Site Reference Client Name Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Roydon Marina Phase II, Roydon for: Roydon Mill Lodges LLP SHF.202.004.EC.R.001.A Roydon Mill Marina Phase II Roydon Mill Lodges LLP Contact Details: Enzygo Ltd. tel: +44 [0]114 231 5151 Samuel House mob: +44 [0]7545 206 122 5 Fox Valley Way email: [email protected] Stocksbridge www.enzygo.com Sheffield. S36 2AA Roydon Marina Phase II, Roydon Project: Roydon Marina Phase II: Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey For: Roydon Mill Lodges LLP Status: FINAL Date: July 2015 Author: Diane Wood – Senior Ecologist MCIEEM Reviewer: Paul Beswick – Technical Director Disclaimer: This report has been produced by Enzygo Limited within the terms of the contract with the client and taking account of the resources devoted to it by agreement with the client. We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of the above. This report is confidential to the client and we accept no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report, or any part thereof, is made known. Any such party relies on the report at their own risk. Enzygo Limited Registered in England No. 6525159 Registered Office Stag House Chipping Wotton‐Under‐Edge Gloucestershire GL12 7AD SHF.202.004.EC.R.001.A Page | ii March 2016 Contents Contents ....................................................................................................................... 2 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................... 3 1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Methodology ........................................................................................................ 6 3.0 Results ................................................................................................................ 10 Desk Study .................................................................................................................. 10 Survey Results ............................................................................................................. 16 4.0 Ecological Impacts and Recommendations ........................................................ 21 5.0 Summary and Conclusions ................................................................................. 27 6.0 References ......................................................................................................... 29 7.0 Appendix A – Extended Phase 1 Habitat Map .................................................... 31 8.0 Appendix B – Biodiversity Legislation ................................................................ 32 9.0 Appendix C ‐ Target Notes and Photographs ..................................................... 38 10.0 Appendix D ‐ Bat Roost Assessment Criteria [Hundt, L. 2012] ........................... 43 Roydon Mill Marina Phase II Roydon Mill Lodges LLP Executive Summary i. A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal [PEA] which comprised of an Extended Phase 1 habitat survey was carried out for the proposed extension of the existing Roydon Marina at Roydon, Essex. ii. A desk study and an extended Phase 1 habitat field survey were carried out to identify habitats and the potential for the site to support protected/notable species. iii. The desk study found that the internationally designated Lee Valley Ramsar, Special Protection Area [SPA] and Site of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI] site is ~160m to the west of the site. There are three Local Wildlife Sites [LWS] within ~60m‐640m of the site. iv. The field survey was carried out on the 12th May 2015 [updated in March 2016] and found within the site boundary were ten [10] different habitats. v. Recommendations are made in Chapters 4 and 5 of this report and include the following receptors: Statutory Sites; Non‐statutory Sites; Breeding Birds; Wintering Birds; Bats; Water Voles; Site clearance; and Invasive Species. SHF.202.004.EC.R.001.A Page | 3 March 2016 Roydon Mill Marina Phase II Roydon Mill Lodges LLP 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background 1.1.1 Enzygo Ltd was commissioned by Roydon Mill Lodges LLP, to conduct an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the proposed extension of Roydon Marina. The marina is located at Roydon Marina Village, Roydon, Essex, CM19 5EJ [hereafter referred to as ‘the site’]. The boundaries of the site are shown in Appendix A: Figure 1. The approximate central Ordnance Survey national grid reference for the site is 539625, 209914. The purpose of this report is to support a planning application for an extension to the existing marina at the site. 1.2 Site Location and Description 1.2.1 The site is situated in the town of Roydon, Essex approximately 3km to the west of Harlow. There are three main rivers within the immediate vicinity of the site; the River Stort is located approximately 60m to the north of the site, the River Stort [Navigation] located approximately 30m to the south of the site and Mill Stream located 20m to the south of the site. An ordinary watercourse flows along the western boundary of the site in a northerly direction and connects into the marina in the North West corner. The London Liverpool Street to Cambridge rail line is adjacent to the northern boundary of the site with a sewage works to the north of it. Surrounding the western and southern boundaries of the site is agricultural land. To the east is Roydon Marina Village 1.2.2 The site is approximately 5.6ha in size. 1.3 Development Proposals 1.3.1 It is understood the proposal is for the extension of the existing Roydon Marina, with the additional of 240 berth with the capacity for both narrow boats and wide berth boats and associated; ‘Elsan’ [chemical toilet] points, refuse collection facilities, and an extension to the facilities building to provide additional shower facilities. The proposal would also include associated car parking for approximately 100+ cars and a new bound gravel access road. 1.4 Survey and Reporting Aims and Objectives 1.4.1 The ecological investigations undertaken by Enzygo included the following: A desk study to obtain existing information on statutory and non‐statutory sites of nature conservation interest, and records of protected/notable species within the site and its environs; SHF.202.004.EC.R.001.A Page | 4 March 2016 Roydon Mill Marina Phase II Roydon Mill Lodges LLP An extended Phase 1 habitat survey involving a walkover of the site to record habitat types and dominant vegetation, including any invasive species, and a reconnaissance survey for evidence of protected fauna or habitats capable of supporting such species; An investigation of any buildings or built structures and trees for their potential to support bats; and An assessment of the potential ecological constraints to the proposed works at the site and recommendations for further survey, avoidance, mitigation, and enhancement where appropriate. SHF.202.004.EC.R.001.A Page | 5 March 2016 Roydon Mill Marina Phase II Roydon Mill Lodges LLP 2.0 Methodology 2.1 Desk Study 2.1.1 Information was obtained from Essex Ecology Services Ltd. [EECOS], the ecological records centre for Essex, Hertfordshire Environmental Records Centre [HERC] regarding the presence of nature conservation designations and protected and notable species within 2km of the proposed development site. In addition, a search for designations was made of the web‐based MAGIC [Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside] database. 2.1.2 The data search covers: Statutory nature conservation designations, such as National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest; Non‐statutory nature conservation designations, such as Wildlife Sites; Protected species, such as badgers Meles meles, great crested newts Triturus cristatus and bat species; and Notable species, such as those listed in the UK and local Biodiversity Action Plan. 2.1.3 Please note that Tree Preservation Orders [TPOs] and Conservation Area designations have not been checked as part of the desk study or extended Phase 1 habitat survey and are not considered further in this report. 2.2 Surveyor Details 2.2.1. The desk study, report and the site survey were conducted by Diane Wood MCIEEM [Enzygo Senior Ecologist]. 2.3 Survey Methodology 2.3.1 An extended Phase 1 habitat survey was conducted within the site boundary [See Appendix A] on the 12th May 2015. In addition, the habitats around the edges of the lake that were outside of the site boundary were surveyed, to give a wider picture of the lake as a whole and to evaluate the habitats in this area should they need to be included in any mitigation that may be required. All areas of the site were investigated and as recommended by English Nature’s Badgers and Development [2002] guidance document, a 30m buffer around the site was investigated for evidence of badger activity where access was possible. 2.4 Habitats 2.4.1 The vegetation and habitat types within the site were noted during the walkover survey in accordance with the categories specified for a Phase 1 Vegetation and Habitat Survey [Joint SHF.202.004.EC.R.001.A Page | 6 March 2016 Roydon Mill Marina Phase II Roydon Mill Lodges LLP Nature Conservation Committee, 2010]. Dominant plant species were recorded for each habitat present. 2.5 Protected and Notable Species 2.5.1 The site was inspected for evidence of and its potential to support protected or notable species, especially those listed under the Conservation of Habitats