Biodiversity Walkover Survey of Land at Coldham’s Lane, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire on behalf of Constable Homes Ltd August 2011 © James Blake Associates 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover Revision Purpose Originated Checked Authorised Date SP OR OR 08/2011 Job Number: Title: Biodiversity Walkover Survey, Land at Coldham’s Lane, Cambridge JBA 11/239 2 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover CONTENTS 0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................... 4 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 5 2 METHODS ..................................................................................................................... 7 Desk study ........................................................................................................................... 7 Biodiversity Walkover Survey ............................................................................................ 7 3 RESULTS .................................................................................................................... 10 4 RESULTS AND EVALUATION ................................................................................... 17 5 FURTHER SURVEYS .................................................................................................. 21 6 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 22 7 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 23 3 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover 0 Executive Summary 0.1 James Blake Associates were commissioned by Constable Homes Ltd to undertake a Biodiversity Walkover Survey for two parcels of land at Coldham’s Lane, Cambridge. The survey was undertaken on the 25 th August 2011. 0.2 The site was dominated by a mosaic of grassland, shrub and ruderal vegetation. 0.3 Further surveys are recommended for reptiles, badgers and possibly roosting bats. 0.4 Tree, shrub or ground clearance or building demolition should be carried out outside the main bird breeding season (March until end of August) or under ecological supervision. 0.5 It was considered likely that following further surveys, appropriate precautionary measures, compensation of habitats or mitigation could be designed to allow the development to proceed with minimal risk of harm to protected, BAP or rare species or to local nature conservation. 4 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover 1 Introduction Background 1.1 James Blake Associates were commissioned by Constable Homes Ltd to undertake a Biodiversity Walkover and Protected Species Scoping Survey, of land off Coldham’s Lane, Cambridge in Cambridgeshire. Grid ref: TL 484 574 (taken from the centre of the site). 1.2 The survey was required to assess the site for any protected species issues which could affect the development of the land. 1.3 Wildlife, such as nesting birds, reptiles and badgers are protected species. All protected and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species are material considerations for individual planning decisions under PPS9 (Planning Policy Statement 9) (ODPM, 1994). Site Description 1.4 The site was located to the south of Cambridge Airport in Cambridge. The site was bordered to the north by Coldham’s Lane and to the south and west by a railway. A hotel and health club were located between the east (Phase 1 triangle site) and the west (Phase 2 site) (see Figure 1 below). Three large water bodies were located to the south and west of the site on the other side of the railway line. 1.5 The site itself comprised a disused landfill site which has been filled in and replanted in some areas. The north west part of the site was predominantly rabbit grazed grassland with some semi-mature trees and shrub adjacent to the site boundaries. A cement works was located in the north western corner of the phase 1 site. The phase 2 site is much more heavily covered by shrub and ruderal species with some areas of grassland. 5 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover Figure 1: Site location: Aims and objectives 1.6 The aim of the survey was to: • Identify the presence or likely presence of any protected or notable species or habitats on or adjacent to the site; • Assess the potential impact of the proposed works on any protected or notable species and/or habitats present including nature conservation sites on or adjacent to the site; • Make any recommendations for further surveys and/or mitigation following the survey (where necessary). 6 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover 2 Methods Desk study 2.1 A 2km radius search for statutory designated sites, either on the proposed development site or in the surrounding area, was conducted using “MAGIC”, the Multi-Agency Geographic Information system for the Countryside. 2.2 The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) website was accessed on the 26 th August 2011 to obtain records of protected, BAP or rare species. 2.3 The site is covered by the Local BAP for Cambridgeshire. Biodiversity Walkover Survey 2.4 A Biodiversity Walkover Survey was carried out by Mary Davies BSc (Hons) MSc AIEEM (great crested newt licence number 20110175; bat licence number 20104163); Sam Pottier BSc (Hons) MSc Grad IEEM; on the 25 th of August 2011. During the survey, the temperature was 12°C, there was a light wind (Beaufort scale 1), 100% cloud cover, and although it was raining, visibility was good. 2.5 The survey methodology followed JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) Guidelines (JNCC, 2007) and included mapping habitat types and identifying all plant species observed on the site, including Wildlife and Countryside Act Schedule 9 invasive plant species, such as Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica and Giant Hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum, 2.6 The site was also assessed for signs and evidence of protected, BAP and rare species in accordance with Natural England Guidelines, as follows: 2.7 Amphibians : all ponds within 500m of the site (unless ecologically separated from the site) were assessed for potential to support breeding protected amphibians, such as great crested newts and toads. The large waterbodies to the south and west were not assessed as access was not possible. 2.8 Bats : Mature trees within the site boundary, and adjacent to the site boundary, were surveyed externally, from the ground, for their potential to support roosting bats, under the following criteria (BCT Bat Surveys: Good Practice Guidelines, 2007) Bat Survey Protocol for trees : Trees were assessed from the ground. Potential bat roosting opportunities were identified in order to categorise trees, as below: 7 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover Bat Roost Potential Field signs Roost Confirmed Confirmed bat roost in tree: Field evidence of the past or current presence of bats, e.g. droppings, staining. High roost potential Splits or cracks in major limbs which develop upwards, smooth surface around entry point, dense ivy-covering, woodpecker/rot holes, significant lifting bark, artificial bird or bat boxes. Ancient or over mature trees where the canopy cannot be fully inspected from the ground. Medium roost potential Splits in branches, dense ivy-covering, small cavities, dense epicormic growth, flies around entry point. Low roost potential Splits in minor branches, sparse ivy, limited loose bark. Young, healthy tree with good visibility to the top of the canopy. No roost potential Trees with a negligible potential to support bat roosts (not supporting any of the above features) 8 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover Bat Survey Protocol for buildings The cement works building within the site boundary were externally assessed for signs or evidence of past or present usage by roosting bats. Binoculars were used to check for entry points such as cracks or holes. 2.9 Dormice : A visual survey for the presence of suitable habitat (broad leaved or mixed woodland with good under-storey/shrub layer and a range of food plant species, such as hazel, bramble and honeysuckle) was carried out, to assess if dormice were likely to be present. 2.10 Reptiles : A visual survey for the presence of suitable habitat was carried out according to the criteria given in the Herpetofauna Workers’ Manual (Gent & Gibson, 1998). 2.11 Otters and water voles : a visual appraisal of all water bodies was carried out, to assess suitability to support these species, including: size and flow of water course; shape and vegetation cover/structure of the banks. 2.12 Invertebrates : The site was scoped for significant rotting deadwood, and high quality aquatic or other habitats which could be used by significant assemblages of invertebrates, or by any of the invertebrates highlighted in the data search. 2.13 Flora and habitats : All habitats and plant species which were identifiable at the time of the survey were recorded. 2.14 Badgers: A visual survey for setts, hair, latrines, prints, snuffle marks or other signs of badgers was undertaken within the site boundary. 2.15 Habitats adjacent to the site were identified, using aerial maps and field observation, so that the ecological impact of the proposed works on the wider landscape could be assessed. 9 JBA 11/239 August 2011 Coldham’s Lane Biodiversity Walkover 3 Results Desk Study Statutory Nature Conservation Sites 3.1 There were