Trescott Sewerage Treatment Works Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

Severn Trent Water Trescott Sewage Treatment Works

Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

Hyder Consulting (UK) Limited 2212959 Firecrest Court Centre Park Warrington WA1 1RG United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1925 800 700 Fax: +44 (0)1925 830 207 www.hyderconsulting.com

Severn Trent Water Trescott Sewage Treatment Works

Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

Author Adrian Taylor

Checker Samantha Walters

Approver David Hoare

Report No 0002-UA002412-NHR-01

Date September 2010

This report has been prepared for Severn Trent Water in accordance with the terms and conditions of appointment for Environmental Services dated 25 May 2010. Hyder Consulting (UK) Limited (2212959) cannot accept any responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any third party.

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CONTENTS

1 SUMMARY ...... 1 2 INTRODUCTION...... 2 3 METHODOLOGY ...... 3 3.1 Desk Study ...... 3 3.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey ...... 3 4 RESULTS ...... 4 4.1 Desk Study ...... 4 4.2 Habitats ...... 5 4.3 Protected and Notable Species...... 6 5 POTENTIAL CONSTRAINTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 8 5.1 Designated Sites ...... 8 5.2 Habitats ...... 8 5.3 Protected and Notable Species...... 9 6 REFERENCES ...... 10

Appendices

Figures Figure 1: Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Map Appendix A Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Target Notes Appendix B Records Received from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and EcoRecord

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1 SUMMARY

Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd has undertaken an initial ecological appraisal of Trescott Sewage Treatment Works, on behalf of Severn Trent Water, in order to identify any potential constraints to the proposals to upgrade the existing works.

No habitats of particular conservation value were noted within the Site. Smestow Brook which is adjacent to the Site’s southern boundary is considered to be of some nature conservation value but it is unlikely that the Brook would be affected by the works. It is recommended that a buffer zone be provided between the Brook and any development proposals.

If at all possible it is recommended that the mature trees, particularly those with features suitable for use by roosting bats, are retained and that the badger sett is retained also. In the event that this is not possible further surveys would be required to confirm the presence/absence of roosting bats. Any works in close proximity to the badger sett may need to take place under licence; a licence would be required to close this sett if it was not possible to retain it in-situ. It is possible that small numbers of common species of reptiles may be present, thus recommendations have been made to avoid mortality to reptiles during construction.

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2 INTRODUCTION

Hyder Consulting (UK) Ltd was commissioned by Severn Trent Water to undertake an ecological appraisal in order to inform proposals to upgrade Trescott Sewage Treatment Works in Wolverhampton.

This technical report presents the results of an Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey and desk study undertaken to identify valuable habitats and their potential to support protected / notable species within the study area. General recommendations to minimise the ecological impacts of the upgrade works are outlined, together with the need for further surveys to inform these recommendations, as appropriate.

The survey was undertaken in August 2010.

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3 METHODOLOGY 3.1 Desk Study

Existing ecological information for the Site and the surrounding area has been gathered from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust / Ecological Records Centre and EcoRecord, the ecological database for Birmingham and the Black Country. Records were requested for non-statutory designated sites and for protected and otherwise notable species of flora and fauna, including those listed in international and national legislation and national and local Biodiversity Action Plans, within the survey area and within 2 km of the Site boundary.

The Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside website www.magic.gov.uk was consulted for records of statutory designated sites on or within 2 km of the Site, and a National Biodiversity Network (NBN) search was undertaken for protected and notable species. 3.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

The technique used for the survey was the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey (Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 1990) whereby all habitats within the survey area are mapped and described using a series of ‘Target Notes’ to provide an overview of the Site (see Figure 1). Dominant plant species were noted, as were any uncommon species or species indicative of particular habitat types. Botanical names follow ‘New Flora of the British Isles’ (2nd edition, Stace 1997).

In addition, any non-native invasive species present in the survey area including Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica , Indian (Himalayan) Balsam Impatiens glandulifera and Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum were also recorded.

The survey also involved a critical assessment of the value of terrestrial and aquatic habitats suitable for use by protected species or species of conservation concern.

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4 RESULTS 4.1 Desk Study 4.1.1 Statutory Designated Sites

There are no statutory designated sites within 2 km of the Site. 4.1.2 Non-Statutory Designated Sites

There are eight non-statutory designated sites within 2 km of the Site boundary:

Staffordshire and Worcester Canal Site of Biological Importance 1 site reference no. 89/55/84 Nurton Brook Site of Biological Importance – site reference no. 89/49/14 Rushy Marsh Biodiversity Alert Site 2 – site reference no. 89/37/43 Great Moor (near) Biodiversity Alert Site – site reference no. 89/48/07 Freehold Wood Biodiversity Alert Site - site reference no. 89/48/24 The Pool, west of Lower Penn Biodiversity Alert Site - site reference no. 89/57/90 Castlecroft Bridge (canal & adjoining meadow) Biodiversity Alert Site – site reference no. 89/67/68 Kingswinford Railway Walk Biodiversity Alert Site – site reference no. 89/74/10 There are three areas of semi-natural / replanted ancient woodland within 2 km of the Site boundary:

Middle Wood Ancient Replanted Woodland Freehold Wood Ancient Replanted Woodland Wightwick Court Ancient Replanted Woodland None of the non-statutory designated sites are within the Site boundary. The Pool, west of Lower Penn Biodiversity Alert Site is the closest at approximately 0.5 km to the south-east of the Site. The location and extent of all non-statutory sites are shown in Appendix B. 4.1.3 Protected and Notable Species

No protected species records were returned for the Site itself by either Staffordshire Wildlife Trust / Ecological Records Centre or EcoRecord, although several dead badger Meles meles records, presumably Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs), were returned for within 2 km of the Site with one close to its northern boundary. Records were returned for otters Lutra lutra and water voles Arvicola amphibious (formerly called A.terrestris ) within 1.5 km of the Site. Other records

1 Sites of Biological Importance are equivalent to County Wildlife Sites (i.e. of County Importance) and are included in the Local Plans of Staffordshire’s Local Authorities with a presumption against development.

2 Biodiversity Alert Sites are of Local Importance for Nature Conservation or other areas of interest for wildlife where there may be potential to improve the habitat to SBI standard with appropriate management. These sites are not normally included within the Local Plans.

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of protected and notable species within the search area comprised bat species (common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus and brown long-eared Plecotus auritus ), polecat Mustela putorius and a number of bird species of conservation concern.

No protected species records were revealed within 2 km of the Site by a search of the NBN Gateway.

The location of all species records provided by the consultees is shown on the plan in Appendix B. 4.2 Habitats

Figure 1 illustrates the habitats recorded during the survey and the location of Target Notes (TN) of features of particular interest. These are described in Appendix A.

The habitats within the Site comprised improved and species-poor semi-improved grassland with scattered trees and strips of tall ruderal vegetation. Smestow Brook flows adjacent to the southern boundary of the Site.

The majority of grassland within the Sewage Treatment Works area was classified as ‘improved grassland’. It was subject to frequent mowing with Rye Grass Lolium Perenne and Clover Trifolium sp. dominating the sward. Small areas of species-poor semi-improved grassland were noted where mowing/management was less intensive, and more herb species occurred. These included Silverweed Potentilla anserine, Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus , Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans , False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius , Cleavers Galium aparine and Mouse-ear Cerastium sp. as described in TN 5. An area of unmanaged species-poor semi- improved grassland was noted in the south-eastern corner of the Site. Plants recorded here included Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus , False Oat-grass, Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea , Creeping Cinquefoil, Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium and Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris .

Mature trees were recorded within the grassland areas along the northern boundary (TNs 1, 2, 10). These comprised Willow Salix sp ., Field Maple Acer campestre , Rowan Sorbus aucuparia and Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris . It would appear that these trees had been planted for landscape and screening purposes when the Site was first built.

Common Nettle Urtica dioica was recorded along the eastern and western boundaries. The western area may be an old tipped waste site due to the topography and abundance of Common Nettle and Thistle Cirsium sp . Other species recorded here included Indian Balsam, Burdock Arctium spp. , Common Comfrey Symphytum officinale , Rosebay Willowherb Chamaenerion angustifolium , Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius and Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. scrub.

Smestow Brook was approximately 3 m wide, 0.5 m deep, with steep earth banks and stony substrate. Arable fields were present to the south of the Brook with wide headlands which provided a buffer to the watercourse.

The habitats within the Site were species-poor and considered to be of limited nature conservation value. The mature broad-leaved trees along the northern boundary of the Site were considered to be of intrinsic nature conservation value and may also be of value to bats (see below).

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4.3 Protected and Notable Species

The survey identified potential habitat for great crested newts Triturus cristatus (terrestrial), reptiles, breeding birds, bats and badgers within the Site.

Great Crested Newts The habitats within the Site represented suitable habitat for great crested newts whilst in their terrestrial phase. However, no ponds were noted within 500 m of the Site on the Ordnance Survey map and no records of great crested newts were revealed by the desk study within the search area. It is therefore considered unlikely that great crested newts would be present within the Site.

Reptiles No records of reptiles within the search area were received. Nevertheless, the unmanaged grassland, tall ruderal herbs and scattered scrub habitat within the Site were potentially suitable for common species of reptiles (predominantly slow-worm Anguis fragilis ). In addition, Smestow Brook connected these areas to suitable habitat beyond the Site boundary. Log piles were noted with the tall ruderal vegetation in the area identified by TN 3. These provided additional shelter and possible hibernation sites.

Breeding Birds The trees and scrub provided suitable nesting habitat for breeding birds. However, given the size of the Site it is unlikely that it would be of particular value to birds.

Bats Guidance produced by the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT, 2007) recommends that potential roost sites and commuting/foraging areas are categorised as being of High, Medium or Low potential, depending on the number, and apparent suitability, of roost and habitat features present.

Three records of common pipistrelle bats and one for brown long-eared bat were revealed by the desk study within 2 km of the Site but none for the Site itself. The scattered trees identified by TNs 2 and 10 were considered to be of Medium potential as bat roosts. No features deemed suitable for use by roosting bats were noted on any of the Site’s buildings.

The majority of the habitats within the survey area represented good foraging habitat for bats. In addition, the linear features including the Smestow Brook and the mature trees are all likely to be used by commuting bats. These features provided links to the wider area.

Badgers An active outlying badger sett was found at TN 7 within the Site boundary. The sett was located within the tall ruderal vegetation close to an Elder Sambucus nigra shrub where several recently used badger latrines were located in the vicinity. A day nest was also noted under the shrub. A group of used badger latrines were located at TN 2 also, indicating a potential territorial boundary marker. Several records of dead badgers, presumably RTAs, were returned by the desk study for the roads surrounding the Site, including one close to the northern boundary.

Smestow Brook – Protected Species It is unlikely Smestow Brook will be affected by the proposals as it lies outside of the southern boundary of the Site. However, it does offer potential habitat for white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes, water vole and otter. Records were returned for the latter two

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species within 1.5 km of the Site. These comprised one sighting of water vole on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Castlecroft, approximately 1 km to the east of the Site and two records for otter; a RTA and an otter sighting at Dimmingsdale, approximately 1.5 km to the south of the Site, near to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. Further otter records are known for Smestow Brook outside of the 2 km search area and the watercourse is linked to the Canal. It is therefore likely that otters use the Brook.

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5 POTENTIAL CONSTRAINTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

It is understood that the proposals entail upgrading the Sewage Treatment Works which will involve:

Rebuilding the inlet works Adding a sand filter at the south of the site Construction of a new sludge tank Construction of a new pumping station at the south of the site Construction a new wash water pumping station Construction of a re-dosing rig The following section highlights the potential impacts of the proposed works on the Site’s ecology and recommends suitable mitigation measures or further surveys, as appropriate. 5.1 Designated Sites

As no designated sites are present within the Site boundary, no impacts are envisaged. However, care should be taken not to affect Smestow Brook which lies close to the southern boundary of the Site as this is linked to watercourses to the south-east of the Site; The Pool, west of Lower Penn and Castlecroft Bridge (canal) Biodiversity Alert Sites. 5.2 Habitats

No habitats of particular conservation value were noted within the Site. The mature trees present within the grassland areas along the northern boundary (TNs 1, 2, 10) were considered to be of intrinsic nature conservation value and also had the potential to support protected species. These trees should be retained where possible.

Consideration should be given to retaining a suitable buffer zone of semi-natural vegetation alongside the Smestow Brook to avoid adverse effects on this watercourse and downstream habitats. Appropriate pollution control measures should be put in place to avoid adverse effects on water quality during both the construction phase and the operational phases of the redevelopment works.

Invasive Species The invasive species, Indian Balsam, was present along the eastern boundary of the Site at TN 8. This species is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) making it an offence to release, allow to escape, plant or cause it to grow in the wild.

Measures should therefore be implemented to avoid the inadvertent spreading of this invasive weed along this watercourse, which should be treated in accordance with Environment Agency guidance ‘Managing invasive non-native plants in or near fresh water’ (Environment Agency, 2010).

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5.3 Protected and Notable Species

Reptiles The species-poor semi-improved grassland, tall ruderal herbs and scattered scrub habitat offered potential to support common reptile species. If vegetation is to be removed from these areas, it may be appropriate to take measures to avoid the incidental mortality of individual reptiles. This could involve a combination of habitat manipulation, and/or an element of destructive searches. Given the likely small area of habitat that would be affected, a capture and relocation exercise is not deemed necessary.

Breeding Birds All trees and scrub within the Site were deemed suitable to support nesting birds. Ideally, any vegetation should be removed outside of the bird breeding season (i.e. not between end- February and mid-August inclusive). If this is not possible, each area of vegetation to be cleared should be searched for nesting birds prior to clearance by a suitably experienced ecologist. If a nest is found, the feature containing the nest and an appropriate buffer should be left undisturbed until nesting is completed and any young have fledged.

Similarly, should any of the buildings or other structures within the Sewage Treatment Works be used by nesting birds, they should be demolished/removed outside of the bird breeding season, or until the absence of nesting birds has been confirmed, as described above.

Bats The trees identified by TNs 2 and 10 were deemed to be up to Medium potential as bat roosts. Should any of these trees be affected by the works, an inspection of these trees using a fibrescope is recommended. All features should be accessible by ladder. These surveys should be able to confirm the presence or absence of roosting bats. However, should any crevices be inaccessible, emergence / re-entry surveys may also be required between May and September to ensure all potential roost sites are adequately surveyed. Should bats be roosting in the trees, a Natural England licence would be required to permit the removal of a bat roost and suitable mitigation would need to be devised.

Badgers Should any works be undertaken within 30 m of the active badger sett at TN 7, a disturbance licence may be required from Natural England to allow the works to proceed. If it is necessary to close this sett, a licence would be required. This should be discussed with Natural England prior to any works being undertaken. Licences are not usually granted during the badger breeding season which runs between 30 th November and 1 st July.

Smestow Brook – Protected Species As Smestow Brook lies outside of the Site boundary, no further work to confirm the presence/absence of protected species is deemed necessary since the Brook will not be affected. If any work is undertaken within 30 m of the Brook, a check for otter resting sites should be undertaken. Should any resting site be found close to the proposed works, it would be necessary to review the proposals to ensure that any disturbance impacts on otters are avoided as far as possible and the need for a licence from a Natural England would also be reviewed.

In general terms, an appropriate buffer zone from the works along the southern boundary of the Site would help to protect the habitat as described in Section 5.2 above.

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6 REFERENCES

Bat Conservation Trust (2007) Bat Surveys - Good Practice Guidelines

English Nature (2001) Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines

Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (1990) Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey: a technique for environmental audit

Stace, C. (1997) New Flora of the British Isles (2 nd edition)

Strachan, R & Moorhouse, T (2006) Water Vole Conservation Handbook 2nd Edition

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Figures

Figure 1: Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Map

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Appendix A

Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Target Notes

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TN Description Reference

1 Scattered mature trees adjacent to Cherry Laurel Prunus laurocerasus hedge. Trees planted as part of landscaping for the Site. Species included Field Maple, Scots Pine and Willow.

2 Mature Willows with up to Medium bat roost potential. Features include one crevice and flaking bark. Group of badger latrines in this area also indicating a potential territorial boundary.

3 Tall ruderal and scrub verge. Species included; Elder, Silver Birch, Bramble, Common Nettle, Rosebay Willowherb, Common Comfrey and Broad-leaved Dock. Wood piles noted also. Potential reptile habitat.

4 Smestow Brook. Located outside of the Site adjacent to southern boundary. <3 m wide, <0.5 m deep, steep earth banks and stony substrate. Adjacent to arable fields to the south of the Brook with wide headlands creating a buffer to the watercourse. Suitable otter, white-clawed crayfish and water vole habitat.

5 Predominantly improved grassland with Rye-Grass and Clover dominating. Fringe areas contain a few more plant species including Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Creeping Cinquefoil, Silverweed, False Oat-grass, Cleavers and Mouse-ear where management may be less intensive.

6 Area of species-poor semi-improved grassland. Species include Yorkshire Fog, False Oat- grass, Common Ragwort, Creeping Cinquefoil, Hogweed and Cow Parsley. Potential reptile habitat.

7 One hole active outying badger sett, near to Elder of which has several badger latrines underneath and within tall ruderal strip along eastern boundary. Day nest also evident under Elder.

8 Large area of tall ruderal vegetation. Dominated by Common Nettle, Thistle, Indian Balsam, Common Comfrey and occasional Burdock and Red Dead Nettle.

9 Same as TN 1 plus small groups of Rowan trees.

10 A few trees with flaking bark deemed up to Low potential as bat roosts.

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Appendix B

Records Received from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and EcoRecord

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The Wolseley Centre, Wolseley Bridge, A legend to the map showing Stafford. ST17 0WT Tel: 01889 880100 Fax: 01889 880101 Email: [email protected] Nature Conservation Sites and Species

Introduction These colours are used on the site alert mapping within the SWT GIS, but SER cannot guarantee the same colours are used in any other mapping system, particularly those based on ArcView.

Statutory Designations from Natural England's web-site National Nature Reserves Sites of Special Scientific Interest Local Nature Reserves Non-statutory Designations from the Staffordshire Grading System (1995 onwards) Site of Biological Importance (ex Grade 1 SBI) Biodiversity Alert Site (ex Grade 2 SBI) Proposed/potential Site of Biological Importance Geological Sites Regionally Important Geological/geomorphological Sites Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Sites SWT Nature Reserves Ancient Woodland Inventory Other Nature Reserves Ancient & Semi-natural Woodland Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Ancient Replanted Woodland Species Information 444444 Mammals excluding those listed below """""" Amphibians and reptiles excluding those below 22 Otter (Lutra lutra) (( Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) && Badger (Meles meles) - not normally supplied CC Native Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) !! Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) 555555 Flowering plants except those below 33 All bat species (( Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) )))))) All bird species .. Any other protected species (precise to 100m) .. BAP Species Records (precise to 100m) "" All Protected Species Records (precise to 1km) "" BAP Species Records (precise to 1km) Notes: The Local Nature Reserve and other nature reserve boundaries can overlay the current grading when both layers are actively visible Where there are multiple species records for the same grid reference the dot for one species may obscure the dots for other species - all species records will be displayed in the accompanying spreadsheet Not all the above categories may be present on the accompanying map

M:\Workspcs\SER\EnquiryLegend.wor Version 1.0 November 2009 SER/10/207

The Wolseley Centre, Wolseley Bridge, Nature Conservation Sites within 2km Stafford. ST17 0WT of Trescott STW (SO855977) NN Tel: 01889 880100 Fax: 01889 880101 Email: [email protected] Note: Badger records are excluded, and only 100m precision sightings are plotted

89/49/1489/49/14

89/48/0789/48/07

MiddleMiddle WoodWood WightwickWightwick CourtCourt

89/48/2489/48/24

FreeholdFreehold WoodWood 89/67/6889/67/68

89/37/4389/37/43

89/57/9089/57/90

0 500 1,000 metres 89/74/1089/74/10 89/55/8489/55/84

Key to symbols for full legend refer to separate key Supplied site boundary 2km search radius

Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown copyright 2010, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Licence No. AL 100032203 SER/10/207

The Wolseley Centre, Wolseley Bridge, Protected species within 2km Stafford. ST17 0WT NN Tel: 01889 880100 Fax: 01889 880101 of Trescott STW (SO855977) Email: [email protected] Note: Badger records are excluded, and only 100m precision sightings are plotted

((

(( )))))) 444444 )))))) !! 33 )))))) )))))) (( )))))) )))))) (( )))))) )))))) )))))) )))))) ))))))

444444 22 )))))) )))))) ))))))

0 500 1,000 metres

Key to symbols for full legend refer to separate key Supplied site boundary 2km search radius

EcoRecord Statutory and Non-Statutory Sites

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) List produced by EcoRecord on 06/08/2010 for 2km radius around SO855977

EcoRecord Ref: WV003 Site Name: Smestow Valley Subsite Ref: WV003 Subsite Name: Smestow Valley

Grid Reference SO891998 Area (ha): 0 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION Linear walk (4.5 km) with adjacent pockets of woodland and meadows. Much of the woodland has developed since the walk was acquired from British Rail in the 1970’s.

Habitats of Note Woodland, Grassland, Scrub, Open Standing Water (Ponds)

Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) List produced by EcoRecord on 06/08/2010 for 2km radius around SO855977

EcoRecord Ref: WV003 Site Name: Smestow Valley Subsite Ref: WV003 Subsite Name: Windmill Wood

Grid Reference SO87279824 Area (ha): 3.76 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION Forms part of large SINC centered around former railway & Staffs. & Worcs. canal forming wide valley corridor linked to Staffordshire countryside. Site is extensively used for recreation by general public.

Habitats of Note Canal corridor, Watercourse (Smestow Brook), Woodland, Scrub, Grassland.

EcoRecord Ref: WV Site Name: Wightwick Bank Subsite Ref: WV Subsite Name: Wightwick Bank

Grid Reference SO87009844 Area (ha): 0.08 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION Geological Value.

Habitats of Note 0

EcoRecord Ref: WV067 Site Name: Wightwick Court Woodland Subsite Ref: WV067 Subsite Name: Wightwick Court Woodland

Grid Reference SO87259873 Area (ha): 1.22 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION A valuable Beech (Faugus sylvatica) dominated woodland whose varied structure and location is valuable for woodland wildlife. The site is currently registered by Natural England as a Plantation on an Ancient Woodland Site.

Habitats of Note Broad-leaved Woodland (designated plantation on ancient woodland site).

Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs)

EcoRecord Ref: WV066 Site Name: Wightwick Manor Subsite Ref: WV066 Subsite Name: Wightwick Manor

Grid Reference SO86779841 Area (ha): 2.37 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION

A partnership project between Dudley MBC, Walsall MBC, Sandwell MBC, Wolverhampton CC, Birmingham CC, Natural England and the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country EcoRecord Statutory and Non-Statutory Sites A matrix of pools, grassland and woodland in the grounds of Wightwick Manor. The grounds provide a relatively undisturbed haven for wildlife with some unusual species recorded.

Habitats of Note Woodland, Pools, Watercourses, Grassland

Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINCs) List produced by EcoRecord on 06/08/2010 for 2km radius around SO855977

EcoRecord Ref: WV003 Site Name: Smestow Brook Floodplain Subsite Ref: WV003 Subsite Name: Smestow Brook Floodplain

Grid Reference SO867980 Area (ha): 9.26 REASONS FOR DESIGNATION Forms part of large SINC / SLINC centered around former railway, Smestow Brook & canal forming wide valley corridor linked to Staffordshire countryside. Section not publicly accessible.

Habitats of Note Watercourse, Canal, Neutral grassland, Tall herb.

A partnership project between Dudley MBC, Walsall MBC, Sandwell MBC, Wolverhampton CC, Birmingham CC, Natural England and the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country