Rooley Moor Wind Farm Environmental Statement Appendix 8.1: Desk Study Rooley Moor Ecological Desk Study | V1 4th June 2014 Ecological Desk Study Project Name Project no: JE30481 Document title: Ecological Desk Study Document no: Revision: V1 Date: 24/04/14 Client name: Client Name Client no: Client Reference Project manager: Jo Moran Author: V Newlove File name: \\uk-bfs-mdc02\projects\JEIA\Projects\JE30481\Technical\Ecology\ES Chapter Ecology\ES Appendices\8.1 Appendix Desk study.docx SKM (Jacobs) 7th Floor Stockbridge House Trinity Gardens Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2HJ T +44 (0)191 2112400 F +44 (0)191 2112401 www.jacobs.com COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of SKM (Jacobs). Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Jacobs constitutes an infringement of copyright. Jacobs® is a trademark of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Document history and status Revision Date Description By Review Approved V1a 30/06/2014 Internal Review VN NF JM <document number> i Ecological Desk Study Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Important note about your report....................................................................................................................................................... 2 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Methodology......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Desk Study ............................................................................................................................................................................ 4 3. Results.................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 Designated Sites .................................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1.1 Statutory Designated Sites ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1.2 Non-Statutory Designated Sites .............................................................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Protected Species .................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 1. Statutory Designated Sites Figure 2. Non-statutory Designated Sites <document number> ii Ecological Desk Study Executive summary In February 2014 Jacobs (SKM) were commissioned by Coronation Power Limited to provide an Environmental Statement (ES) in support of a planning application for a wind farm development near Rochdale. A number of ecological surveys and assessments were commissioned, including the compilation of an ecological desk study to identify protected and notable environmental features in proximity to the proposed Development Area. The desk study was compiled using open source online data from the Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) map and Nature on the Map websites. Nine statutory designated sites were identified within 10km of the site boundary, none of which overlapped the development area. An additional 19 non- statutory designated sites were identified within 2km, two of which overlap the development area. The local environmental record centres were contacted for records of protected and notable species within 2km of the site and a number of additional sources were contacted for local environmental information, including the local wildlife trust and council ecology teams. Records of bird species were not compiled within this report as this was covered by a separate ornithological desk study. Records for a number of protected and notable species were returned through the desk study including records of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and plants. Records of five species; common pipistrelle bat (flight only), soprano pipistrelle bat (flight only), brown hare, dotted thyme-moss and Mougeot’s yoke-moss, were identified within the Development Area itself. 1 Ecological Desk Study Important note about your report The sole purpose of this report and the associated services performed by Jacobs is to provide ecological desk study data in accordance with the scope of services set out in the contract between Jacobs and the Client. That scope of services, as described in this report, was developed with the Client. In preparing this report, Jacobs has relied upon, and presumed accurate, any information (or confirmation of the absence thereof) provided by the Client and/or from other sources. Except as otherwise stated in the report, Jacobs has not attempted to verify the accuracy or completeness of any such information. If the information is subsequently determined to be false, inaccurate or incomplete then it is possible that our observations and conclusions as expressed in this report may change. Jacobs derived the data in this report from information sourced from the Client (if any) and/or available in the public domain at the time or times outlined in this report. The passage of time, manifestation of latent conditions or impacts of future events may require further examination of the project and subsequent data analysis, and re- evaluation of the data, findings, observations and conclusions expressed in this report. Jacobs has prepared this report in accordance with the usual care and thoroughness of the consulting profession, for the sole purpose described above and by reference to applicable standards, guidelines, procedures and practices at the date of issue of this report. For the reasons outlined above, however, no other warranty or guarantee, whether expressed or implied, is made as to the data, observations and findings expressed in this report, to the extent permitted by law. This report should be read in full and no excerpts are to be taken as representative of the findings. No responsibility is accepted by Jacobs for use of any part of this report in any other context. This report has been prepared on behalf of, and for the exclusive use of, Jacobs’ Client, and is subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the Client. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for, or in respect of, any use of, or reliance upon, this report by any third party. 2 Ecological Desk Study 1. Introduction In February 2014 Jacobs (SKM) were commissioned by Coronation Power to provide an Environmental Statement (ES) in support of a planning application for an wind farm near Rochdale. A number of ecological surveys and assessments were commissioned, including the compilation of an ecological desk study to identify protected and notable environmental features in proximity to the proposed development area. The desk study was compiled, which involved contacting a number of groups for local environmental information and species records. Open source online resources were used to identify sites designated for their environmental interest, situated in proximity to the development area. Species records were purchased from local environmental records centres in both Lancashire and Greater Manchester. A separate desk study was carried out specifically for bird species, in combination with wintering bird surveys taking place at the site during winter 2013. This report will therefore present the findings of the ecological desk study but does not include bird species information. 3 Ecological Desk Study 2. Methodology 2.1 Desk Study An initial online desk study was carried out to investigate the presence of statutory designated nature conservation sites within 10km of the Development Area (shown on Figure 1). Online searches were carried out using the Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) map1 and Nature on the Map2. Sites of interest included the following designations; x Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) conserve the habitat types, animals and plant species listed under Council Directive 92/43 EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna (the ‘Habitats Directive’). x Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are aimed at conserving bird species listed in Annex 1 of the Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds (the ‘Birds Directive’), and also migratory birds. x Ramsar wetlands are internationally recognised designations for sites which are important for birds. x Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) represent areas judged to be special on the basis of their plant or animal communities, geological features or landforms. They represent the basic minimum area of habitat that should be conserved to maintain the current range and distribution of native plants and animals. x National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are a selection of nationally important SSSIs. They have been established to protect the most important areas of wildlife habitat and geological formations.