Buxton Waters
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Buxton Waters EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT Final 3rd December 2010 Buxton Waters EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT Final 3rd December 2010 SKM Enviros Alberton House St Mary's Parsonage Manchester M3 2WJ Tel: +44 161 833 4883 Fax: +44 161 833 4761 Web: www.skmenviros.com COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Ltd. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Ltd constitutes an infringement of copyright. LIMITATION: This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Ltd’s Client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Ltd and its Client. Sinclair Knight Merz (Europe) Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party. The SKM logo trade mark is a registered trade mark of Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd. Contents 1. Introduction 1 1.1. Introduction 1 1.2. Site Description 1 2. Methodology 2 2.1. Desk Study 2 2.1.1. Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2 2.1.2. Habitats 2 2.1.3. Fauna 2 2.1.4. Study Limitations 3 3. Results 4 3.1. Desk Study 4 3.1.1. Statutory Designated Sites 4 3.1.2. Non Statutory Designated Sites 4 3.1.3. Species Records 5 3.1.4. Local BAP 5 3.2. Habitats 6 3.2.1. Improved Grassland 6 3.2.2. Tall Ruderals 6 3.2.3. Broadleaved Scattered Trees 6 3.2.4. Standing Water 7 3.2.5. Fences and Walls 7 3.3. Protected Species 7 3.3.1. Bats 7 3.3.2. Badger 7 3.3.3. Otter and Water Vole 7 3.3.4. Birds 7 3.3.5. Great Crested Newt 8 3.3.6. Reptiles 8 3.3.7. Other Mammals 8 4. Discussion of Potential Ecological Constraints and Recommendations 9 4.1. Designated sites 9 4.2. Habitats 9 4.2.1. Bats 9 4.2.2. Great Crested Newt 9 4.2.3. Water Vole and Otter 10 4.2.4. Reptiles 10 SKM Enviros PAGE i 4.2.5. Birds 10 4.2.6. Badgers 10 5. Habitat Creation 12 5.1. Habitat Creation 12 5.2. Pond Creation 14 Figures 16 Figure 1 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 16 Appendices 17 Appendix A HSI Scores 18 Appendix B Photographs 19 Appendix C Desk Based Survey Results 25 SKM Enviros PAGE ii Document History and Status Revision Date issued Reviewed by Approved by Date approved Revision type A1 10/10/10 JAYRES D SELLWOOD 08/11/2010 Final Draft V2 03/12/10 D Watson D Watson Final Distribution of Copies Revision Copy no Quantity Issued to Printed: 3 December 2010 Last saved: 3 December 2010 02:02 PM File name: Phase 1 Buxton Waters Final Author: Jonathan Ayres Project manager: Nigel Robson Name of organisation: Nestle/Buxton Waters Name of project: Buxton Waters Extended Phase 1 Habitat Report Name of document: Buxton Waters Extended Phase 1 Habitat Report Document version: Final Project number: UN12203.08 SKM Enviros PAGE iii 1. Introduction 1.1. Introduction SKM Enviros was commissioned in September 2010 by Nestle UK Ltd to carry out an extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey for the development of a proposed water bottling plant on land to the east of Waterswallows Lane, Buxton (SK078754). This report presents the results of the following: Desk Based Assessment in consultation with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust; and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. The survey objective was to assess the site for the potential to support protected species and habitats and species and habitats of conservation concern in order to identify potential constraints to the development. 1.2. Site Description The site is located at Waterswallows Lane, Buxton. The development site is around 7ha in extent. It is situated in an area of agricultural land, used for the grazing of cattle. The site is bordered to the north, south and east by pasture land and to the west by Waterswallows Lane. The site is currently being used for grazing cattle and consists predominantly of improved grassland habitat. The habitats to the north and east of the site contain similar grassland habitats. To the west lies the road and an electrical substation is situated to the far west. To the south the land is bordered by a vehicle depot. Within the site the fields are bound by dry stone walling and wire fences. SKM Enviros PAGE 1 2. Methodology 2.1. Desk Study A desk study was carried out to identify protected sites and species within 1km of the site boundary. This utilised online resources including Natural England’s Nature on the Map1, MAGIC2 and NBN Gateway3. NBN Gateway data was searched and data within 1km of the site covering the last 20 years was included. A further desk based survey for information within 2km was carried out with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Derby Museum. 2.1.1. Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey An extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey was carried out in accordance with the standard JNCC Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology 4 on 27th September 2010 by Senior Ecologist, Jonathan Ayres. The survey area consisted of the entire site (see Figure 1) and adjacent land (where accessible) and a 500m buffer for great crested newts. 2.1.2. Habitats Habitats were identified according to standard Phase 1 Habitat Survey (JNCC, 2003)5 definitions. Any legally protected habitats and/or other habitats of nature conservation importance, e.g. UK or Local Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats, were recorded. All patches of habitat greater than 0.1ha were mapped at 1:10000 scale (Figure 1). 2.1.3. Fauna In conjunction with the habitat survey, the potential of the site to support any legally protected faunal species and/or other faunal species of nature conservation importance, e.g. UK or Local Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, was assessed. A Habitat Suitability Index (HSI), developed by Oldham et al. (2000)6 was used to ascertain the suitability of water bodies on site, and within 500m as per standard guidance, where access was available, to support great crested newt. This is a method by which habitat variables can be collected and used together to predict the likely presence of breeding great crested newt. Detailed faunal surveys were not undertaken at this time, rather the potential for the site to support each species / species group was assessed based on the known range of each species /species group and the suitability of the habitats present. In addition, field signs or sightings of such species were recorded as seen. 1 http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk 2 http://www.magic.gov.uk/ 3 http://data.nbn.org.uk/ 4 Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2003. Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey: A Technique for Environmental Audit, revised reprint 5 JNCC (2004) Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey; A technique for environmental audit 6 Oldham, R.S., Keeble, J., Swan, M.J.S. and Jeffcote, M. (2000). Evaluating the suitability of habitats for great crested newt (Triturus cristatus). Herpetological Journal 10 pp. 143-155. SKM Enviros PAGE 2 2.1.4. Study Limitations Surveying the site and adjacent land was limited by access constraints. This report serves to indicate the present and potential ecological value of the study area based upon the survey data gathered. As with any survey of this kind, it cannot be seen as a definitive description of the site and its associated habitats and species. SKM Enviros PAGE 3 3. Results 3.1. Desk Study 3.1.1. Statutory Designated Sites Internationally designated sites (SAC/Ramsar/SPA) and nationally designated sites (SSSIs) are listed in Table 1. There were no locally designated statutory sites (LNRs) within 2km of the site. Table 1 Statutory Designated Sites Distance & Grid Site and Designation Area (ha) Direction Description Reference from site (km) Nationally Designated Sites (SSSI) Within 2km Waterswallows Quarry SK 082750 0.69 0.2 S Earth Heritage Site currently in SSSI favourable condition. Duchy Quarry SSSI SK 093767 2.4 2 Km NE Earth Heritage Site currently in favourable condition. The Peak District National Park is located approximately 2km to the east and west of the site. 3.1.2. Non Statutory Designated Sites No local wildlife sites were recorded during the desk study within the site boundary. The nearest local wildlife sites are listed below. The desk based survey information shows these locations in context with the site boundary. Table 2 Local Wildlife Sites Site Reference Area (ha) Ecological Feature Local wildlife sites within 2km Longridge Lane Pond HP121 0.0224 Standing open water Doveholes Dale HP066 6.13 Unimproved calcareous grassland Longsidings quarry HP070 24.5269 Unimproved calcareous grassland Peak Dale/Small Dale HP069 9.19 Unimproved calcareous Quarries grassland Longridge Lane Fields HP082 10.48 Unimproved calcareous grassland on lime soil Combs Moss HP023 245.91 Heather Moorland Railway Land HP026 7.86 Habitat Mosaic Hogshaw (Former sidings) SKM Enviros PAGE 4 Site Reference Area (ha) Ecological Feature Peak Dale Grassland HP067 16.7 Unimproved Calcareous Grassland Victory Quarry HP068 7.6 Habitat Mosaic Dove Hole Spoil Heaps HP169 4.75 Unimproved calcareous grassland on lime spoil 3.1.3. Species Records The National Biodiversity Network hold records for UK and Local BAP species. NBN highlighted recent records for great crested newt, song thrush and reptiles.