EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY OF PEN-Y-GLOL CARAVAN PARK, HOLYWELL, FLINTSHIRE NOVEMBER 2019 Bowden Hall, Bowden Lane, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire. SK6 6ND Tel: 0161 465 8971 [email protected] www.rachelhackingecology.co.uk CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2 2. METHODOLOGY 3 3. RESULTS HABITATS 4 PROTECTED SPECIES 9 INVASIVE SPECIES 10 PROTECTED SITES 10 4. ASSESSMENT 11 5. RECOMMENDATIONS 13 6. REFERENCES 14 PHASE 1 HABITAT MAP Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rachel Hacking Ecology Limited was commissioned in 2019 by Pen-Y- Glol Caravan Park to carry out an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of part of the caravan park. The site will be the subject of a planning application for the erection of additional caravan pitches and an associated access road. An Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey is required to provide an overview of the habitats present within the site and to assess any potential protected species issues on the site. Site Description 1.2 Pen-Y-Glol Caravan Park is located west of the village of Lloc, near to the town of Holywell, Flintshire (O.S. grid reference: SJ 12524 77769 – see Figure 1). The proposed development site currently comprises an area of plantation woodland, semi-natural broad-leaved woodland, hardstanding and continuous scrub. Aims of Survey 1.3 The aims of the survey were to: • Describe and map the habitats present on the site, • Assess the potential for protected species to be present on the site or just outside the immediate site boundary, • Identify where further survey may be necessary. Figure 1 showing the location and red line boundary of the site Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 2 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1 A Phase 1 Habitat survey was undertaken to JNCC standards (JNCC, 2010). The site was walked, and each habitat was assigned a Phase 1 habitat category. Species lists were taken at locations of botanical interest. All botanical nomenclature follows Stace, 2010. A Phase 1 map was produced showing habitat boundaries. 2.2 During the Extended Phase 1 survey, the habitats were assessed for their potential to support protected species. This included, for example, looking for signs of Badger activity (e.g. setts, paths, latrines and hairs on fences), assessing any waterbodies on site or near the site for their potential to support Great Crested Newt. 2.3 The site was also surveyed for invasive, non-native plant species such as Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed. 2.4 Joel Hacking (Senior Ecologist) and Rosie Fisher (Ecologist) undertook the survey on 27th November 2019. The weather during the survey was cool with occasional showers. Both surveyors are experienced ecologists and fully trained in botanical surveys and protected species assessments. November is outside of the optimal month for botanical work, but the habitats on the site were appropriate for assessment outside of the optimal season. There were no constraints to the survey and the site could be fully accessed. Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 3 3.0 RESULTS HABITATS 3.1 The Phase 1 Habitat Map can be found at the back of the report. The habitats on the proposed development site are described below. Amenity Grassland 3.2 A small section of the site comprises amenity grassland (see Photograph 1). The sward is generally species-poor and includes mainly grasses such as Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus, Red Fescue Festuca rubra, Daisy Bellis perennis, Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg., Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis, Cleavers Galium aparine and various moss species. Photograph 1 showing the small section of amenity grassland Hardstanding (Bare Ground) 3.3 Parts of the site, particularly the caravan site, are dominated by hardstanding, which is mapped as bare ground (see Photograph 2). Various species of moss are establishing aross the pathed areas. Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 4 Photograph 2 showing the hardstanding Plantation Broad-leaved Woodland 3.4 The woodland on the site is split between plantation and semi-natural broad-leaved woodland. The plantation woodland is dominated by Hazel Corylus avellana, Ash Fraxinus excelsior, Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus (see Photograph 3). The ground flora is species-poor (see Paragraph 3.8 for further details on the ground flora). Photograph 3 showing the plantation woodland Semi-natural Broad-leaved Woodland 3.5 The semi-natural broad-leaved woodland includes Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, Elder Sambucus nigra, Silver Birch Betula pendula and Ash Fraxinus excelsior (see Photograph 4). The canopy and scrub layer Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 5 include regenerating trees. The ground flora is species-poor and similar to the plantation woodland ground flora. Photograph 4 showing the semi-natural woodland Continuous Scrub 3.6 Areas of dense scrub exist on the site (see Photograph 5). Species present in the scrub include Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., Common Nettle Urtica dioica, Ivy Hedera helix, Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, Oak Saplings Quercus robur, Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg., Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius, and Holly Ilex aquifolium. Photograph 5 showing the continuous scrub Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 6 Tall, Ruderal Herb 3.7 A small area of tall, ruderal vegetation is present near the edge of the caravan site. Species include Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Broad-leaved Willowherb Epilobium montanum and False Oat Grass Arrhenatherum elatius. Photograph 6 showing the tall, ruderal herb Woodland Ground Flora 3.8 The woodlands on the site have an understorey consisting of ruderal vegetation (see Photograph 7). The species present in this habitat include Herb Robert Geranium robertianum, Wood avens Geum urbanum, Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Common Ragwort Jacobaea vulgaris, Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata, Field-rose Rosa arvensis, Cleavers Galium aparine, Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. and Common Nettle Urtica dioica. Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 7 Photograph 7 showing the tall ruderal herb Species-poor Intact Hedgerow 3.9 A small section of intact hedgerow occurs at the edge of the site, adjacent to the road (see Photograph 8). The hedgerow species include Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, Ivy Hedera helix and Leyland Cypress Cupressus leylandii. Photograph 8 showing the hedgerow Caravan Site 3.10 The remainder of the site consist of the caravan site. The caravan site consists of hardstanding and scattered trees. Tree species include Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur. Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 8 Photograph 9 showing the Caravan Site PROTECTED SPECIES Great Crested Newt 3.11 Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus is a European Protected Species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the species is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). 3.12 No waterbodies exist on the site. No waterbodies exist within 250metres of the site. The woodland and scrub offer suitable terrestrial habitat for Great Crested Newt. Bats 3.13 All bat species are European Protected Species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). 3.14 No buildings exist on site. The trees that are to be affected by the proposals were inspected from the ground for Potential Roosting Features (PRFs), such as cavities, peeling bark and limb damage. No PRFs were found at any of the trees. Badger 3.15 Badgers Meles meles are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). These Acts, for example, make it illegal to disturb a Badger whilst it is in a sett, to kill, injure or take a Badger and to obstruct the entrance to a Badger sett. 3.16 No Badger sett was located on the site or immediately adjacent to the site. No evidence of Badger activity such as latrines or snuffle holes was located on site. Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 9 Nesting Birds 3.17 All bird species are protected at their nest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). 3.18 The trees, scrub and shrubs offer suitable nesting habitat for birds. A Barn Owl Tyto alba box is present on the south-western edge of the site. No field signs of Barn Owl occupancy were encountered near to the box, and the box is in poor condition. There are no plans to move the Barn Owl box. INVASIVE SPECIES 3.19 Small amounts of Montbretia Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora are present on the site, which is an invasive, non-native species, and is listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is an offence to allow this species to spread into the wild. PROTECTED SITES 3.20 No statutory protected sites lie on the site or immediately adjacent to the site boundary. The nearest statutory protected sites are Hendre Bach and Trelogan Grasslands Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which lie approximately 2km to the south-west and north of the site respectively. The site is not considered to be inside the Impact Risk Zone of the SSSI’s. 3.21 No non-statutory sites exist on or adjacent to the site. Pen-y-Glol Caravan Park - Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2019 10 4.0 ASSESSMENT HABITATS 4.1 The Phase 1 Habitats present on the site are common throughout the UK. No nationally rare or locally rare plant species were located during the extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey.