present; Refugia check – visits involved recording all reptiles observed under, on top of, or next to each artificial refugia. Any existing ‘natural’ refugia were also checked for the presence of reptiles.
Where possible, the life stage and sex of each species was also recorded. Dates, personnel and weather conditions are detailed below.
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Reptile survey dates and weather conditions
Visit Date Time Surveyor Temp. (°C) Weather
1 09/04/2015 AM 09:30 CS/ND 15 No clouds/ wind/rain 2 23/04/2015 AM 10:30 CS/ND 14 60% cloud cover, light wind, no rain 3 30/04/2015 PM 16:15 AS 13 50% cloud cover, light wind, no rain 4 07/05/2015 AM 11:30 CS 11 100% cloud cover, breezy, rain shower and sunny spells 5 28/05/2015 Throughout AS 15.5 10% cloud cover, breezy, no rain day 6 29/05/2015 Throughout AS 14.5 85% cloud cover, breezy, no rain. day 7 04/06/2015 AM 11:30 CS 17 20% cloud cover, breezy, no rain. CS = Cathy Shaw BSc MSc; AS = Alex Sams BSc (Hons) MSc, ACIEEM; ND = Nicola Darwin BSc ACIEEM
1.11 Water Vole Survey
A search was made of suitable sections of the stream and ditches for evidence of water vole during the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey on 22 September 2015 and 31 May 2016. This involved a search for water vole evidence including burrows, droppings, footprints and feeding remains following current best practice methodologies (Strachan et al. 2011).
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Appendix 2 – Plant Species List
Scientific name Common name Acer campestre Field maple Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Aethusa cynapium Fool's Parsley Ajuga reptans Bugle Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal-grass Aphanes arvensis Parsley-piert Apium nodiflorum Fool's-water-cress Arctium minus Lesser burdock Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Calystegia sepium Hedge Bindweed Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Chenopodium sp Goosefoot sp. Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Cornus sanguinea Dogwood Corylus avellana Hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Dipsacus fullonum Wild Teasel Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Equisetum sp. Horsetail sp. Euonymus europaeus Spindle Euphrasia officinalis agg. Eyebright Fagus sylvatica Beech Festuca sp. Fescue Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Galium mollugo Hedge Bedstraw Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Geranium robertianum Herb-Robert Geum urbanum Wood Avens Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy Hedera helix Ivy Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog
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Scientific name Common name Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell Ilex aquifolium Holly Juncus effusus Soft-rush Juncus inflexus Hard Rush Lamium album White Dead-nettle Lapsana communis Nipplewort Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy Ligustrum sp Privet Linaria vulgaris Common Toadflax Lolium multiflorum Italian Rye-grass Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Malus domestica Apple Medicago lupulina Black Medick Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not Orobanche minor Common Broomrape Papaver hybridum Rough Poppy Persicaria maculosa Redshank Plantago major Greater Plantain Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Potentilla anserina Silverweed Prunella vulgaris Selfheal Prunus sp. Damson/ plum Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rhamnus cathartica Buckthorn Rosa sp. Rose sp. Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Rumex crispus Curled Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Salix fragilis Crack-willow Salix sp. Willow sp. Sambucus nigra Elder Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort Sherardia arvensis Field Madder Silene alba White campion Silene dioica Red Campion Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle Stellaria media Common Chickweed
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Scientific name Common name Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry Taraxacum agg. Dandelion Agg. Tragopogon pratensis Goat's-beard Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium sp. Clover sp. Typha sp. Bulrush sp. Ulex europaeus Gorse Ulmus glabra Wych Elm Urtica dioica Common Nettle Veronica sp. Speedwell sp. Viburnum lantana Wayfaring-tree Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Vicia sativa Common Vetch Viola arvensis Field Pansy
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Appendix 3 – Target Notes
TN Description Photograph 1 Orchids recorded along south-facing bank No photograph of northern boundary of central site in previous report (Ecus 2014). The orchids present included pyramidal orchid, bee orchid and early purple orchid. 2 Orchids recorded along northern boundary No photograph of northern site in previous report (Ecus 2014). The orchids present included pyramidal orchid, bee orchid and early purple orchid. 3 Strip of uncultivated maize, up to 10m wide, along eastern boundary of south- eastern field. Possibly part of crop rotation or retained for wildlife e.g. game cover crop.
4 Rye-grass field used for silage and cattle grazing. Good quality field margins for range of faunal species.
5 Hedgerow 3 in eastern part of central site. No photograph Species-rich and containing numerous mature/veteran trees. Good bat roost potential in several trees. Of importance to several deadwood invertebrates of conservation interest. Also likely to support breeding birds. As with most other hedgerows on Site, this qualified as ‘Important’ under the Hedge Regs 1997.
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TN Description Photograph 6 Strip of semi-natural broadleaved woodland adjacent to western part of stream. Approx. 6m wide and contained trees and shrubs including blackthorn, hawthorn, buckthorn, field maple, oak, hazel, elder, rose, ash and apple. Limited ground flora at time of survey.
7 Swamp adjacent to woodland and stream. No water evident at time of survey but dense stand of bulrush, great willowherb, soft and hard rushes and common ragwort suggested damp conditions/ seasonal flooding. Willow scrub at edge.
8 Small stream dissecting site, water flowing west to east. Channel approx. 0.5m wide heavily choked with fool’s-water-cress, great willowherb, meadowsweet, horsetail sp. and curled dock. Very little water present but likely to be seasonally flooded. 6m wide strip. Joins Sutton Benger brook approx. 1.1km downstream and eventually the River Avon.
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TN Description Photograph 9 Dry ditch between B4122 road and stream on Site. Dry channel approx. 0.5m wide with sloping banks to 1.5m. Choked with cock’s-foot grass, teasel, nettle and dock, then shrubs and bramble at northern end. 4m wide.
10 Badger sett close to northern boundary of central site. At least 2 entrances with one in ploughed section of field. Fresh spoil and badger hairs noted. Possible main sett.
11 Possible outlier sett in western end of No photograph. woodland by stream. Single entrance, appeared unused at time of survey but entrance and tunnel still visible. High level of rabbit activity on Site which may now be using entrance?
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Appendix 4 – Great Crested Newt Survey Results
Habitat Suitability Index (Oldham et al., 2000)
Pond 1 Results Scores SI1 Location A 1 SI2 Pond area 30m² 0.06 SI3 Pond drying Rarely 1 SI4 Water quality Moderate 0.67 SI5 Shoreline shade 80% 0.6 SI6 Fowl Absent 1 SI7 Fish Possible 0.67 SI8 Pound count 5 0.78 SI9 Terrestrial habitat Moderate 0.67 SI10 Macrophytes 65% 0.95 HSI 0.617212 Pond suitability Average Pond 2 Results Scores SI1 Location A 1 SI2 Pond area 200m² 0.4 SI3 Pond drying Never 0.9 SI4 Water quality Poor 0.33 SI5 Shoreline shade 10% 1 SI6 Fowl Absent 1 SI7 Fish Possible 0.67 SI8 Pound count 9 0.92 SI9 Terrestrial habitat Poor 0.33 SI10 Macrophytes 75% 1 HSI 0.689159 Pond suitability Average Pond 3 Results Scores SI1 Location A 1 SI2 Pond area 100m² 0.2 SI3 Pond drying Annually 0.1 SI4 Water quality Bad 0.01 SI5 Shoreline shade 30% 1 SI6 Fowl Absent 1 SI7 Fish Absent 1 SI8 Pound count 9 0.92 SI9 Terrestrial habitat Poor 0.33 SI10 Macrophytes 5% 0.35 HSI 0.340989 Pond suitability Poor
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Great crested newt survey results
Pond 1
Visit Date Surveyor Overnight Weather No of traps Turbidity Veg cover Torch Bottle Egg search Other amphibians/ temp (°C) results results species 1 08/04/2015 ND/CS 6 No rain/ 18 2 Not recorded No GCN No GCN No GCN Beetles, snails & wind shrimp 2 22/04/2015 ND/CS -0.2 No rain/ Not under- 1 Not recorded No GCN N/A No submerged Beetles, snails & wind taken vegetation shrimp, toadpoles 3 07/05/2015 CS/HM 6.3 No rain/ 10 2 Not recorded No GCN No GCN No submerged Pond snails wind vegetation 4 03/06/2015 CS/HM 7 No rain/ 15 2 Not recorded No GCN No GCN No GCN Beetles & snails wind
Pond 2
Visit Date Surveyor Overnight Weather No of Turbidity Veg cover Torch Bottle Egg search Other amphibians/ temp (°C) traps results results species 1 08/04/2015 ND/CS 6 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind 2 22/04/2015 ND/CS -0.2 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind 3 07/05/2015 CS/HM 6.3 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind 4 03/06/2015 CS/HM 7 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind
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Pond 3
Visit Date Surveyor Overnight Weather No of traps Turbidity Veg cover Torch Bottle Egg search Other amphibians/ temp (°C) results results species 1 08/04/2015 ND/CS 6 No rain/ 10 2 Not recorded No GCN No GCN No GCN 2 male smooth wind newts, diving beetle 2 22/04/2015 ND/CS -0.2 No rain/ Not under- 2 Not recorded No GCN N/A No GCN 2 male smooth wind taken newts, 4 juvenilles, tadpoles, toadpoles, diving beetle, water boatmen 3 07/05/2015 CS/HM 6.3 No rain/ 10 2 Not recorded No GCN No GCN No GCN 3 male smooth wind newts, diving beetle, water boatmen 4 03/06/2015 CS/HM 7 No rain/ Not carried 3 Not recorded No GCN N/A No GCN 1 male smooth newt wind out, due to insufficient water depth Pond 4
Visit Date Surveyor Overnight Weather No of traps Turbidity Veg cover Torch Bottle Egg search Other amphibians/ temp (°C) results results species 1 08/04/2015 ND/CS 6 No rain/ Not carried 3 Not recorded No GCN No GCN Not carried out 1 common frog, 7 wind out - gravel - no common toads bottom submerged vegetation 2 22/04/2015 ND/CS -0.2 No rain/ Not under- 3 Not recorded No GCN N/A Not carried out pond skater, water wind taken - no boatmen submerged vegetation 3 07/05/2015 CS/HM 6.3 No rain/ 37 3 Not recorded No GCN No GCN Not carried out tadpoles, toadpoles, wind - no pond skater, water submerged boatmen vegetation
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4 03/06/2015 CS/HM 7 No rain/ 40 3 Not recorded No GCN No GCN Not carried out 1 male smooth newt, wind - no tadpoles, toadpoles, submerged pond skater, water vegetation boatman & diving beetles
Pond 5 (ditch)
Visit Date Surveyor Overnight Weather No of Turbidity Veg cover Torch Bottle Egg search Other temp (°C) traps results results amphibians/species 1 08/04/2015 ND/CS 6 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind 2 22/04/2015 ND/CS -0.2 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind 3 07/05/2015 CS/HM 6.3 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind 4 03/06/2015 CS/HM 7 No rain/ Not carried out, due to insufficient water depth. Unsuitable for GCN. wind
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Pond descriptions and summary of results
Pond number Distance Pond description HSI GCN Survey from Site Score suitability results boundary (HSI) 1 450m west Approx. 30m2, adjacent to stream and tree covered bank. Mostly shaded by large 0.617 Average No GCN willow. Self-seeded willow within pond and 50% surface covered with fools watercress. Bbuf Yellow flag Iris pseudacorus, brooklime Veronica beccabunga and marsh marigold Caltha palustris also present. Separated from Site by A350 dual-carriageway. 2 480m south 100m2 pond approx. 1m deep with some aquatic and emergent vegetation including 0.689 Average No GCN fools watercress, floating sweetgrass Glyceria fluitans and great willowherb. Shallow banks supporting rushes, nettle, docks and shrubs. Within improved grassland field but fenced at edges approx. 2m. 3 280m south L-shaped pond approx. 100m2 in size at corner of field. Water source appeared to be 0.341 Poor No GCN from northern end or from ditch. Some brooklime present. Fenced from surrounding Bbuf fields and banks/ edges supporting nettle and rushes with some trees and small Lvul shrubs to north and east. Rtem 4 300m south 700m2 duck pond with gravel banks – appearing to be relatively new. Steep banks of Not undertaken No GCN at approx. 1m and deep water. No aquatic/ emergent vegetation but dense algae. Tall Bbuf Whitelands fencing and electric fencing surrounding pond. Short grass and nettles. Lvul Farm Rtem 5 (stream) Onsite See Section 4.2.11 above Not undertaken No GCN Bbuf = Common toad Bufo bufo; Lvul = Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris; Rtem = Common frog Rana temporaria
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Appendix 5 – Invertebrate Report
Author: David Boyce
1. Introduction and methods
This report describes the results of an invertebrate assessment carried out near to the town of Chippenham, Wiltshire for the Green Ecology environmental consultancy. The site comprises a series of arable and improved pasture fields separated by hedgerows and shelterbelts. These lie adjacent to the M4 motorway immediately to the south-east of junction 17. To the west, the site is bounded by the A350, the B4122 runs through its northern half and there is a minor road close to its south-west boundary. A central grid reference for the site approximates to ST919791. The objective of this assessment was to gather information on the invertebrate interest of the survey area delineated on Figure 2.1., with a particular emphasis on the dead wood (saproxylic) invertebrate fauna of the mature hedgerow trees that occur in hedges across much of the site. All mature trees have been tagged by Green Ecology, and this numbering has been used as the basis for describing the location of important invertebrate species and habitat features in this report.
The fields that make up the majority of the site are either improved pastures or arable land and are mostly of low interest for invertebrates. However, the ruderal strip that runs between hedge H5 and the central stream has a moderately diverse flora that includes a large population of common fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica and has some potential for invertebrates. The hedgerows that separate the fields are outgrown and relatively species-rich, with a mix of native trees and shrubs including blackthorn Prunus spinosa, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, common elm Ulmus procera, crack willow Salix fragilis, oak Quercus sp. and ash Fraxinus excelsior. There are thin strips of woodland along some of the field margins, especially those bordering the various roads described in the preceding paragraph, with these having a similar mix of trees and shrubs to that in the hedges.
The brief for this work stipulated that a single day’s invertebrate assessment should be carried out, with this visit being made on the 28th of July 2015. The aim of the contract was to survey the mature and over-mature trees and assess the quality of the saproxylic invertebrate habitats present on these. In order to gather as much information as possible on saproxylic habitats, invertebrate sampling was restricted to the old trees, though some brief notes were made on other areas that appeared to have potentially interesting invertebrate habitat features.
Sampling of the invertebrate fauna was mostly carried out by hand searching saproxylic habitat features (e.g. heart rot, wood decay fungi) and by beating dead branchwood of mature trees over an entomological beating tray. The main invertebrate taxon sampled was beetles (Coleoptera), but a
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range of other groups with which the contractor is familiar, such as hoverflies (Syrphidae), were also determined to species level. In addition, readily identified groups such as the Orthoptera and butterflies were recorded. A full list of the invertebrates noted during the survey can be found in Appendix 1, at the end of this report.
Section 2 lists any key invertebrate species recorded during the sampling programme. Key species are defined as being: 1) of EC Annex II Species Directive (EC II), UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority, Red Data Book (RDB), Nationally Scarce or Local/Regional BAP Priority status; and/or 2) indicative of the main habitat(s) present on the site in question. Other invertebrates of interest that are not sufficiently important to warrant key species status are also noted here.
In section 3, an assessment of the invertebrate habitats is provided, with notes on those trees and other habitat features thought to be of particular value being made. Also here, suggestions for possible management and mitigation measures that aim to minimise the impact of development on important invertebrates are provided. Key mature and over-mature trees are identified, these being either those where one or more key species were found and/or where the tree in question has well- developed saproxylic habitat features that are thought likely to support important dead wood invertebrates given more detailed surveys. Other potentially interesting invertebrate habitats present on the site are also described briefly.
2. Important invertebrates recorded at Chippenham Gateway
2.1. Key invertebrates
A total of seven key invertebrates were recorded from this site. Three are Nationally Scarce species as defined in the relevant national Species Status Reviews. Five are indicators of landscapes where there is thought to have been a good continuity of old trees with dead wood habitats (Harding & Rose, 1986 with subsequent modifications by Alexander, 2004). A more detailed explanation of the status categories given in emboldened print after the species name is provided below. The key species accounts below include brief notes on their occurrence at Chippenham Gateway, plus comments on their ecology and national/regional distribution.
The status categories given after the species names below are defined as follows:
Na. – Nationally Scarce Category A. Taxa thought to occur in 30 to 16 10 km squares of the National Grid. Nb. – Nationally Scarce Category B. Taxa thought to occur in between 31 and 100 10 km squares of the National Grid.
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NS. - Nationally Scarce. Taxa which are estimated to occur within the range of 16 to 100 10km squares of the National Grid. This category replaces the ‘Na’ and ‘Nb’ sub-divisions (see above) into which Nationally Scarce species were often assigned in earlier reviews. SFG3 – Saproxylic Fauna Group 3 - Saproxylic beetles that occur widely in wooded land, but which are collectively characteristic of ancient woodland with dead wood habitats (Harding and Rose, 1986, as updated by Alexander, 2004).
2.1.1. A Cucujid beetle Pediacus dermestoides. SFG3.
The strongly flattened form of this reddish beetle is an adaptation to its habitat, this being under the bark of trunks and branches of recently dead broadleaves, where it feeds on fungi. The distinctive larvae, which are also strongly flattened, are found in the same microhabitat, and prey on other invertebrates. Nationally it occurs locally across much of England and Wales as far north as Yorkshire. At Chippenham, larvae were found under the bark of a fallen ash branch by hedge H2. It is one of a suite of species that are collectively thought to be characteristic of ancient woodland and parkland with dead wood habitats (Harding & Rose, 1986).
2.1.2. An Erotylid beetle Triplax russica. SFG3.
T. russica is a very attractive mid-sized beetle, with the elytra and antennae black and the head, thorax, legs and underside of the abdomen bright orangey-red. Larvae and adults are found in association with a range of bracket fungi on dead trees, with Inonotus hispidus on ash being particularly favoured. The majority of its British sites lie to the south-east of a line between the Severn and Humber estuaries, though it is largely absent from the south-west peninsula. There is also a disjunct population in the Scottish Highlands, where it is found in association with brackets of Fomes fomentarius on birch. Two dead adults were found at Chippenham Gateway in red heart-rot of an over-mature ash (tree tag 0050), with this appearing to be the first occasion on which it has been recorded in Wiltshire. It is one of a suite of species that are collectively thought to be characteristic of ancient woodland and parkland with dead wood habitats (Harding & Rose, 1986).
2.1.3. A Biphyllid beetle Biphyllus lunatus. SFG3.
The Biphyllidae are a very small family of beetles, with just two British representatives. B. lunatus is easily recognised by dint of its black colouration, with a pale crescent of hairs on each elytron. The larvae feed in cramp-ball fungus Daldinia concentrica, which is usually found on dead ash trunks and branches. B. lunatus has a similar distribution to Triplax russica, being quite widely distributed as far north as Yorkshire, though becoming much scarcer in Wales and south-west England and with a handful of sites as far north as southern Scotland. At Chippenham Gateway, it was found in
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company with Platyrhinus resinosus (see sub-section 2.1.6) on cramp-balls on a mature ash pollard in hedge H3 (tree tag 0037). It is one of a suite of species that are collectively thought to be characteristic of ancient woodland and parkland with abundant dead wood habitats (Harding & Rose, 1986).
2.1.4. A false darkling beetle Orchesia micans. NS.
A small, elongate, pitchy-red beetle that jumps vigorously when disturbed. It is readily identified in the field, being somewhat larger (4-5mm) than the similar O. minor and with a well-marked three- jointed antennal club. It is pitchy-red in colour, with very long spurs on the hind tibiae. Both adults and the distinctive orange-yellow larvae are found in bracket fungi, with Inonotus species being especially favoured. In western Britain, it is frequently found in wet woodland in association with Inonotus radiatus on dead alder. O micans has a wide, but very scattered distribution in wooded landscapes across England and Wales, though it is not known in Scotland. It is a Nationally Scarce species, as defined in the recent National Status Review of this group of beetles At Chippenham Gateway, a number of dead adults were found on I. hispidus brackets growing on a heart-rotted ash pollard (tree tag 0057) in hedge H9.
2.1.5. A darkling beetle Prionychus ater (Fabricius). SFG3.
This is a large, darkling beetle, which is dull black in colour with the antennae filiform and the thorax broadest at the base. It occurs locally across southern England, and is also found at scattered sites in the eastern half of Wales. P. ater is usually associated with old, open-grown trees in parks, wood- pastures and orchards. Larvae occur in moist heart-rot of a range of broadleaves, often being found near the base of the tree. At Chippenham Gateway, larvae were found in moist red-rot at the base of the old ash pollard (tree tag 0037) in hedge H3. It is one of a suite of species that are collectively thought to be characteristic of ancient woodland and parkland with abundant dead wood habitats (Harding & Rose, 1986).
2.1.6. A weevil Platyrhinus resinosus. Nb/SFG3.
This is a large and unmistakeable grey weevil, with variegated silky-brown and white markings. It occurs primarily in the fruiting bodies of the cramp-ball fungus Daldinia concentrica, which grows on dead ash trunks and branches, though it is also sometimes found on other related fungi, such as Hypoxylon fragiforme on beech. It has quite a restricted distribution in England from Yorkshire southwards, with most records being from a band of counties across the Midlands. It is one of a suite
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of species that are collectively thought to be characteristic of ancient woodland and parkland with dead wood habitats (Harding & Rose, 1986). One larva was found in a Daldinia fruiting body on a mature pollard ash (tree tag 0037) at Chippenham Gateway in 2015.
2.1.7. Brown tree ant Lasius brunneus Na.
The contrasting red-brown head and thorax and dark brown abdomen of the brown tree ant make it easily distinguished from its congeners. It is found in association with mature to over-mature trees where these are growing in relatively open situations, such as parkland, wood-pasture and hedgerows. Nests are constructed in dead heartwood and the ants feed primarily by ‘milking’ aphids found on tree bark and foliage. L. brunneus is a warmth-loving species, with a very limited distribution across southern England that is centred on the Thames and Severn basins. There are also a few sites for it in the southern Welsh borders. In many places, it shows a strong association with ancient parks and wood-pastures that also support a rich saproxylic beetle fauna. At Chippenham Gateway, workers were found in the old ash (tree tag 0050) in hedge H3.
2.2. Other invertebrates
In addition to the key species described above, mature trees in the hedgerows also produced records of a number of other local saproxylic Coleoptera, such as the clown beetle Abraeus perpusillus, the woodworm beetle Ochina ptinoides, the fungus beetles Cis vestitus, Orthocis alni and Mycetophagus quadripustulatus, and the weevil Acalles misellus.
3. Important invertebrate habitat features at Chippenham Gateway
3.1. Key invertebrate habitat features
The assessment of the site has identified mature and over-mature trees with dead wood as a key habitat feature that is thought likely to be of importance for invertebrates. All of the seven key species described in the preceding section of the report are associated with saproxylic habitat features.
3.1.1. Mature and over-mature trees with dead wood.
This is certainly the most important habitat feature for invertebrates at the Chippenham Gateway site. In this sub-section, all of those tagged trees that are believed to be of actual or potential importance for dead wood invertebrates on the basis of the presence of key species and/or saproxylic habitat features are listed.
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Tree 0036 - Mature, stag-headed ash with much dead branchwood in the canopy. Tree 0037 – Mature, re-trenching ash pollard with much dead canopy branchwood, heart rot and Daldinia concentrica. Two key species, Biphyllus lunatus and Platyrhinus resinosus were found in association with this fungus and a further key species, the darkling beetle Prionychus ater was recorded in damp heart-rot at the base of the tree. Tree 0038 - Mature, but healthy oak with some dead branchwood in canopy. Tree 0043 – Mid-aged oak, but stag-headed and with heart-rot. Tree 0048 – Mid to large oak with dead branchwood and ivy. Tree 0049 – Nice old ash pollard. Tree 0050 – Large, over-mature ash with much dead branches and heart-rot. Two key species, the Erotylid beetle Triplax russica and the brown tree ant, were recorded in heart-rot of this tree. Tree 0051 – Mid-aged oak with much dead branchwood. Tree 0052 – Mid to large oak with dead branchwood Tree 0053 – Dead oak snag. Tree 0055 – Very nice heart-rotted oak pollard. Tree 0056 – Heart-rotted oak pollard. Tree 0057 – Ash pollard with dead branchwood in canopy, heart-rot and Inonotus hispidus brackets. The Nationally Scarce Melandryid beetle Orchesia micans was found on the latter fungus. Trees 0059-0061 – Three ash pollards with dead branchwood, heart-rot and dead ivy. Tree 0064 – Mid-sized ash with dead branchwood and heart-rot at base. Tree 0073 – Mid-sized ash, with rot holes and evidence of possible internal heart-rot. Tree 0070 – Ash with dead branchwood and heart-rot at base. Tree 0075 - Stag-headed oak with some heart-rot at base, much ivy on trunk. Potentially an important tree for saproxylic invertebrates. Tree 0080 – Very nice old oak pollard with dead branchwood.
The presence of seven key species, some of which are of very restricted occurrence within Wiltshire indicates that a provisional rating of county importance is appropriate for the invertebrate fauna of this habitat feature.
Ideally, the 21 tagged trees identified above would all be retained, as they are thought likely to be the most important for preservation of the interesting saproxylic invertebrate assemblage at this site. Of particular significance are those ash tagged 0037, 0050 and 0057, these being the three trees from which key species were recorded in 2015.
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If some or all of these trees are likely to be removed, then short-term mitigation is difficult to achieve, as the dead wood micro-habitats associated with more mature age-classes of trees only develop over a relatively long time period. However, in such circumstances, further information on the stock of mature trees with saproxylic habitat features in land lying adjacent or close to the development site should be gathered. This would set into context the saproxylic fauna recorded at this site. If a good stock of mature trees with dead wood habitat features is found on surrounding land, then it is likely that these will have a similar invertebrate fauna to that of the application site, and an equivalent number to that which will be lost should be tagged and retained over the long term. All of the key species recorded in 2015 were found on mature ash, so this species should be the main constituent, though a significant proportion of oak should also be included in any retention mix.
In the case of removal of some or all of the trees listed above, mitigation measures should also identify a cohort of younger ash and oak trees, at least equal to the number of mature trees to be lost that will be tagged and retained within and/or adjacent to the site. These should be retained over the long term, in order to provide replacements for the existing stock of over-mature and veteran specimens. Pollarding of some of these replacements may help to speed up development of dead wood features. Numbers of each species should be roughly in proportion to those lost, though ash is a particularly valuable species, as it is more fast-growing than oak and will therefore develop saproxylic micro-habitats more rapidly.
3.2. Other invertebrate habitat features
3.2.1. Hedges and woodland ‘shelterbelts’
There was insufficient time to survey the hedges and thin strips of woodland that divide up the site, but they are thought to have some potential to support important invertebrates. One exception to this may be in those areas where there are relatively well-grown elm suckers, as is the case in the strip of woodland that forms the western boundary of the site adjacent to the A350 road. This tree is the foodplant of the white-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album butterfly, which is a Species of Principal Importance in England (formerly known as BAP species). The site lies within the breeding range of the butterfly and though it was not recorded here during the assessment, it is quite possible it could breed here. It is a notoriously elusive insect, which often occurs in low-density, dispersed populations and requires intensive and specialised survey effort (such as winter egg searches) that was beyond the scope of the current contract. Overall, the hedges here are provisionally assessed as being of local importance.
4. Conclusions
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The saproxylic invertebrate fauna of Chippenham Gateway is diverse and includes a number of important species. This element of the invertebrate fauna is assessed as being of county importance, though this rating should be regarded as provisional, given the lack of information on the saproxylic invertebrate assemblages and the resource of mature to over-mature trees in this part of Wiltshire. Other habitat features present on the site are thought likely to be of no more than local importance on the basis of a walk-over assessment.
5. References
ALEXANDER, K. N. A. 2004. Revision of the Index of Ecological Continuity as used for saproxylic beetles. English Nature Research Report No. 574. English Nature, Peterborough.
ALEXANDER, K.N.A., DODD, S. & DENTON, J.S. 2014. A review of the scarce and threatened beetles of Great Britain. The darkling beetles and their allies: Aderidae, Anthicidae, Colydiidae, Melandryidae, Meloidae, Mordellidae, Mycetophagidae, Mycteridae, Oedemeridae, Pyrochroidae, Pythidae, Ripiphoridae, Salpingidae, Scraptiidae, Tenebrionidae & Tetratomidae (Tenebrionoidea less Ciidae). Species Status No.18. Natural England Commissioned Report. NECR148. Natural England, Peterborough.
FALK, S.J. 1991a. A review of the scarce and threatened bees, wasps and ants of Great Britain. Nature Conservancy Council. Research and survey in nature conservation. No. 35. NCC, Peterborough.
FALK, S.J. 1991b. A review of the scarce and threatened flies of Great Britain (Part 1). Nature Conservancy Council. Research and survey in nature conservation. No. 39. NCC, Peterborough.
HARDING, P. T. & ROSE, F. 1986. Pasture woodlands in lowland Britain. A review of their importance for wildlife conservation. ITE, Huntingdon.
HYMAN, P.S. AND PARSONS, M.S. 1992. A review of the scarce and threatened Coleoptera of Great Britain. Part 1. UK nature conservation report. No 3. JNCC, Peterborough, 1992.
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APPENDIX 1: CHECKLIST OF INVERTEBRATES RECORDED FROM CHIPPENHAM GATEWAY - 2015 Group Species scientific name Status Species common name Habitat Dy Mo Year Notes Orthoptera Meconema thalassinum Oak bush-cricket Oak 0075 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Dermaptera Forficula auricularia Common earwig Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 Under bark, fallen ash branch Hemiptera Pentatoma rufipes Forest bug Oak 0038 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Coleoptera Pterostichus madidus Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 Under bark, fallen ash branch Coleoptera Dromius quadrimaculatus Oak 0080 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Calodromius spilotus Oak 0038 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Coleoptera Philorhizus melanocephalus Oak 0075 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Coleoptera Philorhizus melanocephalus Ash 0060 28 7 2015 Beaten dead branchwood Coleoptera Abraeus perpusillus Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Tachyporus hypnorum Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Cypha apicalis Ash 0040 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead ivy Coleoptera Cypha apicalis Ash 0066 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Cypha longicornis Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Tasgius ater Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Litter & wood mould c6 ft up tree Coleoptera Dorcus parallelepipedus Lesser stag beetle Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Melanotus villosus Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Ochina ptinoides Ash 0040 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead ivy Coleoptera Anobium punctatum Ash 0037 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Anobium punctatum Oak 0048 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Anobium punctatum Oak 0055 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Anobium punctatum Ash 0060 28 7 2015 Beaten dead branchwood Coleoptera Biphyllus lunatus SFG3. Ash 0037 28 7 2015 In Daldinia concentrica fungus Coleoptera Pediacus dermestoides SFG3. Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 Under bark, fallen ash branch Coleoptera Triplax russica SFG3. Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Scymnus auritus Oak 0038 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Coleoptera Mycetophagus quadripustulatus Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Orthocis alni Oak 0046 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Cis vestitus Oak 0080 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Orchesia micans Nb. Ash 0057 28 7 2015 Inonotus hispidus brackets on trunk Coleoptera Prionychus ater SFG3. Ash 0037 28 7 2015 Damp heart-rot at base of tree
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Coleoptera Salpingus planirostris Ash 0040 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead ivy Coleoptera Leiopus nebulosus Oak 0080 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Platyrhinus resinosus Nb/SFG3. Ash 0037 28 7 2015 In Daldinia concentrica fungus Coleoptera Curculio glandium Oak 0038 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Coleoptera Orchestes quercus Oak 0038 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Coleoptera Orchestes signifer Oak 0038 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Coleoptera Parethelcus pollinarius Ash 0037 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Euophryum confine Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Coleoptera Acalles misellus Oak 0048 28 7 2015 Beaten, dead branchwood Coleoptera Acalles misellus Ash 0060 28 7 2015 Beaten dead branchwood Coleoptera Hylesinus varius Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 Under bark, fallen ash branch Lepidoptera Thymelicus sylvestris Small skipper Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Lepidoptera Pieris napi Green-veined white Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Lepidoptera Pieris rapae Small white Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Lepidoptera Lysandra icarus Common blue Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 In flight Lepidoptera Aglais urticae Small tortoiseshell Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Lepidoptera Polygonia c-album Comma Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Lepidoptera Maniola jurtina Meadow brown Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 In flight Lepidoptera Pyronia tithonus Gatekeeper Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Diptera Episyrphus balteatus Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Diptera Eristalis arbustorum Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Hymenoptera Lasius brunneus Na. Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Hymenoptera Lasius flavus Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 Under bark, fallen ash branch Hymenoptera Lasius niger Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 Running on ground Hymenoptera Bombus lucorum White-tailed bumblebee Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Hymenoptera Bombus lapidarius Red-tailed bumblebee Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Hymenoptera Bombus pascuorum Common carder bee Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Hymenoptera Apis mellifera Honey bee Ruderal margin north of H5 28 7 2015 On flowers Isopoda Porcellio scaber Oak 0075 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage Isopoda Oniscus asellus Hedge, H3 28 7 2015 Under bark, fallen ash branch Isopoda Armadillidium vulgare Ash 0050 28 7 2015 Heart-rot at base of tree Araneae Segestria senoculata Ash 0037 28 7 2015 Damp heart-rot at base of tree Araneae Harpactea hombergi Oak 0075 28 7 2015 Beaten, foliage
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Appendix 6 – Hedgerow descriptions and assessment
Ref Description Species Important under -rich? Hedge Regs 1997? 1 2.5m high x 1.5m wide hedge with mature oak Quercus sp. trees. Thick to base with occasional gaps. N N Woody species: blackthorn Prunus spinosa, hazel Corylus avellana, hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, privet Ligustrum sp. Ground flora: nettle, creeping thistle, broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius. 2 4m x 3.5m hedge with mature oak, on shallow bank. Y Y Woody species: blackthorn, hawthorn, ash Fraxinus excelsior, hazel, field maple Acer campestre, elder Sambucus nigra, rose Rosa sp. Ground flora: ivy Hedera helix, nettle, creeping thistle, bramble, dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis. 3 4-5m x 4m hedge with mature oak, ash and poplar, on sloping bank to northern field. Y Y Woody species: blackthorn, hawthorn, pedunculate oak Quercus robur, field maple, rose, ash, holly Ilex aquifolium Ground flora: ivy, nettle, creeping thistle, bramble, dog's mercury, ground ivy. 4 3 – 3.5m x 3-4m hedge with mature oak and ash trees, on shallow bank and adjacent to dry ditch. Dead oak present. Y Y Adjacent to public footpath. Woody species: pedunculate oak, elder, hawthorn, blackthorn, dogwood Cornus sanguinea, hazel Ground flora: nettle, bramble, creeping thistle, soft rush Juncus effusus, ground ivy, creeping buttercup, ivy, spear thistle 5 3-4m x 3-3.5m hedge with mature ash and field maple, with shallow bank and dry ditch. Y Y Woody species: blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, ash, holly, dogwood, rose. Ground flora: honeysuckle, bramble, ivy, nettle, ground ivy, creeping thistle, cleavers, ragwort, polypody Polypody vulgare agg. 6 3.5-5m x 3.5-4.5m hedge with mature ash, oak, elm Ulmus glabra, apple Malus sp. and field maple, with shallow bank N Y and dry ditch. Adjacent to public footpath. Woody species: blackthorn, field maple, elm, elder Ground flora: nettle, ground ivy, chickweed, wild teasel Dipsacus fullonum. 7 2.5-3m x 3m hedge with mature field maple and ash. Shallow bank. Y Y Woody species: blackthorn, field maple, hawthorn, hazel, rose, elder, dogwood. Ground flora: creeping thistle, nettle, bramble, ragwort, ground ivy, cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata. 8 3m x 3m intact hedge with tree at either end. Y Y Woody species: hazel, hawthorn, field maple, elder, willow Salix sp., rose, blackthorn, dogwood.
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Ref Description Species Important under -rich? Hedge Regs 1997? Ground flora: nettle, docks, cleavers, creeping thistle, hogweed, bramble, Yorkshire fog, hedge bedstraw Galium mollugo, hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium, wood avens Geum urbanum, tufted vetch Vicia cracca. 9 2.5m x 2.5m intact hedge with trees, dry ditch along eastern edge. 0.5m field margin protected by electric fence. N Y Adjacent to public footpath Woody species: blackthorn, hawthorn, elder, field maple Ground flora: bramble, Yorkshire fog, ground ivy, nettle, creeping thistle, creeping buttercup. 10 3m x 2.5m hedge with trees. Northern margin fenced. One large gap approx. 10m in length, otherwise intact and thick Y Y to base. Woody species: hazel, hawthown, blackthorn, rose, elder, holly, field maple, privet. Ground flora: nettle creeping thistle, blackthorn suckers, white dead-nettle, lesser burdock Arctium minus. 11 2m x 2m intact hedge adjacent to farm track, although suckering blackthorn increasing width in places. Blackthorn Y Y dominant at west, becoming more diverse moving east, elm becoming more dominant. Woody species: blackthorn, hawthorn, field maple, rose, privet, ash, elm, elder, wayfaring-tree Viburnum lantana. Ground flora: nettle, lesser burdock, blackthorn suckers . 12 Tall intact hedge 3-4m x 3m with mature oak and field maple, unmanaged, adjacent to dry ditch. 1m margin with Y Y suckering blackthorn. Adjacent to public footpath. Woody species: blackthorn, elder, field maple, rose, hazel. Ground flora: nettle, blackthorn suckers. 13 Outgrown hedgerow – now treeline, on shallow bank. Shrubs 4-7m, trees 10-15m, width varies. Adjacent to public Y N footpath. Woody species/ trees: blackthorn, hawthorn, elm, rose, ash, field maple, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, willow, holly, elder, snowberry Symphoricarpos albus, dogwood, oak. Ground flora: nettle, ivy, ground ivy, bramble, herb Robert Geranium robertianum, white dead-nettle, hogweed. 14 Defunct hedgerow comprising scrub and small trees behind post-and-rail fence, width varies. 2-3m tall. Y N Shrubs/ scrub comprising bramble, elder, blackthorn, rose, spindle Euonymus europaeus and privet, hawthorn. Dry ditch south of fence. 15 Defunct, short section of hedgerow 2m by 2m approximately. N N Shrubs comprised hawthorn, dog rose, field maple and elder.
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Appendix 7 – Tree Survey Results
Categories based on Hundt (2012), refer to section 3.5.1 of main report for translation to current best practice guidelines (Collins 2016).
ID Cat. Species Initial Survey Features/ description method 34 1-2 Oak AS/ECUS Climbed Split leader forming upturned V ~10-11m; various dead limbs - smooth cavity extending 35mm unable to get around the corner - High Potential 2nd hole in joint between two stems - extends 10cm - High Potential 35 1 Oak AS/ECUS Climbed • Large wound on NE side of main limb - part compartmentalised with downward cavity of 20cm, entrance hole 25mm. No evidence found. • Upward facing hole and small number of small species = Medium Potential • Rot hole on W side of main leader - 5m above ground level, extends upwards behind collar 10cm and downwards by 10cm. • Possible myotis bat dropping which was not accessible. Small numbers of small species possible = High Potential 36 2 Ash AS Climbed Knothole on trunk S ~ 4m - Shallow, no potential 37 1-2 Ash AS/ECUS Ladder Cavity on trunk S ~1.5m. Unsafe to climb. Hollow dead tree - few cavities inside. Cavity with two birds nests. Secondary leader with 2m long vertical wound with cavity extending up into branch - slightly overgrown vegetation around feature 38 1-2 Oak AS/ECUS Climbed • Long >2 m scar (at 45° from horizontal) from snapped off limb on south side west-facing (about 10m above ground level. Several cavities. Two at distal end are downwards extending by 2 and 10cm (latter extends upward by 5cm). Cavity on upper side at distal end extends upwards to large external opening. Former two have low potential for low numbers of small bats. Latter = Zero potential: Marked with tape by feature. • Small rot hole in vertical wound from snapped off limb extends inwards by 5cm – no potential. On South side, facing South East, about 1m directly above limb with feature described above • Woodpecker hole at top of sloping scar (315°) on south side limb, facing east, smooth & dry interior. Extends downwards by 50cm and 40cm upwards. Lots of woodlice, no nesting material or bird droppings. High potential – suitable for big bats e.g. Noctule • Small hole on rotten limb extending west from secondary leader at 12m above ground level – deal limb. Hole checked with endoscope and a small cavity is present – no evidence found, dry but quite a tight access point • Large wound high up in canopy with small hole – hole cleared and is too small and does not extend Zero potential • Split limb over South field at 10m – not suitable – Zero potential 39 2 Oak AS/ECUS Climbed Snapped off limb - not suitable - Zero potential 40 1-2 Ash Add detail 41 1-2 Dead Add detail
Ecological Appraisal 87 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
ID Cat. Species Initial Survey Features/ description method 42 1 Ash AS Viewed West - woodpecker hole S; broken limbs S. Unsafe to climb - Emergence Survey needed: two surveyors 1x North side of hedge & 1x South side 43 1 Ash AS Viewed East - hole S ~1.5m Unsafe to climb - Emergence Survey needed: two surveyors 1x North side of hedge & 1x South side 44 2 Oak Endo • Split dead limb with small rotten branch extending West from tree at about 8m above ground level – rotten/lifted bark behind - Checked and bark is not sufficient depth • Burn crack at 9m on branch extending South – checked and no gaps extending into crack. • No further surveys. 45 2 Oak Endo • Narrow tree split/wound on NW side. • 1x small hole lower end of wound extends back 10cm • Bird droppings; low potential for bats • Checked with endoscope - no further surveys 46 3 Oak Checked - no features 47 1-2 Oak AS Climbed; West - 2 x knothole S; scar with crevice NE. >3 woodpecker holes. ladder • East leader about 12m - all blind - snapped leader on East side about 10-12m above ground level with loose and bark = Zero potential endo • 1x bird roost; 2x too shallow • Two holes South side trunk at 6 – 7m both bird roosts, droppings & feathers 48 1-2 Oak AS Climbed • East - hole above peg on S face about 4m above ground - Shallow cavity extends down about 8cm but tight = Zero potential • South limb 10-12m above ground level – horizontal split – 30cm long with hollow cavities either side. West side – lots of fresh moss in cavity; both very dry > No bat droppings visible. Narrow connection between two. High potential (feature marked with pink ribbon) 49 2 Ash AS/ECUS Ladder Main stem broken (Dead/ dying) 50 1 Ash ECUS Ladder • South aspect – large cavity about 3m above ground level & Endo • At rear – vertical hollow extends about 30cm upwards. Low-Medium potential. • Because of access, needs to be checked again with a narrow (9mm) endoscope 51 3 Oak No features 52 3 Oak No features 53 1 Oak ECUS • Small rot hole on limb – south side about 4m above ground level – peeling bark. Dead tree unsafe to climb. Possibly unsafe for ladder 54 1-2 Oak AS Climbed • Split limb West side of tree about 9m above ground level with no crevice present - no potential • Split/scar facing W on NW secondary leader - narrow cavity only 3cm deep - no potential
Ecological Appraisal 88 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
ID Cat. Species Initial Survey Features/ description method • Small hole on collar about 8m above ground level South side of secondary leader - entrance hole opens up into chamber measuring 10cm (deep) x ~4cm (h) x ~7cm (w) - Medium to High potential 55 1 Oak ECUS Ladder • Unsafe to climb & Endo • Broken limb on SW of tree with shallow split - no crevice - no potential • Hollow cavity internally - unable to be checked fully with endo 56 1 Dead • Hole at 3.5m above ground level (East) • Cavities on East side dead trunk - unsuitable for climbing or ladder 57 1-2 Ash AS Ladder • Hole on East side at 3m above ground level & Endo • Internal cavity at least ~ 1.5m h x 0.8 w - numerous internal fissures, cracks and crevices - high potential 58 3 Field ECUS No features Maple 59 2 Ash ECUS (Ivy); sever ivy & reinspect 60 2 Ash ECUS Ladder Small crevices/dense ivy; sever ivy & reinspect 61 2 Ash ECUS Ladder • Ivy - hollow on broken branch (East leader). Small cavity on northern aspect of trunk; sever ivy & reinspect 62 2 Oak ECUS Ladder Ivy. Potential. Hollow. Dead Crown; sever ivy & reinspect & unsafe to climb 63 2 Ash ECUS Ivy - potentially covering potential features 64 1-2 Ash (N) ECUS Climb Split limb to North East over field; looks a bit too narrow and thin. Could climb the tree if needed 65 3 Ash (S) No features 66 3 Ash Climb Rothole facing S on S leader – no suitable gap/ cavity. Spilt on N leader – no suitable gap/cavity. No potential. 67 1-2 Ash Climb Wound with possible upward hole at 10m above ground level North side of tree 68 2 ? ECUS sever Ivy & reinspect; no obvious features where there is no ivy 69 2 ? ECUS sever Ivy & reinspect 70 1 ? ECUS Unsafe to climb - some features lower down SE side of tree - 2x hollow holes. 71 2 Oak ECUS No obvious features 72 2 Oak ECUS Ladder Hollow stem at 5m above ground level - West side over field (possible ladder?); low potential 73 1-2 Ash Climb Knot hole at 2.5m on W trunk, flaking bark on S. Woodpecker hole at 4.5m on W trunk – 10cm deep, does not extned up. Possibly in use by birds – dropppings found. 74 2 Field • Vertical crack about 2.5m above ground level, extends upward by 25cm. Note clear flight access via maple unvegetated ditch although clutter reduces potential (Low-Medium Potential) • Easy to check with 9mm endoscope on subsequent visits 75 2 Oak AS/ECUS Climb Ivy; dying crown & limbs - flaking bark in places; shallow crevices, possible presence of deep crevices • Woodpecker hole at 6m above ground level on West side of trunk.
Ecological Appraisal 89 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
ID Cat. Species Initial Survey Features/ description method • 2nd woodpecker hole 3m above ground level – just above broken hollow stem 76 1-2 Ash AS/ECUS Dying - unsafe to climb, unable to access with ladder; hole on trunk 3.5m; ivy; rot-hole NE trunk from broken limb 77 3 Elder AS Endo Stand of ~4 elder with small holes and internal cavities (hollow); no potential following endo 78 2 Willow AS Ladder Hazard beams on E & W limbs; Numerous torn limbs; SW limb touching ground. SW vertical hazard beam – low potential. E collapsed hazard beam with delamination – 2 x cavity. Split branch open to E – low potential. Rot hole on main stem facing SW with old bird nest. Extending 15cm upward facing cavity to reat extends upward – medium potential. 79 1-2 Oak AS Partially healed downward facing hole on NW limb 80 2 Oak AS Hole on NW trunk aspect where pollarded - appears shallow but may lead up 81 3 Ash AS Ladder 2 x rot-holes on central limb; shallow knothole - all no crevice - no potential 82 2 Oak Ivy 121 2 Syc* AS off site - 3 x clustered downward facing bumcracks - look shallow 122 2 Syc* AS off site - hole on trunk N ~ 4m 123 2 Unknown AS off site - Standing Dead - dead 131 2 Ash AS Small split N face *In site????? 132 2 Oak AS Ivy 133 2 Oak AS Ivy; 2 x small hole N & W leaders - shallow and low potential - no tag, use GPS to locate 134 3 Syc AS/ECUS Hole on SW stem - W facing - shallow and low potential - no tag, use GPS to locate 135 3 Dead Between GPS point 133 and 132 - no potential 191 1-2 Oak ECUS Not inspected on E side 192 1-2 Oak ECUS Not inspected on E side 193 1-2 Oak ECUS Not inspected on E side
Ecological Appraisal 90 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
Appendix 8 – Breeding Bird Survey Results
Species BTO Status Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3 Observation notes Species Code Date 22/4/2016 31/05/2016 17/06/2016 Time 06:30– 09:25 07:45 – 10:30 07:25–9:30 Blackbird B. Green 12 4 1 Breeding possible – regularly observed in suitable nesting habitat with hedgerows throughout the site. Singing males in suitable nesting habitat.
Blackcap BC Green 0 1 2 Breeding probable – A male heard singing on two survey occasions in the same location within a hedgerow in the southern extent of the northern compartment. A second male also heard during the final survey in the northeastern extent of the southern compartment. Blue Tit BT Green 10 3 4 Breeding confirmed – nest with young heard within a hedgerow in the northern extent of the southern compartment. Possibly breeding throughout the site as regularly recorded within hedgerows throughout the site. Carrion Crow C. Green 6 6 12 Breeding possible – observed in suitable nesting habitat throughout the site. Buzzard BZ Green 2 1 4 Not breeding – recorded sheltering, perched within trees or hunting overhead. Chaffinch CH Green 12 5 3 Breeding possible - species observed in suitable breeding habitats throughout the site. Chiffchaff CC Green 4 1 2 Breeding probable – Males heard singing on at least two survey occasions within suitable habitat in the same location on the western boundary of the southern compartment and in separate locations on the eastern and central extents of the southern compartment. Dunnock D. S41, 1 7 10 Breeding probable – Males regularly heard singing, often in the same location Amber on more than one survey occasion within hedgerows throughout the site. Great black- GB Amber 0 0 1 Not breeding – seen flying overhead on a single occasion. backed gull Great tit GT Green 1 4 1 Breeding possible – singing males recorded within the hedgerows throughout the site Greenfinch GR Green 0 2 1 Breeding possible – a singing male and others heard calling or observed within hedgerows in the southern extent of the southern compartment. Herring Gull HG S41, 0 1 3 Not breeding – recorded in flight over site only. Red Jackdaw JD Green 7 10 1 Not breeding – recorded in flight over site or foraging only.
Ecological Appraisal 91 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
Species BTO Status Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3 Observation notes Species Code Date 22/4/2016 31/05/2016 17/06/2016 Time 06:30– 09:25 07:45 – 10:30 07:25–9:30 Lesser black- LB Amber 2 0 0 Not breeding – two seen flying overhead on a single survey occasion. backed gull Long-tailed Tit LT Green 4 7 19 Breeding confirmed – juveniles seen with a flock along a hedgerow in the western extent of the southern compartment. Also regularly recorded within suitable nesting habitat throughout the site. Lesser LW Green 0 2 1 Breeding possible – two singing males heard on the second survey occasion, whitethroat one singing male on the third survey occasion in a different area of the site. Observed in the northwestern extent of the southern compartment and in the northern boundary of the northern compartment. Linnet LI S41, 0 0 2 Breeding possible – seen on a single occasion within suitable nesting habitat Red within a hedgerow along the northern boundary of the northern compartment. Mallard MA Amber 4 0 0 Not possible - observed within a wet ditch in the centre of the southern compartment and within field compartment in the southern extent during the first survey only. Magpie MG Green 5 1 8 Breeding confirmed – nests observed in the hedgerows along the southern boundary of the northern compartment. Breeding possible throughout the site as species observed within suitable nesting habitats.
Pheasant PH Not 1 2 0 Breeding possible – observed within suitable nesting habitat but more likely listed to have been released for game.
Robin R. Green 4 7 5 Breeding confirmed – a juvenile noted within the northern hedgerow of the southern compartment. Breeding probable within hedgerows throughout the site as singing males regularly recorded within suitable nesting habitat.
Rook RO Green 2 8 67 Not breeding – flocks seen foraging within the fields only. Song Thrush ST S41, 0 1 0 Breeding possible – A male heard singing on a single occasion in the Red southern boundary of the southern compartment. Skylark S. S41, 0 1 1 Breeding probable – singing male recorded within suitable nesting habitat in Red the arable land of the northern compartment in the same location on two survey occasions. Stock Dove SD Amber 6 0 0 Not breeding – seen on a single occasion flying overhead.
Ecological Appraisal 92 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
Species BTO Status Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3 Observation notes Species Code Date 22/4/2016 31/05/2016 17/06/2016 Time 06:30– 09:25 07:45 – 10:30 07:25–9:30 Starling SG S41, 0 0 21 Breeding possible – seen foraging or flying overhead, suitable nesting habitat Red available on site. Swallow SL Green 0 6 2 Not breeding - seen foraging overhead only. Swift SI Amber 0 2 0 Not breeding - seen foraging overhead only. Whitethroat WH Green 0 4 2 Breeding Probable – males heard singing on two survey occasions within the same areas of suitable nesting habitat in the centre of the southern compartment. Woodpigeon WP Green 14 19 16 Breeding possible – observed in suitable nesting habitat; Wren WR Green 16 12 12 Breeding confirmed – a nest recorded during the first survey within the hedgerow along the southern boundary of the site southern compartment ; Breeding probable throughout the site as singing males regularly heard Yellowhammer Y. S41, 1 0 2 Breeding probable – pair observed in suitable nesting habitat within a Red hedgerow in the southwestern extent of the southern boundary.
Ecological Appraisal 93 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire
Appendix 9 – Reptile Survey Dates, Weather and Results
Reptiles Other species
Date Weather conditions
worm
-
Adder Adder snake Grass lizard Common Slow toad Common frog Common vole Field shrew Pygmy 09/04/15 0% CC; 15'C; wind 0; rain 0; 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 AM not humid. 23/04/15 60% CC; 14'C; wind 1; rain 0; 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 AM not humid. 30/04/15 50%CC; 13'C; wind 1; rain 0; 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 PM not humid. 07/05/15 100% CC; 11'C; wind 1-2; 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 AM rain 1; not humid. 28/05/15 10% CC; 15.5'C; wind 2-3; 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 All day rain 0; not humid. 29/05/15 85% CC; 14.5'C; wind 1-2; 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 All day rain 0; not humid. 04/06/15 20% CC; 17'C; wind 1 (2); 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 AM rain 0; humid. TOTAL 0 0 0 0 8 0 10 1
Ecological Appraisal 94 04 April 2017 0229-EA-FM St. Modwen Developments Chippenham Gateway, south of J17 (M4), Wiltshire