Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport Shadow
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Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment January 2021 A report on behalf of Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd Ref: 0475-sHRA-MW Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport Site Details Site Name Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub Site Location Peterstone, Newport Central OS Grid Reference ST 2767 8186 Client Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd Quality Assurance Report Title Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment Report Reference 0475-sHRA-MW Author Mark Witherall BSc MCIEEM Checked By Faye Midmore BSc MSc MCIEEM Approved By Jon Garner BSc MCIEEM Revision No. 3 Issue Date 08 January 2021 Summary of Changes Further information provided following NRW comments dated 07.12.20 (NRW ref. CAS-125224-Z4J1) in relation to potential for in-combination effects with Hendre Lakes proposals. Data also updated to exclude previously included data that was within the survey boundary but not within the final red line boundary. Revised By Richard Pash BSc MCIEEM Approved By Jon Garner BSc MCIEEM The content of this report that has been provided by Green Ecology is true and has been prepared and submitted in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. Its contents are compliant with British Standard BS42020: 2013 Biodiversity Code of Practice for Planning and Development. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the stated client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by Green Ecology, no other party may use, make use of or rely on the contents of the report. No liability is accepted by Green Ecology for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided. Green Ecology has exercised due care in preparing this report. It has not, unless specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the content of this report and Green Ecology assumes no liability for any loss resulting from errors, omissions or misrepresentation made by others. Any recommendation, opinion or finding stated in this report is based on circumstances and facts as they existed at the time that Green Ecology undertook the work. Nothing in this report constitutes legal opinion. If legal opinion is required, the advice of a qualified legal professional should be secured. © Copyright GE Consulting Services (UK) Limited 2020 Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Description of Proposed Development .......................................................................................................1 1.2 Scope and Aims ..........................................................................................................................................1 1.3 Consultation ................................................................................................................................................1 2 Natura 2000 Sites and HRA Requirement ..................................................................................................2 2.1 Natura 2000 Sites .......................................................................................................................................2 2.2 Legislative Context .....................................................................................................................................2 2.3 HRA Process ..............................................................................................................................................2 3 European Sites Scoped into Assessment ..................................................................................................2 4 Screening Assessment ................................................................................................................................3 4.1 Factors Affecting the Natura 2000 Sites .....................................................................................................3 4.2 Likely Significant Effect (LSE) Test ............................................................................................................3 4.3 Identification of Pathways ...........................................................................................................................8 5 Information for Appropriate Assessment ..................................................................................................9 5.1 Severn Estuary Existing Condition .............................................................................................................9 5.2 Evaluation of Baseline Data ........................................................................................................................9 5.3 Change in Land Management/ Assessment of Functionally Linked Land .............................................. 16 5.4 Changes in Species Distribution/ Disturbance to SPA Assemblage Species ......................................... 18 5.5 Loss of Winter Foraging Habitat for Lapwing .......................................................................................... 19 5.6 Siltation and Dust (SAC & SPA) .............................................................................................................. 19 5.7 Water Pollution – Impacts to European Eel in Freshwater Environment................................................. 20 6 Cumulative Assessment ........................................................................................................................... 20 6.1 Cumulative Construction/Decommissioning Effects .................................. 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Bookmark not defined. 7 Overall Assessment .................................................................................................................................. 26 8 References .................................................................................................................................................. 27 Appendices Appendix 1 – Location of Natura 2000 sites in relation to application site .......................................................... 28 Appendix 2 – The qualifying interest features and supporting habitats of the Severn Estuary SPA................... 29 Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment 08 January 2021 0475-sHRA-MW Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport 1 INTRODUCTION This report has been prepared on behalf of Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd in relation to a proposed planning application at Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport (central OS grid reference: ST 2767 8186). The application site, hereafter referred to as the ‘Site’, extends to approximately 160 hectares (ha) and is located on the Gwent Levels near Peterstone and St Brides. An Ecological Impact Assessment has been produced as part of the Environmental Statement (Savills, 2019) which accompanies the planning application. 1.1 Description of Proposed Development The applicant is seeking full planning permission for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and includes boundary fencing, access tracks, battery storage units and associated infrastructure including grid connection buildings, transformer and inverter units. The proposed panelled area will be 128.4ha, grid yard 0.6ha and battery storage 0.9ha (total 129.9 ha) with an additional 2.6ha for ecological enhancement, plus 22.1ha of land set aside for lapwing compensation. 1.2 Scope and Aims This shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment (sHRA) has been produced to provide Welsh Ministers with technical information to undertake the HRA under the provision of the Habitats Directive. It should be read in conjunction with the corresponding application documents and drawings, in particular: Environmental Statement Chapter 12 (Savills, 2012) Winter Bird Surveys Technical Report (Green Ecology, 2020) Breeding Bird Surveys Technical Report (Green Ecology, 2020) Draft LEMP (Green Ecology, 2020) 1.3 Consultation Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in their Development of National Significance (DNS) Pre-application Consultation (Ref: CAS-107058-K8Q6) dated 24th February 2020 provided advice on HRA as follows: ‘Should the competent authority (Welsh Minister) conclude that the proposed development is likely to have a significant effect on the Severn Estuary, we will advise on the appropriate assessment under Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. The purpose of the appropriate assessment would be to assess the implications of the proposed development with respect to the conservation objectives of the Severn Estuary. The conclusions of the appropriate assessment should enable the Welsh Ministers to ascertain whether or not the proposed development would adversely affect the integrity of the SAC. Based on the information submitted so far, we advise there is not sufficient information for the appropriate assessment to be carried out, as advised under both ecology and nature conservation and ornithology.’ Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment 1 08 January 2021 0475-sHRA-MW Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd Wentlooge Renewable