Appendix 7.1 Hints Quarry, Tamworth, Staffordshire Preliminary Ecological Report SLR Ref: 406.00968.00040/406.04520.00026 October 2014 Lafarge Tarmac/Cemex Version: FINAL Hints Quarry i SLR Ref No: 406.00968.00040/406.04520.00026 Preliminary Ecological Report October 2014 CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Scope of Study .................................................................................................. 1 2.0 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Desk-top Study ................................................................................................. 2 2.2 Ecological Survey ............................................................................................. 2 3.0 ECOLOGICAL BASELINE .......................................................................................... 3 3.1 Results of Desk-top Study ............................................................................... 3 3.2 Habitat Survey ................................................................................................... 6 3.3 Protected, Notable and Controlled Flora ....................................................... 11 3.4 Fauna ............................................................................................................... 11 4.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................. 15 4.1 Habitats ........................................................................................................... 15 4.2 Species ............................................................................................................ 15 5.0 CLOSURE .................................................................................................................. 18 TABLES Table 1- Summary of Statutory and Non-Statutory Designations within a 2km radius .. 3 Table 2 – Sites on the Ancient Woodland Inventory ......................................................... 4 Table 3 - Summary of Internationally and Nationally Protected and Notable Species Records within the 2km Search Area ............................................................... 5 Table 4 - Target Notes from the Ecological Walkover Survey of Hints Quarry .............. 7 Table 5 – Previous Records of Great Crested Newt from within a 2km radius of the Study area Boundary ....................................................................................... 13 DRAWINGS Drawing 1 Ecological Walkover Plan and Target Note Reference Numbers APPENDICES Appendix A Staffordshire Ecological Record (SER) Search Report SLR Hints Quarry 1 SLR Ref No: 406.00968.00040/406.04520.00026 Preliminary Ecological Report October 2014 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background SLR Consulting Limited (SLR) has been commissioned by Lafarge Tarmac and Cemex to provide ecological services in respect of Hints Quarry which is situated west of Tamworth, Staffordshire and is hereafter referred to as the ‘study area’. The approximate centre of the study area is located at National Grid Reference (NGR) Centred at SK160 046. This report has been prepared by SLR Consulting Limited (SLR) on behalf of Lafarge Tarmac and Cemex to provide baseline information to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in respect of planning submissions relating to the continuation of quarrying operations, restoration activities and potential extensions to sand and gravel quarrying at Hints Quarry to the east (Arquiva Land) and north-west (Bucks Head Farm) into areas of agricultural farmland. The precise boundaries of the proposed extensions are not yet clearly defined as site investigation works are on-going. Advice was required from SLR in respect of the ecological constraints and issues that may need to be subject to further investigation. 1.2 Scope of Study Although not a full ecological impact assessment, this report provides a baseline description of habitats found to be present and identifies the potential for protected species to be occur within, or in close proximity to, the study area. The evaluation is based on an ecological desk study and walkover survey of the study area (extent as shown on Drawing 1). Recommendations for further surveys have been made in Section 4 of this report to enable a more complete evaluation to be made. No consultation with the Local Planning Authority Ecologist has taken place at this stage. SLR Hints Quarry 2 SLR Ref No: 406.00968.00040/406.04520.00026 Preliminary Ecological Report October 2014 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1 Desk-top Study Natural England’s Nature on the Map website 1 was consulted for information relating to statutorily designated sites within 2km of the study area. The Staffordshire Ecological Record (SER) was contacted for information on non-statutory designated sites and records of protected or notable species within the search area. For the purposes of the desk-top study, a 2km search buffer from the study area boundary was used. 2.2 Ecological Survey The wider study area was initially visited on the 30 th April 2012 by a Senior Ecologist from SLR. This was followed by an update visit focussing on the proposed north east extension area on the 14 th July 2014. The update visit in 2014 found that the ecological baseline remained un-changed. The survey comprised of an ecological walkover of the study area, as shown on Drawing 1. The potential for protected and notable species or features within the study area and adjacent area to support protected species was assessed and where present, recorded. The presence of plant species included within Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) was searched for during the survey. Plants included within the schedule include Japanese knotweed ( Fallopia japonica), Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera ) and giant hogweed ( Heracleum mantegazzianum ). Schedule 9 makes it an offence to plant or cause the spread of certain invasive plant species in the wild. 1 http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/ SLR Hints Quarry 3 SLR Ref No: 406.00968.00040/406.04520.00026 Preliminary Ecological Report October 2014 3.0 ECOLOGICAL BASELINE 3.1 Results of Desk-top Study A summary of the statutory and non-statutory designated sites identified within the 2km search area is provided in Table 1 below. The SER report, which includes citations and maps, received during the desk-top study has been included as Appendix A of this report. Table 1- Summary of Statutory and Non-Statutory Designations within a 2km radius Level of Value Site/Feature Main Reason for Importance at this Value International None n/a National – Site of Special None n/a Scientific Interest (SSSI) County (Site Biological Mascotte Semi-natural broad-leaved woodland. Importance/Biodiversity Covert Alert Site 2) Swinfen Lake Open water, marginal vegetation. Freeford Pools and woodland. Manor and Swinfen Park Black Brook Running water and improved and semi-improved Corridor – B.B grassland. Bridge to Heart of England Way Church Wood Woodland, grassland and tall fen. and Meadow Rough Woodland and small meadow. Leasow Moor Covert Woodland, grassland and open water. and Pool Rookery Woodland. Roundhill Woodland. Wood Ford (Oxbow Woodland, marsh and open water. Woodland) to Botley House, Bourne Book Corridor Snake’s Hill Woodland, marsh and open water. and River Oxbow, Black Brook Botley House Woodland, marsh and open water. to Bourne 2 SBI Sites of Biological Importance are equivalent to County Wildlife Sites ( i.e . of County Importance) and are included in the Local Plans of Staffordshire’s Local Authorities with a presumption against development. BAS Biodiversity Alert Sites are of Local Importance for Nature Conservation or other areas of interest for wildlife where there may be potential to improve the habitat to SBI standard with appropriate management. These sites are not normally included within the Local Plans. SLR Hints Quarry 4 SLR Ref No: 406.00968.00040/406.04520.00026 Preliminary Ecological Report October 2014 Bridge, Bourne Brook Hanging Wood Woodland. and Common Plantation Kendalls and Woodland, open water and boundaries. Pipes Wood Hopwas Woodland, heathland and tall herb. Hayes Wood Hopwas Woodland, grassland and tall herb. Coton House Grassland. Farm Dunstall Farm Woodland. Table 2 lists those sites on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) within a 2km radius. Table 2 – Sites on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Grid Reference Site SK167038 Hanging Wood Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland. SK167041 Hanging Wood Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland. SK167052 Hopwas Hays Wood Ancient Replanted Woodland. SK177058 Hopwas Hays Wood Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland. SK176032 Kendall's Wood Ancient Replanted Woodland. SK178031 Kendall's Wood Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland. SK179031 Pipes Wood Ancient Replanted Woodland. SK152025 Rookery Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland. SK144029 Rough Leasow, Millditch Wood Ancient Replanted Woodland. SK157022 Roundhill Wood Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland. A summary of the internationally and nationally protected and priority species records identified within the search area is provided in Table 3 below. SLR Hints Quarry 5 SLR Ref No: 406.00968.00040/406.04520.00026 Preliminary Ecological Report October 2014 Table 3 - Summary of Internationally and Nationally