Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
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Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Saxon Brickworks, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey Project No: HSPCo04 Client: Johnsons Aggregates Date: 15/02/2021 HSPCo04 / Saxon Brickworks, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Issue 1 ISSUE RECORD Client name Johnsons Aggregates Project name Saxon Brickworks, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey Project number HSPCo04 Report title Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Issue number 1 Date 15/02/2021 Written by Jessica Eades BSc (Hons), MCIEEM Technical Director Checked by Chloe Pritchard BSc (Hons) MCIEEM Principal Ecologist Approved by Jonathan Brickland BSc (Hons) MSc CEnv MCIEEM Director The information and advice contained in this report has been prepared and provided in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. We confirm that the opinions expressed are our true and professional bona fide opinions. Peak Ecology is accredited under ISO9001 and as such this report follows the styles and formatting template set out within our Quality Management Form ISO9001 QMF 32 Issue 1 Reviewed 04/03/2016 Peak Ecology Limited Arden House Deepdale Business Park Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1GT 01629 812511 www.peakecology.co.uk Page i HSPCo04 / Saxon Brickworks, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Issue 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Overview This report has been prepared by Peak Ecology Ltd on behalf of Johnsons Aggregates. Peak Ecology Limited was instructed on 28th January 2021 via HSP Consulting on behalf of Johnsons Aggregates to provide ecological advice after receiving a scoping opinion from Cambridgeshire County Council. The scoping opinion related to a planning application for the proposed importation, storage, processing (including use of trommel), picking and recycling of up to 500,000 Tonnes per annum (TPA) Of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) and construction and demolition (C&D) waste, for exportation for use ss Incinerator Bottom Ash Secondary Aggregates (IBAA) at Saxon Brickworks, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, PE7 1PJ. The site comprises an approximately 5.10ha area of land situated between Peterborough and Whittlesey (central grid reference: TL 2546 9714) on the southern side of the A605 (Peterborough Road) in a former quarried area. Designated Sites Three international designated sites fall within the 10km search radius around the study area. The study area falls within the Nene Washes SSSI Impact Risk Zone and also an area highlighted by Natural England as the Nene Washes Goose & Swan Functional Land Impact Risk Zone within City of Peterborough. Four non-statutory designated sites: County Wildlife Sites (CWS) have been identified within the 2km study area all situated to the north of the study area. The access road from the A605 into the proposed processing facility lies within a 200m buffer zone established for the Kings Dyke Nature Reserve. Habitats Much of the study area is of low ecological value due to the extent of hardstanding, buildings and disturbed bare ground. However, the vegetated habitats as outlined below, offer moderate to good ecological value. All areas of woodland appear to be retained within the proposed development, whilst there will be a loss of scrub and tall ruderal habitat. The proposed development will result in the loss of approximately 0.47ha of ephemeral / short perennial vegetation considered highly likely to qualify as the UK BAP and local priority habitat “open mosaic habitat on previously disturbed ground”, although the wider area of this habitat will remain intact. At the time of writing, it is assumed that all ditches and associated marginal and inundation vegetation are to be retained within the proposed development. Peak Ecology Page ii 15/02/2021 HSPCo04 / Saxon Brickworks, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Issue 1 Protected Species Vegetated areas of the site have the potential to support the following protected and priority species; • Amphibians – including great crested newt; • Badger; • Water vole; • Breeding birds; and • Reptiles. Impacts to bats were considered, but have been considered negligible for roosting, foraging and commuting habitats. Implications and Recommendations The proposals indicate no soft landscaping, so all habitat loss is assumed to be replaced with hard surfaces. There will be net loss of habitat associated with this proposed development. Increased vehicle movement associated with the proposals may have an adverse impact on woodland bird species along the access route from the A605 into the processing facility. Much of the development of the site will have negligible impact on ecology at the site level due to the dominance of hard standing, building and disturbed bare ground. This area in latter parts of the report is referred to as the Phase 1 development area, with vegetated areas with higher ecological value and likely to support protected and priority species referred to as the Phase 2 development area. A number of additional ecological surveys are recommended to further assess impacts of the proposed Phase 2 development area as outlined in Figure 8. These surveys are designed to further refine recommendations outlined later within this report; • Great crested newt – eDNA survey; • Water Vole Survey; and • Biodiversity Net Gain Calculations. A number of reasonable avoidance measures, mitigation and compensation measures have been included within the report and where appropriate, worst case scenarios have been outlined to inform an appropriate way forward to minimise impacts to protected and priority species and habitats. Peak Ecology Page iii 15/02/2021 HSPCo04 / Saxon Brickworks, Peterborough Road, Whittlesey Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Issue 1 CONTENTS PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Scope of Report ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Site Description ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Zone of Influence .......................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Planning Context ........................................................................................................................... 2 2 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Desk Study .................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Phase 1 Habitat Survey ................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Protected and Priority Species ..................................................................................................... 5 2.4 Limitations ..................................................................................................................................... 5 3 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Desk Study .................................................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Phase 1 Habitat Survey .............................................................................................................. 18 3.3 Protected and Priority Species ................................................................................................... 23 4 EVALUATION OF FEATURES WITHIN THE STUDY AREA ..................................................... 31 4.1 Designated sites ......................................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Habitats & Botanical Interest ...................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Protected and Priority Species ................................................................................................... 33 5 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS .................................................................................................... 36 5.1 Development Proposals .............................................................................................................. 36 5.2 Potential Impacts associated with the proposals ........................................................................ 36 5.1 Designated Sites ......................................................................................................................... 38 5.2 Summary of study area assessment .......................................................................................... 39 5.1 Habitats & Botanical Interest ...................................................................................................... 41 5.2 Protected and Priority Species ................................................................................................... 41 6 RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................................... 46 6.1 Further Survey / assessment ...................................................................................................... 46 6.2 Mitigation/Compensation