View from Twyford Village along the River Trent looking upstream towards Willington.
Willington C Gas Pipeline Environmental Statement
Appendix 8.18 Willington C Power Station. Ecological Validation Survey, May 2013
Version 1, July 2013 – Approved for Submission Application Reference Number – EN060001 Document Reference – WCGP 014.2.8.18
Required document as set out in Section 5(2)(a) of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009
APPENDIX 8.18 WILLINGTON C POWER STATION. ECOLOGICAL VALIDATION SURVEY, MAY 2013
WILLINGTON C GAS PIPELINE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT VERSION 1
RWE NPOWER
WILLINGTON C POWER STATION
EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT
______
RWE npower
WILLINGTON C POWER STATION
EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY REPORT ______
Penny Anderson Associates Ltd ‘Park Lea’ 60 Park Road Buxton Derbyshire SK17 6SN
Author Alistair Blackshaw BSc (Hons), MSc, MCIEEM
Project Manager Gerard Hawley BA (Hons), MSc, DipPSE (Dist), MCIEEM
June 2013
This project has been undertaken in accordance with PAA policies and procedures on quality assurance.
Signed:______
Ref. No. 130170 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report)
CONTENTS
Page
1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION...... 4 2. LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT...... 6 3. METHODS ...... 8 Desk Study ...... 8 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey ...... 8 Introduction ...... 8 Methods ...... 8 Limitations...... 9 4. RESULTS ...... 10 Desk Study ...... 10 Statutory Protected Sites...... 10 Non-statutory Protected Sites...... 10 Plants...... 11 Vascular Plants...... 11 Veteran Trees...... 11 Protected Species and UKBAP Species Records...... 11 Bats...... 11 Badger ...... 12 Birds...... 12 Great Crested Newt...... 14 Otter...... 14 Reptiles...... 14 Water Voles ...... 14 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey...... 14 General Site Description...... 14 Main Habitat Types Present ...... 15 Ephemeral/short Perennial Vegetation...... 15 Broadleaved & Planted Woodlands...... 16 Scrub ...... 16 Semi-natural Grassland...... 17 Standing Waters ...... 18
Ref. No. 130170 1 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Ditches...... 19 Tall Ruderal Vegetation ...... 19 Protected Species ...... 20 Bats...... 20 Badger ...... 21 Birds...... 21 Great Crested Newt...... 23 Reptiles...... 24 Water Vole...... 25 Other Protected Species...... 25 5. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...... 26 Habitats ...... 26 Bats...... 27 Badger ...... 28 Birds...... 28 Great Crested Newts...... 29 Reptiles...... 30 Water Vole...... 30 Summary of Recommendations ...... 30 6. REFERENCES...... 32
TABLES
Table 1 Non-statutory Protected Sites (LWS) within 2km of the Proposed Site10 Table 2. Bat Records within 2km of the Site Supplied by DBG...... 11 Table 3. Schedule 1, UKBAP and BoCC Red List and Amber List Bird Species Recorded on the Power Station Site Since 1992 (FPCR 2009a)(*denotes species recorded flying over only) ...... 12 Table 4. Habitat Types Recorded on Site and their Potential Value to Bats within the Local Landscape ...... 20 Table 5. Bird Species Present on the Former Willington Power Station Site.. 21 Table 6. Birds of Open Habitats Which Could Potentially Breed on the Site .. 22 Table 7. Waterbodies within the Site and Their Suitability for GCN (Animal and Reptile Groups of the UK 2010) ...... 23 Table 8. Recommendations for Further Survey Work...... 31
FIGURES
1 Willington Power Station Phase 1 Habitats
Ref. No. 130170 2 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
2 Willington Power Station Waterbodies 3a Willington Power Station Desk Study Results 3b Willington Power Station Desk Study Results Bats
PLATES
1. Ephemeral vegetation 2. Intact hardstanding 3. Birch woodland 4. Woodland to NW 5. SI grassland to SW 6. Central UI grassland 7. Neutral SI grassland 8. Pond 1 9. Pond 2 10. Pond 4 11. Pond 3 12. Pond 4a 13. Ephemeral pond W 14. Ephemeral pond E 15. Deep Basement 16. Flooded basement 17. Woodland ditch 18. Ditch 2 10. Ditch 5 20. Ditch 6a 21. Offices 22. Bar 23. Scout Hut 24. Outbuildings 1 25. Outbuildings 2 26. TN14 Subterranean access 27. TN21 Basement access 28. TN24 Deep basement 29. Sand martin tubes 30. Disused railway to NW2 31. SI grassland reptile potential
APPENDICES
I Summary of Protected Species Legislation II Target Notes to Accompany Figure 1 III Plant Species List IV Desk Study Data
Ref. No. 130170 3 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
1.1 RWE npower, in March 2011, gained consent under Section 36 of The Electricity Act (1989) to construct a ‘Combined Cycle Gas Turbine’ (CCGT) Power Station. The consented station, Willington C Gas Pipeline (WCPS) will have a generating capacity of up to 2,000MW plus ‘Open Cycle Gas Turbines’ (OCGT) of up to 400MW to provide additional capacity at times of peak load, giving a total capacity of 2,400MW.
1.2 The main fuel burnt in the WCPS would be natural gas, delivered by a new gas pipeline. The station will be designed to be ‘dual fuelled’ and be able to run on gas or oil. The bulk delivery of oil will be via rail with the reinstatement of the sidings that served the A and B stations. A road tanker unloading facility will also be included. WCPS will abstract cooling water from the River Trent and utilise low level, mechanical draught hybrid (plume suppressed) cooling towers.
1.3 The site for the WCPS is the site of the former ‘A’ and ‘B’ Willington power stations. The former Willington Power Station site lies to the east of Willington village within the administrative boundaries of Derbyshire County Council and South Derbyshire District Council. The site falls within the Willington Parish boundary, although the land east of Buckford Lane (within the ownership boundary but outside the application area) falls within the Findern Parish boundary. The site is wholly owned by RWE npower, apart from the cooling water discharge pipeline corridor, for which a pipeline easement is in place.
1.4 The site contained the former ‘A’ and ‘B’ Willington Power Stations (PS), both of which were coal-fired. Willington ‘A’ became fully operational in 1957; in the same year plans to extend the site with Willington ‘B’ were made. The ‘A’ and ‘B’ stations had a combined electrical generating capacity of 800MW, comprising 4 x 100MW units and 2 x 200MW units respectively. The ‘A’ and ‘B’ stations had two stacks, each 130m in height and 5 cooling towers each being 91m in height.
1.5 The two power stations were closed in stages; Willington “A” was decommissioned in May 1995, and “B” station closed in March 1999. Removal of the rail-sidings and demolition commenced in November 1999 and was completed in 2002. Five cooling towers and cooling water intake and outfall pipework and structures still remain.
1.6 In addition, remnants of several underground structures remain within the site and coal residues can be found in the former coal transfer and storage areas. No plant or equipment associated with the operation of the power station remains.
1.7 The site, although largely demolished, can be split into a number of distinct areas. These are as follows -
Central “A” and “B” power station areas;
Coal transfer and storage area;
Cooling towers area;
Railway sidings area;
North-eastern area of fill; and
Ref. No. 130170 4 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Recreational and nature area south of Twyford Road.
1.8 The Section 36 consent places a number of conditions on the development regarding the need to develop detailed mitigation for protected species ahead of the development commencing. Penny Anderson Associates Ltd (PAA) was commissioned by RWE npower Ltd. to undertake an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the former Willington A and B Power Station Site (SK 302 287), excepting the recreational and nature area south of Twyford Road, a discrete parcel of land lying to the north-east of Buckford Lane and an area on the western boundary of the site which is leased to National Grid and is an operational substation. The principal aim of the survey was to determine whether changes had taken in the baseline ecological state of the site since the Environmental Statement (ES) for the CCGT application (RWE npower 2009) was produced.
1.9 This report provides the results of a desk study and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the power station site and evaluates them with reference to the surveys carried out in 2009 to support the Willington C Power Station application. The report also provides recommendations for further ecological survey work required in order to address the conditions of the Section 36 consent relating to mitigation for protected species.
1.10 Summaries of the English legislation in relation to the protected species or species referred to in this report are provided in Appendix I.
1.11 This report contains confidential information on badgers and should not enter the public domain unless specific information on the location of setts is removed.
Ref. No. 130170 5 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
2. LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
2.1 A range of international and national legislation has been established in the UK to protect important nature conservation sites and priority species. At the international level, European Union (EU) Directives require individual member states to implement their conservation provisions nationally for the benefit of Europe as a whole. These Directives have been transposed into UK law by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 20101 (further amended in 2011 to include additional marine legislation); further details can be obtained from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) web site at www.jncc.defra.gov.uk.
2.2 Other international conventions include: the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (1979), which requires the maintenance of populations of wild flora and fauna, giving particular protection to endangered and vulnerable species; and the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (1979), which requires the protection of migratory species throughout their entire range. The above conventions are implemented in England and Wales via the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) (1981) (as amended) and Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. This legislation also protects important habitats and sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
2.3 At the national level, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) published in 1994 is the Government's response to the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). It describes the UK's biological resources, commits a detailed plan for the protection of these resources, including numerous Species Action Plans (SAPs), Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) and Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) with targeted actions. Following a review in 2007, the Government adopted a new strategy ‘Conserving Biodiversity – the UK approach’ which sets out a vision of conserving biodiversity within the UK’s devolved framework across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The document identifies future priorities for nature conservation and adopts a more strategic approach including ecosystem services and sustainability alongside biodiversity. The species and habitats listed in these plans are legally protected to varying degrees through the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
2.4 Finally, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in 2012 provides guidance for local authorities on the content of the Local Plans and is a material consideration in determining planning applications. The NPPF has replaced much existing planning policy guidance, including Planning Policy Statement 9: Biological and Geological Conservation. Briefly, with an overall focus on sustainable development, the NPPF states that developments should aim to engender positive outcomes for biodiversity, with a particular focus on the maintenance and creation of ecological networks. Furthermore, the NPPF also states that any planning proposals for which significant negative impacts on biodiversity cannot be avoided, mitigated or compensated should be refused. UKBAP Priority Species are also referred to as ‘species of principal importance’ for the conservation of biodiversity in England within Section 74 of the CRoW Act 2000, and Sections 41 (England) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. The NPPF states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural environment through a range of actions, including:
Protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, geological interests and soils;
1 Please note: the text provides a brief summary of the legislation in England and Wales and the original Acts and any amendments should be referred to for the precise wording.
Ref. No. 130170 6 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Recognising the wider benefits of ecosystem services; and
Minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures.
Ref. No. 130170 7 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
3. METHODS
Desk Study
3.1 The desk study consisted of a consultation exercise whereby statutory and non-statutory authorities were contacted to gather local and site-specific ecological information. The results enable the proposed development site to be placed within the wider ecological context. The search zone encompassed a 2km radius from the perimeter of the site.
3.2 The Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) website was queried for information on statutorily protected sites, such as Special Protection Areas (SPA) Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) along with the presence of ancient semi-natural woodland in the search area.
3.3 The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (DWT) was consulted to obtain records of protected species and the location of any non-statutory protected sites. In addition, the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) (www.nbn.org.uk) was queried for records of protected animal species and the local and national Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) were reviewed to provide details of priority species and habitats.
3.4 It is important to note that the desk study results provide an indication of the species present in and around the site and do not confirm current presence or absence of any particular species.
3.5 Distances from the site, shown in the desk study results, are from the centre of the site unless stated.
Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Introduction
3.6 The vegetation survey and classification of habitats was completed in order to assess the overall character of the site. This is an important baseline assessment of the current ecological value of the site and potential habitat lost as a consequence of the proposed development. In addition, the assessment identifies any potential ecological constraints and opportunities in relation to the development proposal.
3.7 The survey was conducted on 22nd and 23rd April 2013 by Alistair Blackshaw (MCIEEM) and Katharine Longden (MCIEEM). Both days were dry with moderate breeze and temperatures of 12-18ºC.
Methods
3.8 The Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, carried out by experienced surveyors, was based on guidance set out in the Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (JNCC 2010). This entailed mapping, describing and collating plant species lists for habitats across the area delineated for the survey. Each plant species was assigned abundance codes within each habitat. This was done using the ‘DAFOR’ scale (where: D = dominant; A = abundant; F = frequent; O = occasional; R = rare), which provides an indication of the relative abundance of each plant species present within a particular habitat.
Ref. No. 130170 8 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
3.9 The broad habitat types were mapped (Figure 1), with each habitat type coded and target notes recorded (Appendix II) according to the standard JNCC Phase 1 Habitat Survey procedure (JNCC 2010). The plant species present within the site and their relative abundances are listed in Appendix III, which shows both common and scientific names according to Stace (2010).
3.10 The survey was extended following the approach set out in the Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995) to include an assessment of the potential for/presence of protected species to inform any additional survey requirements.
Limitations
3.11 Late April is considered a sub-optimal time to carry out detailed botanical assessments as late- flowering/emerging plant species may be overlooked. Nevertheless, due to the nature of the habitats, and the experience level of the surveyors, it is considered that the survey provides an assessment of the quality of the habitats that is robust and appropriate for the evaluation required.
3.12 It was not possible to inspect the areas under and immediately adjacent to the cooling towers as they were in a deteriorating state and posed a significant health and safety risk. These areas were observed through binoculars and were considered to be similar to the areas of adjacent habitat to which there were no access constraints. This limitation is therefore not considered to affect the overall conclusions of the survey.
Ref. No. 130170 9 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
4. RESULTS
Desk Study Statutory Protected Sites
4.1 No statutory protected sites lie within 2km of the site.
Non-statutory Protected Sites
4.2 A total of 19 non-statutory Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) (Table 1) and a further 9 Potential Local Wildlife Sites (PLWS) occur within a 2km radius of the proposed site (see Figure in Appendix IV).
Table 1 Non-statutory Protected Sites (LWS) within 2km of the Proposed Site
Approx. distance (km) and direction Site Reference Site Name Key Habitat from Willington Power Station SD214 Willington Railway Pond 2 Standing open water 0.03 (N) SD215 Willington Railway Pond 1 Standing open water 0.05 (N) SD216 Willington Grassland Wet grassland 0.05 (N) Secondary broad-leaved SD084 Sports Ground Marsh 0.23 (S) wet woodland Semi-improved neutral SD086 Findern Meadows 0.33 (N) grassland Unimproved neutral SD395 Yew Tree Meadows 0.36 (N) grassland Secondary broad-leaved SD085 Common Plantation 0.43 (N) woodland SD091 Twyford Oxbow 1 Lowland swamp 0.56 (SE) SD390 Highbridge Wetland Habitat mosaic 1.05 (SW) SD334 Repton Water Meadows Lowland swamp 1.19 (S) SD081 Repton Oxbow Lowland swamp 1.20 (S) SD382 Willington Wetlands Bird assemblage 1.20 (SW) SD340 Twyford Greens Complex Wet grassland 1.3 (SE) SD361 Water Violet Site, Milton Secondary broad-leaved 1.30 (SE) wet woodland SD401 Toyota Balancing Ponds Aquatic vegetation 1.50 (NW) Semi-improved neutral SD238 Tanner’s Lane Grassland 1.65 (SW) grassland SD155 Kirby's Triangle Lowland swamp 1.90 (NE) Secondary broad-leaved SD157 Hell Meadow Wood 2.00 (NE) woodland SD079 Repton Small Fields Wet grassland 2.15 (S)
Ref. No. 130170 10 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Plants
Vascular Plants
4.3 A single Nationally Scarce plant species (Stewart et a. 1994), large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos), has been recorded at two locations (SK3030 and SK2928) within 2km of the site. DWT supplied only two-figure grid references for the records, which place them approximately 0.93km to the north (a small woodland to the north of the A50) and 0.85km to the west (Willington Gravel Pits) of the site.
4.4 A single Nationally Threatened plant species (JNCC 2011), small cudweed (Filago minima), has been recorded within 2km of the site. The species has been recorded at three locations including Willington Power Station, Willington Junction and Willington village.
4.5 A total of 92 records of 22 Locally Scarce or Declining plant species (Moyes and Wilmot 2009) were provided by DWT. These included five records of small cudweed and three of bird’s foot (Ornithopus perpusillus) from the Willington Power Station site.
Veteran Trees
4.6 A total of 57 veteran tree records were provided within a 2km radius of the site. The closest record to the site was approximately 100m from the northern boundary (SK3030 2920), the majority of records were more than 300m away.
Protected Species and UKBAP Species Records
4.7 Consultation with DWT’s protected species database provided the following records within 2km of the proposed site.
Bats
4.8 Two records bat roosts were provided by DWT. The most recent (2008) was of a common pipistrelle roost (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), approximately 1.15km to the north of the Power Station site. The other record (1997) was of unspecified pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus sp.), approximately 1.25km to the north of the site.
4.9 Owing to this lack of records, further data were sought from the Derbyshire Bat Group (DBG), who supplied 51 records of four species of bats within 2km of the site (Table 2). The nearest record was approximately 10m from the site boundary, on Buckford Lane.
Table 2. Bat Records within 2km of the Site Supplied by DBG
Common Name Scientific Name No. Records Location Willington, Findern, Pipistrellus Common pipistrelle 21 Buckford Lane, River Trent, pipistrellus Willington Gravel Pits Pipistrellus Buckford Lane , River Trent, Soprano pipistrelle 11 pygmaeus Willington Gravel Pits Findern, Buckford Lane Pipistrelle bats Pipistrellus sp(p). 7 River Trent, Willington Gravel Pits
Ref. No. 130170 11 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Findern , Willington Gravel Myotis bats Myotis sp(p). 6 Pits Bats Chiroptera 4 West of Willington Findern, River Trent, Nyctalus bats Nyctalus sp(p). 3 Willington Gravel Pits Nathusius’s Pipistrellus nathusii 1 Willington Gravel Pits pipistrelle
4.10 A single record exists of common pipistrelle foraging within the site, a common pipistrelle roost located within Willington, approximately 300m to the west of the site, and a pipistrelle bat roost located within Twyford Church, approximately 1km to the east of the site. Other bat records from Willington village include soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), Leisler’s bat (Nyctalus leisleri) and Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii).
Badger
4.11 A total of 15 badger (Meles meles) records were provided within 2km of the site, from between 1990 and 2005. All records were of setts and included one within the Power Station Site and a total of four within 500m. All badger records should be treated as confidential and no additional details have been provided within this report.
Birds
4.12 DWT provided 253 records of 18 UKBAP bird species: bullfinch, cuckoo, curlew, grasshopper warbler, grey partridge, dunnock, house sparrow, lapwing, lesser spotted woodpecker, linnet, reed bunting, skylark, song thrush, starling, tree sparrow willow tit and yellowhammer and yellow wagtail. The majority of records were from Willington Gravel Pits, approximately 1km to the west of the site, and from the River Derwent, to the east of Derby. No records were from the power station site.
4.13 The desk study data presented in the Appendix 10.8 (FPCR 2009a) to the 2009 ES were also summarised and are presented in Table 3. These data were compiled from Derbyshire Ornithological Society (DOS) surveys of the site between 1992 and 2002 and from surveys by FPCR in 2005, 2007 and 2008.
4.14 FPCR (2009a) lists a total of 56 bird species (Table 3).These comprise 21 Red List and 35 Amber List species. A total of 21 of these species are on the UKBAP list and 9 are included on Schedule 1 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Please refer to Appendix I for details of the Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC), UKBAP and Schedule 1 category descriptions.
Table 3. Schedule 1, UKBAP and BoCC Red List and Amber List Bird Species Recorded on the Power Station Site Since 1992 (FPCR 2009a)(*denotes species recorded flying over only)
Common Name Scientific Name Status Barn owl Tyto alba Schedule 1, Amber List Black redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Schedule 1, Amber List Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Schedule 1, Amber List Marsh harrier* Circus aeruginosus Schedule 1, Amber List Osprey* Pandion haliaetus Schedule 1, Amber List
Ref. No. 130170 12 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Common Name Scientific Name Status Hobby Falco subbuteo Schedule 1 Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius Schedule 1 Peregrine Falco peregrinus Schedule 1 Whimbrel* Numenius phaeopus Schedule 1 Corn bunting Emberiza calandra UKBAP, Red List Cuckoo Cuculus canorus UKBAP, Red List Grey partridge Perdix perdix UKBAP, Red List House sparrow Passer domesticus UKBAP, Red List Lapwing Vanellus vanellus UKBAP, Red List Lesser redpoll Carduelis cabaret UKBAP, Red List Lesser spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos minor UKBAP, Red List Linnet Carduelis cannabina UKBAP, Red List Skylark Alauda arvensis UKBAP, Red List Song thrush Turdus philomelos UKBAP, Red List Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata UKBAP, Red List Starling Sturnus vulgaris UKBAP, Red List Tree sparrow Passer montanus UKBAP, Red List Turtle dove Streptopelia turtur UKBAP, Red List Willow tit Poecile montanus UKBAP, Red List Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava UKBAP, Red List Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella UKBAP, Red List Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula UKBAP, Amber List Curlew* Numenius arquata UKBAP, Amber List Dunnock Prunella modularis UKBAP, Amber List Reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus UKBAP, Amber List Black-headed gull Larus ridibundus Amber List Common gull* Larus canus Amber List Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Amber List Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Amber List Common tern Sterna hirundo Amber List Green woodpecker Picus viridis Amber List Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea Amber List House martin Delichon urbicum Amber List Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Amber List Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Amber List Meadow pipit Anthus pratensis Amber List Mistle thrush Turdus viscivorus Amber List Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Amber List Ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula Amber List Sand martin Riparia riparia Amber List Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Amber List Stock dove Columba oenas Amber List Swallow Hirundo rustica Amber List Swift Apus apus Amber List Tufted duck Aythya fuligula Amber List Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Amber List
Ref. No. 130170 13 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Common Name Scientific Name Status Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Amber List Whitethroat Sylvia communis Amber List Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Amber List Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Amber List Mute swan Cygnus olor Amber List
Great Crested Newt
4.15 A total of 6 great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) records were provided within a 2km radius of the site, all from 2009-2011. The records were from Willington Gravel Pits and four ponds adjacent to the Derby to Birmingham railway line, to the west of Willington. The records from the ponds are between 780m and 920m from the north-western edge of the power station site, while those from the Willington Gravel Pits are over 1.5km away. A further two records, adjacent to the Derby to Birmingham railway line, on the edge of Sinfin, more than 2km away to the north-east of the site were also provided.
Otter
4.16 A total of 54 records of otter (Lutra lutra) were provided within 2km of the site, dated between 1995 and 2010. Records were related to the River Trent, The Trent and Mersey Canal and the Old Trent. Willington Road Bridge, on the River Trent, to the south-west of Willington and 1km from the site, accounted for 26 of the records. A total of 12 records were from the Trent and Mersey Canal and four were from Willington Gravel Pits. The closest records to the power station site were four from the first (railway) bridge, over the Trent and Mersey Canal, east of Willington, approximately 140m from the edge of the power station site. A further 6 records were located at the road bridge over the canal, to the north of Willington.
Reptiles
4.17 A single record of grass snake (Natrix natrix) was provided, for Willington Gravel Pits, approximately 1.5km to the south-west of the site.
Water Voles
4.18 A total of 19 water vole (Arvicola amphibious) records were provided, dated between 1965 and 1997. Many records were supplied as either two-figure or four figure grid references, which makes plotting to more than 100m accuracy impossible. From textual information supplied with the records it appears that most are from the Trent and Mersey Canal (approximately 25m from the edge of the power station site at its closest point) and the River Trent (approximately 180m from the edge of the power station site at its closest point).
Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
General Site Description
4.19 The site lies to the south-west of the City of Derby, south of the A50 and is located on the north- eastern edge of Willington village, between the Trent and Mersey Canal and the River Trent, to the north of Twyford Road (A5132).
Ref. No. 130170 14 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
4.20 The site is bordered to the west by Willington National Grid Substation with Willington village beyond. The Birmingham to Derby mainline runs along the northern boundary, with primarily agricultural land beyond. Findern Primary School and Buckford Lane lie to the north-east with agricultural land to the east. The A5132 Twyford-Willington Road divides the former operational area from the playing fields, which extend to the River Trent.
Main Habitat Types Present
4.21 The site chiefly comprises the following habitats as shown on the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Map (Figure 1):
Ephemeral/short perennial vegetation;
Semi-natural broadleaved woodland;
Plantations broadleaved and mixed plantations;
Scrub;
Semi-natural grassland;
Standing waters;
Ditches; and
Tall ruderal vegetation.
Ephemeral/short Perennial Vegetation
4.22 The central part of the site supports pioneer vegetation over a variety of free-draining substrates typical of post industrial sites (Plate 1). These comprise crushed concrete and gravel to the south, intact concrete areas (Plate 2), pulverised fuel ash in the centre and sand and gravel to the north of the site. There are also smaller areas of railway ballast scattered throughout, and an area of pure sand along the north-western extremity of the site. Periods of drought and poor nutrient availability are considered to be the major limiting factors to plant growth within this habitat and these harsh physical conditions have resulted in a thin cover of vegetation, comprised largely of stress-tolerant ruderal plant species, in an intimate mosaic with areas of bare ground.
4.23 Although the substrates differ across this habitat there are many constants in the flora including parsley piert, perforate St. John’s wort, rosebay willowherb, common ragwort, dandelion, small cudweed, teasel and common centaury. On the railway ballast and pulverised fuel ash, wood sage is particularly conspicuous and the fuel ash area has abundant heath star-moss. On the sand and gravel, damper areas are characterised by the presence of capillary thread-moss, pointed spear-moss, hard rush, soft rush and occasionally, hairy sedge. The crushed concrete area has abundant willowherbs and common whitlow-grass, while the pure sand of the far north-western corner of the site supports sheep’s sorrel and mouse-ear hawkweed.
4.24 The ephemeral vegetation grades into grassland and scrub in places creating an intimate mosaic of habitats with a variety of ecotones.
Ref. No. 130170 15 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Broadleaved & Planted Woodlands
4.25 Pioneer woodland dominated by silver birch has developed in a belt across the area of fuel ash and railway ballast in the central northern part of the site (Plate 3) and the same habitat also occurs on the sandy substrates along the northern boundary. The woodland has an open structure and lacks a typical ground flora. Instead, the field layer comprises species found in the adjacent pioneer open habitat that are able to tolerate light shade, such as wood sage and bramble.
4.26 A belt of more established woodland occurs on sandy soils along the southern boundary of the north-western part of the site (Plate 4). Apart from a small area dominated by grey poplar at its eastern edge, this is semi-natural woodland, dominated by ash, with a shrub layer of elder with occasional grey willow and hazel. To the west, close to the site boundary, alder gains prominence in the canopy. The ground flora is dominated by common nettle, although some typical woodland herbs including primrose, bluebell, lords and ladies and wood avens occur. The presence of these species, together with the age class of the trees, suggests the woodland has probably been relatively undisturbed since the original power station was built in the 1950s. The woodland contains several stagnant drainage ditches, with little aquatic flora, except yellow iris. A senescent ash alongside one of the ditches is probably original to the site, having survived clearance works for the power station.
4.27 In the northern corner of the site, the 6-8m tall earth bund, which surrounds Findern County Primary School to the south and east, supports a developing woodland community with rowan, elder and hawthorn. The ground flora of the woodland is species-poor and largely comprises bramble and nettle with red campion, foxgloves and sparsely distributed bluebells. At the foot of the bund, on its southern face, is a mature poplar plantation and two mature Scot’s pines. The plantation also has very limited ground flora, dominated by nettles and bramble with bracken occurring to the west.
4.28 To the west of the school is a complex area of woodland planting, intimately mixed with natural regeneration of birch and willow and dense stands of bramble, tall ruderal herbs and rank, unmanaged grassland. The woodland planting is of varying age, height and species composition and has a poorly developed ground flora. The field layer of a small area of planted birch and oak on a dry mound in this area, adjacent to the Pond 2 is dominated by Cladonia lichen.
4.29 Mixed plantation woodland is present along the southern boundary of the site, together with a range of introduced shrubs. Planted trees include Lawson’s cypress, Norway maple and ash, while introduced shrubs include barberry, Oregon grape and several cotoneaster species. To the east of the previous main entrance to the site, woodland along the southern boundary includes ash and rowan with infrequent introduced shrubs including several cotoneaster species.
4.30 Further ornamental planting is present to the west of the entrance off Buckford Lane. Lawson’s cypress is the dominant species here, with occasional Scots pine and domestic apple.
Scrub
4.31 Scrub occurs at the edges of the woodland areas, along the northern boundary of the site and as an easterly extension to the northern-central belt of silver birch dominated woodland. Scrub at the edges of the woodland and along the northern boundary of the site, is dominated by common gorse, with elder, hawthorn, buddleia and occasional broom. The central belt of scrub is dominated by willow and silver birch.
Ref. No. 130170 16 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
4.32 A considerable amount of scrub and woodland management has taken place across the site during the past winter, particularly in the north-eastern part of the railway sidings. The majority of timber and brash has been removed although some has been piled up and a proportion has also been chipped and left close to where it was felled.
Semi-natural Grassland
4.33 Established grassland occurs along the southern and eastern boundaries of the site, to the north of the electricity substation, around the northern bank of cooling towers, and within open areas in the central belt of birch woodland. A crescent shaped area of grassland area is present within the woodland and scrub complex to the north of Pond 2.
4.34 Grassland along the southern boundary of the site is dominated by common bent and red fescue, with cock’s foot creating a tussocky structure in places, and field wood-rush present throughout (Plate 5). Springy turf-moss often forms a dense carpet within the sward here and typical forbs include common ragwort, self-heal and common field speedwell. Although the sandy substrate is likely to be nutrient-poor, the grassland has probably accumulated a relatively thin layer of organic soil through previous mowing management, allowing quite vigorous grass growth. The grassland is grazed by rabbits at moderate levels and contains numerous ant hills.
4.35 Similar, but less diverse, grassland is also present around the three northern cooling towers. This area is dominated by common bent and red fescue, with frequent false-oat-grass. Forbs generally comprise tall competitive species including ribwort plantain, creeping thistle, common ragwort, teasel and creeping cinquefoil.
4.36 A large stand of mown grassland at the eastern edge of the site is dominated by red fescue, with frequent false-oat grass and common bent and occasional Yorkshire fog, sweet vernal grass and tufted hair-grass. Forbs include creeping buttercup, meadow buttercup, common sorrel, dandelion and common ragwort. The presence of locally frequent hard rush and soft rush, together with hairy sedge, and locally frequent great willowherb, suggest that parts of the grassland are less freely draining than the red fescue dominated areas.
4.37 Grassland to the north of Pond 2 has a moderately species-rich sward including crested dog’s- tail, common knapweed and perforate St. John’s wort. The presence of ant hills suggests a lack of disturbance through management.
4.38 Grassland to the north of the substation has formed on a very sandy substrate and is heavily grazed by rabbits with a sward height of between 2 and 5cm. The dominant grasses here are red fescue and common bent, with cock’s foot appearing to the west of the area. Field wood- rush is also very frequent. The sward is very grass-dominated although typical forbs include dandelion, lesser trefoil, dove’s-foot cranesbill, parsley piert, perforate St. John’s wort, small cudweed, autumn hawkbit and common cat’s ear. Where there are damper and lower lying areas, hairy sedge dominates. The grassland contains the remnants of old railway sidings, marked by linear areas of ballast which has been colonised by wood sage.
4.39 Grassland that occurs within open parts of the central belt of silver birch woodland (Plate 6) has frequent damp areas, with extensive carpets of pointed spear-moss and springy-turf moss together with hard rush and soft rush. Drier ground has common bent, Yorkshire fog, self-heal and abundant bird’s-foot trefoil.
4.40 At the northern tip of the site, to the west of Findern School, is a relatively species-rich neutral grassland at the base of a short steep slope fringed with hard rush (Plate 7). The sward, which
Ref. No. 130170 17 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
is closely grazed by rabbits, comprises common bent, red fescue, Yorkshire fog and sweet vernal-grass with yarrow, bird’s-foot trefoil, selfheal, cowslip and ladies bedstraw.
Standing Waters
4.41 Five ponds, nine flooded basements and two ephemeral waterbodies are present within the site (Figure 2).
4.42 Pond 1 is approximately 15m long by 8m wide and 0.5m deep and occurs in a depression in the centre of the site, adjacent to the northern boundary (P1, Figure 2). The pond is the result of exploratory excavations for sand and gravel and contains relatively clear water with little floating or submerged aquatic vegetation except pointed spear-moss and occasional filamentous algae. Emergent macrophytes are abundant and include lesser reedmace, lesser pond-sedge and common reed. The pond is surrounded by open woodland comprising silver birch and willows (Plate 8).
4.43 Pond 2 is approximately 65m long by 35m wide and 2m deep and is located in the northern part of the site, to the west of Findern School (P2, Figure 2). Approximately 90% of the margin of the pond is fringed with emergent macrophytes including common reed, greater reedmace, yellow iris, reed sweet-grass and lesser pond sedge (Plate 9). An outflow from the pond is connected to a ditch (D4, Figure 2), which issues from beneath the railway line to the north.
4.44 Pond 4 is approximately 30m long and 20m wide and is located in the north-eastern part of the site, to the east of Findern School (P4, Figure 2). It is a lozenge-shaped waterbody, with a large island at its centre. The western end of the pond is approximately 0.25m deep and contains yellow iris, hard rush, greater reedmace and lesser pond sedge. The eastern part of the pond has fewer macrophytes and a greater area of open water. The whole pond is heavily shaded by willow scrub (Plate 10).
4.45 Pond 3 (P3, Figure 2) is located to the north of Pond 2 and is approximately 15m by 20m (Plate 11). Pond 5 is approximately 5m by 5m (P5, Figure 2) and located within a belt of scrub on the eastern boundary of the site. Both of these ponds have sparse emergent vegetation and are heavily shaded by willows.
4.46 Pond 4a (P4a, Figure 2) is a small open pond on the edge of the poplar plantation, which screens Findern School. The pond is approximately 18m long by 4m wide and 0.5m deep and contains occasional hard rush (Plate 12).
4.47 Two shallow ephemeral waterbodies are present in the largely unvegetated area to the north of the cooling towers. These have arisen in shallow depressions, to the east and west of a circular concrete foundation, and are around 0.25m deep during the wetter months of the year. The western area (E1, Figure 2) supports species indicative of periodically inundated areas including soft rush, creeping bent and great willowherb (Plate 13). The eastern waterbody (E2, Figure 2), to the north of an intact concrete strip, supports more established wetland vegetation including greater reedmace and common reed (Plate 14).
4.48 The site also contains nine flooded basements. Several of these are deep with vertical concrete sides (Plate 15), and are fenced to prevent access, while the remainder are shallower, with steep rubble sides (Plate 16) (B1-B9, Figure 2) Several of these contain common reed and the banks of several of the shallower basements are acquiring cover of willows and silver birch. The areas directly underneath the three northern cooling towers retain shallow water. No aquatic vegetation was recorded here, although the area was not closely studied due to the health and safety risk posed by the towers.
Ref. No. 130170 18 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Ditches
4.49 The Trent and Mersey Canal, has an overflow mechanism using a ditch that runs through adjacent land, through a culvert beneath the railway and into the land on the northern section of the power station site. This then flows through ditches and culverts into the River Trent.
4.50 Ditches within the broadleaved woodland to the north-west of the site (D1, Figure 2) have shallow banks that are largely free of vegetation cover, due to the heavy shade cast by the woodland canopy. The ditches have accumulated leaf litter and stagnant water generally lacking macrophytes, except yellow iris, and contain fly tipping at the western edge of the site (Plate 17).
4.51 A ditch of 150m in length by 1m width and 0.5m depth (at its deepest point) is present to the north-west of the cooling towers (D2, Figure 2). The ditch holds clear water and has a southerly flow toward the River Trent, and is culverted at its northern and southern ends. Vegetation within the ditch comprises abundant fool’s watercress and watercress with great willowherb, water figwort and common water-plantain (Plate 18). The banks of the ditch had recently been cleared of willows prior to the survey and held a dense cover of bramble, dog rose and common nettle.
4.52 A short section of ditch close to the north-eastern boundary of the site (D3, Figure 2) contains greater reedmace and common reed and is heavily shaded by willow scrub.
4.53 A ditch approximately 3.5m wide and 2.5m deep runs through an area of scrub to the south of Pond 2 (D4, Figure 2). The ditch enters the site from a culvert under the railway line to the north and flows south eastwards into another culvert. The ditch is dry to the north and south but the eastern section holds water and supports dense stands of reed sweet-grass, fool’s-watercress and water figwort with water starwort present in areas of open water.
4.54 A wet ditch is present on the eastern boundary of the site, entering from a culvert under Buckford Lane (D5, Figure 2). The ditch had been cleared recently prior to the survey, from the field to the east, leaving no aquatic vegetation. Many trees and shrubs associated with the ditch on its eastern side had also been pruned or felled (Plate 19).
4.55 A further wet ditch (D6, Figure 2) flows west to east, joining D5 outside the eastern site boundary. This ditch marks the southern boundary of the site and had also recently been cleared, using an excavator, leaving no vegetation in the water or on the banks; the associated scrub on the southern bank, and occasionally on the northern bank, had been cut back.
4.56 An approximately 90m length of ditch (D6a, Figure 2) emerges from the south from a culvert to the west of D6. The ditch is approximately 2m wide and 0.5m deep with a silty base and has an associated line of mature willows, scrub and tall herbs (Plate 20). The northern section of the ditch is dominated by fool’s watercress, with frequent water figwort and great willowherb.
4.57 The southern part of this ditch is dry, with a 1m high bund on its western side supporting bramble and coarse grasses.
Tall Ruderal Vegetation
4.58 Tall ruderal vegetation occurs throughout the site, as a fringe to woodland and scrub, and occasionally as continuous patches of bramble. Other frequently recorded species include rosebay willowherb and common nettle.
Ref. No. 130170 19 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Protected Species
Bats
4.59 No signs of bats were recorded during the field survey. The site contains a number of structures that have potential to support bats. These can be divided into two groups; above-ground and subterranean structures. The above-ground structures comprise seven buildings to the south- west of the site including offices (Plate 21), a social club (Plate 22) and a scout hut (Plate 23) together with ancillary buildings (Plates 24 - 25). Subterranean structures (Plates 26-28) are scattered throughout the northern part of the site (Figure 1, TNs 14, 22 and 24) and are thought to be part of the infrastructure of the power station and railway yards. The above-ground structures are considered to provide some potential as feeding perches and for night-roosting bats, while the subterranean structures are considered potentially suitable for hibernating bats.
4.60 Trees within the site were also considered to have potential to support bat roosts. These included a single mature ash tree to the north-west of the site (Figure 1, TN10) and a mixture of six live and a number of dead oaks along the Ditch 5, on the eastern boundary of the site.
4.61 The site comprises several habitat types that offer foraging opportunities for bats including unimproved grassland, woodland, a pond and stream. These habitats are considered in Table 4 and assigned a value in accordance with current Bat Conservation Trust guidelines (Hundt 2012).
Table 4. Habitat Types Recorded on Site and their Potential Value to Bats within the Local Landscape
Value of feature Probable use Habitat Type according to Notes by bats BCT Guidelines Northern part of site links to linear railway corridor, which is partially wooded and adjacent to a canal. North-western open Foraging/ woodland along disused siding forms a linear Woodland/scrub High commuting feature in itself. Northern-central belt of woodland and scrub provides connectivity across the site to further areas of woodland, scrub and hedgerows to the east. Waterbodies with associated tree cover which provide links to railway corridor and associated Ponds Medium/High Foraging woodland. Ponds to the east of the site have associated grassland which is likely to support high levels invertebrate prey. Relatively high plant species-richness creates Semi-improved potential for increased insect populations over and unimproved Medium/High Foraging amenity managed land/urban development to grassland the west. Closely linked to woodland and scrub High diversity of plant species expected to Ephemeral / support a wide range of flying invertebrates, short perennial Low Foraging but habitat not provided with linear features for vegetation bats to forage along.
4.62 Several factors contribute to the potential for bats to forage and commute within the site, notably, the presence of linear features in the form of ditches, hedgerows and belts of scrub and woodland in the northern and eastern parts of the site along the Twyford Road frontage. Foraging value is enhanced by the presence of plant communities that are likely to attract a
Ref. No. 130170 20 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
wider range of insect prey than surrounding arable farmland, amenity managed land and built urban development.
4.63 The frequent open and relatively unvegetated areas lacking tree have limited foraging value for bats despite having potentially high invertebrate populations.
4.64 The northern part of the site comprises a large parcel of high quality foraging habitat closely associated with the further areas of woodland and the Trent and Mersey Canal to the north. Several buildings to the south-west of the site provide some night-roosting potential, whilst potential hibernation sites are present in the subterranean structures scattered throughout the northern part of the site. Wooded habitats to the west and east of the site provide further suitable commuting routes to residential areas, which are likely to provide additional roosting opportunities for bats. The site can therefore be considered to be of high value for bats in the local area.
Badger
4.65 Badger activity is concentrated in the north-eastern and north-western areas of the site. Numerous tracks and foraging signs are present throughout this area. In addition are two active latrines and two active two-hole outlier setts. No further details of the location of setts are provided due to the need to keep their locations confidential.
Birds
4.66 A total of 38 bird species were recorded during the field survey (Table 5). These comprise 3 Red List species, 11 Amber List species and 24 Green List species (Eaton et al. 2009). A single Schedule 1 bird, peregrine, (Green List) was recorded.
Table 5. Bird Species Present on the Former Willington Power Station Site
Conservation Common Name Predicted use of site Designation House sparrow Red List, UKBAP Likely breeding, buildings to SW. Lapwing Red List, UKBAP Possible breeding, wetland N of cooling towers. Linnet Red List, UKAP Likely breeding, gorse scrub. Peregrine Schedule 1, Green List Likely breeding, cooling tower box. Bullfinch Amber List, UKBAP Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Dunnock Amber List, UKBAP Likely breeding, woodland / scrub. Green woodpecker Amber List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Kestrel Amber List Possible breeding, broadleaved woodland. Mallard Amber List Possible breeding, waterbodies. Oystercatcher Amber List Likely breeding, open areas. Snipe Amber List Possible breeding, wetland N of cooling towers. Sand martin Amber List Likely breeding, nest tubes to NE. Wheatear Amber List Possible breeding in rubble. Swallow Amber List Foraging. Willow warbler Amber List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Blackbird Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Blackcap Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Blue tit Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland.
Ref. No. 130170 21 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Conservation Common Name Predicted use of site Designation Buzzard Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Carrion crow Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Chiffchaff Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Collared dove Green List Likely breeding, buildings to SW. Canada goose Green List Flying over. Chaffinch Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Feral pigeon Green List Likely breeding, buildings to SW. Goldfinch Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Greenfinch Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Great spotted Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. woodpecker Great tit Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Grey heron Green List Foraging in waterbodies. Jay Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Little owl Green List Foraging, possible breeding (dead bird found). Long-tailed tit Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Magpie Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Pied wagtail Green List Likely breeding, grasslands, scrub. Robin Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Wood pigeon Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland. Wren Green List Likely breeding, broadleaved woodland.
4.67 The site’s function for birds in the breeding season is likely to include breeding, resting and foraging. The majority of the bird species were recorded in the wooded areas of the site. These provide numerous nesting opportunities for a diverse range of species, from species which nest on the ground amongst thick vegetation, such as willow warbler, to those that nest on tree branches, such as chaffinch and hole-nesting species such as great tit. Sand martins were seen prospecting within purpose-built nest tubes (Plate 29) at the top of a steep fuel-ash mound (Figure 1, TN 34).
4.68 A number of bird species of open habitats, including oystercatcher, lapwing and wheatear were also recorded. The presence of these three species together with the wide expanses of open ground suggests there are significant opportunities for other birds with similar habitat requirements (Table 6).
Table 6. Birds of Open Habitats Which Could Potentially Breed on the Site
Conservation et al Common Name Habitat Requirements (Ferguson-Lees . Designation 2012; Snow and Perrins 1998) Likely to breed Ringed plover Amber List Open ground with stony or sandy substrate. Open ground usually on stony substrate in the Green List, Schedule 1 Little ringed plover vicinity of fresh water. Less likely to breed Open ground with observation posts such as Red List, UKBAP trees in vicinity of host species, e.g. dunnock, Cuckoo robin, pied wagtail.
Ref. No. 130170 22 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Open ground with adjacent thick vegetation Red List, UKBAP Grey partridge cover. Black redstart Amber List, Schedule 1 Open habitats for foraging. Open habitats with some grass cover for Red List, UKBAP Skylark nesting.
4.69 Of the 38 species recorded during the survey, none were confirmed as breeding on the site. However, most of the species were considered to be either likely to breed or could possibly breed. Three species: swallow, Canada goose and grey heron were considered unlikely to breed on the site.
4.70 In winter, the site is likely to provide a substantial foraging resource for birds within the local area, due to the abundant seed-producing annual plants within the open ephemeral habitats. This food source is likely to attract mixed flocks of small and medium sized passerines, which are also likely to attract avian predators such as sparrowhawk, peregrine and little owl. The wooded areas provide cover for the foraging birds and the waterbodies provide potential habitat for small numbers of mallard and teal to overwinter.
Great Crested Newt
4.71 No great crested newts (GCN) or signs of GCN or signs of other amphibians were recorded during the field survey. The site is considered to contain suitable terrestrial habitat for GCN, in the form of woodland, with adjacent tall ruderal patches, scrub and loose substrates such broken up concrete and railway ballast. Several waterbodies that could potentially provide breeding habitat for GCN occur within the site (Table 7, Figure 2).
Table 7. Waterbodies within the Site and Their Suitability for GCN (Animal and Reptile Groups of the UK 2010)
Waterbody Type Location Habitat Suitability Index* HSI = 0.79 (Good to excellent Adjacent to the northern site quality) adjacent to a railway line, Pond 1 (P1) boundary which could provide a dispersal corridor for GCN. HSI = 0.79 (Good quality). Large but Pond 2 (P2) To south-west of Findern School shaded pond. Good terrestrial habitat. HSI = 0.41 (Poor quality) Almost Pond 3 (P3) To the north west of P2 completely shaded, no macropyhtes. HSI = 0.86 (Excellent quality). Near to disused Buckford Lane Shaded to E, abundant Pond 4 (P4) Entrance macrophytes to W. Adjacent to good terrestrial habitat. HSI = 0.73 (Good quality). Small Pond 4a (P4a) South of the poplar plantation. pond with little marginal vegetation. HSI = 0.38 (Poor quality). Almost Within woodland on eastern Pond 5 (P5) completely shaded pond, no boundary of site. macrophytes. Ephemeral HSI = 0.37 (Poor quality). Shallow North of cooling towers waterbody 1 (E1) and ephemeral, abundant
Ref. No. 130170 23 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
Waterbody Type Location Habitat Suitability Index* macrophytes, poor terrestrial habitat. HSI = 0.46 (Poor quality). Shallow Ephemeral and ephemeral, abundant North of cooling towers waterbody 2 (E2) macrophytes, poor terrestrial habitat. HSI = 0.69 (Average quality) Heavily Semi-natural woodland to north- Ditch 1 (D1) shaded and poor water quality but west good terrestrial habitat. HSI = 0.76 (Good quality) However flow of ditch, particularly at its Ditch 2 (D2) North of the cooling towers southern end, where shallower reduces suitability considerably. HSI = 0.48 (Poor quality) Ephemeral Ditch 3 (D3) Adjacent to northern boundary ditch with poor water quality. HSI = 0.75 (Good quality). Ditch Dry ditch north to south with wet with variable depth and good Ditch 4 (D4) branch leading eastwards. terrestrial habitat macrophytes increase to east. HSI = 0.72 (Good quality). Long ditch with good terrestrial habitat but Ditch 5 (D5) Eastern boundary ditch little water and low macrophyte cover. HSI = 0.73 (Good quality). Long ditch with good adjacent terrestrial Ditch 6 (D6) South-eastern boundary ditch habitat, but most of ditch currently bare of vegetation. Low macrophyte cover, low flow at time of survey. HSI = 0.61 (Average quality). Short section from culvert to Ditch Shaded ditch, except in northern Ditch 6a (D6a) 5 section, with good terrestrial habitat but low macrophyte cover.
* Habitat Suitability Index (HIS) is used to assess the potential for waterbodies to support GCN. It is a numerical index between 0 and 1. A score lose to 0 indicates unsuitable habitat whereas a score of 1 represents optimal habitat.
4.72 The site also contains four deep basements with vertical concrete sides which are fenced to prevent access, and six shallower basements with steep rubble sides (B1-B9, Figure 2). These were all considered to be of poor quality for GCN due to their general lack of aquatic vegetation
Reptiles
4.73 No reptiles, or signs of reptiles, were recorded during the field survey. The site provides areas of suitable habitat for reptiles, particularly common lizard and slow worm and the proximity of the railway line that could act as a means of access increases the likelihood of reptiles having colonised the site since its abandonment. Due to their proximity to the railway line, areas where scrub and woodland with associated tall ruderal vegetation interface with unimproved grassland and stony ephemeral habitats, such as those on railway ballast or containing crushed concrete, are the most suitable (Plate 30). These areas provide closely the juxtaposed overwintering, foraging and basking habitat required by common lizards and slow worms.
Ref. No. 130170 24 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
4.74 Further suitable habitat also includes the tussocky semi-improved grassland close to the site entrance (Plate 31), in the south-western corner. However, isolation from potential colonisation routes suggests reptiles are unlikely to be present here. Likewise, the ditches, with aquatic vegetation and adjacent tall ruderal habitats are highly suitable for grass snakes, but their isolation, by long culverts and large stretches of sparsely vegetated ground from other grass snake populations suggests this species is unlikely to be present.
Water Vole
4.75 No signs of otter or water vole were recorded during the field survey. The open ditches to the north of the cooling towers (D2 and D4) were considered suitable for water vole due to their earth banks and abundant vegetation. The short ephemeral ditch adjacent to the northern boundary (D3) was assessed as unsuitable due to the sparse cover of vegetation on its gravel banks
4.76 The long ditches, with intermittent standing water on the eastern and south eastern boundaries (D5 and D6) have recently been cleared and consequently lack any vegetation either in the channel or on their banks. They are, therefore, not currently considered suitable for water voles.
4.77 The ditches within the woodland to the north-west and central northern area of the site were considered to be unsuitable for water voles, due to their lack of vegetation cover, shallow banks and poor water quality.
Other Protected Species
4.78 No signs of any other protected species were recorded. The habitats present were considered to have no potential to support any other protected species.
Ref. No. 130170 25 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
5. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Habitats
5.1 The majority of habitats present on the site are typical of post-industrial sites with freely draining and nutrient-poor substrates. The mosaic of habitats comprises a range of vegetation from open pioneer communities, with a high proportion of bare ground, and a low cover of plants, through to more established grassland and pioneer woodland. The pioneer communities are largely composed of plant species readily able to colonise areas of bare ground and are tolerant of low nutrient availability and drought conditions. The aggregation of woodland, scrub, grassland, ephemeral habitats, aquatic features and bare ground is considered to meet the definition of the UKBAP habitat, Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land (Maddock 2008).
5.2 There are also a range of other habitats located at the periphery of the site, including semi- natural woodland, ponds, ditches, hedgerows and semi-improved grassland which occur on deeper and more nutrient-rich soils. These are more typical of the wider countryside in south Derbyshire than the pioneer habitats that make up the largest proportion of the site.
5.3 Desk study records indicate the ephemeral vegetation present across the central and northern area of the site supports two Locally Scarce (Moyes and Wilmot 2009) plant species. One of these, small cudweed, was recorded during the survey, together with an assemblage of plants that are of restricted distribution in Derbyshire, including common centaury, fairy flax and parsley piert. An 2009 FPCR Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the site (FPCR 2009b) recorded several additional species of this type, including early hair-grass (Aira praecox), silver hair- grass (Aira caryophyllea), squirrel-tail fescue (Vulpia bromoides), rat’s-tail fescue (Vulpia myuros), fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum) and bee orchid (Ophrys apifera). The survey also found notable botanical interest within the semi-improved grasslands to the east of the site including common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and southern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa). The 2009 survey also found a single hedgerow of Grade I HEGS quality (Clements and Toft 1992) and eight hedgerows of Grade II quality.
5.4 Notable vegetation changes since 2009 included an expansion of silver birch woodland across the northern part of the site, although much of this had been cleared prior to the survey. The remaining habitats were considered not to have changed significantly since the FPCR survey in 2009. The observed changes in the vegetation of the site are typical of the habitats present. In the absence of management the quickest succession would be within the areas of broken stony substrate, sand and fuel-ash, which are likely to continue to acquire cover of pioneer tree species.
5.5 In the longer-term the following changes may also be expected. Through accumulations of leaf- litter the open thinly vegetated areas may subsequently accumulate a rudimentary soil, which would allow longer-lived tree species to colonise and form more permanent woodland. Most intact areas of hardstanding would be likely to acquire a thin tree cover in cracks and fissures, or be encroached by tall ruderal vegetation from their edges. Established areas of grassland on deeper soils are likely to acquire scrub and then woodland cover. The ponds are likely to accumulate silt and other debris and to undergo further succession to swamp and wet woodland. The rate of ecological succession in the most valued areas, the ephemeral and semi-improved grassland, is likely to be quite high with a consequent diminution in the extent and quality of these habitats.
5.6 The survey was conducted early in 2013, which was marked by particularly poor early growth of plants, largely as a result of the unseasonably wet weather and therefore many of the valuable
Ref. No. 130170 26 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
plant species listed by FPCR 2009b were not re-recorded. The condition of the site was such that this deficit in plant species is considered to be a function of the season in which the survey was undertaken and not deterioration in site quality. The findings of this survey are therefore in agreement with those of the 2009 habitat report.
5.7 The Section 36 consent requires a habitat creation scheme, based on that outlined in the 2009 ES, to be approved before development commences. Given the anticipated delay between this survey and commencement of development at the site, a further botanical survey is recommended prior to drafting the habitat creation scheme. This would allow the scheme to take account of changes such as shifts in the vegetation communities and potential colonisation by valuable species.
5.8 The Section 36 consent also requires a scheme for the control of invasive species to be approved prior to development of the site commencing. The site contains cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.) at various locations. All cotoneaster species are listed on Schedule 9 of the WCA 1981 (as amended) and it is an offence to “plant or otherwise cause to grow” such species in the wild. It is recommended that any plans for clearance of vegetation include a risk assessment and robust strategy for removal and disposal of cotoneaster. A repeat botanical survey (Para 5.7) would include the production of a map of the locations of cotoneaster and any other invasive plant species within the site.
Bats
5.9 No bats or signs of bats were recorded during the survey. A total of seven above-ground structures, to the south-west of the site, and a number of subterranean structures, within the northern part of the site (see Para 5.53), were assessed as having potential to support bat roosts. It was considered that the buildings were most likely to support day roosts or night-time feeding perches, whereas the subterranean structures could support hibernating bats. In addition, a number of trees were considered to have some potential to support roosting bats.
5.10 It is recommended that further surveys are carried out on all structures and trees that have the potential to support bats, to determine whether they function as bat roosts, in accordance with the guidance set out in Hundt (2012). It should be noted that, should a bat roost be located within any of the structures or trees, a Natural England European Protected Species (EPS) development licence would be needed to enable any works to take place. Such activities would broadly include building demolition and alteration or tree felling and pruning.
5.11 Due to the diversity and relative species-richness of the habitats present, which are likely to support large populations of flying invertebrate prey, the site is predicted to provide medium to high quality foraging habitat for bats in the local area. The proximity of the site to the Trent and Mersey Canal, which is likely to function as a commuting and foraging corridor for local bat populations, further enhances its value as a commuting route. These conclusions are supported by the 2009 ES, which details the results of bat surveys between 2005 and 2009. A total of seven, possibly eight bat species were recorded during these surveys, with the key areas for bat activity being at the periphery of the site, along the linear tree belts and hedgerows.
5.12 As discussed, in paragraphs 5.1 - 5.5, it is considered that the habitats present on the site have not changed appreciably in either quality or extent since 2009. The general stasis in the habitats suggests that the broad findings of the 2009 bat activity survey are still valid. However, the Section 36 consent requires a scheme to mitigate the effects of the development on protected species to be approved before development commences. Given the anticipated delay between this survey and commencement of development at the site, a further bat activity survey is recommended prior to drafting the scheme. This would allow the scheme to take
Ref. No. 130170 27 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
account of changes such as shifts in the local bat populations that might be outwith the influence of habitat changes on the site.
Badger
5.13 Two active outlier setts were located within the power station site, both consisted of two holes and therefore were considered to be outlier setts. No main setts were recorded within the site. A likely main sett was observed just outside the site boundary.
5.14 DWT provided one record of a badger sett within the site. The presence of two latrines and an abundance of foraging signs in the area given for the sett suggest it is likely to remain active, however. The sett was not located during the survey, probably due to it being concealed by the thick vegetation that is a feature of the area.
5.15 It is considered that most of the site provides suitable undisturbed foraging habitat for badgers. It is considered that the central belt of pioneer woodland and scrub, and woodland associated with the railway corridor, provides cover for badgers to commute throughout the site. Foraging signs were also observed within the large open area to the north of the central belt of woodland and scrub, however, the sandy nature of the soils and abundant disturbance of the ground by rabbits makes determining more exact levels of use of this area difficult.
5.16 On the basis of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey it is considered that badgers regularly forage within and commute across the site. The site contains two outlier setts and may contain a larger sett.
5.17 The Section 36 consent requires a scheme to mitigate the effects of the development on protected species to be approved before development commences. Given the anticipated delay between this survey and commencement of development at the site, a further badger survey is recommended prior to drafting the scheme. As badgers are a mobile species, known for readily colonising new areas, this would allow the scheme to take account of changes in the distribution of setts and use of foraging habitats within the site.
Birds
5.18 In total 38 bird species were recorded during the survey. These included 14 notable species comprising 13 Birds of Conservation Concern and a single Schedule 1 species. It was considered that all the species recorded, apart from swallow, could potentially breed on the site.
5.19 In addition to peregrine, the site was noted to have potential to support other Schedule 1 birds. Little ringed plover was considered very likely to be present in most years and black redstart was considered to be likely on passage, but less likely to breed. This conclusion is supported through records for the site that date back to 1992
5.20 As the habitats available for breeding birds have not changed appreciably since 2009, it is considered the mitigation and compensation measures for breeding birds proposed the 2009 ES remain valid. An additional notable bird species, snipe, to the 56 recorded on the site since 1992 was recorded during the survey. It is not considered the presence of this species significantly affects the conclusions of the 2009 ES and, therefore, no specific mitigation measures are proposed.
5.21 The notable exception to this is the return of peregrine to the site as a breeding species. A pair of peregrines was recorded in the cooling tower nest box several times during the survey and the birds were seen displaying over the site. Although the 2009 ES provides compensatory
Ref. No. 130170 28 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
measures for peregrine, these were formulated in respect of the birds’ absence from the site. Now they have returned it is considered that temporary mitigation is required in order to bridge the gap in habitat availability between demolition of the cooling towers (the current nest site) and construction of the new power station, where the compensatory nest boxes would be located.
5.22 The Section 36 consent requires a scheme to mitigate the effects of the development on protected species to be approved before development commences. Given the anticipated delay between this survey and commencement of development at the site, a further breeding bird survey is recommended prior to drafting the scheme. This would allow the scheme to take account of changes in the avifauna of the site that may have occurred since 2009.
5.23 The Section 36 consent also requires site clearance to take account of breeding birds by timing all operations to fall outwith the period 1st March to 30th September, unless a suitably qualified ecologist has confirmed that clearance will not affect nesting birds. It should be noted that some resident bird species can breed outwith this period, and therefore it is recommended that site clearance does not take place at any time without prior inspection of bird breeding habitat by a suitably experienced ecologist.
Great Crested Newts
5.24 No GCN were observed on the site during the survey. Several ponds and ditches within the site were considered to provide suitable breeding habitat for GCN. The remaining flooded basements and ephemeral waterbodies were considered to provide poor quality habitat. This conclusion is supported by the results of a GCN survey carried out in 2009 (FPCR 2009c) which found a medium population of GCN in Pond 1 and small numbers of smooth newts in Ponds 2 and 4 and in Ephemeral waterbodies 8 and 9, which appear to have contracted substantially since 2009.
5.25 It is considered likely that GCN colonised Pond 1 via the Derby to Birmingham railway line which, although sparsely vegetated in places, offers a direct link to other ponds containing GCN to the west of Willington and potentially to the north of the site. The quality of terrestrial habitats for GCN on the site is considered variable. Vegetation in the vicinity of the confirmed breeding pond is sparse and provides little cover for dispersal or foraging, although hibernacula are well provided. Vegetation around Ponds 2 and 4 is much more suitable.
5.26 Given an increase in the GCN population was observed between the 2008 and 2009 surveys, it is considered reasonable to assume that GCN are still present on the power station site. If the population in Pond 1 has continued to expand, some individuals may have been driven to seek alternative breeding habitat. Although terrestrial habitats in the vicinity of the breeding pond are largely unfavourable for GCN, dispersing animals would only need to cross around 100m of open ground to reach the more densely vegetated belt of grassland, woodland and scrub which divides the former sidings from the power station area. This belt of vegetation provides suitable cover for dispersal, together with foraging opportunities, which could have enabled GCN to reach Ponds 2 and 4. As demonstrated by the colonisation of Pond 1, GCN are capable of moving considerable distances, even across seemingly unsuitable habitat and, therefore, expansion of GCN within the site cannot be ruled out.
5.27 The results of previous surveys in 2008 and 2009 suggest that an EPS licence in respect of this species will need to be in place before development of the site can commence. Furthermore, the Section 36 consent requires a scheme to mitigate the effects of the development on protected species to be approved before development commences. In order to satisfy this
Ref. No. 130170 29 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
condition, and to collect the required information for an EPS licence application a further GCN survey of the site will be required.
Reptiles
5.28 No reptiles, or signs of reptiles, were recorded during the field survey. Habitats within and adjacent to the site are considered to be suitable for common lizard, slow worm and grass snake. No reptile records were provided by DWT, however, it is widely recognised that reptiles are under-recorded. A lack of records should therefore not be taken to indicate a lack of reptile populations within an area. The Derby to Birmingham railway line provides a potential dispersal corridor for reptiles and therefore their presence on the site cannot be ruled out.
5.29 The Section 36 consent requires a scheme to mitigate the effects of the development on protected species to be approved before development commences. Given the risk that reptiles may have colonised the site a reptile survey is required in order to inform the mitigation scheme.
Water Vole
5.30 No water voles or signs of water voles were recorded during the field survey. Suitable habitat for water voles is present in two ditches to the north of the site (D2 and D4). Other ditches within the site lack suitable vegetation within the channel and on their banks to support water vole.
5.31 DWT provided numerous records of water vole from the Trent and Mersey Canal, to the north of the power station site. Several culverts, of around 60m length, under the railway line link the site to the canal. However, due to the length of the culverts it is considered that colonisation of the site by water voles from the canal is unlikely and, furthermore, if water voles were able to colonise the site, their dispersal would be significantly hindered by the isolation of suitable breeding areas by further long culverts. This conclusion is supported by the results of a water vole survey carried out in 2009 by FPCR (FPCR 2009d), which found no evidence of water voles within the site.
5.32 As a precautionary measure, due to the proximity of the Trent and Mersey Canal and potential linkages via the ditches at the north-western edge of the railway sidings area between this waterway and the power station site, it is recommended that a water vole survey is carried out. The survey would determine whether water voles had colonised the site since 2009 and thus inform the protected species mitigation scheme required under the Section 36 consent.
Summary of Recommendations
5.33 Results from this Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey do not indicate any significant ecological changes on the Willington C Power Station site to that reported in the power station EIA.
5.34 The area within the works limits within the WCPS site is approximately 41ha, which provides enough scope to avoid any sensitive areas given works are relatively small-scale, limited in scope, largely temporary in nature and the pipeline will enter the power station from an underground drill.
5.35 It is proposed to repeat some ecological surveys prior to commencement of pipeline construction to include any pipeline construction work within the Willington Power Station site. The scope of these surveys and appropriate mitigation during construction will be agreed in
Ref. No. 130170 30 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
advance through consultation with Natural England prior to submission to the Local Planning in order to discharge requirements. The Environment Agency has specifically requested (in their letter dated 19th December 2011) that white-clawed crayfish and water vole surveys should be repeated as these species are mobile and could have moved into the construction area.
5.36 Table 8 provides a summary of recommendations for possible further survey work at the site. The scope of pre-construction surveys will be agreed in consultation with Natural England with survey results informing an ecological management plan.
Table 8. Recommendations for Further Survey Work Recommended Survey Recommended Timing Habitat Survey Late May/ early June. Structure / tree inspections at any time. Activity surveys a Bat Survey spread of visits between March and September. Badger Survey Any time of year. Spring and autumn are the optimum times. Breeding Bird Survey April to June inclusive. GCN Survey April to June inclusive. Reptile Survey Optimum months are April, May and September. Water Vole Survey Any time of year.
Ref. No. 130170 31 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
6. REFERENCES
Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG), 2010. ARG Advice Note 5 - Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index. ARG, UK. http://www.arguk.org/advice-and-guidance/view-category
Clements, D. & Toft, R., 1992. Hedgerow Evaluation and Grading System (HEGS) – a methodology for the ecological survey, evaluation and grading of hedgerows, Countryside Planning and Management.
Eaton, M. A., Brown, A. F., Musgrove, A. J., Hearn, R., Aebischer, N. J., Gibbons D. W., Evans, A. and Gregory, R. D., 2009. Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. British Birds. 102: 296-341.
Ferguson-Lees, J., Castell, R. and Leech, D., 2012. A Field Guide to Monitoring Nests. British Trust for Ornithology.
FPCR 2009a. Appendix 10.8 to Willington C CCGT Environmental Statement - Breeding Bird Survey. Unpubl.
FPCR, 2009b. Appendix 10.3 to Willington C CCGT Environmental Statement - Phase 1 Habitat Survey. Unpubl.
FPCR, 2009c. Appendix 10.10a to Willington C CCGT Environmental Statement - Great Crested Newt Survey. Unpubl.
FPCR, 2009d. Appendix 10.12 to Willington C CCGT Environmental Statement - Water Vole and Otter Survey. Unpubl.
Hundt L,. 2012. Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines. Bat Conservation Trust.
Institute of Environmental Assessment, 1995. Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment. E&FN Spon, London.
JNCC, 2011. Conservation Designations Spreadsheet, October 2011. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3408
JNCC, 2010. Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey – a technique for environmental audit. Joint Nature Conservation Committee (revised edition 2010).
Maddock, A., 2008 (Updated 2011). UK Biodiversity Action Plan; Priority Habitat Descriptions. Biodiversity Reporting and Information Group. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5718
Moyes, N.J. and Willmot, A., 2009. Red Data List of Derbyshire’s Vascular Plants. Derby Museum & Art Gallery.
RWE npower, 2009. Willington C CCGT Environmental Statement. Unpublished.
Snow, D.W. and Perrins, C.M. (eds), 1998. The Birds of the Western Palearctic - Concise Edition. Oxford University Press.
Stace, C., (ed). 2010. New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press.
Stewart, A., Pearman, D.A. and Preston, C.D. (1994) Scarce Plants in Britain. JNCC
Ref. No. 130170 32 RWE npower June 2013 Willington C Power Station Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report
FIGURES
430000 430500 431000 431500
Legend Willington Power Station (ownership boundary) Phase I Habitats A1.1.1 Semi-natural broadleaved woodland A1.1.1/A2.1 Semi-natural broadleaved woodland/dense scrub A1.1.2 Broadleaved plantation woodland A1.3.2 Mixed plantation woodland !H18 !H32 329500 329500 !H28 A2.1 Dense/continuous scrub E !H19 E EA2.2 Scattered scrub ! !H A3.1 Broad-leaved parkland/scattered trees 17 ! ! SI B2.1 Neutral unimproved grassland !H16 !H31 B2.1/J1.3 Neutral unimproved grassland/ephemeral-short perennial !H30 B2.2 Neutral semi-improved grassland !H29 C3.1 Tall herb and fern - ruderal G1; G2.1 Standing water SI J1.2 Amenity grassland !H20 J1.3 Ephemeral/short perennial J1.3/A1.1.1 Ephemeral/short perennial & semi-natural broadleaved woodland D ! !J1.3/J4 Ephemeral/short perennial & bare ground J1.4 Introduced shrub !H33 J3.6 Building ! ! !H21 ! J4 Bare ground G2 Running water !H34 !H Target note !H13 !H35 !H15 !H22 !H14
!H23 SI 329000 329000 !H12 !H8 !H4 !H9 !H10 !H36 !H5
!H6
!H3
!H7 SI
!H2 SI !H11 !H1 !H SI 24 SI A A !H !H25 27 !H26
A A 328500 328500
430000 430500 431000 431500
Title: Project Name British National Grid Willington C Power Station Gas Pipeline RWE npower Projection: Transverse Mercator Windmill Hill Business Park False Easting: 400000.000000 False Northing: -100000.000000 Discipline Swindon Central Meridian: -2.000000 ISO A3 Willington Power Ecology SN5 6PB Scale Factor: 0.999601 ´ Latitude Of Origin: 49.000000 Scale Drawing No. Station 1:5,000 Figure 1 Metres Penny Anderson Associates Ltd, Phase I Habitats Drawn By Originator Date Parklea, 60 Park Road, CC GJH MAY 2013 025 50 100 150 200 Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6SN. PAA Ref. Revision Telephone 01298 27086 G:\RWEN01_Willington_Pipeline\Maps\2013 A
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2013. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100017907 © Copyright RWE npower plc. 430000 430500 431000 431500 329500 329500 P3
D3 D4 P2 P4a P5
D5
P1 E1 E2
D6a
D6 329000 329000
B1
B2
B3
D1 B9 B4 B5 B7 B6 B8 328500 328500
430000 430500 431000 431500
Title: Project Name British National Grid Legend Willington C Power Station Gas Pipeline RWE npower Projection: Transverse Mercator Windmill Hill Business Park False Easting: 400000.000000 False Northing: -100000.000000 Discipline Swindon Central Meridian: -2.000000 ISO A3 Willington Power Station (ownership boundary) Willington Power Ecology SN5 6PB Scale Factor: 0.999601 ´ Latitude Of Origin: 49.000000 Waterbody Scale Drawing No. Station 1:5,000 Figure 2 Metres Penny Anderson Associates Ltd, Waterbodies Drawn By Originator Date Parklea, 60 Park Road, CC GJH MAY 2013 025 50 100 150 200 Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6SN. PAA Ref. Revision Telephone 01298 27086 G:\RWEN01_Willington_Pipeline\Maps\2013 A
Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2013. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100017907 © Copyright RWE npower plc. 426000 427000 428000 429000 430000 431000 432000 433000 434000 435000
Protected Species Records 332000 332000 SK3231 Water vole (!} )"X Amphibian - Common toad SK3030 SK3331 SK3130 Water vole )"X Amphibian - Great crested newt Red data list plant Water vole (x2) Red data list plant (x4) )"X (!G Bird - Lapwing Wall butterfly Dunnock (x2) ! (!G Bird - Reed Bunting (} House sparrow SK3129 (!} (!G Bird - Song Thrush Red data list plant (x2) X Skylark (!} )" Song thrush (!} (!G Bird - Yellowhammer Starling (!} (!% Invertebrate - Cinnabar moth Willow tit (x2) (!} SK3230 Yellowhammer Water vole (!% Invertebrate - Garden Tiger moth 331000 331000 (!} (!} (!} (!% Invertebrate - Latticed Heath moth (!} SK3029 (!% Invertebrate - Wall butterfly Red data list plant (x5) (!: Mammal - Brown Hare Water vole (x2) (!: (!G (!}(!}(!} (!: Mammal - Otter (!} (!} (!} (!G (!M (!M (!}(!} (!} (!} SK3229 (!: Water vole Mammal - Water vole (!%GM (!} (!} (!M (!} Red data list plant (!M Red data list plant (!M (!%M (!} )"X Reptile - Grass snake (!M (!} Veteran tree 330000 330000 (!} (!G SK3329 Water vole
SK3128 (!M (!M Water vole (!} (!} (!M SK2829 ()!"XG(!M (!M Red data list plant (!M (!M(!M (!: (!} (!:(!: (!M (!G SK3228 Water vole 329000 329000 (!G (!M (!M Red data list plant (x4) (!: (!} (!M (!} (!} (!G (!} (!G (!} (!: SK2828 (!} Red data list plant )"X (!} (!} (!} X )"X SK3227 (!:M (!)"M)"X (!M : Red data list plant (!M (!: (! (!} 328000 328000 (!: (!M SK2928 (!M Red data list plant (x3) (!: Water vole (x3) (!% (!}(!} (!M (!: (!: Willington Gravel Pits (!} (!M )"X (!: (!M (!: (!: (!M Bullfinch M X )"X (!} (!} (! Cuckoo )" (!M : Curlew (!:M (!M (!}(!} Dunnock (!} Grasshopper warbler (!}(!} Lapwing (!} 327000 327000 Lesser-spotted woodpecker (!G Linnet (!: Reed bunting (!G Skylark SK2927 (!G Song thrush Red data list plant (x3) !G Starling ( Water vole SK2927 Tree sparrow SK3127 Common toad Red data list plant Red data list plant Willow tit (!: Water vole SK3027 Yellowhammer Red data list plant
426000 427000 428000 429000 430000 431000 432000 433000 434000 435000
Title: Project Name British National Grid Willington C Power Station Gas Pipeline RWE npower Projection: Transverse Mercator Willington Power Station (ownership boundary) Windmill Hill Business Park False Easting: 400000.000000 False Northing: -100000.000000 Discipline Swindon Central Meridian: -2.000000 ISO A3 2km buffer of Power Station Willington Power Ecology SN5 6PB Scale Factor: 0.999601 ´ Latitude Of Origin: 49.000000 Scale Drawing No. Protected species records within 1km grid square Station 1:25,000 Figure 3a Metres Penny Anderson Associates Ltd, Desk Study Results Drawn By Originator Date Parklea, 60 Park Road, CC GJH MAY 2013 0100 200 400 600 800 Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6SN. Birds listed are UK Biodiversity Action Plan species only PAA Ref. Revision Telephone 01298 27086 G:\RWEN01_Willington_Pipeline\Maps\2013 A Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2013. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100017907 © Copyright RWE npower plc. 426000 427000 428000 429000 430000 431000 432000 433000 434000 435000 332000 332000 331000 331000 (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (! (!(! (! (! (! (! (! (! 330000 330000 (! (! (! (!(! (! (! (!
(! 329000 329000
(!(! (!(!
(!(! (!(! 328000 328000 (! (!(! (!(!(! (!(! (! (! (! (!(!(! (!(! (! (!(! (!(! (! (!(! (! (!(! (! (! (! (! (! 327000 327000
426000 427000 428000 429000 430000 431000 432000 433000 434000 435000
Title: Project Name British National Grid (! Myotis daubentoni (! Pipistrellus pipistrellus Willington C Power Station Gas Pipeline RWE npower Projection: Transverse Mercator Willington Power Station (ownership boundary) Willington Power Windmill Hill Business Park False Easting: 400000.000000 False Northing: -100000.000000 Discipline Swindon Central Meridian: -2.000000 ISO A3 2km buffer of Power Station (! Nyctalus species (! Pipistrellus pygmaeus Ecology SN5 6PB Scale Factor: 0.999601 Station ´ Latitude Of Origin: 49.000000 Scale Drawing No. Bat Records (! Pipistrellus species (! Plecotus auritus Desk Study Results 1:25,000 Figure 3b Metres Penny Anderson Associates Ltd, (! Drawn By Originator Date Parklea, 60 Park Road, Myotis species (! Pipistrellus nathusii (! Unspecified bat species Bats CC GJH MAY 2013 0100 200 400 600 800 Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6SN. PAA Ref. Revision Telephone 01298 27086 G:\RWEN01_Willington_Pipeline\Maps\2013 A Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown Copyright and database right 2013. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100017907 © Copyright RWE npower plc.
PLATES
Plate 1: Ephemeral vegetation
Plate 2: Intact hardstanding Plate 3: Birch woodland
Plate 4: Woodland to NW Plate 5: SI grassland to SW
Plate 6: Central UI grassland Plate 7: Neutral SI grassland
Plate 8: Pond 1 Plate 9: Pond 2
Plate 10: Pond 4 Plate 11: Pond 3
Plate 12: Pond 4a Plate 13: Ephemeral pond W
Plate 14: Ephemeral pond E Plate 15: Deep Basement
Plate 16: Flooded basement Plate 17: Woodland ditch
Plate 18: Ditch 2 Plate 19: Ditch 5
Plate 20: Ditch 6a Plate 21: Offices
Plate 22: Bar Plate 23: Scout Hut P l a t e
2 3 :
S c o u t
H u
Plate 24: Outbuildings 1 Plate 25: Outbuildings 2
Plate 26: TN14 Subterranean access Plate 27: TN21 Basement access
Plate 28: TN24 Deep basement Plate 29: Sand martin tubes
Plate 30: Disused railway to NW2 Plate 31: SI grassland reptile potential
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I SUMMARY OF PROTECTED SPECIES LEGISLATION
APPENDIX 1 SUMMARY OF PROTECTED SPECIES LEGISLATION The text given below provides a brief summary of the legislation in relation to the species or species group in England and Wales. The original Acts, Regulations and any amendments should be referred to for the precise wording.
Bats
All wild species of bat are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, which has also been amended by later legislation, including the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, and this legislation is applicable to England and Wales. Bats are listed on Schedule 5 of the WCA and are therefore subject to some the provisions of Section 9 which, with the amendments, make it an offence to: Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection (S9:4b). Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a bat (S9:4c). There are additional offences in relation to buying and selling (S9:5) any live or dead animal of this species or anything derived from them.
Bat species are also listed under Annexes IIa and IVa of the EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the ‘Habitats Directive’. Inclusion on Annex IVa means they are consequently identified as European Protected Species (EPS) and protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 state that a person commits an offence if they: (a) deliberately capture, injure or kill any wild animal of a European protected species, (b) deliberately disturb wild animals of any such species, in such a way as – (i) to impair their ability to survive, to breed or reproduce, or to rear their young, or (ii) in the case of animals of a hibernating or migratory species, to hibernate or migrate, or (iii) to affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong; (c) deliberately take or destroy the eggs of such an animal, or (d) damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal. Under these Regulations it is an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place whether the animal is in occupation or not, and protection extends to all life stages of the animal in question. There are additional offences relating to possession, control and sale of a live or dead bat or part of such an animal.
In addition, under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP), seven native British bat species, including the soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) and the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), that are frequently found in buildings, are listed as a ‘Priority Species’. UKBAP Priority Species are also referred to as ‘species of principal importance’ for the conservation of biodiversity in England and Wales within Section 74 of the CRoW Act 2000, and Sections 41 (England) and 42 (Wales) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. Section 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible. The NPPF also includes the requirement to contribute to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity and to promote the reservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local
Last Updated April 2012
targets. Reference is made to Circular 06/2005 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact within the Planning System in respect of statutory obligations for biodiversity and geodiversity conservation. Local authorities in England are required to ensure that where significant harm resulting from development cannot be avoided (through locating on alternative sites with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, planning permission is refused. The commitment to preserving, restoring or enhancing biodiversity is further emphasised for England and Wales in Section 40 of the NERC Act 2006.
Badgers
Badgers (Meles meles) are not an endangered species but have a long history of persecution and cruelty. As such, badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as amended), which makes it illegal for any person to kill, injure or take a badger. It is also an offence to destroy, damage or obstruct a badger sett, or to disturb a badger whilst it is within a sett. There are also additional offences relating to possession of, buying and selling a dead badger, or anything derived from a badger, and causing a dog to enter a sett.
The Act defines a sett as ‘any structure or place which displays signs of current use by a badger’. Setts are defined by English Nature (1995) as ‘usually underground tunnel systems providing shelter for badgers, but may include other structures used by badgers such as hay bales, drainage culverts, or cellars’. ‘Current use’ is more difficult to define but is usually interpreted by the presence/absence of badger field signs over several observations of the sett (Natural England 2006).
Section 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible. The NPPF also includes the requirement to contribute to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity and to promote the reservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets. Reference is made to Circular 06/2005 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact within the Planning System in respect of statutory obligations for biodiversity and geodiversity conservation.
Local authorities in England are required to consider the likelihood of any proposed development adversely affecting badgers’ foraging territory, or links between them, or significantly increasing the likelihood of road or rail casualties amongst badger populations. The planning guidance for Wales, Technical Advice Note (Wales) 5, identifies the need to comply with the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.
Birds All Breeding Birds
All wild species of breeding birds and their nests are protected under Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, as amended by later legislation including the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. This legislation applies in England and Wales.
Part 1 (Section 1:1) of the WCA states that: 'If any person intentionally, (a) kills, injures or takes any wild bird; (b) takes, damages or destroys the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built; or (c) takes or destroys an egg of any wild bird, he shall be guilty of an offence.'
Last Updated April 2012
Part 1 (Section 1:5) of the WCA (amended by the CRoW Act 2000) refers to specific birds listed on Schedule 1 of the WCA, and states that: 'If any person intentionally or recklessly, (a) disturbs any wild bird included in Schedule 1 while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; or (b) disturbs dependent young of such a bird, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a special penalty.’
Schedule 1 includes birds such as barn owl (Tyto alba), black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), wood lark (Lullula arborea) and Cetti’s warbler (Cettia cetti). Please refer to the WCA for a complete list of Schedule 1 species.
Some provisions are made to allow the killing and taking of certain species under certain circumstances, as follows: Birds listed on Schedule 2 (Part 1) of the Act may be taken or killed outside of the ‘close season’ for each individual species (the ‘close season’ is defined by the Act). This includes various wild duck and geese species. Birds listed on Schedule 2 (Part 2) of the Act may be killed or taken by authorised persons at all times. This includes species such as carrion crow (Corvus corone), black-billed magpie (Pica pica), feral pigeon (Columba livia) and greater Canada goose (Branta candadensis). An ‘authorised person’ is defined as a person who has written authorisation to undertake the act from the relevant statutory authority. The written authority is in the form of a licence, either a general licence which covers a number of the more typical ‘pest’ species, or an individual licence for other individual species. In England these licences are issued by Natural England and in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Schedule 1 Bird Species All wild species of breeding birds and their nests are protected under Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, as amended by later legislation including the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. Certain species are additionally protected as they are listed on Schedule 1 of the WCA. These Schedule 1 birds, their nests, eggs and young are protected by special penalties.
Part 1 (Section 1:1) of the WCA states that:
'If any person intentionally, (a) kills, injures or takes any wild bird; (b) takes, damages or destroys the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built; or (c) takes or destroys an egg of any wild bird, he shall be guilty of an offence.'
Part 1 (Section 1:5) of the WCA (amended by the CRoW Act 2000) states that: 'If any person intentionally or recklessly, (a) disturbs any wild bird included in Schedule 1 while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; or (b) disturbs dependent young of such a bird, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a special penalty.'
Some of the species included on Schedule 1 are listed below (please note this list is not exhaustive):
Last Updated April 2012
Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Barn owl Tyto alba Merlin Falco columbarius Black redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Osprey Pandion haliaetus Brambling Fringilla montifringilla Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Cetti’s warbler Cettia cetti Common quail Coturnix coturnix Cirl bunting Emberiza cirlus Red kite Milvus milvus Corn crake Crex crex Red-backed shrike Lanius collurio Dartford warbler Sylvia undata Red-billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Eurasian dotterel Charadrius morinellus Redwing Turdus iliacus Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Savi's warbler Locustella luscinioides Common greenshank Tringa nebularia Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Common kingfisher Alcedo atthis Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus Little plover Charadrius dubius Wood lark Lullula arborea
Birds of Conservation Concern 3 (Eaton et al. 2009). Under this approach bird populations are assessed using quantitative criteria to determine the population status of each species, and then placed on one of three lists: Red, Amber or Green. Red list species are of high conservation concern, having declined by 50% or more in population or breeding range in the last 25 years. Amber listed species are of medium conservation concern, having suffered between 25% and 49% reduction in breeding or non-breeding populations, breeding or wintering ranges. Green list species have a favourable conservation status.
Great Crested Newts
Great crested (or warty) newts (Triturus cristatus) (GCN) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, which has been also amended by various legislation including the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, and this legislation is applicable to England and Wales. Great crested newts are listed on Schedule 5 of the WCA and are therefore subject to some the provisions of Section 9 which, with the amendments, make it an offence to: Intentionally or recklessly disturb a GCN while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection (S9:4b). Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a GCN (S9:4c). There are additional offences in relation to buying and selling (S9:5) any live or dead animal of this species or anything derived from them.
Great crested newts are also listed under Annexes IIa and IVa of EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the ‘Habitats Directive’. Inclusion on Annex IVa means they are consequently identified as European Protected Species (EPS) and protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 state that a person commits an offence if they: (a) deliberately capture, injure or kill any wild animal of a European protected species, (b) deliberately disturb wild animals of any such species, in such a way as – (i) to impair their ability to survive, to breed or reproduce, or to rear their young, or
Last Updated April 2012
(ii) in the case of animals of a hibernating or migratory species, to hibernate or migrate, or (iii) to affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong; (c) deliberately take or destroy the eggs of such an animal, or (d) damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal. Under these Regulations it is an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place, whether the animal is in occupation or not, and protection extends to all life stages of the animal in question. There are additional offences relating to possession, control and sale of a live or dead GCN or part of such an animal.
In addition, GCN are listed as a ‘Priority Species’ under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP). UKBAP Priority Species are also referred to as ‘species of principal importance’ for the conservation of biodiversity. UK BAP Priority Species are also referred to as ‘species of principal importance’ for the conservation of biodiversity in England and Wales within Section 74 of the CRoW Act 2000, and Sections 41 (England) and 42 (Wales) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. Section 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible. The NPPF also includes the requirement to contribute to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity and to promote the reservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets. Reference is made to Circular 06/2005 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact within the Planning System in respect of statutory obligations for biodiversity and geodiversity conservation. Local authorities in England are required to ensure that where significant harm resulting from development cannot be avoided (through locating on alternative sites with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, planning permission is refused. The commitment to preserving, restoring or enhancing biodiversity is further emphasised for England and Wales in Section 40 of the NERC Act 2006.
Otters
Otters (Lutra lutra), also known as European otters, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, which has also been amended by various later legislation including the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, and this legislation is applicable to England and Wales. Otters are listed on Schedule 5 of the WCA and are, therefore, subject to some the provisions of Section 9 which, with the amendments, make it an offence to: Intentionally or recklessly disturb an otter while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection (S9:4b). Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by an otter (S9:4c). There are additional offences in relation to buying and selling (S9:5) any live or dead animal of this species or anything derived from them.
Otters are also listed under Annexes IIa and IVa of EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the ‘Habitats Directive’. Inclusion on Annex IVa means they are consequently identified as European Protected Species (EPS) and protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 state that a person commits an offence if they: (a) deliberately capture, injure or kill any wild animal of a European protected species, (b) deliberately disturb wild animals of any such species, in such a way as – (i) to impair their ability to survive, to breed or reproduce, or to rear their young, or
Last Updated April 2012
(ii) in the case of animals of a hibernating or migratory species, to hibernate or migrate, or (iii) to affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong; (c) deliberately take or destroy the eggs of such an animal, or (d) damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal. Under these Regulations it is an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place, whether the animal is in occupation or not, and protection extends to all life stages of the animal in question. There are additional offences relating to possession, control and sale of a live or dead otter or part of such an animal. In addition, otters are listed as a ‘Priority Species’ in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP). UKBAP Priority Species are also referred to as ‘species of principal importance’ for the conservation of biodiversity in England and Wales within Section 74 of the CRoW Act 2000, and Sections 41 (England) and 42 (Wales) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. Section 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible. The NPPF also includes the requirement to contribute to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity and to promote the reservation, restoration and re- creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets. Reference is made to Circular 06/2005 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact within the Planning System in respect of statutory obligations for biodiversity and geodiversity conservation. Local authorities in England are required to ensure that where significant harm resulting from development cannot be avoided (through locating on alternative sites with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, planning permission is refused. The commitment to preserving, restoring or enhancing biodiversity is further emphasised for England and Wales in Section 40 of the NERC Act 2006.
Reptiles
All six of the native British reptile species are afforded varying degrees of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, as amended by various later legislation, and this legislation is applicable to England and Wales. All six species are listed on Schedule 5 of the WCA.
The four widespread species, common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), grass snake (Natrix natrix) and adder (Vipera berus) are afforded part protection under Section 9(1), making it an offence to intentionally kill or injure any of these species of reptile. The two rarer species, sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) and smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), are subject to a greater degree of protection under Section 9(4) which, with the amendments, make it (in brief) an offence to: Intentionally or recklessly disturb a sand lizard or smooth snake while it is occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection (S9:4b); or Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place a sand lizard or smooth snake uses for shelter or protection (S9:4c). All six species are afforded protection from buying, selling or exchange under Section 9(5) of the WCA.
Sand lizard and smooth snake are also listed under Annexes IIa and IVa of EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the ‘Habitats Directive’. Inclusion on Annex IVa means they are consequently identified as European Protected Species (EPS) and protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 state that a person commits an offence if they: (a) deliberately capture, injure or kill any wild animal of a European protected species, (b) deliberately disturb wild animals of any such species, in such a way as –
Last Updated April 2012
(i) to impair their ability to survive, to breed or reproduce, or to rear their young, or
(ii) in the case of animals of a hibernating or migratory species, to hibernate or migrate, or
(iii) to affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong; (c) deliberately take or destroy the eggs of such an animal, or (d) damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal. Under these Regulations it is an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place whether the animal is in occupation or not, and protection extends to all life stages of the animal in question. There are additional offences relating to possession, control and sale of a live or dead sand lizard or smooth snake or part of such an animal.
In addition, all six reptile species are listed as ‘Priority Species’ under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP). UKBAP Priority Species are also referred to as ‘species of principal importance’ for the conservation of biodiversity in England and Wales within Section 74 of the CRoW Act 2000, and Sections 41 (England) and 42 (Wales) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. Section 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible. The NPPF also includes the requirement to contribute to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity and to promote the reservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets. Reference is made to Circular 06/2005 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact within the Planning System in respect of statutory obligations for biodiversity and geodiversity conservation. Local authorities in England are required to ensure that where significant harm resulting from development cannot be avoided (through locating on alternative sites with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, planning permission is refused. The commitment to preserving, restoring or enhancing biodiversity is further emphasised for England and Wales in Section 40 of the NERC Act 2006.
Water Voles
Water voles (Arvicola amphibius) are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, and this legislation is applicable to England and Wales. Water voles are listed on Schedule 5 of the Act and are, therefore, subject to some the provisions of Section 9 which, with the amendments, make it (in brief) an offence to: Intentionally kill, injure or take a water vole (S9:1); Intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy or a structure or place used for shelter or protection by a water vole (S9:4a); Intentionally or recklessly disturb a water vole while it is occupying such a place (S9:4b); or Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place a water vole uses for shelter or protection (S9:4c). There are additional offences in relation to possessing, controlling (S9:2), and buying and selling (S9:5) any live or dead animal of this species or anything derived from them.
Water voles are also listed as a ‘Priority Species’ in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP). UKBAP Priority Species are also referred to as ‘species of principal importance’ for the conservation of biodiversity in England and Wales within Section 74 of the CRoW Act 2000, and Sections 41 (England) and 42 (Wales) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006. Section 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on biodiversity and provide net gains in biodiversity where possible. The NPPF also includes the requirement to contribute to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity and to promote the reservation, restoration and re-
Last Updated April 2012
creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations, linked to national and local targets. Reference is made to Circular 06/2005 Biodiversity and Geological Conservation - Statutory Obligations and Their Impact within the Planning System in respect of statutory obligations for biodiversity and geodiversity conservation. Local authorities in England are required to ensure that where significant harm resulting from development cannot be avoided (through locating on alternative sites with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, planning permission is refused. The commitment to preserving, restoring or enhancing biodiversity is further emphasised for England and Wales in Section 40 of the NERC Act 2006. Please note: the above text provides a brief summary of the legislation in relation to bats in England and Wales and the original Acts, Regulations and any amendments should be referred to for the precise wording.
References
English Nature, 1995. Species Conservation Handbook. English Nature, Peterborough. Natural England, 2006. Guidance on ‘Current Use’ in the definition of a badger sett. Natural England, Peterborough.
Last Updated April 2012
APPENDIX II TARGET NOTES TO ACCOMPANY FIGURE 1
Appendix II Target Notes to Accompany Figure 1
TN No. Description 1 Small area of grassland with hairy sedge and pignut 2 Flooded basements with deep and clear water, stony bases and no aquatic vegetation Large flooded basements with no aquatic vegetation. A developing woodland of willow and silver 3 birch on sloping stony sides. Large flooded basements with no aquatic vegetation. A developing woodland of willow and silver 4 birch on sloping stony sides. Deep flooded basement with sheer concrete sides; willow, common reed and lesser pond-sedge 5 colonising. Oystercatcher foraging within fence. Short, ephemeral vegetation with abundant willowherb, red fescue, creeping bent and common 6 ragwort. 7 Substation with gravel substrate and very little vegetation - No access 8 Heavily shaded, stagnant ditch with sparse yellow iris Two hole badger sett showing signs of recent usage (bedding). Main sett withing sub station to 9 south 10 Mature ash tree; medium bat potential 11 Cotoneaster to west of ditch 12 Further badger sett within substation with large spoil mounds 13 Impenetrable scrub 14 Possible subterraen access for bats 15 Very open birch woodland over bare ground/ephemeral vegetation 16 Unimproved grassland containing bird's foot trefoil 17 South facing edge of grassland; example of good reptile habitat within site 18 Two hole badger sett in side of ditch 19 Pulverised fuel-ash mounds with fairy flax 20 Ditch with common reedmace and common reed, heavily shaded by willow scrub Basement with ground-level access with a further two similar features to W; potential for 21 hibernating bats 22 Brick built basement with potential for bats 23 Unimproved grassland containing bird's foot trefoil 24 Deep basement with grille; potential for hibernating bats 25 Ditch to 0.5m deep with abundant fool's watercress 26 Abundant cotoneaster 27 Portokabins, currently in use as offices. 28 Amenity mown grassland with abundant field wood-rush 29 Concrete and steel building 30 Wooden clad scout hut and associated outbuildings 31 Single pit badger latrine. 32 Area with tin sheeting 33 Area of crushed rubble with little soil or vegetation 34 Sand martin tubes in PFA mound 35 PFA mound covered in scrub with many rabbit signs 36 Active badger latrine and foraging signs 37 Area with tin sheeting 38 Two large mounds of PFA, with thin vegetation cover vegetation and numerous rabbit signs. 39 Dry ditch 1.5m wide and upto 1m deep. Willows, hawthorn and dog rose on banks. 40 Large oak tree with split trunk, cracks in limbs and holes in upper trunk Small semi detelict concrete structure, 7m x 3m holding water approx 30-50cm deep with 41 reedmace, soft rush and reed sweet-grass.
APPENDIX III PLANT SPECIES LIST
Appendix III. Plant Species List
Ephemeral Semi- Semi-natural Unimproved Plantation Common Name Scientific name /short improved Woodland Ponds Ditches Grassland Woodland perennial Grassland and Scrub Trees and shrubs Alder Alnus glutinosa LA Apple sp. Malus sp. O Ash Fraxinus excelsior LD Berberis Berberis LO Blackthorn Prunus spinosa R Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. LF A LA Broom Cytisus scoparius R Buddleia Buddleja davidii LF Cherry species Prunus sp. LO Common gorse Ulex europaeus LF R LF LO Cotoneaster Cotoneaster sp. LA Cypress sp. Cupressus/Chamaecyparis sp. Dog rose Rosa canina agg. LF O Elder Sambucus nigra LO A Goat willow Salix caprea F Grey poplar Populus cf. LD Grey willow Salix cinerea LO F Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LF Hazel Corylus avellana LF Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum LF Hornbeam Carpinus betulus R Norway maple Acer platanoides LF Oregon grape Mahonia LF Ornamental shrub Viburnum sp. LO Osier Salix viminalis R Pedunculate oak Quercus robur O Raspberry Rubus idaeus LA Rowan Sorbus aucuparia OLO Scots pine Pinus sylvestris RR Silver birch Betula pendula LO D Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis R Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus O
Grasses, sedges and rushes A sedge Carex cf. divulsa/spicata R Annual meadow-grass Poa annua A Cock's foot Dactylis glomerata F Common bent Agrostis capillaris LO A D Common reed Phragmites australis F Creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera AO A Crested dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus LO False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius LO Field wood-rush Luzula campestris A Hairy sedge Carex hirta LA LO Hard rush Juncus inflexus LF LF O Lesser pond-sedge Carex acutiformis O Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne LO Red fescue Festuca rubra LO D A Reed sweet-grass Glyceria maxima LF Rough meadow-grass Poa trivialis O Sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LF Soft rush Juncus effusus LF LF LO Sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum O Tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa LO Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus FO
Forbs A cudweed Filago cf. minima LA F A mullein Verbascum sp. cf. thapsus LF R A pearlwort Sagina cf. apetala O A stonecrop Sedum sp.cf LF LF A willowherb Epilobium sp. LA Autumn hawk bit Leontodon autumnalis O Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta R Broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius LO Bush vetch Vicia sepium R Cleavers Galium aparine O Common bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LA LO Common cat's ear Hypochaeris radicata LO O Common centaury Centaurium erythraea ALOO Common knapweed Centaurea nigra LF Common mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum FFF Common nettle Urtica dioica LA LA Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea FOF Common sorrel Rumex acetosa F Common stork's-bill Erodium cicutarium O Common water plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica R Common whitlow-grass Erophila verna ALOLA Cowslip Primula veris LO Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens LF Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans OLO Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense LO O Ephemeral Semi- Semi-natural Unimproved Plantation Common Name Scientific name /short improved Woodland Ponds Ditches Grassland Woodland perennial Grassland and Scrub Daisy Bellis perennis LO O Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. FOO Dove's-foot cranesbills Geranium molle FO Fairy flax Linum catharticum LO Fool's watercress Apium nodiflorum A Forget-me-not species Myosotis sp. R Foxglove Digitalis purpurea LO LO Germander speedwell Veronica chamaedrys LO LF Greater reedmace Typha latifolia Great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum LF F Green field-speedwell Veronica persica R Ground ivy Glechoma hederacea LO Hairy bitter-cress Cardamine hirsuta RO Hedge woundwort Stachys sylvatica R Hemlock Conium maculatum RR Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium LO Ladies bedstraw Galium verum LO Lesser reedmace Typha angustifolia A Lesser trefoil Trifolium dubium O Lords-and-ladies Arum maculatum R March thistle Cirsium palustre LO Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris LO LO Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria LO Mouse-ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum LO LO Parsley pert Aphanes arvensis A A LA O Perforate St. John's worth Hypericum perforatum ALAF Primrose Primula vulgaris LO R Ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi LO Red campion Silene dioica LO Ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata LO LF Rosebay willowherb Chamerion angustifolium F Scentless mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum F Seep's sorrel Rumex acetosella LO O LO Self-heal Prunella vulgaris FFF Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare OLO Teasel Dipsacus fullonum LF O O Thales cress Arabidopsis thaliana O Thyme-leaved speedwell Veronica serpyllifolia O Water figwort Scrophularia auriculata RO Water starwort sp. Ranunculus sp. LO Watercress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum A White clover Trifolium repens OOO Wild strawberry Fragaria vesca OR Wood ovens Geum urbanum OO Wood sage Teucrium scorodonia LA LA F Yarrow Achillea millefolium LO F Yellow iris Iris pseudacorus LO
Ferns Bracken Pteridium aquilinum LA Broad buckler-fern Dryopteris dilatata RR Hart's tongue Asplenium scolopendrium R Male-fern Dryopteris filix-mas O
Bryophytes Capillary thread-moss Bryum capillare LF Heath star-moss Campylopus introflexus LA Juniper haircap Polytrichum juniperinum LO Neat feather-moss Pseudoscleropodium purum LA Pink-fruited thread-moss Pohlia melanodon LO Pointed spear-moss Calliergonella cuspidata LF LA Rough-stalked feather-moss Brachythecium rutabulum A Soft-tufted beard-moss Didymodon vinealis LA Springy turf-moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus LA LF Whitish feather-moss Brachythecium albicans LF
KEY D = Dominant F = Frequent R = Rare A = Abundant O = Occasional L = Locally
APPENDIX IV DESK STUDY DATA
Park Lea, 60 Park Road, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6SN
Registered Office as Above Registered in England & Wales Company No. 4223109 Directors: Mrs P Anderson Mr P Worrall Mr C Anglish