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TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal

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TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal Prepared on behalf of University of Reading Final Report 12 January 2021 20/40-2A Ecological Planning & Research Ltd The Barn, Micheldever Station, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3AR Tel: 01962 794720 Fax: 01962 794721 email: [email protected] www.epr.uk.com TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal Report Release Sheet Draft/Final: Final Report Issue Number: 20/40-2A Date: 12 January 2021 Client: University of Reading Whiteknights Campus Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH Main Author(s): Katie Cammack BSc (Hons) Msc GradCIEEM Report Prepared for Issue by: Katie Cammack BSc (Hons) MSc GradCIEEM Report Approved for Issue by: Alison Hogan BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM Ecological Planning & Research Ltd The Barn, Micheldever Station, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 3AR Tel: 01962 794720 Fax: 01962 794721 email: [email protected] www.epr.uk.com TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 2. NATURE AND EXTENT OF PREDICTED BIOPHYSICAL CHANGES ....................... 3 3. ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT .......................................................................................... 4 4. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................. 9 5. REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 10 MAPS Map 1 Site Location & Nature Conservation Designations Map 2 Habitats & Features Map 3 Off-site Habitat Creation APPENDICES Appendix 1 Indicative Masterplan Appendix 2 Legislation and Planning Policy Relating to Wildlife and Development in England Appendix 3 Ecological Appraisal Methodology Appendix 4 Confidential Badger Report Appendix 5 Biodiversity Net Gain Metric TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal 1. INTRODUCTION Brief 1.1 Ecological Planning & Research Ltd (EPR) has been commissioned by the University of Reading to provide ecological support for the proposed development of the TV Studio @ Cine Valley on Thames Valley Science Park (SU 73694 68977)(herein after referred to as the ‘Site’). The Study Area 1.2 The Site is located on the south-eastern outskirts of Reading, to the north-east of the village of Shinfield (Map 1). The Proposed Development Sites is situated within the existing Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP). 1.3 The wider landscape comprises of urban development, agricultural land and pockets of woodland. Outline of the Proposed Development 1.4 Current plans for the Site include the provision of a new four-storey studio space, with internal gallery spaces and amenities, alongside an adjoining workshop/storage area (Appendix 1). Scope 1.5 The purpose of this ecological appraisal is to obtain and present information on potential ecological contains and opportunities that may be presented to the Proposals. Advice on further actions to address potential constraints and maximise opportunities in order to enable the Proposals to proceed in accordance with nature conservation legislation and policy is also provided. Please note that the results of an ecological appraisal are not equivalent to a full Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and so potentially significant ecological effects arising from the Proposals may not be fully understood. 1.6 EPR’s approach takes account of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s (CIEEM) advice for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland (September 2018). 1.7 The following articles of nature conservation legislation and planning policy are of relevant to the Proposals, and have been considered as part of this appraisal: • The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended); • The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended); • The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000; • The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act (2006); • The Protection of Badgers Act 1992; TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal 20/40-2A Final Report – 12 January 2021 1 • The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)(2019); • Wokingham Borough Core Strategy (adopted June 2010); • Wokingham Borough Council, Managing Development Delivery Local Plan (adopted 21 February 2014); and • Supplementary Planning Document: South of M4 Strategic Development Locations (adopted October 2011). 1.8 In addition to the above, biodiversity objectives detailed in the following documents have been considered: • Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services; • The 25 Year Environment Plan; and • Wokingham Borough Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2012-2024. 1.9 Further information on the above is provided in Appendix 2. Methods and Constraints 1.10 The ecological appraisal has drawn on information collected through both an extensive desktop study and a field visit of the Site carried out by Katie Cammack of EPR on 18 June 2020. The methodology used has been described in more detail in Appendix 3. 1.11 There were no constraints on the survey. TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal 20/40-2A Final Report – 12 January 2021 2 2. NATURE AND EXTENT OF PREDICTED BIOPHYSICAL CHANGES 2.1 Certain activities associated with the preparation, construction and operation of the Proposed Development are likely to generate biophysical changes. These changes, and the Zone of Influence (ZoI) over which they are likely to occur are summarised int Table 2.1. Table 2.1: Summary of predicted changes and Zone of Influence Predicted Change Zone of Influence Ground excavations Site Soil stripping Site Vegetation clearance Site Storing of construction materials Site Dust generation Site and immediately adjacent land Access on/off Site Site and immediately adjacent land Lighting Site and immediately adjacent land Acoustic disturbance Site and adjacent areas Changes in water quality & hydrology Wider water catchment 2.2 Overall it is considered that most predicted changes will extent no further than the Site boundary and immediate vicinity of the Site. TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal 20/40-2A Final Report – 12 January 2021 3 3. ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT Introduction 3.1 The Site has been subject to a number of ecological surveys over the previous 12 years, as part of the wider TVSP development. This includes extensive bat, Badger Meles meles, reptile, Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus and bird surveys (EPR, 2016). Ecological Appraisal Introduction 3.2 The findings of the ecological appraisal are set out below, including: • The potential for Important Ecological Features (IEFs) to be present within the ZoI that could be affected by the Proposals; • Potentially significant impacts (both positive and negative) that could occur as a result of the predicted biophysical changes described in Section 2, in the absence of impact avoidance and mitigation measures; • A broad overview, where possible, of the measures that are likely to be required to avoid, mitigation and as a last resort compensate for significant negative effects on IEFs; • Opportunities to deliver net gains in biodiversity in accordance with the aspirations of National and local planning and biodiversity policy, including Section 15 of the NPPF; and • Recommendations for further survey necessary to inform assessment, and design of the above, compliance with policy, legislation and/or ongoing management of the Site. Designated Sites 3.3 Map 1 shows the nature conservation designations up to 5km from the site of the Proposed Development. Statutory Designated Sites 3.4 A single Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies within a 5km radius of the Site (Map 1). Stanford End Mill and River Lodden SSSI is designated due to the presence of its traditionally managed waterlogged hay meadows which support two national rare plants. 3.5 The Site does not fall within a SSSI Impact Risk Zone whereby the Proposals are considered likely to have an impact on nearby SSSI’s. 3.6 Given the nature of the Proposed Development, and the distance to the Stanford End Mill and River Loddon SSSI, it is not considered that the proposals will have an impact on the SSSI. TV Studio @ Cine Valley Ecological Appraisal 20/40-2A Final Report – 12 January 2021 4 Non-statutory Designated Sites 3.7 A total of 11 Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) were identified within a 2km radius of the Site. These include: • The Coswey LWS; • Hall Farm Woodland Triangle LWS; • Pearman’s Copse LWS; • Rushy Mead LWS; • St John’s Copse LWS; • The Grove LWS; • Shinfield Park, Nores Hill LWS; • Redhatch Copse LWS; • Rounds Copse LWS; • Arborfield Bridge Meadow LWS; and • River Loddon (part). 3.8 Of these, the closest is Pearmans Copse LWS, located approximately 230m to the north, separated from the Site by the M4 motorway. 3.9 Given the nature of the Proposed Development, and the distance to the nearest LWS, it is not considered that the proposals will impact upon LWS’s. Habitats 3.10 The distribution of broad habitats types noted during the field visit are presented on Map 2 and are described further below. 3.11 The Site lies adjacent to the existing ‘Gateway Building’ on the TVSP Site. As part of the wider TVSP works the Site has been previously cleared. It now comprises entirely of bare ground, with ruderal species and those often associated with wastelands, including Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius, Bristly Oxtongue Helminthotheca echiodes and Common Mallow Malva sylvestris. 3.12 Within the peripheries of the Site, to the south-west and north-west, steep artificially
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