Tan Ybryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, Conwy
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Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, Conwy - Biodiversity Statement TAN Y BRYN CARAVAN PARK, BRYN PYDEW, CONWY: EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY AND BIODIVERSITY STATEMENT PREPARED BY: ECOLOGIST TIM YARDLEY DATE 24/05/2016 APPROVED BY ECOLOGIST RHIAN HUGHES DATE 08/06/2015 Report Ref: EE.111.05.16/TY Aelod o Cymdeithas Ymgyngoriaethau Ymddiriedolaethau Natur A member of the Association of Wildlife Trust Consultancies Copyright Enfys Ecology 2016 PageMae 1Enfys of 46 Ecology yn is-gwmni i Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gogledd Cymru www.enfysecology.co.uk Enfys Ecology is a subsidiary of North Wales Wildlife Trust Rhif Cwmni / Company Number 2535184 Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, Conwy - Biodiversity Statement Contents Contents ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 Site Description .............................................................................................................. 3 3.0 Methodology .................................................................................................................. 5 4.0 Survey Results ............................................................................................................... 6 5.0 Discussion and Evaluation ........................................................................................... 28 6.0 Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 33 7.0 References and useful Information Sources ................................................................ 38 8.0 Appendices .................................................................................................................. 39 Copyright Enfys Ecology 2016 Page 2 of 46 www.enfysecology.co.uk Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, Conwy - Biodiversity Statement 1.0 Introduction Enfys Ecology Limited was commissioned by Peter Jones-Hughes, on behalf of the landowner John Hughes to carry out an extended phase 1 habitat survey and biodiversity statement of land around Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, near Llandudno Junction, Conwy. Proposals have been drawn up to expand the area of the caravan park onto surrounding land, therefore surveys were commissioned to evaluate the potential ecological constraints of development on the site and surrounding area. The survey area comprised several large agricultural fields (arable and pasture) and areas of woodland with associated hedgerows, field boundaries and trees. The area lies on a hillside outside the town of Llandudno Junction, and is centred on approximate grid reference SJ08315412. The aim of the surveys was to gain baseline ecological data on the species and habitats present on the site, identify any possible ecological constraints to potential development arising from the site or surrounding area, and recommend suitable general mitigation and/or compensation strategies for these issues were the site to be developed as planned. Enfys Ecology carried out an extended phase 1 habitat survey of the site including a desk study examining local ecological records held for the area by Cofnod, the ecological record centre for the North Wales region. The Conwy Local Development Plan (LDP) was also referenced for this report. 2.0 Site Description 2.1 Survey area The survey area encompassed several large fields and areas of woodland, surrounding the existing Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, near Bryn Pydew. The site also includes many field boundaries with hedgerows and trees, and a small number of buildings and areas of hardstanding around the caravan park. In the east of the area is a large former quarry (which could not be accessed during the present survey). The survey area lies on the slopes of a low ridge, running roughly southwest to northeast. The high point of the ridge runs along the southern part of the area; the caravan park and almost all of the fields are on the north facing slope, while the woodland along the southern boundary faces south. In the centre of the site there are limestone outcrops at the surface, forming small areas of limestone pavement. The survey area and location of the potential development site is shown in figure 1, overleaf. 2.3 Surrounding habitats and features The survey location is within a large rural area between Llandudno in the north, Llandudno Junction and the Colwyn Bay urban area, on the southern part of the Creuddyn peninsula. The area is a hilly landscape of pasture fields, divided by tall hedgerows with frequent mature Copyright Enfys Ecology 2016 Page 3 of 46 www.enfysecology.co.uk Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, Conwy - Biodiversity Statement trees, and significant areas of broadleaved and mixed woodland, hedgerows and trees. The large woodland of Coed Bron Garth is partly included in the survey area, and lines the southern boundary. There are also significant woodlands to the north. The area is dotted with farm buildings and several deep former quarries. The nearest significant developed area is the outskirts of the Colwyn Bay , at closest just over 250m to the east. The hedgerows and grassland within the survey area have good connectivity with a large area of similar habitat outside the area, especial;y to the north and west. The survey area and location of the potential development sites are shown in figure 1, below. FIGURE 1. THE SURVEY AREA AROUND TAN Y BRYN. THE APPROXIMATE SURVEY AREA IS OUTLINED IN RED. THE EXISTING CARAVAN PARK IN BLUE, AND THE PROPOSED EXPANSION (DEVELOPMENT AREA) OUTLINED IN BLUE. © GOOGLE 2016 Copyright Enfys Ecology 2016 Page 4 of 46 www.enfysecology.co.uk Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, Conwy - Biodiversity Statement 3.0 Methodology 3.1 Desk study The desk study comprised consultation with Cofnod, the local records centre for North Wales, to determine the presence of statutory and non-statutory sites for nature conservation, and records of protected, notable, or Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species and habitats from within and around the site of the proposed development (to a distance of 2km from the site). The Conwy Borough Local Development Plan (Hereafter: LDP) was also consulted through the online portal. The records were used to inform the survey and recommendations, and provide context for evaluating the species and habitats found during the survey. 3.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey A survey of the site was conducted by an experienced ecologist walking over the site. All hedgerows and other habitats were thoroughly examined for evidence of protected species. Notes were taken on the habitat types present, and their suitability for protected species, and target notes were used to record any habitats or features of particular note, following the standard methodology (JNCC 2010). A list of floral species was recorded. A search for evidence of protected species was carried out, including amphibians (including great crested newt Triturus cristatus), bats, and reptiles. Evidence of badgers (Meles meles) including setts, dung pits, hairs, footprints, and scratching posts or trees was searched for. Trees with suitable features for roosting bats, including knot holes and other crevices, hollow trunks and dense ivy (Hedera helix) coverage were identified. The extended phase 1 habitat survey was conducted on the 28th April and a brief revisit on the 3rd May 2016 by suitably experienced ecologists; Tim Yardley and Lucy Boyett. 3.3 Limitations Due to the size of the site, it was not possible to visit the entirety of the larger habitats within the survey area, this included the large fields of improved grassland (which however were largely walked over) but principally applied to the large area of broadleaved woodland in the northern part of the survey area, parts of which were very dense and could not be accessed. A large quarry in the north centre of the area could not be accessed but was visible and examined from above. The entire length of the woodland area was walked and the vast majority of the site area was covered, with representative areas of every habitat, however it cannot be guaranteed that features such as badger setts within the inaccessible areas were found. All areas subject to development and the surroundings (to at least a 50m buffer) were examined in detail. Descriptions of plant species concentrate on the most obvious and abundant species present, as the most important determinant of habitats present, however wherever possible an attempt has been made to list all species present, and any rare or notable, protected or invasive species are identified. Copyright Enfys Ecology 2016 Page 5 of 46 www.enfysecology.co.uk Tan y Bryn Caravan Park, Bryn Pydew, Conwy - Biodiversity Statement The results of this survey consists only of those species encountered in a single survey visit. Species that use the site infrequently or at different times of the year may not have been recorded, and the absence of species from the results of a single survey should not be taken as indicating the species’ definite absence from the area in question. 4.0 Survey Results 4.1 Desk Study A data search was carried out by Cofnod on 27th April 2016 for protected, notable and invasive non-native species and statutory and non-statutory designated sites within or intersecting a 2km radius of the survey area. 4.1.1 Statutory Designated sites There were four statutory designated sites within