Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 63 Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope Client Name: Fastglobe Mastics Ltd Project Number: P4113.1.0 Date: 20 January 2021
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Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 63 Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope Client Name: Fastglobe Mastics Ltd Project Number: P4113.1.0 Date: 20 January 2021 Client Fastglobe Mastics Ltd Agent Third Dimension Site 63 Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope Report reference P4113.1.0 Prepared by Ross Wotherspoon BSc (Hons) MSc, Ecologist and Charlotte Alanine BSc (Hons), Assistant Ecologist Reviewed by Sally Dalrymple-Smith MSc MCIEEM CEnv Approved by Richard Parmee BSc MSc Tech Cert (ArborA) MArborA Date 20 January 2021 Version Final agb Environmental Ltd has prepared this document in accordance with the instructions of their client, Fastglobe Mastics Ltd, for their sole and specific use and has been prepared based on a scope of works which has been agreed directly with the client. agb Environmental Ltd Terms and Conditions apply. © agb Environmental Ltd 2021 Newmarket Business Centre 341 Exning Road, Newmarket, CB8 0AT Tel: 01638 663226 www.agbenvironmental.co.uk agb Environmental Ltd agb Environmental Ltd 1 Summary Site 63 Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope Central OS Grid Reference TQ 68722 82015 Report Commissioned by Third Dimension on behalf of Fastglobe Mastics Ltd Date of Survey 15th December 2020 Considerations Description Comments & Recommendations Fastglobe Mastics Ltd propose to demolish the existing Proposed Ecological input is required in support of a building on site and replace it Development planning application. with a number of retirement bungalows. Surveys A desk study and walkover Both surveys informed a Preliminary Undertaken survey. Ecological Appraisal (PEA). The site comprised buildings, The site was considered to be of negligible artificial sealed surfaces, importance due to the common habitat types Ecological modified grassland, bramble and poor plant diversity. Importance of the scrub, ruderal / ephemeral Site vegetation, introduced shrubs Mitigation to protect notable species / and scattered trees. habitats have been recommended. The Grove House Wood Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is located close to the Further application site and it is recommended that Assessments / Statutory sites plans for development consider the impacts Surveys of increased visitor pressure on the site. Consultation and mitigation may be required. Protect these features and replant any trees Trees lost to development with native species of local provenance. Clear any woody vegetation outside the nesting bird season, or after a nesting bird Nesting birds survey by an ecologist if clearance is scheduled between March and August (inclusive). A pre-construction badger check Badger approximately six weeks before construction starts is recommended. Avoidance and Provide hedgehog links within any new General Mitigation Hedgehog fencing. Precautionary strimming of grassland Reptiles habitat is recommended. Cotoneaster horizontalis on the southern Schedule 9 non-native boundary should be removed from site invasive species Cotoneaster carefully to an approved disposal facility, to sp. avoid its spread. Cover trenches or provide planked escape routes to allow any animals that fall in to Site measures escape. Store materials off the ground and do not leave temporary standing water. P4113.1.0 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 20 January 2021 63 Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope Page 2 of 37 agb Environmental Ltd Considerations Description Comments & Recommendations Examples of how BNG could be achieved include: balancing the number of houses, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) providing habitats such as wildflower meadows and wildlife ponds and linking Enhancements ecological corridors. Provide a Biodiversity Enhancement To increase the ecological Scheme (BES) that includes ecological value of the site. enhancements for the site. P4113.1.0 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 20 January 2021 63 Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope Page 3 of 37 agb Environmental Ltd Contents 1 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Background ............................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Site Location and Description .................................................................................. 6 2.3 Development Proposal ............................................................................................ 6 2.4 Scope of Survey ...................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Objective ................................................................................................................. 6 3 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Surveyor .................................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Desk Study .............................................................................................................. 7 3.3 Habitat Survey ......................................................................................................... 7 3.4 Protected and Notable Species Assessment ........................................................... 8 3.4.1 Amphibians ...................................................................................................... 8 3.4.2 Bats .................................................................................................................. 8 3.4.3 Badgers ............................................................................................................ 8 3.4.4 Birds (Nesting) ................................................................................................. 8 3.4.5 Hazel Dormouse .............................................................................................. 9 3.4.6 Reptiles ............................................................................................................ 9 3.4.7 Other Species .................................................................................................. 9 3.4.8 Invasive Species .............................................................................................. 9 3.5 Evaluation ............................................................................................................... 9 3.6 Limitations and Assumptions ................................................................................... 9 4 Results and Evaluation ................................................................................................. 11 4.1 Designated Sites ................................................................................................... 11 4.1.1 Statutory Sites ................................................................................................ 11 4.1.2 Non-Statutory Sites ........................................................................................ 11 4.2 Habitats ................................................................................................................. 12 4.2.1 Buildings ........................................................................................................ 13 4.2.2 Artificial Sealed Surfaces ............................................................................... 13 4.2.3 Modified Grassland ........................................................................................ 13 4.2.4 Bramble Scrub ............................................................................................... 14 4.2.5 Ruderal / Ephemeral Vegetation..................................................................... 15 4.2.6 Introduced Shrubs .......................................................................................... 15 4.2.7 Scattered Trees .............................................................................................. 16 4.3 Protected and Notable Species ............................................................................. 17 4.3.1 Amphibians .................................................................................................... 17 4.3.2 Badgers .......................................................................................................... 17 P4113.1.0 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 20 January 2021 63 Wharf Road, Stanford Le Hope Page 4 of 37 agb Environmental Ltd 4.3.3 Bats ................................................................................................................ 17 4.3.4 Birds (Nesting) ............................................................................................... 20 4.3.5 Hazel Dormouse ............................................................................................ 20 4.3.6 Hedgehog ...................................................................................................... 20 4.3.7 Invertebrates .................................................................................................. 20 4.3.8 Reptiles .......................................................................................................... 21 4.3.9 Other Protected, Priority and Rare Species .................................................... 21 4.3.10 Invasive Plants ............................................................................................... 21 5 Recommendations 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