_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ NORMAN FARM, WELL STREET, BURGHCLERE, HAMPSHIRE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Final Document June 2017 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preliminary Ecological Appraisals Protected Species Surveys and Licensing NVC EcIA Management Plans Habitats Badger Bats Hazel Dormouse Birds Reptiles Amphibians Invertebrates Riparian and Aquatic Species ECOSA, Ten Hogs House, Manor Farm Offices, Flexford Road, North Baddesley, Hampshire, SO52 9DF Tel: 02380 261065 Email: [email protected] Web: www.ecosa.co.uk Registered Office: 3-4 Eastwood Court, SO51 8JJ Registered in England No: 6129868 Norman Farm, Burghclere – Ecological Assessment ECOSA Ltd Final Document 21st June 2017 ECOSA Quality Assurance Record This report has been produced in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Guidelines for Ecological Report Writing 20151. The report has been prepared in line with current best practice guidance and survey work has been undertaken in line with references within CIEEM’s Source of Survey Guidance2 Description: Ecological Assessment Produced For: Re-Format LLP Issue: Final Report Reference 2655.F0 Date of Issue: 21st June 2017 Date of Survey Works: February-June 2017 Author: Simon Boswell MSc MCIEEM Principal Ecologist and GIS Specialist Checked and Reviewed by: Simon Colenutt BSc (Hons) MCIEEM CEnv Principal Ecologist DISCLAIMER This is a technical report which does not represent legal advice. You may wish to seek legal advice if this is required. This report may or may not be suitable to support a planning application. Should this report contain recommendations for further survey work or assessment, the results of this would be required in order to support a planning application. COPYRIGHT © This report is the copyright of ECOSA Ltd. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person is prohibited. 1 Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2015). Guidelines for Ecological Report Writing. Technical Guidance Series. http://www.cieem.net/publications/23/ecological-report-writing 2 www.cieem.net Norman Farm, Burghclere – Ecological Assessment ECOSA Ltd Final Document 21st June 2017 NORMAN FARM, WELL STREET, BURGHCLERE, HAMPSHIRE ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Background................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 The Site ........................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Aims and Scope of Report ............................................................................................ 2 1.4 Site Proposals............................................................................................................... 3 2.0 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT .................................................................................. 4 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Planning Policy ............................................................................................................. 4 2.2.1 National Policy ....................................................................................................... 4 2.2.2 Local Policy ............................................................................................................ 5 3.0 METHODS .................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 7 3.2 Zone of Influence .......................................................................................................... 7 3.3 Scoping ......................................................................................................................... 7 3.4 Desk Study ................................................................................................................... 7 3.4.1 Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside .................................... 7 3.5 Field Survey .................................................................................................................. 8 3.5.1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey ......................................................................................... 8 3.5.2 Protected and Notable Species Appraisal ............................................................. 8 3.6 Field Survey Personnel, Timing, Weather and Equipment ........................................ 10 3.7 Limitations ................................................................................................................... 11 3.8 Bat Emergence Survey ............................................................................................... 11 3.8.1 Survey Details ...................................................................................................... 11 3.8.2 Survey Limitations ............................................................................................... 12 3.9 Reptile Survey ............................................................................................................ 12 3.9.1 Survey Details ...................................................................................................... 13 3.9.2 Survey Limitations ............................................................................................... 13 4.0 BASELINE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS ................................................................. 14 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 14 4.2 Desktop Study ............................................................................................................ 14 4.2.1 Statutory Designated Sites .................................................................................. 14 4.3 Habitats ....................................................................................................................... 14 4.3.1 Poor Semi-Improved Grassland .......................................................................... 14 4.3.2 Bracken ................................................................................................................ 15 4.3.3 Ornamental Planting ............................................................................................ 15 4.3.4 Other Habitats ...................................................................................................... 16 4.3.5 Summary ............................................................................................................. 16 4.4 Notable and Legally Protected Species ..................................................................... 16 4.4.1 Bats ...................................................................................................................... 16 4.4.2 Badger ................................................................................................................. 22 4.4.3 Hazel Dormouse .................................................................................................. 22 4.4.4 Birds ..................................................................................................................... 22 4.4.5 Reptiles ................................................................................................................ 23 4.4.6 Great Crested Newt ............................................................................................. 23 4.4.7 Invertebrates ........................................................................................................ 24 i © This report is the copyright of ECOSA Ltd. Norman Farm, Burghclere – Ecological Assessment ECOSA Ltd Final Document 21st June 2017 4.5 Summary of Key Ecological Features ........................................................................ 24 5.0 POTENTIAL ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS ..................................................................... 25 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 25 5.2 Habitats ....................................................................................................................... 25 5.3 Notable and Legally Protected Species ..................................................................... 25 5.3.1 Bats ...................................................................................................................... 25 5.3.2 Birds ..................................................................................................................... 26 5.3.3 Reptiles ................................................................................................................ 26 6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................... 27 6.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 27