Proposed Works at Land off Walker Street in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire Code for Sustainable Homes - Category 9: Ecology A report to: Kier Construction Marriott House Abbeyfield Road Nottingham NG7 2SZ By: EMEC Ecology The Old Ragged School Brook Street Nottingham NG1 1EA Tel: 0115 964 4828 Fax: 0115 964 4829 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.emec-ecology.co.uk December 2013 Proposed Works at Land off Walker Street in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire Code for Sustainable Homes - Category 9: Ecology CONTENTS Chapter Page No. Document 1: Ecological Walk-over Survey 4 1. Introduction 4 2. Biodiversity Baseline 6 2.1 Desk Study 6 2.2 Ecological Walk-over Survey 9 3. Ecological Evaluation of the Survey Area 15 3.1 General 15 3.2 Mitigation Recommendations 18 3.3 Furhter Survey Recommendations 18 4. Development Proposals 19 4.1 Landscape Proposals 19 4.2 General Site Enhancements 22 Document 2: Code for Sustainable Homes Assessment 25 A. Introduction 25 B. Eco 1: Ecological Value of Site 27 B.1 Aim and Credits Available 27 B.2 Assessment Criteria 27 B.3 Appointment of a Suitably Qualified Ecologist 27 B.4 Ecological Value of the Site and Achievable Credits 27 C. Eco 2: Ecological Enhancement 28 C.1 Aim and Credits Available 28 C.2 Assessment Criteria 28 C.3 Appointment of a Suitably Qualified Ecologist 28 C.4 Key Enhancement Recommendations 28 C.5 Additional Enhancement Recommendations 28 C.6 Achievable Credits 29 D. Eco 3: Protection of Ecological Features 30 D.1 Aim and Credits Available 30 D.2 Assessment Criteria 30 D.3 Achievable Credits 30 E. Eco 4: Change in Ecological Value of Site 31 E.1 Aim and Credits Available 31 E.2 Assessment Criteria 31 E.3 Calculation of Ecological Value of the Site Before Development 31 E.4 Calculation of the Ecological Value of the Site After Development 32 E.5 Calculation of the Change and Increase in Ecological Value & Achievable Credits 32 F. Eco 5: Building Footprint 33 F.1 Aim and Credits Available 33 F.2 Assessment Criteria 33 F.3 Achievable Credits 33 References 34 Appendix 1: Figures 35 Figure 1: Site Location Plan 35 Figure 2: Survey Area, Survey Features and Target Notes 36 Figure 3: Proposed Development 37 Appendix 2: Protected Species Legislation / Conservation Status 38 Appendix 3: Botanical Species List 41 Appendix 4: Ecologist Curriculum Vitae 43 Appendix 5: Desk Study Data 44 2 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Works at Land off Walker Street in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire Code for Sustainable Homes - Category 9: Ecology SUMMARY Eco 1: Ecological Value of Site The site comprised a former school and care home, both now demolished, where the resultant rubble areas have become vegetated in the period following demolition. Although the site was previously developed, due to the extent of previous planting (trees and scrub), in conjunction with the habitats that have established since the demolition of the school / care home, it is considered that the mosaic of habitats present cannot be considered to be of low ecological value. Therefore the Credit for Eco 1 cannot be awarded. Eco 2: Ecological Enhancement EMEC Ecology recommends that the design of the proposed development should incorporate the following Key enhancement features which would be of ecological benefit. Bird Boxes Invertebrate Habitat Retention of Orchids We recommend that the design of the proposed development should incorporate the following Additional enhancement features which would be of ecological benefit. Bat Boxes Invertebrate Boxes Provided that all three Key enhancements are made and at least one of the additional enhancements is also completed the Credit for Eco 2 can be achieved. Eco 3: Protection of Ecological Features At this stage it has not be known whether the site supports reptiles and the species of orchid is currently unconfirmed (see Section 3.3). Therefore it is not possible to provide advice regarding possible protection measures. Furthermore it had not been confirmed whether trees within the site can be retained / protected during the works. Eco 4: Change in Ecological Value of Site The extent of landscaping available for ecology is not currently known (landscaping proposals are still to be designed), however recommendations for planting schemes, and where Credits could be achieved are included within the report. However, for maximum Credits for Eco 4 to be achieved it is likely that green or brown roofs on the buildings may be necessary. Eco 5: Building Footprint At this stage it has not been confirmed the number of storeys each building will have (although it is possible that some buildings will have 3 or 4 floors); therefore the number of Credits which could be achieved cannot currently be confirmed. Total Depending on the landscaping proposals, and provided the recommendations made are followed, the development could potentially attain between 3 to 6 Credits. 3 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Works at Land off Walker Street in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire Code for Sustainable Homes - Category 9: Ecology DOCUMENT 1: ECOLOGICAL WALK-OVER SURVEY 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Site Location and Proposed Works This report has been prepared by EMEC Ecology for Kier Construction. It provides the details of an ecological assessment of an area of land off Walker Street in Eastwood, where development works are proposed. The area of land where the works are proposed is centred on grid reference SK 470 469 and occurs on the site of a former school and care home (all demolished). The location of the site is shown on Figure 1 in Appendix 1. EMEC Ecology’s brief was to carry out an ecological assessment to inform Credits potentially available under the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), Category 9: Ecology Section. 1.2 Survey Methodology 1.2.1 Ecological Baseline The ecological baseline was determined through a desk study and an ecological walk-over survey, as detailed below. 1.2.2 Desk Study This involved consultation to obtain any existing records of protected and/or notable species and designated nature conservation sites e.g. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) from the site to a distance of approximately 2km (this will be referred to as the ‘study area’). The following organisations and web-based resources were consulted: Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Records Centre and the county mammal recorder (Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust) Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (Magic web site for statutory nature conservation sites). 1.2.3 Ecological Walk-over Survey An ecological walk-over survey of the site was conducted and notes were made on the Phase-1 habitat types present (JNCC 2010) and their suitability for protected species. Target notes were used to record any habitats or features of particular interest and any sightings, signs or evidence of protected or notable faunal species or any potential habitat for such species, as detailed below: The suitability of habitats for badgers (Meles meles) was recorded and any evidence of badgers including setts, dung pits, badger paths, hairs, bedding, footprints and scratching trees was noted. Trees with features suitable for roosting bats were noted, such as hollows, cracks and cavities within trunks and branches (e.g. old woodpecker holes), crevices behind loose bark and ivy growth. 4 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Works at Land off Walker Street in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire Code for Sustainable Homes - Category 9: Ecology The suitability of habitats was assessed for amphibians (including great crested newt Triturus cristatus) and reptiles. The suitability of habitats was assessed for nesting birds. The survey was carried out on the 19th September. Surveying in September is suitable as it is during the plant growing season (i.e. April to September) when many plant species are flowering and are easily identifiable. Also, faunal species are active at this time of year. 1.2.4 Survey Limitations Only a brief assessment of the site was made and no systematic surveys to establish the presence/absence of protected species were undertaken. As such, a lack of evidence of a protected species does not necessarily indicate an absence of the species. 5 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Works at Land off Walker Street in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire Code for Sustainable Homes - Category 9: Ecology 2. BIODIVERSITY BASELINE 2.1 Desk Study1 2.1.1 Designated Nature Conservation Sites a) Statutory Sites There are no statutory designated nature conservation sites within the survey area; however, there are four Local Nature Reserves within the study area, the closest being Colliers Wood LNR which is situated 820m away. This is a former colliery site which now has “diverse wildlife interest with plantations, wetlands and grasslands attracting insects and birds”. There are three other LNRs within the study area; these are situated more than a kilometre away from the survey area. b) Non-statutory Sites There are no non-statutory designated nature conservation sites within the survey area; however, there are several within the study area. Most of these LWS are over a kilometre from the survey area. Details of the four LWS within a kilometre of the survey area are detailed within Table 2.1. Table 2.1: Non-statutory Designated Nature Conservation Sites within 1km of the Survey Area LWS Location and Approx. Reason for Designation Distance from Survey Area Nether Green SK 465 474 A notable wetland community developed Brook LWS Located 350m to the north along a brook of importance. Beauvale Brook SK 473 475 A wetland with a valuable species Marsh, Located 370m to the north assemblage. Eastwood LWS Eastwood Mine SK 459 474 A spoil heap of botanical interest.