APPENDIX 11.1 ECOLOGY REPORTS (2006 – 2009) Former Andover Airfield: Environmental Statement – Ecology Chapter 11 Technical Appendix 11-1 Contents Middlemarch Environmental Ltd Report Date Report Reference Updated Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey and August 2009 RT-MME-105599 Phase II Botanical Survey Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2006 RT-MME-4217 Phase II Botanical Survey June 2006 RT-MME-4219 Reptile Survey June 2006 RT-MME-4218 Brown Hare Survey January 2007 RT-MME-5173A FORMER ANDOVER AIRFIELD, ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY AND PHASE II BOTANICAL SURVEY A Report to Goodman Middlemarch Environmental Ltd Triumph House Birmingham Road Allesley Coventry CV5 9AZ Tel: 01676 525880 Fax: 01676 521400 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.middlemarch-environmental.com Report Number: RT-MME-105599 August 2009 Former Andover Airfield, Andover, Hampshire RT-MME-105599 - Updated Extended Phase I Habitat Survey and Phase II Botanical Survey FORMER ANDOVER AIRFIELD, ANDOVER, HAMPSHIRE EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY AND PHASE II BOTANICAL SURVEY CONTROLLED COPY 01 OF 02 01 GOODMAN 02 MIDDLEMARCH ENVIRONMENTAL LTD This report was compiled by: Helen Miller MIEEM CEnv, Andrea Powell MSc AIEEM and Dr Katy Read MCIWEM MIEEM CEnv DipSM The contents of this report are the responsibility of Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. It should be noted that, whilst every effort is made to meet the client’s brief, no site investigation can ensure complete assessment or prediction of the natural environment. Contract Number C105599 August 2009 Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 2 Former Andover Airfield, Andover, Hampshire RT-MME-105599 - Updated Extended Phase I Habitat Survey and Phase II Botanical Survey EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Middlemarch Environmental Ltd was commissioned by Goodman to carry out an updated Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Phase II Botanical Survey of an area of land known as the Former Andover Airfield, Andover, Hampshire. Extended Phase 1, Phase II Botanical and Reptile Surveys were completed by Middlemarch Environmental Ltd at the site in June 2006 with a Brown Hare Survey completed in January 2007. The current surveys were carried out to update the ecological information with respect to the site. The ecological desk study identified no statutory and seven non-statutory nature conservation sites within 2 km of the proposed development site. The desk study also provided records for a range of notable invertebrates, herpetofauna, birds and mammals within a 2 km radius of the site. The Extended Phase I Habitat Survey and Phase II Botanical Survey was undertaken on 12th August 2009 by Helen Miller, Principal Technical Ecological Consultant and Andrea Powell, Ecological Consultant. These surveys identified the presence of the following habitats on site: arable; bare ground; fences; scattered scrub; semi- improved and unimproved calcareous grassland; species-poor defunct hedgerow; and tall ruderal vegetation. The key ecological features on the site in relation to the proposed development are the unimproved and semi- improved calcareous grassland habitats. Although the Phase II Botanical Survey showed that the habitat quality of these grasslands had declined since the survey in June 2006 (although it should be noted that some of the habitat change could be as a result of variation in the timing of the surveys), these habitats are still notable considerations given their recognition as habitats of conservation priority within the UK. It is understood that the proposed development would result in the loss of some of this habitat (the semi-improved area) and the translocation of the unimproved grassland to a receptor site within the landscape zone. Other notable considerations include the loss of arable land which may be used by skylarks for nesting and other habitats (e.g. scattered scrub and hedgerows) which may be used by birds for nesting. The site may be used by brown hare (although none had been recorded during the surveys) and these are therefore a notable consideration with respect to the proposed development. In order to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and relevant planning policy, the following are recommended: • The calcareous grassland should be retained if possible, although it is understood that the proposals include for the translocation of the unimproved grassland habitat to a receptor site. This translocation should be carried out in accordance with an agreed Method Statement and managed in the long-term to enhance the biodiversity value of the habitat. • Vegetation should be removed outside of the nesting bird season (generally March to September inclusive), or checked by an ecologist immediately prior to removal if this is not possible. • Site works should be designed to minimise potential effects on brown hare. Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 3 Former Andover Airfield, Andover, Hampshire RT-MME-105599 - Updated Extended Phase I Habitat Survey and Phase II Botanical Survey CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND......................................................................................................... 5 1.2 SITE DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................................. 5 2. METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................................6 2.1 DESK STUDY ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY ................................................................................. 6 2.3 PHASE II BOTANICAL SURVEY............................................................................................... 6 3. DESK STUDY RESULTS ......................................................................................................... 9 3.1 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................... 9 3.2 NATURE CONSERVATION SITES ............................................................................................. 9 3.3 PROTECTED SPECIES............................................................................................................ 10 4. EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY........................................................................ 13 4.1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 13 4.2 SURVEY CONSTRAINTS........................................................................................................ 13 4.3 HABITATS............................................................................................................................ 13 4.4 FAUNA................................................................................................................................. 18 5. PHASE II BOTANICAL SURVEY........................................................................................ 19 5.1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 19 5.2 MG1 ARRHENATHERUM ELATIUS GRASSLAND...................................................................... 19 5.3 CG3 BROMUS ERECTUS GRASSLAND.................................................................................... 20 6. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................. 23 6.1 NATURE CONSERVATION SITES ........................................................................................... 23 6.2 HABITATS............................................................................................................................ 23 6.3 PROTECTED/NOTABLE SPECIES ........................................................................................... 25 7. RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................... 29 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................... 31 APPENDICES................................................................................................................................... 32 APPENDIX 1 ................................................................................................................................. 33 APPENDIX 2 ................................................................................................................................. 38 APPENDIX 3 ................................................................................................................................. 40 APPENDIX 4 ................................................................................................................................. 42 Middlemarch Environmental Ltd. Page 4 Former Andover Airfield, Andover, Hampshire RT-MME-105599 - Updated Extended Phase I Habitat Survey and Phase II Botanical Survey 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND In August 2009, Goodman commissioned Middlemarch Environmental Ltd to undertake an Updated Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey and an Updated Phase II Botanical Survey of a site known as the Former Andover Airfield, Andover, Hampshire. In June 2006 the following surveys were completed at the