TECHNICAL NOTE 1 - LOWER WAY FARM, THATCHAM, BERKSHIRE, RG19 3TL A site visit was undertaken at the above site (Appendix A) on the 27th June as part of a study to assess the current ecological value of the site. A desk top study was also undertaken to look at whether there are any current or future ecological implications that would prohibit a future residential development on the site. The site was deemed as ‘Not Currently Developable’ within the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)1 and reasons were noted as to why this was the case, including reasons in relation to ecology. The site was included as part of Thatcham Moors Nature Reserve within the Local Plan, however it has been shown that this is not the case and the site has not been designated as a nature. We have taken account of the comments within the SHLAA and Local Plan in determining the ecological implications of a residential proposal on the site and have shown: why some of the comments are inaccurate; and how, in principle, there are opportunities to enhance the site, or parts of it for biodiversity as part of a future residential housing proposal. The results from the site survey and desktop study are summarised below. Current Ecological Value of Site The site contains two large fields composed predominantly of long sward semi-improved grassland that is heavily colonised by tall ruderal and scrub species, although some areas are dominated by sedge species and scattered trees (Appendix B/C). The grassland flora is indicative of a slightly acidic soil and the floral diversity would appear to be declining, possibly due to the current management regime. The site is currently managed by cutting it ‘when the grass gets long’ twice a year, with arisings left in situ to compost, a management practice not conducive with promoting biodiversity. The site was previously managed by grazing it with sheep and horses approximately 10 years ago although this has now stopped. Other habitats are present within the central area of the site which separates the two fields, these include a residential dwelling and other associated buildings and structures, well managed amenity grassland, an overgrown scrubby patch and areas of hard standing. Sections of the site are surrounded by hedgerows with scrub and ruderal species contained in the margins. Large mature willow trees are present predominately along the southern boundary of the site, adjacent to the stream which forms the southern boundary. The site has not been designated as a ‘nature reserve’, and it does not have a statutory or non- statutory designation, however the site does share a small section of border, although separated by a stream, with Thatcham Reed Beds Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR). The proximity of the designated sites will need to be taken into consideration at the design and planning stage to ensure that any proposed activities on the development site do not have any long term impacts on the statutory protected sites nearby, either direct or indirect. This could be achieved by screening, using a buffer area between the site and designated sites or by new habitat creation on site. The site and the protected sites are likely to be linked hydrologically and therefore drainage will need to be 1 http://info.westberks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=36396&p=0 carefully planned with any future housing proposal. The site was identified within the West Berkshire Council Local Plan as being part of Thatcham Moors Nature Reserve (Appendix G)2. It is understood that this was a mapping error or historical error and more up to date analysis of the local area with Natural England, the Wildlife Trust and the local Records Centre (TVERC) has shown that this is not the case. Protected species In relation to species that may be using the site it is possible that protected and notable species of bats, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians and mammals may use the site to different degrees. The data search did not identify protected species records from within the site boundaries however further survey work would be required in order to confirm the current usage of the site by any protected or notable species. It is likely however that mitigation could be provided for any potential impacts on the species concerned and enhancements ranging from habitat management to new habitat creation could be provided that would improve the current ecological value of the site as part of a future housing proposal, as long as sufficient areas of the site can be retained and managed in the long term. Sites and habitats of conservation importance located nearby As shown in Appendix D, the site is situated within 1km of four statutory sites of conservation and one non-statutory site of conservation interest. The site is situated adjacent to, although separated by a stream, Kennet & Lambourn Floodplain Special Area of Conservation (SAC)3 and Thatcham Reed Beds Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), to the south/southeast of the site. The River Kennet SSSI is situated approximately 750m to the west of the site and River Lambourn SSSI is situated approximately 300m to the south of the site. The site is situated immediately adjacent to Thatcham Reedbeds Local Nature Reserve (LNR). The site is hydrologically linked to these nearby sites of conservation interest and therefore as long as appropriate pollution prevention guidelines are in place, during and post development, there are unlikely to be any direct negative ecological impacts from a residential proposal on the sites in question. Due to the close proximity of the development site to the nearby sites of conservation interest there is the potential for an indirect ecological impact due to an increase in recreational disturbance from any residential proposals. This however could be mitigated for by creating a new area on site for recreational activities or a contribution to funding off-site schemes that encourage recreation on sites with lower ecological value. The site has not been shown to contain any Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitats of principal importance4, as shown by the local (Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre) and national (MAGIC) data searches. The site visit identified areas of wet woodland to the south of the site and hedgerows surrounding sections of the site, both BAP habitats although further survey work would be required to ascertain the quality of these features. Both of these features however could be protected, enhanced and managed in conjunction with any future housing proposal. As shown 2 http://ww2.westberks.gov.uk/InternetMapping/Map.aspx?x=449924&y=167168&scale=10&tool=cn&layers=8.6.9.57.127&opencat=7 3 A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is an area which has been given special protection under the European Union’s Habitats Directive. SACs provide increased protection to a variety of wild animals, plants and habitats and are a vital part of global efforts to conserve the world’s biodiversity. 4 The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act came into force on 1st Oct 2006. Section 41 (S41) of the Act requires the Secretary of State to publish a list of habitats and species which are of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England. Fifty-six habitats of principal importance are included on the S41 list. These are all the habitats in England that were identified as requiring action in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) and continue to be regarded as conservation priorities in the subsequent UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. in Appendix E, the site is situated within 1km of 7 BAP Priority Habitats. The site is situated adjacent to reedbeds and potential BAP grassland habitat. The remaining BAP Habitat within 1km include eutrophic standing waters, lowland fens, lowland mixed deciduous woodland, rivers and wet woodland. It would be possible to create or enhance retained areas of the site to give a net increase in BAP habitat in line with the recommendations for the Biodiversity Opportunity Area5 (Appendix F) the site is contained within. Conclusions In conclusion the sites current use has been listed as ‘Nature reserve, open space with invasive vegetation’. However it is clear that the site is not a nature reserve although there is a significant amount of invasive vegetation that is currently reducing the floral diversity of the grassland on site. There are opportunities to enhance the ecological value of the site, even with residential housing on the site, although this would need to be carefully designed and secured in the long term with appropriate conditions or section 106 agreements. 5 The site is situated within the Kennet Valley East Biodiversity Opportunity Area (BOA) as indicated within Appendix E & F. Kennet Valley East is included within the West Berkshire Living Landscape Project as a BOA because it contains a range of habitats that are suitable for River management, restoration and protection; Management and re-creation of reed bed and fen; Management of gravel pits and associated habitats and potential for nature conservation post mineral extraction; and Management, restoration and re-creation of lowland meadow and wet grassland habitat. Appendices Appendix A: Site Location Appendix B: Map of Site Aerial image edited from Google Maps (2010) Nissan Style building Garage Semi-improved grassland heavily colonised by tall scrub and ruderal species Main Dwelling Semi-improved grassland ❺ heavily colonised by tall ❹ scrub and ruderal species ❹ T T ❺ T T ❽ ❿ ❾ ❹ ❸ T ❺ ❿ ❿ ❹ ❶ ❷ ❹ ❹ ❼ ❹ Storage building T ❻ ❻ ❻ Stream running Large number of parallel to site willow trees (Salix sp.) Target Notes 1. Muntjac deer (Muntiacus sp.) 2. Pheasant 3. Area containing dence tall ruderal and scrub habitat with scattered piles of scrap 4.