Plan Ecology Ltd
2 Broadwater Cottages, Broadwater Lane, Hurst, Reading, RG10 0EL Preliminary Ecological Assessment
2 Broadwater Cottages, Hurst, Ecological Assessment Plan Ecology Ltd
Document Control Sheet
Project Name: 2 Broadwater Cottages, Hurst Project Ref: 390 Report Title: Preliminary Ecological Assessment Date: 10/02/2020
Name Position Date
Prepared by: Lisha Price Ecologist 10/02/20
Checked by: Myfanwy Price Ecologist 12/02/20
Plan Ecology Ltd disclaims any responsibility to the Client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of this report. This report has been prepared with reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the Contract with the Client and generally in accordance with the appropriate ACE Agreement and taking account of the manpower, resources, investigations and testing devoted to it by agreement with the Client. This report is confidential to the Client and Plan Ecology Ltd accepts no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies upon the report at their own risk.
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Contents
1 Executive Summary ...... 1 2 Introduction ...... 2 2.1 Background ...... 2 2.2 Site Location ...... 2 2.3 Approach to Ecology Assessment ...... 2 3 Methodology- Desk Study ...... 3 3.1 Desk study ...... 3 4 Results and Interpretation ...... 5 4.1 Overview ...... 5 4.2 Designated Sites ...... 5 4.3 Habitat Description ...... 6 4.4 Protected Species ...... 6 5 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Recommendations ...... 9 5.1 Overview ...... 9 5.2 Designated Sites ...... 9 5.3 Protected Species ...... 9 5.4 External and internal inspection results ...... 10 6 Ecological Enhancement Opportunities ...... 12
Appendices
Appendix A Site Plans Appendix B Target Notes and Photographs Appendix C Biodiversity Enhancements
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2 Broadwater Cottages, Hurst, Ecological Assessment Plan Ecology Ltd
1 Executive Summary
Plan Ecology Ltd has been commissioned to provide a preliminary ecological assessment of the land at 2 Broadwater Cottages, Hurst, Reading, RG10 0EL, where plans are proposed for the partial demolition of the existing outbuildings and the construction of a new garage.
A desk study was undertaken to review records of designated sites, protected/ notable species and habitats within a defined search area from the centre of the site.
An ecological walkover was carried out by a suitably experienced ecologist in January 2020. The survey assessed the ecological value of the site and recorded any protected habitats and evidence of/ potential for any protected or notable species on site or within the relevant surrounding area. In addition, a preliminary roost assessment for bats was carried out on the outbuildings to be affected by the proposed works.
The roost assessment found the outbuildings to be negligible for bat roost potential, however, there is potential bat commuting and foraging habitat in the grassland adjacent to the Site. It was possible to fully inspect the buildings due to their simple construction and no evidence of bats or bat roosting features were identified.
There is low potential for reptile species within some of the vegetation onsite, it is recommended that vegetation be cut with care to allow any reptiles to move away on their own.
There is potential for nesting birds on the Site within the trees and hedgerows and outbuildings. It is recommended that precautionary mitigation for nesting birds be utilised within vegetation and buildings to be cleared. Any clearance should take place outside of the nesting bird season (September to February inclusive). If this is not possible buildings and vegetation should be checked for nests and an ecologist consulted if any are present. Clearance will then need to be undertaken under a method statement which may include postponement of clearance until chicks have fledged.
Recommendations for biodiversity enhancements have been made such as including an integrated bat and bird box into the build of the new garage to provide additional roosting and nesting opportunities.
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2 Introduction
2.1 Background
2.1.1 Plan Ecology Ltd has been commissioned to provide an ecological assessment of 2 Broadwater Cottages, Hurst, Reading, RG10 0EL. Grid Reference: SU792747 (referred to from here on as ‘the Site’).
2.1.2 Plans are proposed for the partial demolition of the existing outbuildings and the construction of a new garage (Appendix A).
2.1.3 This report sets out the ecological issues associated with the site and the surrounding area and identifies how these will be addressed through scheme design and mitigation or compensation in order to meet with local and national planning policy and legal requirements relating to protected sites and species.
2.2 Site Location
2.2.1 The site consists of a cottage and garden and is on the outskirts of a village with a neighbouring cottage. It fronts onto a road and backs onto meadows (currently flooded).
2.3 Approach to Ecology Assessment
2.3.1 This report is informed by a desk study and field survey in order to determine the presence of, or potential for, ecologically sensitive receptors in or near the proposed development site. This information has been used to determine the approach necessary to ensure that effects on these ecologically sensitive receptors are avoided or ameliorated such that the proposed development will be acceptable with reference to the planning and legal framework relating to ecological resources.
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3 Methodology- Desk Study
3.1 Desk study
3.1.1 Prior to undertaking the survey, searches of databases containing information on ecological records and important sites for nature conservation were made. The following sources were included in these searches:
• National Biodiversity Network (NBN) database (http://data.nbn.org.uk/)
• MAGIC mapping service (www.magic.gov.uk)
3.1.2 Relevant ecological records and statutory nature conservation sites within 1km were recorded.
3.1.3 Information was also requested from Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre.
Field Team
3.1.4 The Preliminary Ecological Assessment was carried out by Lisha Price from Plan Ecology Ltd. Lisha is an experienced ecologist with over 15 years of experience in ecological consultancy for both the public and private sector. She holds BSc (hons) in Environmental Science and class and mitigation licences from Natural England for bats, dormice and great crested newts.
Preliminary Ecological Assessment
3.1.5 An ecological walkover was carried out by a suitably experienced ecologist on 9th January 2020. The survey assessed the ecological value of the site and recorded any protected habitats and evidence of / potential for any protected or notable species on site or within the relevant surrounding area. Any incidental records or evidence of species were noted, and each habitat was assessed for its potential to support protected or notable species.
3.1.6 A protected species risk assessment was carried out to provide an assessment of whether the habitats present on the site and in the immediate environs are likely to support any protected species. This included a preliminary assessment of the potential presence of bats, barn owls, breeding birds, great crested newts, hazel dormice and reptiles on or immediately adjacent to the site; with the need for any further surveys identified.
3.1.7 A block plan of the Site is provided in Appendix A with photographs and notes from the Site in Appendix B.
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Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment
3.1.8 As part of the Preliminary Ecological Assessment Visit on 9th January 2020, a Roost Assessment was carried out on the outbuildings (labelled in Appendix A) by Lisha Price (Natural England bat licence No. 11503-CLS).
3.1.9 The survey was undertaken in accordance with the methods described in the Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edn), Bat Conservation Trust (BCT). Collins (ed) 2016.
3.1.10 The buildings were examined internally and externally to identify any potential features/ structures that may hold bat roosting potential. The bat roosting potential was assessed according to the following scale (adapted from Collins, J. 2016):
• Negligible: Negligible potential roost features likely to be used by roosting bats • Low: simple structure buildings that have very few potential bat roosting features, which could only be used by individual bats opportunistically. • Moderate: a structure with one or more potential roost sites that could be used by bats in some way, but which are unlikely to support a roost of high conservation status (such as a maternity roost). • High: buildings with multiple internal and external structural features suitable for larger numbers of roosting bats on a regular basis for a longer period of time. Most brick built dwelling houses and timber, or stone barns will be covered by this category. Features that may be used by bats are e.g. loft spaces and other smaller roof voids, gaps between overlapping clay tiles, gaps in- between the tiles or slates and the roofing felt, cavities under ridge tiles, under soffits fascia and barge boards, by the brickwork of chimney stacks, under lead flashing, inside cavities of flat roofs, under wall hanging tiles, behind wooden cladding or other wooden structures, inside cavity walls or other smaller wall cavities, in gaps and cracks of stone walls and inside wooden beam mortise and tenon joints. • Confirmed: evidence of bats such as live or dead bats or bat droppings are present, or there are confirmed records of a bat roost in the building.
3.1.11 The buildings were inspected for evidence of bats in the form of live or dead bats, droppings, urine staining and insect feeding remains such as moth and butterfly wings. A careful visual search using a Clulite torch was conducted. An endoscope (Ridgid) was used for spot checks of internal and external gaps. The exterior of the buildings were surveyed for droppings on walls and window ledges.
Limitations
3.1.12 The survey was carried out on one visit during the month of January. As such, seasonal variations could not be observed and potentially only a selection of all species that occur within the survey area will have been noted. The survey, therefore, provides a general assessment of potential nature conservation value. However, it is considered that the combination of biological records from the desk study and the site visit provides an accurate representation of the various species and habitat types present or potentially present within the survey area.
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4 Results and Interpretation
4.1 Overview
4.1.1 This section sets out the findings of the desk study and survey work and determines which of these have significance with reference to ecological planning policy and legislation and, therefore, need to be considered further in terms of mitigation and/or compensation in subsequent sections of this report. Summaries of relevant legislation and planning policy are included where this is relevant to provide context to the reasoning.
4.2 Designated Sites
4.2.1 A Background Ecological Data Search was carried out by Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre.
4.2.2 Statutory sites within 1 km of the Site include:
• Lodge Wood and Sandford Mill, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is 500m south-west of the Site and consists of wet woodlands bordering the River Lodden.
• Alder Moors Local Nature reserve (LNR) which is 800m west of the Site is an ancient woodland dominated by alder.
• Local Wildlife Sites within 1km of the Site include:
• The River Lodden which flows within 200m of the Site.
• Norris Copse Bird Sanctuary, a small area of ancient woodland and disused gravel pits 900m west of the Site.
• Sandpit Copse, a small area of ash and hazel woodland with a stream running through the site located 800m west of the Site.
• Lavell’s Lake, an important site for birds especially wildfowl located 900m south- west of the Site.
4.2.3 The Site also borders a Conservation Target/ Biodiversity Opportunity Area to the west where the fields/ meadows are. These areas have been identified as supporting high concentrations of UKBAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) habitats and species populations and the potential to restore habitats at landscape scale.
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4.3 Habitat Description
Trees
4.3.1 Onsite there is an apple tree Malus domestica to the front of the Site which will be unaffected by the plans. There were no signs of nesting and no potential roost features on the tree following a ground level inspection.
Shrubs
4.3.2 The gardens have ornamental planted areas containing shrubs. There is also an area of raised beds used for vegetable cultivation.
Amenity Grassland
4.3.3 The Site is primarily a garden and has been laid to lawn and kept mowed and short, providing limited potential habitat. The composition is a typical lawn with fescue Fescua sp. and rye grass Lolium sp.
Hardstanding
4.3.4 There are areas of the garden which are bricked or gravelled as a walkway or driveway.
Buildings
4.3.5 Outbuildings consisting of a series of large ‘sheds’ and a greenhouse area constructed with corrugated sheeting material and pieces of board and wood. These are simple structures without features and used for storage only. Only some of the buildings will be removed for the planned works (see Appendix A).
4.4 Protected Species
4.4.1 The desk study and site surveys combined have allowed the determination of the species that are likely to be affected by the proposed development. A description of the suitability of the site for these ecological receptors, and any evidence of their presence, is set out below.
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Bats
4.4.4 The desk study contained numerous records for bats including pipistrelle bats Pipistrellus sp., Serotine bats Eptesicus serotinus, Brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus and Western Barbastelle bats Barbastella barbastellus within 1km of the site.
4.4.5 There are negligible potential roost features within the outbuildings and tree on the Site.
4.4.6 There is potential for bats within the area for foraging and commuting.
Breeding Birds
4.4.7 There are a number of bird records with 1 km of the site detailed in the desktop study.
4.4.8 This includes records of Schedule 1 birds including Scaup Aythya marila and Bittern Botauras stellaris.
4.4.9 The habitats around the site, particularly near the river are likely to be of value to foraging and nesting birds.
4.4.10 Swallow nests were recorded within one of the outbuildings on the site during the surveys, however this building is not included in the planned works and will not be disturbed at this time.
Great Crested Newts
4.4.11 There are 42 records of great crested newts Triturus cristatus within 1km of the site.
4.4.12 There are no visible ponds within the Site.
Otters
4.4.13 There are 4 records of European otter Lutra lutra with 1 km of the Site between 2010 and 2012. Its is likely that these were recorded at the River Lodden.
4.4.14 Although the River is in close proximity to the Site there isn’t suitable habitat for otters within the Site.
Reptiles
4.4.15 There are records of common lizard Zootoca vivipara, slow worm Anguis fragilis and grass snakes Natrix helvetica within 1km of the Site.
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4.4.16 There is low potential habitat within the Site for reptiles, including these species, in the grass and the scrub habitat.
Water voles
4.4.17 There are 9 records of European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius within 1 km of the Site. These were likely recorded along the River Lodden.
4.4.18 There is no suitable habitat within the Site for water voles.
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5 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Recommendations
5.1 Overview
5.1.1 The presence of protected sites and species described in the preceding sections of this report and the legislation and planning policies relating to them make them a material consideration in the planning application for the proposed development. Therefore, the likely impacts of the proposed development on those protected sites and species identified as being present, or likely to be present, within the study area are discussed below, along with the appropriate mitigation and compensation that will be required to ensure that the proposed development is in compliance with National and local planning policy and legislation. Where mitigation and compensation are required to ameliorate those impacts, this is also set out below.
5.2 Designated Sites
5.2.1 A number of designated sites were found within 1 km of the site. All of these designated sites were in regard to habitat which is not present on the Site; no designated sites or habitat similar to that of the designated site will be affected by the works
5.3 Protected Species
Bats
5.3.1 As population numbers have fallen, all bats and their roosts are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
5.3.2 Under this legislation it is an offence to:
• deliberately capture (or take), injure or kill a bat;
• intentionally, recklessly or deliberately disturb a bat (in relation to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) the offence applies whilst the species is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection; in relation to the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 it applies anywhere);
• damage or destroy the breeding or resting place (roost) of a bat;
• possess a bat (alive or dead), or any part of a bat;
• intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost;
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• sell (or offer for sale) or exchange bats (alive or dead), or parts of bats.
5.3.3 Please refer to the original legislation for the definitive interpretation.
5.3.4 There are low/ negligible potential bat roost features within the outbuildings on the Site. It was possible to fully inspect the buildings due to their simple construction and no evidence of bats or bat roosting features were identified. There is potential for bat foraging and commuting on and around the Site.
5.4 External and internal inspection results
5.4.1 Bat roosting potential: The outbuildings are simply self-built structures without features suitable for bat roosting. The outbuildings consist of a series of large ‘sheds’ and a greenhouse area constructed with corrugated sheeting material and pieces of board and wood. These are simple structures without features and used for storage only. Only some of the buildings will be removed for the planned works (see Appendix A).
5.4.2 The bat roosting potential was assessed according to the scale negligible, low, moderate or high and the building was deemed to have negligible bat roosting potential.
5.4.3 Evidence of bats: No bats or evidence of bats was found in any of the outbuildings.
5.4.4 There is potential for bats within the wider area outside of the Site for foraging and commuting in the fields to the back of the Site.
5.4.5 It is recommended that sensitive lighting designs be used for the back of the proposed works so as not to disturb any bats foraging or commuting in the fields at the back of the Site.
5.4.6 Biodiversity Enhancement recommendations have been made in Section 6 to provide bat roost features within the Site.
Breeding Birds
5.4.7 The majority of UK bird species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended, and a number of species are listed under Section 41 of the NERC Act (2006), identifying them as being of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England.
5.4.8 At the time of the survey old nests were found in Building A (Appendix B, photograph 11), with the characteristics of a swift nest. Although this building
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will not be removed as part of the works there is potential for nesting birds within the other outbuildings.
5.4.9 It is recommended that precautionary mitigation for nesting birds be utilised within vegetation and buildings to be cleared. Any clearance should take place outside of the nesting bird season (September to February inclusive). If this is not possible, buildings and vegetation should be checked for nests and an ecologist consulted if any are present. Clearance will then need to be undertaken under a method statement which may include postponement of clearance until chicks have fledged.
5.4.10 If a bird nest is found, it must be left in-situ and protected from works; no works can be undertaken in that area until the young birds have fledged from the nest site. This may take several weeks and will vary depending on the species.
5.4.11 Works should be restricted where possible to daylight hours to prevent any adverse impacts on roosting birds at dusk and dawn.
5.4.12 Biodiversity Enhancement recommendations have been made in Section 6 to provide bird nesting features within the Site.
Reptiles
5.4.13 The four common native reptiles; grass snake (Natrix natrix), common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), slow worm (Anguis fragilis), and adder (Vipera berus) are partially protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended. Under this legislation, it is an offence to intentionally kill or injure these species. The widespread reptile species are listed under Section 41 of the NERC Act (2006), identifying them as being of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England.
5.4.14 There is low potential for these reptile species within some of the vegetation onsite, it is recommended that vegetation be cut with care to allow any reptiles to move away of their own accord.
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6 Ecological Enhancement Opportunities
6.1.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), updated in August 2018, states that the planning system should contribute to "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". It also states that "opportunities to incorporate biodiversity in and around developments should be encouraged".
6.1.2 The master planning process should maximise opportunities for enhancement, in order to achieve a net increase in biodiversity. This is in accordance with the NERC Act (2006) which requires that “every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity. Conserving biodiversity includes, in relation to a living organism or type of habitat, restoring or enhancing a population or habitat.” General recommendations for ecological enhancement are provided below while more specific recommendations should be made following the further species surveys.
• Minimising light and noise pollution on the site.
• The Site could be improved for breeding birds and bats with the addition of integrated bird and bat boxes built into the new garage (suggested models and locations have been illustrated in Appendix C).
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Appendix A Site Plans
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B A C
D
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Appendix B Target Notes and Photographs
1: Building B Corrugated sheeting 2: Building B Used for storage. construction and boards.
3: Building B Used for storage. 4: Building B Used for storage.
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5: Building B Corrugated sheeting 6: Building B Exterior. construction.
7: Building B Used for storage. 8: Building B Used for storage.
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9: Building A exterior. Corrugated 10: Building A exterior. Corrugated sheeting and wood cladding. sheeting and wood cladding.
11: Building A Old nesting material. 12: Amenity grassland and shrubs.
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13: Lawn in front of outbuildings 14: Lawn in front of outbuildings
15: Small tree and hedges outside of 16: Lawn in front of outbuildings outbuildings
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17: ‘Meadows’ west of the Site recent 18: ‘Meadows’ west of the Site flooding.
19: Side of building A 20: Building C ‘greenhouse’
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21: Interior of building C 22: Interior of building C
23: Rear of buildings 24: Patio in between cottage and outbuildings
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25: Area of lawn next to outbuildings 26: Pathed areas in garden.
27: Hedgeline on Western side of Site 28: Gravel drive to Site
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29: Building D, Small shed currently in 30: Fruit tree in driveway. driveway.
31: Interior of small shed Building D 32: Interior of small shed Building D
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33: Side of Building D 34: Gravel driveway leading onto the road.
35: Chicken coop area next to 36: Chicken coop area next to driveway driveway
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37: Raised beds adjacent to driveway. 38: Side of building C
39: Side of building C 40: Side of building C
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41: Road running parallel to Site 42: Area of tree and bramble behind
entrance. the Site.
43: Front of cottage
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Appendix C Biodiversity Enhancements
Integrated Bat Box Design
Forticrete Bat Box
https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk/product/forticrete-bat-box.html
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The Forticrete Bat Box has been developed to be used in new build construction or renovation where there is a requirement to provide a habitat for pipistrelle bats.
Width 440mm x Height 215mm x Depth 100mm
Benefits
• The box is made of conventional cast stone front face but is backed with high grade plywood which is sawn and roughened internally to provide a haven for bats. • The Bat Box is maintenance free due to bottom entrance.
Integrated Bird Box Design
www.nhbs.com
WoodStone® Build-in Swift Nest Box SKU: 90068 Read 1 review £24.99 Qty Description
Our WoodStone® range of nest boxes have been designed and developed as part of our professional Vivara Pro range. Unlike a traditional wooden nest box, this box will not rot
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away or deteriorate. Every WoodStone® nest box from CJ Wildlife is guaranteed for 10 years.
A lack of suitable nesting sites is thought to be the main reason behind the decline of Swift populations. The Build-in Nest Box is nest box is constructed from a mix of concrete and wood fibres, WoodStone® nest boxes safeguard against attacks from predators including woodpeckers, cats and squirrels.
This box can be mounted onto a wall or it can be unobtrusively built into the fabric of the wall. The front of the nest box can be removed for cleaning. Site at least 5 metres high and with a clear flight path, avoiding south facing sites.