Aspire Defence Capital Works – Baseline Ecological Survey, Bulford Aspire Defence Capital Works Baseline Ecological Survey - Bulford January 2013 Document No. 23-XXXGEN-43-RT-E5-004 01 23-XXXGEN-43-RT-E5-004 SLR Aspire Defence Capital Works – Baseline Ecological Survey, Bulford Document Status Rev. Date Purpose Revisions Prep Chkd Appr of Issue 01 1/13 For info. FINAL SLR DK 23-XXXGEN-43-RT-E5-004 SLR ARMY 2020 Baseline Ecological Appraisal:- Bulford Camp, Wiltshire Aspire Defence Capital Works January 2013 SLR Ref: 404-01208-00023 ADCW 1 404.01208.00023 Army 2020: Bulford Camp – Ecological Appraisal January 2013 CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 2 1.1 Scope of Ecological Works.............................................................................. 2 1.3 Study Area......................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Objectives of the Study .................................................................................... 2 2.0 METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Desk Study ........................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Field Survey ...................................................................................................... 4 2.3 Limitations......................................................................................................... 7 3.0 RESULTS .................................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Desk-top study.................................................................................................. 8 3.2 Plot 1.................................................................................................................. 9 3.3 Plot 2................................................................................................................ 10 3.4 Plot 3................................................................................................................ 13 3.5 Plot 4................................................................................................................ 14 3.6 Plot 5................................................................................................................ 15 4.0 EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL FEATURES.......................................................... 18 4.1 Criteria for Evaluation .................................................................................... 18 4.2 Designated Sites............................................................................................. 18 4.3 Evaluation ....................................................................................................... 19 4.4 Fauna............................................................................................................... 20 5.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................. 23 5.1 Summary of Results by Plot .......................................................................... 23 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................. 25 7.0 CLOSURE.................................................................................................................. 26 APPENDICES DRAWING 1: Potential Development Plot Location Plan DRAWING 2: Phase 1 Habitat Plan (Plots 1 and 5) DRAWING 3: Phase 1 Habitat Plan (Plot 2) DRAWING 4: Phase 1 Habitat Plan (Plots 3 and 4) DRAWING 5: Badger Survey Plan (Plots 1 and 5) DRAWING 6: Badger Survey Plan (Plot 2) DRAWING 7: Badger Survey Plan (Plots 3 and 4) 130111 404 01208 00023 ARMY 2020 Bulford Camp Ecological Assessment MPM_v0 - AL.doc SLR ADCW 2 404.01208.00023 Army 2020: Bulford Camp – Ecological Appraisal January 2013 1.0 INTRODUCTION Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) delivers new and improved facilities for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) through a project called Army 2020. ADCW is currently identifying areas within existing MoD landholdings that are potential sites for construction projects. As part of this process, each site is being subject to an ecological appraisal in order to identify possible constraints and ensure compliance with relevant legislation. SLR Consulting Limited (SLR) has been commissioned by ADCW to undertake baseline ecological surveys with regard to parcels of land at Tidworth Garrison, Larkhill Camp, Bulford Camp and Perham Down in Wiltshire. This report details the findings of the surveys at Bulford Camp. 1.1 Scope of Ecological Works SLR was requested to investigate five potential development plots at Bulford Camp. These were identified as Plots 1 to 5 on Drawing 1 (and shown in detail on Drawings 2 to 4). An Extended Phase 1 habitat assessment was conducted for each development plot in August 2012. Follow-on reptile and badger surveys were undertaken in September and December 2012 respectively. This document records the findings of the Extended Phase 1 habitat and badger surveys and summarises the findings of the reptile surveys. A detailed record of the reptile survey is available in a separate report1. The report presents information with regard to the ecological value of the proposed development plots and makes recommendations for additional surveys where appropriate. 1.3 Study Area The study areas are shown on Drawings 1-4. 1.4 Objectives of the Study The principle aim of the ecological assessment is to provide baseline information with respect to the habitats and species within the study area, with the following specific objectives: x Identify the habitats present within the identified potential development sites and evaluate their importance in accordance with established frameworks; x Identify which species may be utilising the habitats within the survey areas with particular regard to those protected by legislation or by virtue of their inclusion as UK or LBAP species; and 1 SLR Consulting Limited (January 2013) 404.01208.00023. Army 2020: Bulford Camp Reptile Survey. 130111 404 01208 00023 ARMY 2020 Bulford Camp Ecological Assessment MPM_v0 - AL.doc SLR ADCW 3 404.01208.00023 Army 2020: Bulford Camp – Ecological Appraisal January 2013 x Provide an initial assessment of the ecological value of the site and assess the requirement for additional habitat and species surveys in order to meet legislative and/or policy requirements. 130111 404 01208 00023 ARMY 2020 Bulford Camp Ecological Assessment MPM_v0 - AL.doc SLR ADCW 4 404.01208.00023 Army 2020: Bulford Camp – Ecological Appraisal January 2013 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1 Desk Study A 2 km radius from the site was used to search for records of statutory designated wildlife sites. Baseline data in respect of statutory wildlife sites was sought through examination of Natural England’s web based resources. Information on non-statutory wildlife site designations was sought from Aspire Defence Capital Works environmental team. None was identified. Online databases were searched for the presence of protected species within 1 km of Bulford Camp, including: the National Biodiversity Network2, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designations for Salisbury Plain3, and Natural England’s citations for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) units4. 2.2 Field Survey The boundaries of the identified plots are considered to be somewhat arbitrary, providing an indication that the outlined area has the potential for development, rather than a specific surveyed and plotted development footprint. It is considered that the indicated plot boundary may shift and, to this end, the survey boundaries were extended significantly beyond those of the potential development plots, to encompass as much ground as was feasible at the time of survey and to which access was possible. 2.2.1 Habitats The habitat survey and mapping exercise was carried out by an experienced Senior Ecologist from SLR Consulting on 14th August 2012. The approach taken followed the standard Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology (JNCC, 2010) but was modified to take account of the comparatively small size of the habitat patches and provide greater detail. Habitat plans are presented in Drawings 2 to 4. In addition, the presence of plant species included within Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) was searched for during the survey. Plants included within the schedule include Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum). It is an offence under the Act to plant or cause the spread of the species listed in Schedule 9 in the wild. 2.2.2 Fauna Habitats and features with the potential to support protected and/or conservation priority (i.e. BAP) fauna species, together with any field signs of such species, were recorded on the field map using target notes (relevant details are reproduced on the digitised plan in Drawings 2 to 4). In addition, detailed surveys were undertaken for badger and reptiles. The method used for conducting the badger survey is provided below. The reptile survey was conducted in accordance with best practice guidelines for identifying the presence or absence of this 2 www.nbn.org.uk 3 www.jncc.defra.gov.uk 4 www.magic.gov.uk 130111 404 01208 00023 ARMY 2020 Bulford Camp Ecological Assessment MPM_v0 - AL.doc SLR