Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

2016, and left for a minimum of five nights for each survey period. According to Collins (2016), at least two locations should be monitored per transect, so two detectors were placed in each of the two fields comprising the site. Table 2.2 gives descriptions of the locations at which static detectors were installed.

Table 2.2: Static detector location descriptions No. Name Description

W1 West Static 1 West field covering open grassland

W1 West Static 2 West field hedgerow adjacent to stream

East field hedgerow adjacent to open grassland E1 East Static 1 with housing to the north of the hedge

South East of site on hedgerow adjacent to W1 East Static 2 farmland

The aim of the static surveys was to collect quantitative data about the quantity and diversity of bats using the site. This data allows conclusions to be made about spatial and temporal variations in bat activity at the site (i.e. differences in activity levels at different locations and during different months within the survey season).

Data Analysis

EM3+ recordings were converted using ‘Kaleidoscope’. EM3+ and Anabat data were then analysed using the sound analysis software ‘Analook’. BATBOX Duet recordings were analysed using the sound analysis software ‘BatScan’. Within these software packages recordings are displayed as sonograms and the inter- pulse interval, repetition rate and peak frequency output is visualised. These parameters aid in the identification of bat species.

Great Crested Newts

It was not possible to gain permission to survey ponds within 500 m of the development site. The potential presence of great crested newts within the proposed development area was therefore assessed by reference to desktop data regarding their known distribution in the local area, and on an assessment of the habitats on and around the site. On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

Dormice and Reptiles

The potential presence of dormice and reptiles has been assessed on the basis of an evaluation of habitats, and of desktop records from the data search and in connection with nearby application sites.

Limitations

Some bat species are difficult to detect with bat detectors because they produce quiet (low amplitude) echolocation calls, have very directional echolocation calls, or sometimes do not use constant echolocation whilst hunting (especially in or close to roosts or when gleaning prey). The use of automated static detectors for longer sampling periods than during activity surveys increases the likelihood of detecting these species acoustically.

It is widely accepted that identification of myotis bat calls (to species level) is difficult. The various characteristics of a myotis call can be analysed however, and an informed assumption can be made as to the likely species. In other cases, characteristics can be used to rule out particular species

Engain cannot verify the accuracy of third party information.

On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

3 RESULTS

Desk Study

Statutory Designated Sites of European Importance

There are three statutory designated sites of European importance within 10 km of the site (see Table 3-1: Statutory Designated Sites of European Importance within 10 km of Land South of Trowbridge), including two Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and one Special Protection Area (SPA).

Table 3-1: Statutory Designated Sites of European Importance within 10 km of Land South of Trowbridge Distance Site name Designation and Reason for designation. direction from site Designated primarily for greater horseshoe bat, lesser horseshoe bat and Bechstein’s Bath and bat. The SAC contains hibernation sites Bradford SAC 6.7 km NW associated with 15% of the UK greater on Avon horseshoe bat population. Small numbers of Bats Bechstein’s have been recorded hibernating in abandoned mines within the area. Designated primarily for its collection of Annex I habitats. The site features the best remaining example in the UK of lowland Salisbury juniper scrub on chalk heath, as well as the largest surviving semi-natural dry grassland Plain SAC 7.3 km SE within the EU. The SAC is an orchid rich site and additionally designated for its breeding population of marsh fritillary butterflies, an Annex II species. The largest remaining area of chalk grassland in NW Europe, featuring rare Salisbury plants including important strands of juniper. Plain SPA 7.3 km SE Features an important assemblage of invertebrates associated with ancient grassland, over wintering hen harriers, and supports 11.6% of the UK breeding population of stone curlew.

Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats SAC is split into several composite sites. The proposed development area is approximately 6.7km north-west of the nearest composite site in Winsley. The next closest sites within the SAC are approximately 3.5 km further north.

On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

Additionally, the Mells Valley SAC is approximately 12.5 km south-west of the proposal site. The SAC is primarily designated for its exceptionally large breeding population of greater horseshoe bats. Mells Valley contains a maternity site associated with 12% of the UK population and a proportion of these bats also hibernate at the site. The SAC is also designated for its semi- natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates, as well as being an important site for orchids.

Statutory Designated Sites of National (UK) Importance

There are 20 statutory designated sites of national importance within 10 km of the site (see Table 3-2: Statutory Designated Sites of National Importance within 10 km of Land South of Trowbridge), including one Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and 19 Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

Table 3-2: Statutory Designated Sites of National Importance within 10 km of Land South of Trowbridge Distance and Reason for designation. Site name Designation direction from site

Picket & Floristically-rich . The site supports an outstanding range of butterfly species and Clanger SSSI 2 km SE diversity of birds characteristic of ancient woodland, including a breeding population of nightingales. Wood

The Cotswold Hills are nationally important for their rare limestone grassland habitat, ancient Cotswolds AONB 4.5 km NW beechwoods and rich flora.

Westbury This is a site of national importance as the type locality for the Upper Oxfordian Westbury Iron Ore. Ironstone SSSI 4.5 km S A site of key palaeo-environmental and palaeogeographic value with important Quarry fossil ammonite and bivalve fauna.

Gripwood This site shows the junction between the Bradford Clay and underlying limestone of the Great SSSI 4.7 km NW Quarry Oolite. A site of considerable palaeontological interest.

Large country house and gardens surrounded by water meadow, permanent pasture and hedgerows leading into woodland. The roof voids of Iford Manor barn and mill are used as a Iford Manor SSSI 5.7 km NW summer maternity roost by a colony of greater horseshoe bats. Iford Manor contains the second largest greater horseshoe breeding colony in England and is one of only 14 known breeding roosts in the country. Daubenton’s and noctule bats are known to forage within an adjacent orchard.

Biologically diverse site, comprising species-rich calcareous grassland and ancient broadleaved Bratton Downs SSSI 5.8 km SE woodland. The site supports many rare and nationally uncommon species of plant and animal including the marsh fritillary butterfly.

On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

Distance and Reason for designation. Site name Designation direction from site

Several fields south-east of village, famed for being Britain’s richest known Jurassic Steeple Ashton SSSI 5.8 km E coral limestone locality and a site of palaeogeographic andpalaeoecological interest.

Botanically rich chalk grassland at the western end of . Upton Cow SSSI 6.5 km SE Down Supports uncommon British butterfly species including marsh fritillary, along with a range of fauna, including badgers. Salisbury Plain supports the largest known expanse of unimproved chalk grassland in north west Europe, representing 41% of Brtiain’s remaining area of this rich wildlife habitat. The site supports Salisbury Plain SSSI 6.7 km SE 13 species of nationally rare and scarce plants, 67 species of rare and scarce invertebrates, forms a site of international importance for birds, and provides habitat for protected species including great crested newt and common herpatofauna.

Two old stone mines (Murhill Quarry and Winsley Rift Mine) are important hibernation sites for the Winsley Mine SSSI 6.7 km NW rare and endangered greater horseshoe bat. Up to 100 bats have been recorded hibernating inside the mines.

Hinton The Hinton Sands, an unusual sandy facies, are well exposed at Hinton Charterhouse Pit. The rock SSSI 7.3 km W Charterhouse Pit unit has strong associations with William Smith, the ‘Father of English Geology’.

Inwood, Structurally varied and botanically rich grassland and woodland, supporting a breeding bird SSSI 8 km NW Warleigh community and a wide range of butterfly species.

Hinton Charterhouse SSSI 8.2 km W Calcareous grassland supporting the nationally rare plant species Eryngium campestre. Field

On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

Distance and Reason for designation. Site name Designation direction from site

The Twinhoe Ironshot facies of the Twinhoe Beds is a localised development of oolitic limestone, Hinton Hill, SSSI 8.5 km NW yielding a varied fossil bivalve and ammonite fauna. The best surviving sections are found on Wellow Hinton Hill.

Ancient, semi-natural deciduous woodland on oolitic limestone with a diverse range of habitats and Cleaves Wood SSSI 8.6 km W invertebrate species, including two nationally rare insects.

Comprises some of the best examples of southern calcareous ash-wych elm woods on the oolitic Midford Valley SSSI 8.6 km NW limestone of the Wiltshire Cotswolds. The site supports breeding badgers and a woodland breeding Woods bird community.

Seend Cleeve SSSI 9.7 km NE Site of palaeogeographic interest, supporting a large fauna of fossil bivalves and ammonites. Quarry

Combe Down Disused underground stone workings which provide important hibernation sites for the rare and and endangered greater horseshoe bat. The site is used by significant numbers of animals from more SSSI 10 km NW Bathhampton than one breeding site. The mines are also important hibernation sites for lesser horseshoe, brown Down Mines long- eared, Natterer’s, whiskered, and Daubenton’s bats. Seend Ironstone Quarry and SSSI 10 km NE Site of palaeogeographic interest, illustrating an unusual iron-rich facies. Road Cutting

On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

Non-statutory Designated Sites of Local Importance

There are no non-statutory designated sites within 2 km of the site.

National and Local Diversity

Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act lists species and habitats of principle importance, some of which have particular relevance to this site.

Considering the ecological context of the site, Section 41 species that have been considered when assessing the ecological value of this site include greater horseshoe bat, lesser horseshoe bat, Bechstein’s bat, western barbastelle, great crested newt and otters, all of which are Annexe II species and European Protected Species (EPS). Additional Section 41 species considered are brown long-eared bats, barn owls and common herpetofauna, including grass snakes and common lizards.

Habitat and Vegetation Surveys

Survey Area

The survey covered the whole site ownership, including land outside of the red line development but within the landowners control.

Flora

No notable plant species were recorded within the site boundary.

There was one possible sighting of the aquatic plant opposite-leaved pondweed (Groenlandia densa) from the Lambrok Stream south of the site boundary. It was not possible to retrieve a sample to confirm the identification, but there is a record of this species occurring in Southwick Country Park.

Grassland

The site is typical of the immediately surrounding landscape, as it comprises two large open fields of agriculturally improved grassland, surrounded by ditches and hedges (See Figure 3-1: Phase 1 Habitat Map). The grassland is heavily dominated by perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne) and is closely referable to the NVC type MG7 Lolium perenne leys and related grasslands. The westernmost field has a relatively tall and coarse sward with large amounts of meadow foxtail On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763

H2

I H1 H6 I H3 I

I H4 I I I I

I H5 I

I

Broad-leaved woodland Standing Water Waddeton Park Ltd Southwick Court, Trowbridge

Buildings and Hard Standing Hedgerow Environmental Gain Ltd The Old Church School, Butts Hill,

Frome, Bath. BA11 1HR Buildings Stream T +44(0)1373 888330 NTS Nov 2019 Figure 3-1: Phase 1 Habitat Map F +44(0)1373 888462 [email protected] www.engain.com Amenity Grassland I Improved Grassland eg16763 MD

Land South of Trowbridge: Protected Species Survey Report

(Alopecurus pratensis) and some tussocks of cock’s foot (Dactylis glomerata). The easternmost field is more closely and regularly grazed, and the shorter sward is heavily dominated by perennial rye- grass with few other grasses or forb species.

Hedges

Hedge 1 is an intact road hedge dominated by hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) with large amounts of bramble (Rubus fruticosus) at the northern end, and developing into a line of trees at its southern end. Between the north-west corner of the site and the entrance to Southwick Country Park (which is on the opposite side of the road), the hedge is approximately 1.5 m to 3 m tall and very species-poor. South of the Country Park entrance it is up to 4 m tall and has mature hawthorn shrubs with sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) trees.

Hedge 2 follows the course of a stream, and it is a tall hedge dominated by hawthorn and blackthorn, with occasional oak (Quercus robur) trees.

Hedge 3 is an intact field hedge with a tall and bushy structure, approximately 4 m tall and up to 3 m wide. Shrubs include hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple (Acer campestre) and small amounts of hazel (Corylus avellana). There are some very mature oak trees at intervals along the length, and the scramblers dog rose (Rosa canina) and bramble are also present.

Hedge 4 is a short, clipped and intact field hedge. It is approximately 2 m tall and 1.5 m wide and is heavily dominated by blackthorn with a small number of mature oak trees.

Hedge 5 is a taller intact field hedge, running parallel to a similar hedge either side of Axe and Cleaver Lane. It is clipped to between 2 m and 4 m tall and contains hawthorn, blackthorn, dog rose and bramble.

Hedge 6 consists of a line of trees and shrubs along the bank of the Lambrok Stream. It contains some very mature crack willows (Salix fragilis) and also has a variety of shrubs including elder (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn, hazel, and small amounts of spindle (Euonymus europeaus), goat willow (Salix caprea) and dog rose.

On Behalf of: Waddeton Park Ltd 4 December 2019 eg16763