Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton, Worcestershire

LAND AT STONE ARROW FARM, PEOPLETON, WORCESTERSHIRE

Biodiversity Mitigation & Enhancement Plan

Report to Mr Carl Powell

Project number 2018/110 (B) v1

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy Lower Smite Farm Smite Hill Hindlip Worcester WR3 8SZ Tel: 01905 754909

www.worcestershirewildlifeconsultancy.org

Tel: 01905 754909

May 2019

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Title: Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton, Worcestershire – Biodiversity Mitigation & Enhancement Plan Submitted to: Mr Carl Powell Report number: 2018/110 (B) v1 Date: May 2019

Author: Joshua Evans BSc (Hons) MCIEEM – Senior Consultancy Ecologist Internal reviewer: Edward Leszczynski BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM – Consultancy Manager Authorised by: Edward Leszczynski BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM – Consultancy Manager

Disclaimer: Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. However, the views expressed in this document are those of the Consultancy alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Nor does the document infer any form of consultation with either Worcestershire Wildlife Trust or any other Wildlife Trust.

Document Control: The report shall not be reproduced, except in full, without the written approval of Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy.

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 4 1.1 Background ...... 4 1.2 Site Description ...... 4 1.3 Proposed works...... 4 1.4 Existing Habitat ...... 4 2 Mitigation during construction ...... 5 3 Habitat Enhancement ...... 6 3.1 Rationale ...... 6 3.2 Habitat Creation ...... 7 3.3 Enhancement ...... 8 4 Management ...... 11 4.1 Work Schedule ...... 11 5 Bibliography ...... 12 Appendix 1: Site plans ...... 13 Appendix 2: Enhancements ...... 16 Appendix 3: Ecological experience ...... 22

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

In March 2019 Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy was commissioned by commissioned by Mr Carl Powell to produce a Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan for a development on land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton, Worcestershire. This followed on from an initial Preliminary Ecological Appraisal undertaken in September 2018 on behalf of the client.

As part of the granted planning permission (Worcestershire County Council: Planning ref: 18/000032/CM), Condition 24 required an Ecological Enhancement Plan to be produced to include specification and location of pollinator-friendly and native plantings, new wildlife refuges, nesting bird and bat roosting features, hedgehog hole specifications and a timing program for the above site. In addition, Condition 26 required a planting scheme to include native species, sizes, numbers and densities. This document is intended to discharge Conditions 24 and 26.

1.2 Site Description

The site is located in the curtilage of Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton, Worcestershire (NGR SO 93593 49643). The site assessed includes an operational worksite where there is regular vehicular movement from heavy machinery. The site borders the Bow Brook, which is at least 8m down a steep slope and the bank side vegetation, are not to be affected by the proposed works. The habitats on site where the proposed works are be carried out include a pre-existing road, disturbed rough ground and bare soil, ruderal vegetation, a pre-existing trench, and gravel covered hard standing.

1.3 Proposed works

Permission had been granted for a proposed small scale waste transfer station and materials recycling facility associated with a skip hire business (part retrospective) at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton, Worcestershire.

1.4 Existing Habitat

The main site largely consists of disturbed spoil heaps with scattered areas of tall herb and scrub development on the infrequently disturbed areas, Along the boundaries there are more trees and shrubs. Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and silver birch (Betula pendula) trees overhang the brick wall that marks the north western edge of the site in addition to butterfly-bush (Buddleia davidii) and bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.). Outside the office and workshop buildings, at the base of the brick wall, species such as dandelion (Taraxacum agg.), white clover (Trifolium repens), bristly ox- tongue (Picris echioides), prickly sowthistle (Sonchus asper), caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) and hemlock (Conium maculatum), were found yarrow (Achillea millefolium), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), smooth sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus), petty spurge (Euphorbia peplus), creeping

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) and oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) were growing on the spoil heaps in the north of the site. Clumps of greater willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) and rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) were found on the fringes of the site. The railway fence had traveller’s joy (Clematis vitalba) growing on it with common field speedwell (Veronica persica), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) at the base.

2 Mitigation during construction

No direct evidence of any protected species was found during the initial preliminary ecological appraisal by Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy. Otters (Lutra lutra) are known to regularly use the catchment but there are no obvious holts near the proposed development and, it was understood, there will be at least an 8m buffer zone from the proposed works and as such, there are no ecological implications. Therefore, other than nesting birds, the Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy report concluded that there appeared to be no implications for the proposed development but that in the unlikely event that any protected species is discovered on the site during the construction phase then all work should cease immediately and advice should be sought from a suitably qualified and experienced ecologist as soon as possible. The work force should be made aware of this by means of a toolbox talk.

It is important to be aware that during the nesting season (usually late February to late August) all nesting birds are protected under Part 1, Section 1 (b) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) but that outside the nesting period the nesting sites of most common and widespread species are not protected. It is likely that several common and widespread species will nest in the bushes and hedgerows and therefore in order to comply with legislation the removal or destruction of suitable breeding habitat should occur outside the bird breeding season. Should any clearance be undertaken during late February to late August then a suitably qualified ecologist must be engaged prior to commencement in order to check for nesting birds and to advise accordingly on the most appropriate way to proceed. Alternatively, the hedge could be netted off using small mesh plastic netting but please note this practice in recent times has been severely criticised by the general public and could invite negative commentary on the scheme. The length and the ends of the hedge need to be netted to prevent birds creeping inside the net.

The bare earth site is of low and limited ecological interest and the hedgerows do not qualify as important under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 (Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy, 2014). The hedgerows nevertheless provide site diversity, connectivity for birds, invertebrates and small mammals and for this reason should be retained, managed and where possible enhanced as part of the landscaping.

Any trees to be retained should have protective fences installed around their root protection zones during construction (including the end landscaping phase) in accordance with ‘BS5837:2012 Trees in relation to construction – Recommendations’.

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

As badgers and other mammals may cross the site during construction works all trenches should be covered when not in use and provided with a 45 escape ramp to ensure that they do not become trapped.

3 Habitat Enhancement

3.1 Rationale

The existing habitat will be eliminated by the development, but this should not be perceived as a negative effect as the existing bare earth site is of low and limited ecological value. Although it is possible to create new habitats this will be governed by the need to integrate biodiversity with the scheme and it is necessary to be pragmatic rather than aspirational. Space will inevitably be limited, and it is better to concentrate on creating larger areas of greater value than to create a multitude of tiny fragments that have little purpose within the context of the site or the local area. At the same time, it should be possible to give the site some structural diversity while working within the confines of the development.

The existing site is lacking in both connectivity and suitability for reptiles and amphibians as these have limited capacity for dispersal and it is unlikely that they would, or indeed could, freely colonise the site, whether developed or left in its current state. Therefore, there is little point in creating habitat for them and it would be better to put more effort into creating habitat for species more able to colonise. It is therefore better to mimic natural habitats by using native species as far as possible and maintaining connectivity across the site, concentrating particularly on invertebrates and birds as these are very mobile and capable of colonising from the surrounding area.

Wherever possible, landscape planting should consist of native species of a mixture similar to that of the local area and should also be of local provenance as far as possible. Where non-native exotic species are used they should be species that have benefit for wildlife by providing nectar and/or fruits, nuts and seeds that provide food sources for insects, birds and small mammals as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Single flowering varieties should be used as these provide a greater source of nectar. An overall benefit will be connectivity for pollinating insects in line with the current Worcestershire County Council Pollinators Project. Information is included in Appendix 2.

Trees and shrubs should be planted where appropriate within the landscape design and ideally should involve block-planting or small clumps, rather than isolated individual specimens, in order to provide shelter, foraging and breeding sites for birds and invertebrates.

There are some areas where the options for enhancement are limited by the need to balance the site workers’ needs, such as car parking areas within and around the proposed access road. Here small elements can contribute to the enhancement of the overall site, for example planting an area with native berry-bearing shrubs and bushes and climbing plants, such as honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum). This planting could also include species that while not necessarily native or truly wild will encourage invertebrates by providing nectaring

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton sources and food plants for larvae as well as being aesthetically pleasing. Details are included in Appendix 2.

The landscaping scheme should adhere to best horticultural practice, including the use of peat-free composts, mulches and soil conditioners.

There will be little control over the gardens as residents will be responsible for the upkeep and it is extremely likely that they will differ in their approach to planting and management. It is therefore only possible to influence and create habitat in the public areas. At the same time landscaping and planting must also create a pleasant environment for people to live in, creating a sense of belonging and of community involvement.

3.2 Habitat Creation

With regard to the creation of new habitat it is possible to create areas of wildflower grassland and to integrate this into the landscaping. Wildflower grassland is a relatively simple enhancement; it is of great benefit to a diversity of species and is attractive to humans. Areas of wildflower grassland should be created on the margins of the development, ideally inclusive the earth bund on the southern portion of the site along potentially a 5- 10 m buffer from the aforementioned bund.

As a consequence of the development works some topsoil will be removed and this will result in areas of subsoil being available. This will have a lower fertility level than the topsoil and it can be used as a basis for the creation of wildflower grassland as higher fertility favours coarse grasses over flowering herbs. Wildflower grasslands should be created by depositing sub-soil from the development onto the areas for the wildflower meadows and then sowing an appropriate mix of species. Seeds should be spread by broadcasting them during the autumn months. A suitable range of species can be found in the Basic General Purpose Meadow Mixture EM1 from Emorsgate Seeds. Several mixes are commercially available and further information is provided in Appendix 2. Most of it will consist of perennial native species without grasses but if grasses are to be included then in order to produce a more diverse sward the seed mix should include less robust species such as fescues (Festuca spp.) and crested dog’s-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) and must not include coarse species such as perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne) or cock’s-foot (Dactylis glomerata).

When established, the wildflower grassland will need little management apart from an annual cut no earlier than the end of July. The cut material should be removed as hay or for composting. Unlike permanent pasture, a regime of hay cutting will allow the grassland plants to flower and set seed in the late summer months, thereby increasing the likelihood of propagation. Mowing should take place during a dry period to prevent disturbance to the soft ground but also to prevent the deterioration of the herbage.

It will be necessary to monitor and control invasive weeds by spot spraying and/or hand pulling. If spraying is the chosen method, then the systemic herbicide used must be carefully selected and applied so that it does not affect anything other than the target species. The only herbicide that would be suitable here would be glyphosate since this becomes inert on

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton contact with the soil and will only affect plants that have been spot treated. It is likely that within the near future glyphosate will no longer be approved and it will require an alternative herbicide.

Any trees and shrubs will be planted where appropriate within the landscape design these should involve block-planting or small clumps, rather than isolated individual specimens, in order to provide shelter, foraging and breeding sites for birds and invertebrates.

Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and field maple (Acer campestre) are characteristic of the area and will be suitable for individual planting. Otherwise, ornamental forms of cherry (Prunus sp.) or rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) will be appropriate where larger trees are less suitable. A further alternative would be to plant fruit trees, particularly traditional varieties associated with Worcestershire, such as Worcester Pearmain, Pitmaston Pineapple, Lord Hindlip and Sandlin Duchess apples, Pershore Yellow and Purple Pershore plums and Worcester Black Pear. The latter would also be suitable for planting individually as a specimen tree.

3.3 Enhancement

All the existing hedges should be retained and enhanced by gap-planting, trimming and laying if and as appropriate, although some of them may have gone beyond the point where laying is possible or practical. These hedges will form a linking corridor around the site and where they connect with hedges on neighbouring land will create a link to the wider local countryside. Standard trees such as pedunculate oak and field maple should be planted and allowed to grow into standard trees in order to add height and structure.

Any new hedgerows that are planted should be species-rich and contain a similar species composition to the other hedges. Again, standard trees should be planted to add height and structure. A list of suitable species is included in Appendix 2.

With regards to bat and bird boxes, either a bat or a bird box on every property. Ideally facing either south-west or south-east and no less than 2.5m high from ground level, preferably higher, i.e. 3 – 4m would be ideal. In addition, it is best not to place the bat/bird box over or near a window or door as the residents will not be pleased to be walking on or cleaning up bird/bat droppings.

Any existing onsite buildings should have house sparrow terraces and/or swift brick installed. Both of these species are associated with houses and having undergone a steep decline in numbers over recent years they are now listed as being of conservation concern1 (Red List in the case of the house sparrow and Amber List for swifts). The inclusion of such nesting facilities would contribute towards slowing their decline and assist in their conservation as well as enhancing the biodiversity within the development and wider village.

1 JNCC, BTO, RSPB 2015. Birds of Conservation Concern 2015. RSPB, Sandy.

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

The installation of bat boxes on existing buildings is also recommended. This will be a considerable enhancement to what is currently an open field with no roosting sites. Bat boxes should be installed at the height as stated above, facing away from external illumination and should ideally orientated as above. Planting schemes that aim to provide habitats for invertebrates also provide foraging opportunities for bats, although it should be remembered that bats are capable of flight and will obviously forage more widely in the surrounding area.

The proposed development will inevitably be accompanied by some degree of lighting potentially during the construction phase and certainly after completion, which could have negative effects on local bats. Lighting should not be directed onto any installed bat roosting features as this is known to deter bats from using them. It is strongly recommended that any lighting to be incorporated in the site should be low-powered (i.e. lux level of 3 or less), downward-pointing and/or mounted at a low level (e.g. standard bollard height) to minimise the level of impact of lighting on bats. The best types of lighting to use are narrow spectrum lights with no UV content, warm white LED or low-pressure sodium. Ideally the times that the lighting is operational should be limited to allow for some dark periods overnight. This may be possible through passive infrared sensors controlling levels of lighting throughout some of the night-time period.

The hedgerows around the edges of the site will form commuting and foraging areas and where possible and safe they should be kept as ‘dark corridors’ where there is no lighting either direct or indirect caused by light spillage.

Wooden ladybird/lacewing boxes and bumblebee boxes could be provided in suitable areas (e.g. relatively undisturbed areas of the site). Ladybirds and lacewings are valuable natural pest controllers, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. In addition, hedgehog boxes could be provided in more overgrown areas and gaps at least 13cm square should be left under fences, should they be present, across the site between properties to enable hedgehogs to cross the development without restriction.

3.4 Tree Planting Enhancements with associated wildlife benefits

The specific conservation aims are:

- The new fruit trees (between 10 -15 new trees) will be planted within the wildflower border of the earth bund. The map at the end the report does not provide precise locations, but the location of the orchard can be determined by the site owner.

Orchards are declining habitat in Worcestershire and on the Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan to maintain, enhanced, and recreated. Traditional varieties associated with Worcestershire would the proposed and such be sourced from a local nursery. Due the locality of the site near Pershore, there is an abundance of suitable nurseries nearby (e.g. Walcott Nurseries https://walcotnursery.co.uk/).

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

- Maintain the existing hedgerow as a strategic landscape feature that assists with assimilation of the development into its surroundings.

The existing hedgerow will be managed to a height of between 2.5 -5m, the hedge will be divided into three areas, with flailing between November to late February to be phased over a three year period with a light flail of one third of the hedge each year. The existing hedgerow, which runs along the southern boarder of the site will be lightly flailed initially and any gaps will be planted with suitable native species of tree/shrub.

- Enhancement of the site for roosting and foraging bats.

Foraging habitat will be enhanced through the planting of trees/shrubs and filling in the gaps in the hedgerows with native species of shrub and tree as described above. Additional roosting opportunities for local bats will be incorporated into the existing buildings through the installation of four bat boxes. The locations of these features are shown in Appendix 1. Furthermore, the 8m buffer along the Bow Brook should be retained and no external lighting should cast into this area.

Orchard Plantings

Trees must be • correctly planted to ensure longevity (approximately 4 - 6 m radius gaps), preferable in traditional rows or squares and planted in Winter. • Suitable tree guards installed to protect specimens, to prevent animal damage

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

4 Management

As most of the habitats will be newly created management will be required in order to allow them to establish. Once established they will require maintenance but much of this will be minimal and routine.

4.1 Work Schedule

Project Year Season Priority 4.1 .1 Create wildflower grassland. 1 Any immediately after High Remove topsoil to depth of 5cm or construction phase deposit sub-soil, create seedbed. 4.1.2 Sow appropriate mix of grass and 1 or 2 Autumn of Year 1 or High wildflower seeds Spring of Year 2 4.1 .3 Maintain grassland by traditional 2 onwards Late summer High method of mowing and removing arisings 4.1.4 Control invasive weeds (e.g. thistles, All as necessary Any as necessary High brambles) by hand pulling/spot spraying as necessary.

4.2.1 Gap plant existing hedges including 1 and/or 2 Autumn/winter High trees to grow as standards. Stake if necessary and protect with tubes. 4.2.2 Maintain plantings by watering in 2 and/or 3 Spring/ summer High dry weather, clearing weeds, etc 4.2.3 Maintain hedge by trimming/siding All as necessary Autumn/winter Medium up 4.2.4 Lay hedges where appropriate Year: 2 or 3 then 12 Winter Medium Continue to lay on a 10-yearly basis. or 13, 22 or 23, etc

4.3.1 Plant trees around site. Stake and 1 or 2 Winter High protect with tubes 4.3.2 Maintain tree plantings by watering 2 or 3 Spring/summer High in dry weather, clearing weeds, etc 4.3.3 Replace any failed trees 3 onwards as Winter High necessary

GENERAL

1 Install bird and bat boxes on houses 1 during As appropriate High construction

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

2 Maintain boundary hedges and fences All All Medium in good order. 3 Control weeds and pest species All as necessary Any as necessary Medium

5 Bibliography

Emorsgate website http://wildseed.co.uk/

England Field Unit, Joint Nature Conservancy Council, 1990. Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey- a technique for environmental audit. Joint Nature Conservancy Committee, Peterborough.

JNCC, BTO, RSPB 2015. Birds of Conservation Concern 2015. RSPB, Sandy.

Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20252/environmental_policy/1155/biodiversity_act ion_plan Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy, September 2018. Land at Stone Arrow Farm Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. Project number: 2018/110 A

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

Appendix 1: Site plans

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

Proposed works

Proposed areas of enhancement

Wild grassland planting with orchard tree planting. NB: The location of the orchard trees to be at the discretion of the site owner. Retained riparian buffer

Red & Blue rectangles on Green & orange circles on properties indicate properties indicate bird/bat boxes. hedgehog/insect boxes.

Appendix 2: Enhancements

1. Schwegler-style bat boxes

2. Examples of raised ridge tiles and entrance tiles

4. Examples of bat bricks (to be installed 3. Plas tic tile with entrance slot for bats. within a cavity wall)

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

Various designs of swift boxes

House sparrow terrace box House Martin terrace box

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

Trees and shrubs

Common name Scientific name Use Apple Malus domestica Orchard , group planting Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Hedgerow Common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Hedgerow Crab apple Malus sylvestris Hedgerow Damson Prunus domestica ssp Hedgerow, orchard, group insititia planting Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Hedgerow Field maple Acer campestre Hedgerow, specimen Guelder rose Viburnum opulus Hedgerow Hazel Corylus avellana Hedgerow Holly Ilex aquifolium Hedgerow Midland hawthorn Crataegus laevigata Hedgerow Pear Pyrus communis Orchard, hedgerow, group planting Pedunculate oak Quercus robur Hedgerow , specimen Plum Prunus domestica Orchard , group planting Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Hedgerow, specimen Small-leaved lime Tilia cordata Hedgerow, specimen Spindle Euonymus europaeus Hedgerow Wayfaring tree Viburnum lantana Hedgerow Wych elm Ulmus glabra Hedgerow

Note: This list is merely indicative and a selection of species should be chosen

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton

Appendix 3: Ecological experience

Joshua Evans BSc (Hons) MCIEEM Senior Consultancy Ecologist

Joshua joined the team in 2008, previously working as an independent consultant, prior to that he worked for the National Trust and Forestry Commission as an ecological surveyor. For the last 22 years he has worked in both the conservation and consultancy sector. Many of these years were in woodland conservation and management. He is an experienced ecologist with particular expertise in terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and bats and holds Natural England (NE) and Natural Resources Wales licences for bats, dormice, great crested newts, white-clawed crayfish and barn owls.

Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy 2018/110 (B) v1 Land at Stone Arrow Farm, Peopleton