Proposed Demolition and Remediation of Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire Ecological Assessment A report to: Nottinghamshire County Council County Hall West Bridgeford Nottingham NG2 7QP 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 February 2015 DRAFT REPORT Proposed Demolition of Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire Ecological Assessment CONTENTS Chapter Page No. Executive Summary 3 1. Introduction 6 2. Site Description 6 3. Methodology 7 3.1 Desk Study 7 3.2 Ecological Survey 7 3.3 Ecological Evaluation Criteria 8 3.4 Mitigation Measures 8 4. Results 9 4.1 Desk Study 9 4.2 Ecological Walk-over Survey 14 5. Evaluation 19 5.1 Designated Nature Conservation Sites 19 5.2 Habitats 19 5.3 Protected/notable Species 20 5.4 Summary of Main Potential Ecological Issues 21 6. Mitigation Recommendations 22 7. Compensation and Enhancement Recommendations 25 7.1 Habitats 25 8. Further Survey Recommendations 25 8.1 Nesting Birds 25 References 26 Appendix 1: Figures 27 Figure 1: Site Location Plan 27 Figure 2: Survey Area, Survey Features and Target Notes 28 Appendix 2: Protected Species Survey Reports 29 A. Bat Survey 29 B. Bird Survey 44 C. Invertebrate Survey 52 D. Reptile Survey 65 Appendix 3: Protected Species Legislation/ National Conservation Status 70 Appendix 4: Botanical Species List 74 2 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Demolition of Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire Ecological Assessment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Proposed Works The proposed works involve the demolition and remediation of the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre site. The works are due to take place during summer 2016. Detailed site proposals are not available at this stage. Method of Study EMEC Ecology’s brief was to carry out ecological surveys to identify potential ecological issues associated with the proposed works and make recommendations for general mitigation, compensation and further surveys, as appropriate. To meet the requirements of the brief, a desk study, ecological walk-over survey and specific bat, bird, reptile and invertebrate surveys of the site and the immediate surroundings were carried out. The desk study involved consulting various organisations to provide previous species records and information on designated sites of nature conservation importance from the site and vicinity. Results Sherwood Forest is currently under consideration for SPA status due to its substantial populations of nightjar and woodlark. The Visitor Centre lies within the Birklands and Bilhaugh SAC and SSSI, and also within Sherwood Forest NNR. The entire Visitor Centre site is also located within Sherwood Forest LWS. The semi-natural broad-leaved woodland surrounding the Visitor Centre forms the primary habitat associated with the SAC designation. The area surveyed included numerous veteran oak trees (including trees immediately adjacent to the Visitor Centre buildings), mature trees and semi-mature trees, forming a mixed age class. The site was noted to support important invertebrate assemblages and habitat for nesting and foraging birds. The open areas also provided suitable habitat for reptiles (common lizard were recorded). Many veteran and mature trees supported features considered suitable for summer roosting bats and one tree was identified which had the potential to support hibernating bats. Conclusions The main potential impact of the proposed works would be the potential loss of veteran trees. However, there are currently no plans to remove any trees during the demolition and remediation works and it is considered that, providing recommendations are followed, there will in fact be a positive impact on the ecological value of the area upon completion. Recommendations Please refer to Sections 6, 7 and 8 of the report for more detailed recommendations. Mitigation Recommendations No works should occur outside the existing extent of the hardstanding / building footprints. Works should start in autumn as leaf fall is occurring and trees are approaching winter dormancy. 3 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Demolition of Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire Ecological Assessment The building demolition works should be undertaken first, with all access carried out using existing roads / paths. Following the completion of demolition works and removal of the resultant material, works could then commence to remove areas of hardstanding. The demolition of the buildings should be undertaken in a manner that will not result in rubble being deposited beyond the extent of the existing building footprint. All materials resulting from the demolition of the buildings should not be left to stand an site and should be removed immediately. All trees and shrubs should remain unaffected by the proposed works. All deadwood (standing or lying) should remain undisturbed. No storage of materials, equipment and plant should take place under the ‘drip-zone’ of mature trees. Best practice should be followed to ensure individual mature trees are not adversely affected. It is likely that Heras type fencing will be required to protect the veteran trees and areas of woodland and to ensure there is no transgression of vehicles. During the demolition and remediation works machinery should avoid driving over any grassland areas. The invasive plants Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam should not be disturbed / caused to spread during the works. Ideally, a programme of eradication should be undertaken. It is recommended that the ponds be retained. If any common amphibians are found during the proposed works, they should be removed carefully by hand to areas away from the works. As a precaution, general good working practices with respect to badgers should be adhered to No impacts should occur to the mature trees during the demolition works. If it becomes necessary to remove a specific tree a detailed inspection of that tree will be required. All building demolition works and removal of areas of hardstanding should be undertaken outside the bird breeding season (March to September, inclusive). As woodlark (a Schedule 1 species) nest on disturbed ground, it is recommended that works proceed as quickly as possible, once the hardstanding has been removed. Ideally all deadwood in the trees should be left in place to decay. The underground electrical cable tunnel close to the ranger’s office in the main Visitor Centre compound, where the cave spiders occur, should be retained if possible. Compensation and Enhancement Recommendations It is recommended that the footprint of the Visitor Centre and the immediately adjacent area is restored to wood pasture, with a variety of native broad-leaved trees and shrubs. This will increase the structural diversity and allow for a variety of bird nesting sites and an abundance of invertebrate prey. The footprint of the car parks and the childrens play area should be restored to acid grassland and heath mosaic. Ideally, the acid grassland and heath habitats should be restored through translocation or green hay collection from close-by. The occurrence of bee orchids adjacent to the picnic area suggests that there is a mixture of soil types in the area. Therefore an area of neutral grassland should also be retained. It is also recommended that some areas be managed as open clearings within the woodland habitat. Open ground can be managed to provide specific requirements for ground-feeding birds and pollen/nectar sources for invertebrates. It is also recommended that to increase the breeding potential of the area more bird boxes are placed into the woodland area at differing points to allow different bird species to thrive. 4 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Demolition of Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire Ecological Assessment Further Survey Recommendations If it is necessary to carry out any vegetation removal during the bird breeding season, then a survey must be carried out by a qualified ecologist prior to works going ahead to ensure that no active nests will be affected. If active nests were found then work would have to be delayed until all chicks had fledged. 5 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Demolition of Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire Ecological Assessment 1. INTRODUCTION This report has been prepared by EMEC Ecology for Nottinghamshire County Council. It provides the details of a desk study and an ecological assessment of the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre site. The proposed works involve the demolition and remediation of the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre site. The works are due to take place during summer 2016. Detailed site proposals are not available at this stage. The site is located north of the village of Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, in Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve (NNR). The location of the site is shown at Figure 1, Appendix 1. The approximate central grid reference of the site is SK 626 677. EMEC Ecology’s brief was to carry out an extended Phase-1 habitat survey and protected species surveys of the site. To meet the requirements of the brief, a desk study and an ecological walk-over survey of the site were carried out by suitably qualified ecologists. In addition, bat, bird, reptile and invertebrate surveys, including a specific survey for nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) were carried out in order to assess the status of protected and notable species on site. 2. SITE DESCRIPTION The survey area is situated in a rural environment, to the north of the village of Edwinstowe (Appendix 1; Figure 1). The Visitor Centre is located within Sherwood Forest NNR, part of the Birklands and Bilhaugh Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is surrounded by broad-leaved trees on all sides. It is comprised of a collection of buildings (including shops, restaurants and exhibition centres), hardstanding (such as paths and car parks), situated within a forest clearing. 6 Prepared by EMEC Ecology Tel: 0115 964 4828 Proposed Demolition of Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, Nottinghamshire Ecological Assessment 3.