Ecological Technical Note Longsdon Way, Caterham, Surrey September 2019 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This Technical Note has been prepared by CSA Environmental on behalf of Croudace Homes Ltd in relation to land at Longsdon Way, Caterham, Surrey (hereafter referred to as, ‘the Site’), centred around Ordnance Survey grid reference TQ 348 551). 1.2 The Site (c.3.96 ha) is being promoted for allocation for residential housing (originally for up to c.60 units). Representations have been made to Tandridge District Council (TDC) for inclusion of a site allocation within the Tandridge ‘Our Local Plan 2033’, however the Site was excluded from further consideration as a result of Regulation 19 consultation. Whilst the evidence base previously provided by TDC confirmed that the Site is not performing Green Belt purposes and as such could be considered for release from the Green Belt, concerns were subsequently raised following publication of their ecology evidence base which identified the Site as ‘ecologically unsuitable’ due to the potential for the Site to be restored to calcareous grassland as S41 (NERC Act, 2006) habitat. The validity of this decision is explored and evaluated within this Technical Note, in light of revised proposals for development of a reduced scale (up to c.40 units), see Development Plan (Ref DES/929/600) provided in Appendix E. 1.3 A review of the Local Plan evidence base documents has been undertaken, and an assessment of the conclusions drawn against site based survey and biological records data commissioned by the applicant, has been made. Information presented within the following documents has been considered: Tandridge District Council – Evidence Base ñ Tandridge Local Plan site Based Ecology Assessment Volumes 1 & 2 – Blindley Heath, Bletchingly and Caterham 2016 (ECO 14) ñ Tandrigde Local Plan Site Based Ecology Assessment (2017 & 2018) (ECO 4 & ECO 2) (as a contextual comparison on approach as CATT0016 is not included within this study) ñ Tandridge Local Plan 2016 Site Based Ecological Assessment Rebuttals and Reponses to Promotor Representations 2018 (ECO 1). 44146 Longsdon Way, Caterham 1 Applicant Representations and Evidence Base ñ Longsdon Way, Caterham - Ecological Assessment (April 2015). Derek Finnie Associates (Consultant Ecologists) ñ Response to Tandridge District Council’s Local Plan: Sites Consultation (November 2016). Shrimplin Brown Planning & Development. ñ Representations to Tandridge District Council – Local Plan Issues and Approaches Consultation (February 2016). ECE Planning. 1.4 In addition to the above CSA Environmental undertook an update Phase 1 Habitat survey, National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey and biological records search in July 2019, to provide an up to date assessment of ecological constraints to development in the context of the proposed allocation. Results of these update studies are summarised below. 2.0 Methods 2.1 Prior to the site visit, a desktop data search was completed in order to obtain records of designated wildlife sites and protected/notable species on-site or within the local area. The Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre was contacted to obtain records and details of non- statutory wildlife site designations from a 2km radius from the Site’s central grid reference (TQ 345551), while details of statutory designated wildlife sites were retrieved from the Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) online database. The MAGIC data search for statutory designations comprised those within a 10km radius for sites of International importance, 3km for sites of National importance and 2km for sites of Local importance. 2.2 A review of existing survey data from the Phase 1 habitats survey (Derek Finnie Associates, April 2015) and NVC survey (TEC, September 2016), was undertaken and a summary of findings present. These findings were compared with the results of an extended Phase 1 Habitat1 and NVC2 survey undertaken on 09 July 2019, in order to confirm the type, value and extent of on-site habitats and their potential to support notable and protected species. Habitats mapped during the 2019 survey are shown on the Habitats Plan (CSA/4416/01) provided in Appendix A. A copy of the full NVC Report provided in Appendix C. 1 Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 1990. Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey – a technique for environmental audit. Revised reprint 2010. Peterborough: JNCC. 2 Assessed in line with Rodwell, JS, ed (1992) British plant communities Volume 3: Grasslands and montane communities. Cambridge University Press, and using MAVIS software - Hill (2016), available at https://www.ceh.ac.uk/services/modular-analysis-vegetation-information-system-mavis 44146 Longsdon Way, Caterham 2 3.0 Consideration of Designated Sites 3.1 No statutory or non-statutory wildlife designations, Ancient Woodland or a Biodiversity Opportunity Area (as identified within the emerging TDC Local Plan 2033) cover the Site or immediately adjacent land. The Site was not identified as a potential Site of Nature Conservation Interest (pSNCI) during the Tandrige SNCI project. 3.2 A number of designated sites were identified within the defined search area. These are summarised below, and include a number of sites designated for calcareous grassland. This highlights both the value of this area for calcareous grassland habitats, and illustrates the relative abundance of this habitat type within the local area. Natural England Condition Assessments for SSSI compartments indicate that these sites are mainly in ‘favourable’ or ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition. Statutory Designations ñ Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment Special Area of Conservation (SAC) – located c. 8.87km west of the Site. This site is designated for its Annex I habitats including the only area of stable box scrub Buxus sempervirens in the UK, as well as semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland faces on calcareous substrates (Festuco-brometalia) and Yew woodlands Taxus baccata. The Natural England Condition Assessment for SSSI units within the SAC concludes habitats are 52.79% favourable, 46.71% unfavourable recovering and 0.51% unfavourable- no change (total 1016.42 ha). ñ Woldingham and Oxted Downs Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) – located c. 1.66km east of the Site. This SSSI is designated for its rich chalk grassland, scrub and mature and secondary woodland supporting many species, including a number that are rare. The Natural England Condition Assessment for this SSSI is 51.15% favourable and 48.85% unfavourable recovering (total 128.9 ha). ñ Quarry Hangers SSSI - located c.2.2km south-west of the Site at its closest point. This SSSI is designated for the mixture of species-rich chalk grassland, scrub and woodland, and a number of plants which are rare or local in Surrey, as well as locally important invertebrates which it supports. The Natural England Condition Assessment for this SSSI is 49.07% favourable, 42.01% unfavourable recovering and 8.91% unfavourable declining (total 33.5 ha). ñ Blanchmans Farm Local Nature Reserve (LNR) – located c.2.7km north-east. Comprising two summer meadows, a pond, a central wooded area, hazel coppice, a newly planted orchard and horse grazing (total 9.4ha). Non-Statutory Designations ñ Eight Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) were identified within a 2km radius of the Site. Three of these sites (all located along 44146 Longsdon Way, Caterham 3 the west facing ridge along the A2 corridor north and south of the Longsdon Way site) have been designated for the grassland habitats which they support, as summarised below. A fourth SNCI, Foxburrow Fields, is located further to the south-west; no habitat information on this site has been provided by SBRC, but it is anticipated that this will have been designated for grassland habitats given its name / aerial photography. Full details and mapping provided by SBRC is provided within Appendix C. ° Manor Park SNCI – located c.1.5km north. Unimproved calcareous and mesotrophic grassland communities, both of which are rare and declining (total 19.3 ha). ° Chalet Field SNCI – located c.0.59km south. Species-rich unimproved and semi-improved mesotrophic and calcareous grassland (total 10.2ha). ° Stoney Hill West SNCI – located c.0.92km north. The site supports pockets of species-rich calcareous grassland, including 19 species typically of grassland of conservation interest in Surrey (as recorded in 2015), (total 7.3ha). ñ Six potential SNCI have also been identified within a 2km radius of the Site. SBRC have not provided any information about the nature of these sites, as pSNCIs are sites which are thought likely to contain flora or fauna of County or regional importance, but that have not been surveyed to confirm this. However, pSNCI are incorporated into the TDC Local Plan 2001 in policy NE4, and in the TDC Local Plan 2033 in policy TLP35. From aerial photography and mapping of the local area it appears likely that the following have been identified as potential grassland pSNCI: ° Whitehill pSNCI (grassland and woodland areas) – located c.1.58km south-west (total 29.95 ha) ° Godstone Road Field pSNCI (grassland and woodland areas) – located c.0.44km south (total 3.83ha) 4.0 Previous Habitat Survey Data Ecological Assessment (DFA) 4.1 An extended Phase 1 habitats survey was undertaken on 05 March 2015, following the JNCC (2010) methods. Habitats identified comprised broad-leaved woodland (linear belts along the western, northern and eastern borders), scrub (dense patch in the south-west corner) and species poor semi-improved grassland (occupying c.90% of the site). Grassland was classified as semi-improved, species poor due to the abundance of perennial rye grass Lolium pernne and cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata, although the presence of glaucous sedge Carex flacca (indicative of calcareous grassland) was recorded. The 44146 Longsdon Way, Caterham 4 assessment concluded that the grassland was of ‘negligible ecology value’ due to its limited diversity in terms of species and sward structure. Ho wever, it should be noted that this survey was undertaken outside of the optimal period for botanical survey, and as such many herb species may not have been evident / flowering.