Chilcompton, Naish’s Cross Somerset Ecological Appraisal February 2021 Quality Management Client: Gladman Developments Ltd Project: Chilcompton, Naish’s Cross, Somerset Report Title: Ecological Appraisal Project Number: ECO-5551 File Reference: 5551 EcoAp vf1 /AS/JC Date: 16/02/2021 Copyright The copyright of this document remains with Aspect Ecology. All rights reserved. The contents of this document therefore must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part for any purpose without the written consent of Aspect Ecology. Confidentiality This report may contain sensitive information relating to protected species. All records of Badger setts must remain confidential. Where this report is circulated publicly or uploaded to online planning portals, reference to Badger setts must be redacted and any maps pertaining to the locations of Badger setts removed from the document. Legal Guidance The information set out within this report in no way constitutes a legal opinion on the relevant legislation (refer to the relevant Appendix for the main provisions of the legislation). The opinion of a legal professional should be sought if further advice is required. Liability This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the commissioning client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by Aspect Ecology no other party may use, or rely on the contents of the report. No liability is accepted by Aspect Ecology for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided. No warranty, express or implied, is made as to the advice in this report. The content of this report is partly based on information provided by third parties; Aspect accepts no liability for any reliance placed on such information. This report is subject to the restrictions and limitations referenced in Aspect Ecology’s standard Terms of Business. Contact Details Aspect Ecology Ltd Hardwick Business Park I Noral Way I Banbury I Oxfordshire OX16 2AF t 01295 279721 e [email protected] w www.aspect-ecology.com Contents Text: Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2 2 Methodology .................................................................................................................... 3 3 Ecological Designations................................................................................................... 11 4 Habitats and Ecological Features .................................................................................... 15 5 Faunal Use of the Site ..................................................................................................... 19 6 Mitigation Measures and Biodiversity Net Gains ........................................................... 31 7 Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 36 Plans: Plan 5551/ECO1 Site Location Plan 5551/ECO2 Ecological Designations Plan 5551/ECO3 Habitats and Ecological Features Plan 5551/ECO4 May 2019 Bat Activity Survey Results Plan 5551/ECO5 July 2019 Bat Activity Survey Results Plan 5551/ECO6 September 2019 Bat Activity Survey Results Plan 5551/ECO7 September 2020 Bat Activity Survey Results Plan 5551/ECO8 2019 Reptile Survey Results Photographs: Photographs 1-10 Appendices: Appendix 5551/1 Evaluation Methodology Appendix 5551/2 Legislation Summary Appendix 5551/3 Bat Habitat Metric Assessment Confidential Appendix Badger Survey Results and Assessment (available on request) Chilcompton, Naish’s Cross Ecological Appraisal Executive Summary i) Introduction. Aspect Ecology was commissioned by Gladman Developments Ltd in December 2018 to undertake an Ecological Appraisal in respect of proposed development of land at Chilcompton, Naish’s Cross, Somerset. ii) Proposals. The proposals are for residential development of the site to provide up to 95 dwellings with associated access, infrastructure and open space. iii) Survey. The site was surveyed in December 2018 and September 2020 based on standard extended Phase 1 methodology. In addition, a general appraisal of faunal species was undertaken in 2019 and 2020 to record the potential presence of any protected, rare or notable species, with specific surveys conducted in respect of bats, Badger and reptiles. iv) Ecological Designations. The site itself is not subject to any statutory or non-statutory ecological designations. The nearest statutory designation of ecological interest is Edford Woods and Meadows Site of Special Scientific Interest located approximately 2.7km south- east of the site. A number of international designations of ecological importance are located within 20km of the site, the nearest of these being Mells Valley Special Area of Conservation, located 3km south-east of the site. The nearest non-statutory designation is Downside Abbey Park and Plantation Local Wildlife Site (LWS) located approximately 0.3km to the east of the site. Subject to the provision of sufficient replacement bat habitat, recreational space and a suitable drainage system within the application site, along with implementation of a sensitive lighting scheme, none of the ecological designations in the surrounding area are likely to be adversely affected by the proposals. v) Habitats. The site comprises two pastoral grassland fields bound by hedgerows and residential dwellings. The hedgerows form features of ecological importance of local level value, the vast majority of which are to be retained by the proposals and will be protected during construction. The small loss of hedgerow to facilitate access will be off-set by new, native species-rich hedgerow planting. The remaining habitats within the site are not considered to form important ecological features and their loss to the proposals is of negligible significance. vi) Protected Species. Bats utilise the site for commuting and foraging and several trees within, or in close proximity to the site have some suitability to support roosting bats. Long-term opportunities for bats will be maintained, if not enhanced, under the proposals through retention of trees and hedgerows, creation of new suitable foraging habitat and the implementation of a sensitive lighting scheme. A low population of Slow-worm is present within the site and it is likely that birds nest within suitable habitat at the site. Appropriate mitigation measures will be implemented due to the potential for the proposals to impact on these protected species. Long-term opportunities for protected species will be maintained under the proposals through the provision of enhanced and sensitively managed retained habitat. vii) Enhancements. The proposals present the opportunity to secure a number of biodiversity net gains, including new native shrub, tree and hedgerow planting, new wildflower grassland, new amphibian / reptile hibernacula, and more diverse nesting habitats for birds. viii) Summary. In summary, the proposals have sought to minimise impacts on biodiversity and subject to the implementation of appropriate avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures, it is considered unlikely that the proposals will result in significant harm. February 2021 Page|1 Chilcompton, Naish’s Cross Ecological Appraisal 1 Introduction 1.1 Background and Proposals 1.1.1 Aspect Ecology was commissioned by Gladman Developments Ltd in December 2018 to undertake an Ecological Appraisal in respect of proposed development of land at Chilcompton, Naish’s Cross centred at grid reference ST 6464 5088 (see Plan 5551/ECO1), hereafter referred to as ‘the site’. 1.1.2 Aspect Ecology was commissioned to carry out a suite of ecological surveys between 2018 and 2019 at the site in addition to further land to the south and south-west hereafter referred to as ‘the wider survey area'. 1.1.3 The proposals are for residential development of the site to provide up to 95 dwellings, predominantly located at the north of the site, with associated access and infrastructure. A large area of open space is to be provided at the south of the site. 1.2 Site Overview 1.2.1 The site is located to the south of the village of Chilcompton, Somerset. The site is bound to the north and west by residential dwellings. Open grassland fields bound the site to the south. Rock Road (B356) bounds the site to the east, beyond which lies a mix of residential dwellings, grassland fields and woodland. 1.2.2 The site itself comprises two livestock grazed grassland fields bound by a mix of hedgerows, stock fencing and the curtilage of adjacent residential properties. 1.3 Purpose of the Report 1.3.1 This report documents the methods and findings of the baseline ecology surveys and desktop study carried out in order to establish the existing ecological interest of the site, and subsequently provides an appraisal of the likely ecological effects of the proposals. The importance of the habitats and species present is evaluated. Where necessary, avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures are proposed so as to safeguard any significant existing ecological interest within the site and where appropriate, opportunities for ecological enhancement are identified with reference to national conservation priorities and local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). February 2021 Page|2 Chilcompton, Naish’s Cross Ecological Appraisal 2 Methodology 2.1 Desktop Study 2.1.1