Preliminary

Ecological

Assessment

and bat survey

report:

Southlands Centre,

Middlesbrough Gale Cottage, Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL13 3LT Tel: 01388 526978 Fax: 01388 526978 email: [email protected] website: www.barrettenvironmental.co.uk

October 2018

Company registered in England No. 5603818

Barrett Environmental Ltd

Contents

A Executive summary 2

B Introduction 2

C Survey and site assessment 4

D Impact assessment 34

E Mitigation and compensation 35

F References 36

G Appendix 37

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, October 2018 1 Barrett Environmental Ltd

A Executive summary

Barrett Environmental Ltd prepared an ecological assessment of the proposed demolition of the Southlands Centre in Middlesbrough.

The assessment is based upon historic data from the locality, a walkover survey by an experienced ecologist and a single bat activity survey. Data from local record holders was used to provide an indication of the likely presence of a wide range of protected and locally important species and the information was used to predict the likely impacts of the proposed demolition upon the conservation status of the local populations.

There were no records of protected or rare habitats / species at the site. The development site comprises of bare ground, buildings and mown amenity grassland that offers few opportunities for use by wildlife and is considered to be a low risk for use by most of the species considered in the assessment. Scattered shrub planting and trees provide the only available cover and the likely impacts of the demolition upon the conservation status of the local bat, otter and water vole populations are neutral. No bat activity was recorded during a single bat survey and the buildings were classified as a Negligible risk for use by roosting bats.

However breeding birds and hedgehogs are likely to utilise the shrubberies and back garden of the former caretakers house and a mitigation strategy is presented to minimise any adverse impacts on these species.

B Introduction

B1 Background to activity Barrett Environmental Ltd was commissioned by to prepare a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of the Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough. The site is a leisure centre and business centre which is due to be demolished. The Building was classified as a Low risk for use by roosting bats and the report presents the findings of a single bat activity survey.

The Southlands Centre is situated at Ordnance Survey grid reference NZ523179 and lies at an altitude of 23m AOD.

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Figure 1: Site location plan (adapted from MAGIC, URL 1)

Figure 2: Detailed site plan (from Middlesbrough Council drawing ref A001)

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B2 Proposed development The centre is proposed to be demolished, and no redevelopment plans were provided.

C Survey and site assessment

C1 Pre existing information on protected habitats and species at survey site Data has been taken from the Multi Agency Geographical Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) website and supplied by the Ecological Records and Information Centre North East (ERIC NE).

C1.1 Habitats / designated sites There is one statutory designated site within a 2km radius. Community Park Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is situated approximately 1.5km northwest of the Centre. Natural England states (URL 2):

This former derelict allotment land has been transformed into wildflower meadows, new woodlands, and ponds which provide a home to frogs, toads and newts. Ormesby Beck meanders through the nature reserve flanked by tall waterlogged reedbeds, which are expanding here. bWater voles burrow in the beck banks and feed on waterside plants.

There are no Ramsar sites, Special Protection Areas (SPA), National Nature Reserves (NNR), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), or non-statutory sites (Site of Nature Conservation Interest, County Wildlife Site etc) within the 2 km radius.

C1.2 Protected species C1.2.1 Bats The following bat records were provided by the Ecological Records Information Centre North East (ERIC):

Species Location Grid ref Year Comments Unidentified bat TS7 9DE NZ535169 2016 Roost Unidentified Myotis bat Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Flight Unidentified Myotis bat Ormesby Hall NZ528168 2009 x 1 Unidentified Myotis bat Marton West Beck NZ506157 2009 x 1 Unidentified Myotis bat Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Flight Daubenton's x 170 / Marton NZ510153 2010 West Beck Daubenton's x 4 Marton West Beck NZ511150 2009 Daubenton's x 3 Marton West Beck NZ511150 2009 Daubenton's Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Foraging Daubenton's x 79 Tollesby / Marton NZ510153 2009 West Beck

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Daubenton's Marton West Beck NZ510153 2002 Daubenton's x 10 Central Lodge NZ518163 2016 Maternity Stewart Park roost Whiskered x 1 Stewarts Park NZ519164 2007 Natterer's Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Commuting Noctule Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Commuting Noctule x 1 Stewart Park NZ515165 2004 Noctule Stewart Park NZ515164 2009 Flight Noctule Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 In flight Noctule x 4 Ormesby Hall NZ528168 2009 Nathusius's pipistrelle Ormesby Hall NZ528170 2009 x 1 Nathusius's pipistrelle Central Lodge NZ518163 2016 Roost x 4 Stewart Park Common pipistrelle Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 In flight Common pipistrelle TS7 8SF NZ509156 2013 In flight Common pipistrelle Orchard Way, NZ534168 2016 Common pipistrelle x 3 St Thomas’s NZ5218 2007 Church, Avenue, Common pipistrelle x 2 Ormesby Hall NZ528168 2009 Common pipistrelle x Central Lodge NZ518163 2016 Roost and 34 Stewart Park maternity roost Common pipistrelle x 1 Marton West Beck NZ506157 2009 Common pipistrelle Stewart Park NZ515164 2009 Roost Common pipistrelle Cleveland NZ511160 2010 Roost Common pipistrelle Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Commuting Common pipistrelle Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Common pipistrelle Ormesby Hall NZ528169 2009 Common pipistrelle x 2 Marton West Beck NZ506157 2009 Soprano pipistrelle Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Soprano pipistrelle x 4 Central Lodge NZ518163 2016 Stewart Park Brown long-eared x 6 Central Lodge NZ518163 2016 Stewart Park Unidentified bat Stewart Park NZ515164 2008 Unidentified bat Ormesby NZ5316 2004 Unidentified bat Grantham Green NZ5016 2006 Unidentified bat x 1 Ormesby Hall NZ5316 2008 Unidentified bat x 1 Ormesby Hall NZ529167 2009 Unidentified bat x 1 Stewart Park NZ515164 2009 Unidentified bat Ormesby Hall NZ530167 1987 Unidentified bat Ormesby Hall NZ530167 1987 Unidentified bat x 1 Tollesby / Marton NZ510153 2002 West Beck Unidentified bat x 2 Tollesby / Marton NZ510153 2009 West Beck

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Unidentified bat x 1 NZ525186 2007 Cemetery Table 1: Bat records supplied by ERIC

None of the records are from the site and only 1 is from within the same kilometre square.

C1.2.2 Breeding birds The following bird records were provided by ERIC:

Species No. of Common name Scientific name records Blackbird Turdus merula 5 Blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus 4 Canada goose Branta canadensis 1 Carrion crow Corvus corone 3 Coal tit Periparus ater 2 Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto 2 Coot Fulica atra 6 Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 Dunnock Prunella modularis 2 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 1 Grasshopper warbler Locustella naevia 1 Great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major 2 Great tit Parus major 3 Grey heron Ardea cinerea 2 Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea 2 Herring gull Larus argentatus 1 House sparrow Passer domesticus 3 Jay Garrulus glandarius 1 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 Linnet Linaria cannabina 1 Little egret Egretta garzetta 1 Magpie Pica pica 4 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 4 Mistle thrush Turdus viscivorus 1 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5 Pheasant Phasianus colchicus 3 Pied wagtail Motacilla alba 1 Robin Erithacus rubecula 3 Rock dove Columba livia 2 Skylark Alauda arvensis 1 Song thrush Turdus philomelos 2 Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus 2 Starling Sturnus vulgaris 3 Swallow Hirundo rustica 3

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Swift Apus apus 1 Tawny owl Strix aluco 1 Tree sparrow Passer montanus 2 Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 1 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 5 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 4 Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava 1 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 2 Table 2: ERIC bird records

No records were provided for the site or from the locality.

G.2.2 Otter

Date Grid Ref Location Name Comments Stewarts Park, 01/01/2006 NZ5116 Otter found dead on road Middlesbrough A174 23/11/2016 NZ5015 Road kill Middlesbrough dead on road. where road 23/11/2016 NZ508155 crosses Marton West Beck A174 2005 NZ515163 Stewart Park Table 3: ERIC otter records

No records were from the site or from within the same kilometre square.

G.2.3 European Water Voles The following water vole records were provided by ERIC:

Year Grid Ref Location Name Comments 2010 NZ502162 Marton West Beck 2014 NZ5017 Ormesby Beck Latrines, feeding remains 14 latrines, Droppings, 2014 NZ5018 Ormesby Beck Burrows, Runs 3 Latrines, Droppings, Burrows, 2014 NZ511179 Ormesby Beck Feeding Remains. 2014 NZ512179 Ormesby Beck 2009 NZ502162 Sightings, signs 2009 NZ511150 Urban beck 2014 NZ523182 Middle Beck, 2017 NZ521182 Middle Beck Latrines 2017 NZ525179 Middle Beck Multiple latrines Ormesby Beck 4 new latrines (one trampled), 3 2017 NZ510181 starting at Brigham new holes, one grass cutting Road pile

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Ormesby Beck Many new latrines, runways 2017 NZ511179 starting diversion and holes, a number of old junction holes. Ormesby Beck, New latrines (one multiple Felby Avenue to droppings, trampled and one 2017 NZ517171 Ladgate Lane single dropping), no new holes, Bridge a number of old unused holes. 2009 NZ514176 Ormesby Beck 2009 / NZ515174 Ormesby Beck 2010 2009 / NZ509182 Ormesby Beck 2010 2009 / NZ525179 Middle Beck 2010 2009 / NZ510151 Fairy dell lake 2010 2009 / NZ522184 Middle Beck 2010 2009 / NZ523181 Middle Beck 2010 Many of the banks are Marton West Beck - collapsed, Burrows, Droppings, 2014 NZ4916 Easterside Feeding Remains, Runs, Unused Burrows Very urbanised, grass cut over top burrows, signs of burning of 2014 NZ522183 Middle Beck vegetation and attempts to dig out burrows Single latrine, one small section contains active field signs, Marton West Beck - many of the banksides 2014 NZ4916 Municipal Golf throughout are wooded, Course overgrown with bank erosion. Droppings, Burrows, Feeding Remains, Lawn Droppings, Burrows, Feeding Marton West Beck - 2014 NZ4917 Remains. Runs, Unused Easterside Burrows Ormesby Beck, 2013 NZ5018 Berwick Hills 2010 NZ502162 Easterside Sightings, signs 2017 NZ521185 Middle Beck Latrines, sedge cuttings 2017 NZ521184 Middle Beck Latrines Many latrines, Droppings, 2014 NZ5217 Middle Beck Burrows, Feeding Remains, Lawn

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Many latrines, Droppings, 2014 NZ5217 Middle Beck Burrows, Feeding Remains, Lawn Many latrines, Droppings, 2014 NZ5218 Middle Beck Burrows, Feeding Remains, Lawn Droppings, Burrows, Feeding Marton West Beck - 2014 NZ4917 Remains. Runs, Unused Easterside Burrows Marton West Beck - 2014 NZ499164 Municipal Golf Single latrine Course Table 4: ERIC water vole records

C1.2.3 Locally important species ERIC supplied a large number of records relating to a wide range of notable species, most of which are listed as Section 41 species under the NERC Act 2006. However, no records supplied relate to the proposed development site and none were within the same kilometre square.

The site is a large area of bare ground and buildings with small areas of mowed amenity grassland and a few scattered shrubs. As a result, it is unlikely to be used by most of the notable species recorded in the area other than some of the birds listed in Table 3 and west European hedgehogs.

C1.2.3.1 West European hedgehog The following hedgehog records were provided by ERIC:

Location Grid ref Year Comments NZ517156 1991 Dead NZ5215 2012 A174 Eston NZ526164 2016 Dead on road. A174 Ormesby NZ526163 2016 Dead on road. A174 Ormesby NZ525163 2016 Dead on road. NZ4917 2005 NZ4918 2005 NZ5016 2005 NZ5215 2005 NZ5315 2005 NZ5115 2005 NZ5316 2005 NZ5115 2006 NZ5215 2006 NZ5315 2006 NZ5316 2006 NZ5317 2006 NZ5316 2006

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A174 Helmlington NZ4915 2016 Dead on road A66 nr Marton NZ511155 2007 Dead on road Coulby Newham NZ5015 2009 Road kill NZ535167 2007 Dead On Road Marton NZ521162 2006 Dead On Road A174 Helmlington NZ4915 2012 NZ4915 2012 Dead NZ5015 2013 Dead NZ5115 2013 NZ5115 2014 NZ4915 2014 Dead NZ5015 2014 Dead NZ5015 2014 Dead NZ5115 2014 Dead NZ5115 2014 Dead NZ5015 2014 Dead Helmlington NZ4915 2010 Dead on road Marton NZ509156 2008 Dead on road A174 NZ5115 2016 Dead on road A174 NZ5216 2016 Dead on road A174 Marton NZ508156 2016 Dead on road. A66 Marton NZ514155 2016 Dead on road Central Lodge Stewart Park NZ518163 2016 Dead Table 5: ERIC west European hedgehog records

There are no records of hedgehogs from the site or from within the same kilometre square.

C2 Status of protected and locally important species in the local/regional area C2.1 Bats All bat species and their roost sites are partially protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

All bat species are listed on Annex IVa of the European Habitats Directive 1992 (EC Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora). In the UK the Directive has been transposed into The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. Under this legislation, a person commits an offence if they:

 deliberately capture, injure or kill any bat;  deliberately disturb any species in such a way as to be likely significantly to affect- i) the ability of any significant group of animals of that species to survive, breed or rear or nurture their young ii) the local distribution or abundance of that species;  damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place.

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All UK bat species are also listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, 1982) and, except the pipistrelle, are listed in Appendix II. All UK bat species are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (under the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals).

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan included seven bat species on the priority species list and had plans for five, including soprano pipistrelle (UK BAP, 2007). The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 adopted the species listed in the UK BAP, and these are included as Section 41 Species of Principal Importance in England under the legislation.

18 species of bat are native to the UK, and with an estimated population of 1.28 million, the common pipistrelle is the most common. The only other species with the status "common" are soprano pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus). Four species, Daubenton's (Myotis daubentonii), Natterer's (Myotis nattereri) bat, Whiskered (Myotis mystacinus) and Brandt’s bat (Myotis brandtii), with populations between 150,000 - 300,000, are locally common. Five of the remaining species are vulnerable and four, including the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus), with an estimated population of only 1,000, are rare. Alcathoe bat (Myotis alcathoe) has recently been discovered as resident although its status and distribution are not yet known.

The Tees Valley Biodiversity Action Plan lists bats as target species in the Urban Habitats section and states “Pipistrelle bats seem to prefer modern houses and will move roosts quite frequently but most other bat species have traditional roosts in old buildings, bridges or trees that they use year after year. Protecting traditional roosts is vitally important for the survival of local populations of bats hence bat roosts as well as bats themselves are protected by law.

Eight of the 16 species of bat that breed in Britain are found in the Tees Valley. Listed very approximately from what are likely to be the commonest to the rarest in the Tees Valley these are: Common pipistrelle, Daubenton’s, brown long eared, noctule, Natterer’s, soprano pipistrelle, whiskered, Brandt’s. The Common pipistrelle probably makes up at least 90% of the total number of bats in the Tees Valley and other than Daubenton’s the other bats are likely to be quite rare locally”.

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Status in UK & Species Habitat Local status Europe Daubenton’s bat Woodland / Widespread across Known to occur in cave / urban UK and the county but Europe. Absent from numbers uncertain UK islands and more scattered distribution north of the Lake District and in Ireland. No evidence of decline in range or abundance but is a vulnerable species Noctule bat Woodland / Widespread across Known to occur in urban UK and Europe except the county but for exposed regions of numbers uncertain N and NW Scotland and offshore islands. Vulnerable in UK and Europe as a whole. Declining Pipistrelle bat Urban Most common British Most abundant and bat. Significant well recorded of the declines this bat species in the century. Between county, however 1978 and 1993 70% there was still decline. Current insufficient data to breeding population estimate population estimate for UK is size. 2,000,000 animals. Brown long- Woodland / Widespread Known to occur in eared bat cave distribution across UK the county but and Europe except for numbers uncertain exposed regions of N and NW Scotland and offshore islands. No evidence of decline as yet but this is a vulnerable species. Natterer’s bat Woodland / Widespread across Known to occur in cave / urban the UK except for the county but some islands off NW numbers uncertain Scotland. Also found in most of Europe. Population declining and vulnerable in most of its range.

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Brandt’s bat Woodland / Widespread but Known to occur in cave vulnerable across the county but mainland England and numbers uncertain Europe. Population declining Whiskered bat Woodland / Widespread across Known to occur in cave / urban the UK except for the county but Scotland and in numbers uncertain Europe. Vulnerable in UK and Europe. Population declining. Table 6: Local status of bats (Tees Valley Biodiversity Action Plan)

C2.2 Breeding birds Breeding birds are protected by Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions (see below) intentionally to:

 Kill, injure or take any wild bird.  Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.  Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird.  Have in one's possession or control any wild bird (dead or alive) or any part of a wild bird, which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954.  Have in one's possession or control any egg or part of an egg, which has been taken in contravention to the Act. This includes items taken or killed before the passing of the Act.  Have in one's possession or control any live bird of prey of any species in the world (with the exception of vultures and condors) unless it is registered and ringed in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations.  Have in one's possession or control any bird of a species occurring on Schedule 4 of the Act unless registered (and in some cases ringed) in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations.  Disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1.

Different bird species are afforded protection under other legislation including the EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) and Bern Convention.

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Species Conservation status Blackbird Green Blue tit Green Canada goose Not Assessed Carrion crow Green Coal tit Green Collared dove Green Coot Green Cuckoo Red Dunnock Amber Goldfinch Green Grasshopper warbler Red Great spotted woodpecker Green Great tit Green Grey heron Green Grey wagtail Red Herring gull Red House sparrow Red Jay Green Kestrel Amber Kingfisher Amber Linnet Red Little egret Amber Magpie Green Mallard Amber Mistle thrush Red Moorhen Green Pheasant Not Assessed Pied wagtail Green Robin Green Rock dove Green Skylark Red Song thrush Red Sparrow hawk Green Starling Red Swallow Green Swift Amber Tawny owl Amber Tree sparrow Red Willow warbler Amber Woodpigeon Green Wren Green Yellow wagtail Red Yellowhammer Red Table 7: Conservation status of birds recorded in the locality (source British Trust for Ornithology 2018)

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C2.3 Otter The otter is listed under two schedules of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, (as amended) (as amended by the CROW Act 2000). Schedule 5 makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, take or sell the animal, or parts thereof, or to damage, destroy or obstruct access to its resting places. Schedule 6 of the Act restricts certain methods of killing, taking or injuring. It is listed as globally threatened on the Red Data List (JNCC, 1996).

The otter is also listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Annex II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive (EC/92/43). It is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “vulnerable” due to the declining or endangered status of many of its populations.

Licences are required for checking holts or for carrying out work that may disturb otters, such as the management of trees that are known to be used as resting sites. Natural England (NE) are responsible for issuing these licences in England.

The otter is also listed in Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000). It was a Priority Species in the UK BAP and is a Species of Principal Importance in section 41 of the NERC Act 2006.

C2.4 Water vole The water vole is fully protected under Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, (as amended). Legal protection makes it an offence to:

 intentionally kill, injure or take (capture) a water vole;  possess or control a live or dead water vole, or any part of a water vole;  intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place which water voles use for shelter or protection or disturb water voles while they are using such a place;  sell, offer for sale or advertise for live or dead water voles.

Offences under Section 9 carry a maximum penalty of a fine not exceeding Level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000), imprisonment for up to six months, or both. In addition, the courts may order the forfeiture of any vehicle or other thing that was used to commit the offence.

The water vole is found throughout Britain but is confined mainly to lowland areas near water. Once common and widespread, this species has suffered a significant decline in numbers and distribution.

Water vole populations in England, Scotland and Wales are at the western edge of their natural range and have declined dramatically over the last century, in particular over the last 30 years. The species has been lost from almost 90% of the sites where it occurred in the last century, as a result of habitat loss and fragmentation, and predation by the introduced American mink as this spreads across the UK. The remaining populations are often fragmented, which threatens their long term survival. Water voles are not found in Ireland.

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Water voles are listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as they are still common in many parts of Europe; however, the water vole was a UK BAP Priority Species and is protected by wildlife legislation in England, Scotland and Wales. Water voles are Species of Principal Importance in section 41 of the NERC Act 2006. They are also listed in the TVBAP as a Priority Species, which gives the local status of water vole in the area as:

“Once a familiar sight in lowland Britain water vole populations have been plummeting. It is believed to be our most declining mammal with the Mammal Society estimating that it is now absent from over 90% of sites occupied in the 1900′s. The reasons for its decline are complex but involve a combination of loss and fragmentation of beckside habitats, changes in watercourse management, and predation by mink which have spread through our countryside. In the Tees Valley local declines have mirrored the national pattern; however water voles do thrive in parts of the Tees Valley. One example is the urban Becks of Middlesbrough.”

C2.5 West European hedgehog The West European hedgehog is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, listed under Appendix III of the Bern Convention, and listed as a Priority Species within the NERC Act (2006). It receives partial protection under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (5) and is also protected under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. The hedgehog is not a Priority Species in the Tees Valley BAP but is a Species of Principal Importance in section 41 of the NERC Act.2006.

C3 Objectives of surveys/assessments The surveys / assessments were carried out to determine the risk level of protected and / or locally important habitats and species being present at or adjacent to the site, in order to predict the likely impact of the proposed development on the conservation status of the local populations.

C4 Assessment area The assessment area comprised the buildings and grounds of the Southlands Centre.

C5 Habitat description The Southlands Centre occupies the buildings and site originally used as Southlands School, which was built in 1964. The school closed in 1986 and the site changed use and was adapted as a sports and fitness centre. The Southlands Business Centre also occupies some of the site. The site lies adjacent to open amenity grassland through which flows Middle Beck. The water course lies outside the side boundaries and will not be affected by the proposed demolition. It is not, therefore, described here.

5 habitat types as defined in the Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey were identified at the site:

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 Amenity grassland;  Buildings;  Bare ground;  Scattered shrub (including ornamental planting / hedgerow);  Scattered trees;

Figure 3: Phase 1 habitat map (adapted from Middlesbrough Council plan A001)

C5.1 Amenity grassland Regularly mowed amenity grassland covers a large proportion of the site, and is dominated by perennial rye grass. White clover (Trifolium repens), daisy (Bellis perennis), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and greater plantain (Plantago major) are frequent in the sward. Occasional or rare plants are present around the edge of the all weather pitch including barley (Hordeum sp.), spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare), common sorrel (Rumex acetosa), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) and Michaelmas daisy (Aster sp.).

Other plants growing at the base of the northern perimeter fence include nettle (Urtica dioica), rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium), bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and hedge mustard (Sisymbrium officinale).

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C5.2 Buildings The former secondary school buildings are mostly conjoined into 2 separate structures with a detached bungalow at the south west corner of the site.

The buildings are typical of their type and most comprise a series of single, 2 and 3-storey, flat-roofed structures. There are large windows and board fascias on many of the elevations. The buildings are constructed of brick which is in very good condition with few gaps. The sports hall differs from the rest of the structures in that it is clad in corrugated steel sheets and has a pitched roof. The corrugated sheeting extends down the walls over the brick and block walls, but there is no gap along the bottom.

The entire building is floodlit at night.

C5.3 Bare ground Bare ground habitat comprises the access roads, pavements, car parks and all- weather playing field.

C5.4 Scattered shrub There are several small shrub beds scattered around the buildings. These contain ornamental shrub species such as cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.) and butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii). A hedgeline along the south west boundary comprises a variety of shrubs including cotoneaster, elder (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and firethorn (Pyracantha sp.). The former caretakers bungalow has an overgrown back garden with several large shrubs around its perimeter.

C5.5 Scattered trees There are several scattered trees in the south of the site close to the former caretakers house. These include a mature willow (Salix sp.), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and cherry (Prunus sp.)

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C5.6 Images

Image 1: View south west to the main entrance of the Southlands Centre

Image 2: View south towards the Southlands Centre from the all-weather playing field

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Image 3: View west along the main site access road

Image 4: View west across the west end of the site

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Image 5: Adjacent houses along the south west side of the site

Image 6: Proximity of houses to the south of the Southlands Centre

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Image 7: View east across the site

Image 8: Buildings at the north west corner of the Centre

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Image 9: View west across the same buildings portrayed in Image 8

Image 10: Detail of the 3-storey section of the main building

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Image 11: Main entrance into the Southlands Business Centre which occupies the east end of the building

Image 12: Typical building construction at the north east end of the site

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Image 13: View south east along the east end of the building

Image 14: View north from the south east corner of the site

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Image 15: Single-storey section of buildings at the south east corner of the Centre

Image 16: View south west from the east corner of the site

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Image 17: Main buildings viewed from the south

Image 18: South west corner of the site

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Image 19: Location of the former caretakers bungalow at the south west corner of the site

Image 20: Former caretakers bungalow at the south west corner of the site

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Image 21: Proximity of bungalow to the rear of the Centre buildings

Image 22: View north along the west side of the buildings

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Image 23: View across land to the south west of the Centre

C6 Field Survey C6.1 Methods C6.1.1 Habitats Habitats across the proposed development land were assessed using the Phase 1 habitat survey methodology (JNCC 1990). The presence and status of statutorily designated sites in the locality were determined from the Multi Agency Geographical Information of the Countryside (MAGIC) website.

C6.1.2 Species Faunal field signs were searched for during the walkover survey as a matter of good practice. In particular the site was examined for evidence of activity by bats, nesting birds and west European Hedgehogs (Meles meles) although fieldsigns of otters and water voles were also searched for along the adjacent Middle Beck.

C6.1.2.1 Bats Survey methodologies were those recommended in “The Bat Workers Manual” (2004), the “Bat Mitigation Guidelines” (2004) and “Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists– Good Practice Guidelines” (2016). A data search by ERIC was supported by a daylight survey and single dawn return survey.

The daylight survey was carried out by an experienced and licensed bat surveyor and comprised an external inspection of the building with binoculars to identify potential roost locations, access points and indications of bat occupation. The building is entirely flat-roofed so an internal inspection of roof voids was not required.

A single dawn return survey, to detect bats returning to roost in the building, was carried out by a team of 3 experienced and licensed surveyors. The surveyors were positioned around the building and slowly moved to observe all aspects of the building. Equipment used were Batbox Duet detectors attached to digital

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 30 Barrett Environmental Ltd

recorders, an Anabat Walkabout and Elekon Batlogger M. Bat calls were recorded and analysed with the appropriate software to confirm bat species.

C6.1.2.2 Breeding birds The presence of breeding birds has been risk assessed only following a site visit outside the bird breeding season. Full bird surveys have not been carried out although trees and buildings were inspected for signs of breeding birds including nesting material and collections of droppings noted.

C6.1.2.3 Otter Middle Beck was surveyed for evidence of otters, which included spraints, feeding remains, laying-up places and holts. The survey followed standard methodologies.

C6.1.2.4 Water vole Middle Beck was surveyed for evidence of water voles including latrines, burrows, runs, feeding remains and lawns around burrows. The survey followed standard methodologies and was implemented in an upstream direction. Only the section adjacent to the Southlands Centre boundary was surveyed.

C6.1.2.5 West European hedgehogs The presence of hedgehogs has been risk assessed. Full surveys have not been carried out.

C6.2 Personnel The daylight survey was carried out by David Long (WML CL18 Bat Survey Level 2 No. 2015-14746-CLS-CLS); an experienced and licenced bat surveyor. The dusk emergence survey was carried out by Dave Thew (WML CL18 Bat Survey Level 2 2015-15639-CLS-CLS), Alistair Locket (WML CL18 Bat Survey Level 2 2015-12621-CLS-CLS) and David Long.

C6.3 Weather and timing The daylight survey was implemented on 22nd August 2018, which was an overcast but dry day. Table 8 presents the weather and other environmental conditions during the pre-dawn survey which was carried out on 30th August 2018.

Environmental conditions Pre-dawn 30th August 2018 Time in position 04:38 Sunrise/sunset 06:08 Finish time 06:08 Temp at start 11.4°C Temp at end 8.8°C Cloud cover Nil Insect abundance Low Precipitation Nil Wind (direction & speed) Variable f1 Table 8: Environmental conditions and timings of bat activity survey

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 31 Barrett Environmental Ltd

C7 Results C7.1 Habitats The site does not include areas that are statutorily designated, and no rare or unusual habitats or plants were found. It lies 1.5km south east of a local nature reserve however there are no other statutory or non-statutory designated sites within 2km.

C7.2 Species C7.2.1 Bats There are no records of bats at the site or close by, but several areas of the south side of the building provide opportunities for bats to gain access for roosting and it lies close to open green space and Middle Beck, which was considered to be moderate quality habitat for foraging bats. However the Centre is completely floodlit at night and the site was classified as a Low Risk for use by roosting bats which triggered the need for a single bat activity survey.

3 experienced and licensed bat surveyors patrolled the south side of the site during a dawn survey on 30th August 2018. No bat activity was recorded.

C7.2.2 Birds There are no records of birds from the site, which is mostly unsuitable habitat for most of the species listed in the data search. Nesting is possible in some of the denser shrub plantings and is likely in the hedgerows at the west end of the site.

C7.2.3 Otters There are no records of otters from the site or from within the same kilometre square and the species is considered to be absent.

C7.2.4 Water voles Water voles have been recorded along Middle Beck, close to the site. However no fieldsigns were found along the section adjacent to the site, although it is acknowledged that populations are localised and may colonise that section. Water voles are presumed present along Middle Beck but not on the site.

C7.2.3 West European hedgehogs The hard standings and buildings are unsuitable for hedgehogs, but large area of amenity grassland is ideal foraging habitat. The shrub beds and overgrown garden of the former caretakers bungalow provides ideal cover and are considered to be a high risk for use by nesting and hibernating hedgehogs.

A large adult hedgehog was present on the amenity grassland to the west of the bungalow and was observed travelling back towards the garden during the dawn return bat survey. Hedgehogs are therefore confirmed to be present at the site.

C7.3 Summary table of survey and assessment findings The risk levels of the important species listed previously being present within the survey area (with justification) are presented in Table 9.

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 32 Barrett Environmental Ltd

Risk level Species of Reasoning presence No records of bats at the site and no bat Bat (roosting) Negligible activity recorded during the dawn return survey. Potential for bats to forage around site Bat (foraging) Low periphery. Nesting possible in scattered shrub plantings Breeding birds Moderate and peripheral trees. No records of otters from Middle Beck and Otters Negligible no field signs found. Species recorded on the adjacent Middle Water voles Negligible Beck but habitats unsuitable at the site. Hedgehogs likely to forage across site. West European High Daytime cover in scattered shrub plantings. hedgehogs Large adult seen during bat activity survey. Table 9: Risk level of protected / locally important species being present within the survey area

C8 Interpretation and evaluation C8.1 Method of valuation of the importance of ecological features The proposed development activity is evaluated in light of the results of the protected species surveys /assessments to determine an impact assessment on the conservation status of the local populations. The assessment uses a systematic evaluation and impact assessment of ecological receptors. The approach follows the Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom (IEEM, 2006).

C8.2 Presence/absence C8.2.1 Habitats There are no statutorily designated sites within the development area no rare or unusual plants or habitats within the site boundaries, which is heavily managed.

C8.2.2 Species The proposed development site is considered to be a negligible risk for the presence of roosting bats although foraging activity may occur. Breeding birds are likely to utilise the scattered shrub plantings and peripheral trees.

West European hedgehogs are present at the site. They forage widely and are likely to nest and hibernate in the shrub beds and in the rear garden of the former caretakers bungalow.

C8.3 Site status assessment The development site is considered to be of negligible value to the conservation status of all of the species examined in this report, due primarily to the poor quality habitat and regular management of the site.

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 33 Barrett Environmental Ltd

C8.4 Constraints There were no constraints to the surveys and assessment.

D Impact assessment

D1 Determining Impacts Impacts are assessed in the context of the predicted baseline conditions to encompass the lifetime of the development. The following factors are taken into consideration when assessing the impacts:

 Positive or negative;  Magnitude;  Extent;  Duration;  Reversibility;  Timing and frequency. A level of confidence is required in assessing impacts:

 Certain / near certain: probability estimated at 95% chance or higher;  Probable: probability estimated above 50% but below 95%;  Unlikely: probability estimated above 5% but less than 50%;  Extremely unlikely: probability estimated at less than 5%.

The following broad impact categories are used to assist in identifying the nature and types of different ecological impacts:

 Direct impacts eg habitat loss or destruction, habitat fragmentation / severance, disturbance / injury / death to faunal receptors;  Indirect impacts eg reduced population viability, habitat isolation;  Associated impacts eg ecological impacts caused by actions linked with the development;  Cumulative impacts eg overall reduction in habitat diversity, ongoing habitat loss or fragmentation.  The magnitude or physical extent of predicted impacts upon an ecological feature is presented, wherever possible, in quantifiable terms. For example, the area of land taken, percentage of habitat lost or the number of communities, species or individuals affected. Impact magnitude also considers the context of the feature affected within the categories of relative importance.

CIEEM (2006) defines an ecologically significant impact as an impact on the integrity of a defined site or ecosystem and/or conservation status of habitats or species within a given geographical area. The value of any feature that would be significantly affected is then used to identify the geographical scale at which the impact is significant. This value therefore relates directly to the consequences in terms of legislation, policy or development control at the appropriate level. Significant impacts on features of ecological importance should be mitigated (or compensated for) in accordance with guidance derived from policies applied at

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 34 Barrett Environmental Ltd

the scale relevant to the value of the feature or resource. Any significant impacts remaining after mitigation (the residual impacts) together with an assessment of the likelihood of success in mitigation are the factors to be considered against legislation, policy and development control in determining the application.

Impacts are described as positive or negative and assigned a value of Neutral, Minor, Moderate or Major. Following the application of herbicide to the northern area of the proposed development site there are no likely ecological receptors.

D2 Identification of impacts The proposed demolition of the buildings is considered likely to have a neutral impact upon bats, otters and water voles. Impacts upon nesting birds would be neutral if the work was implemented outside the breeding season, but could be major negative if carried out during the nesting season. However the areas affected would be confined to the buildings and immediately adjacent shrub beds, and low numbers of birds would be involved. The impact on individual nest occupants could be major negative, if they are disturbed, injured or killed, but as low numbers are likely to be present, the impact on the conservation status of the local populations would be minor negative.

West European hedgehogs are present in the garden of the former caretakers bungalow and are likely to utilise the various shrub beds and hedgerows at the site. These could be disturbed injured or killed during the demolition, and several animals may be affected. The impact on the conservation status of the local population is considered therefore to be minor / moderate negative.

E Mitigation and compensation

Impacts upon faunal receptors could occur during the demolition. Nesting birds and hedgehogs in the shrub plantings could be disturbed or killed during the works.

To minimise the risk to fauna, all shrub beds will be removed outside the bird breeding season, preferably during September when hedgehogs are still active. Shrub removal during the winter will be preceded by a fingertip search by an experienced ecologist to ensure hedgehogs are not present. Any animals that are found will be removed to suitable cover elsewhere on the site, where a hedgehog house will be provided to encourage the animals to stay away from the demolition area.

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 35 Barrett Environmental Ltd

F References

Hill D, Fasham M, Tucker G, Shewry M & Shaw P. (2005) Handbook of Biodiversity Methods; survey, evaluation and monitoring. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge

Hundt L, (2012). Bat Surveys – Good Practice Guidelines. Bat Conservation Trust, London.

IEEM (2006) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom. IEEM, London.

JNCC (1993) Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey – a technique for environmental audit. England Field Unit, Nature Conservancy Council. Peterborough

Mark A. Eaton, Andy F. Brown, David G. Noble, Andy J. Musgrove, Richard D. Hearn, Nicholas J. Aebischer, David W. Gibbons, Andy Evans & Richard D. Gregory (2009) Birds of Conservation Concern 3 British Birds 102 296–341

Mitchell-Jones, A. J (2004), Bat Mitigation Guidelines, English Nature

Mitchell-Jones, A. J & McLeish, A. P (Eds) (2004), Bat Workers’ Manual, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Natural England (2015) Natural England Technical Information Note TIN172: A possible extension to the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area. Natural England, London

Rich C. & Longcore T., (2006) Ecological Consequences of Artificial Night Lighting. Island Press, London.

Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership (2000), The Tees Valley Biodiversity Action Plan, Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership, Middlesbrough.

URL1: http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx

URL 2: https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteLNRDetail.aspx?SiteCode=L1 009179&SiteName=berwick%20hills&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&SeaA rea=&IFCAArea=

URL 3: https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/sites/default/files/PlanPol- Housing_Local_Plan.pdf

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 36 Barrett Environmental Ltd

G Appendix

G.1 Existing reports No previous reports are known of.

G 3 Raw data

Southlands Centre, Ormesby Rd Bat Return Survey Middlesbrough TS3 0HB Surveyor initials DWT Project no. BE001141 Date 30/08/2018 Temp at start 11.5oC Time in position 04:30 Temp at end 8oC Sunrise 06:08 Insect abundance Low Finish time 06:10 Precipitation Nil Bat detector Duet Cloud cover 0% Recorder --- Wind (direction & speed) SW f2

Time Position Bat species & activity

No bat activity detected or observed.

Southlands Centre, Ormesby Rd Bat Return Survey Middlesbrough TS3 0HB Surveyor initials ALo Project no. BE001141 Date 30/08/2018 Temp at start 11.4 Time in position 04:38 Temp at end 8.8 Sunrise 06:08 Insect abundance Low Finish time 06:08 Precipitation None Anabat Bat detector Cloud cover 0% Walkabout Recorder Wind (direction & speed) 1 Var Property No Road name

Time Position Bat species & activity

No Bats

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 37 Barrett Environmental Ltd

Southlands Centre, Ormesby Rd Bat Return Survey Middlesbrough TS3 0HB Surveyor initials DL Project no. BE001141 Date 30/08/2018 Temp at start 11.5oC Time in position 04:30 Temp at end 8oC Sunrise 06:08 Insect abundance Low Finish time 06:10 Precipitation Nil Bat detector Batlogger M Cloud cover 0% Recorder --- Wind (direction & speed) SW f2

Time Position Bat species & activity

No bat activity detected or observed.

BE001141.001 Preliminary Ecological Assessment and bat survey report Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough October 2018 38