ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Proposed Lodge Park The Glyn, Lleweni Parc, Denbigh Ecological Appraisal CONFIDENTIAL – NOT FOR PUBLIC ISSUE Produced for: Lleweni Parc Ltd. February 2018 This page is intentionally blank Proposed Lodge Park Ecological Appraisal The Glyn, Lleweni Parc, Denbigh CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 The Scheme 1 1.2 Scope of this Report 1 2 METHODOLOGY 2 2.1 Desk Study 2 2.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2 2.3 Assessment of Ecological Value 3 2.4 Limitations 3 3 RESULTS 4 3.1 Desk Study 4 3.2 Phase 1 Habitat Survey 5 3.3 Protected Species 6 3.4 Notable Species 9 3.5 Invasive Species 9 3.6 Key Ecological Receptors 10 4 DISCUSSION 11 4.1 Proposed Development 11 4.2 Likely Impacts 11 4.3 Recommendations 12 5 CONCLUSION 14 6 REFERENCES 15 APPENDIX A Phase 1 Habitat Map APPENDIX B Site Photographs APPENDIX C Biological Records Quality Assessment Record Report Version Written by Date Reviewed by Date 1.0 Russell Grey 23 February 2018 Maddy Warriner 23 February 2018 ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd (i) www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Lodge Park Ecological Appraisal The Glyn, Lleweni Parc, Denbigh 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Scheme 1.1.1 Etive Ecology Ltd was commissioned by Lleweni Parc Ltd. in December 2017 to undertake an ecological appraisal of a plot of land at The Glyn, Lleweni Parc, Denbigh. The site is centred on National Grid Reference SJ 0800 6899. 1.1.2 The application site boundary primarily comprises a grassland field surrounded by scattered trees and woodland, with a small water‐course flowing through it. The site is set within the grounds of Lleweni Parc, with arable land to the south, a gliding airfield to the north and the Afon Clwyd to the east. 1.1.3 The proposed scheme is for the layout and siting of 24 lodges with associated vehicular access, individual parking spaces and sewage treatment works. 1.2 Scope of this Report 1.2.1 The site assessment is based on the Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, 2017). 1.2.2 The aim of the assessment is to obtain data on existing ecological conditions, and to conduct a preliminary assessment of the likely significance of ecological impacts on the proposed development site. To achieve this, the following steps were taken: The desk study area and field survey area (including the ‘zone of influence’ of the scheme) have been identified A desk study has been undertaken, including the purchase of biological records from the Local Records Centre (Cofnod) Baseline information on the site and surrounding area has been recorded through an ‘extended Phase 1 survey’, including a Phase 1 habitat survey (JNCC 2010) and consideration of notable and/or protected habitats and species The ecological features present within the survey area have been evaluated, where possible (IEEM, 2006) Invasive plant and animal species (such as those listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act [WCA]) have been identified Potential constraints to the proposed development have been identified Recommendations for further survey have been made Mitigation recommendations have been provided based on current information. 1.2.3 The Phase 1 Habitat Map of the survey area is in Appendix A with target notes used to link features of note to the report text. Photographs taken during the survey are presented in Appendix B. ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Page 1 of 15 www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Lodge Park Ecological Appraisal The Glyn, Lleweni Parc, Denbigh 2 METHODOLOGY 2.1 Desk Study 2.1.1 A desk study was undertaken to identify any nature conservation sites and/or any relevant protected or notable species records within 1km of the site. 2.1.2 The following sources of information were utilized: MAGIC website (http://www.magic.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx) Wales Biodiversity Partnership (https://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/) Natural Resources Wales website (https://naturalresources.wales/) 2.1.3 A data search enquiry to the North Wales Environmental Information Service (Cofnod) was made, for all designated nature conservation sites and all protected and/or notable species within 1km of the centre of the site. 2.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2.2.1 The site visit was made on 18th December 2017. 2.2.2 The survey comprised an extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. This survey method follows the habitat assessment and classification procedure outlined by the Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (JNCC, 2010), whereby all habitats are identified, described and mapped using a standard classification. 2.2.3 The extended component of the survey is developed from the methodology described in Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment (IEA, 1995). All habitats and features within the survey area are assessed for their potential to support legally protected or notable species (nationally or locally). 2.2.4 These species include: Amphibians: ponds within 250m of the site were considered for their suitability to support a range of amphibians, including great crested newts (GCN). Reptiles: the site was assessed for suitable habitats including rough grassland, allotments, brownfield sites and habitat edges in general which would provide cover, basking and foraging habitat for reptile species. Otters: watercourses within 100m of the site were checked for signs of otter and assessed for their suitability to support the species. Water voles: watercourses on site were checked for signs of water vole presence and assessed for their potential to support the species. Bats: all trees and structures on site were assessed as to their suitability to support roosting bats at any point during the year. Trees and structures were then categorised for their potential to support roosting bats as per the Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists – Good Practice Guidelines (Collins, J., 2016). Birds: the site was assessed for suitable habitats for nesting birds, including habitats suitable for ground‐nesting species. Badgers: all habitats within 30m of the site were surveyed where possible to identify the presence of any setts or signs of badger activity. ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Page 2 of 15 www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Lodge Park Ecological Appraisal The Glyn, Lleweni Parc, Denbigh Invasive plant species: this assessment does not constitute a full Schedule 9 species survey. The potential for any Schedule 9 species was assessed and any species that were encountered were mapped and noted. 2.3 Assessment of Ecological Value 2.3.1 The value and sensitivity of ecological features was determined based on the guidance given in Guidelines on Ecological Impact Assessment (CIEEM, 2016). Individual ecological receptors (habitats and species that could be affected by the development) were assigned levels of importance for nature conservation in one of the following categories: • International / European • National / UK • Metropolitan / County • Local, or • within the immediate zone of influence or site only. 2.3.2 For a given receptor, determination of value includes consideration of the size, secondary or supporting value/function, conservation status and quality of the species or feature. 2.4 Limitations 2.4.1 The Phase 1 Habitat survey was undertaken outside of the recommended survey season. However, previous survey of the site was undertaken in June 2011 by the same surveyor, to inform a previous planning application for a similar footprint. Therefore, the surveyor is aware of the botanical composition of the site from 2011 and, such is the nature of the site, its current land‐use and its recent management, it is unlikely that any significant or rare species of flora are present. 2.4.2 Access was permitted to all land within the application site boundary. All surrounding land was either accessible or fully visible to the surveyor. 2.4.3 There are considered to be no significant limitations to the undertaking or accuracy of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey. ETIVE ECOLOGY Ltd Page 3 of 15 www.etiveecology.co.uk Proposed Lodge Park Ecological Appraisal The Glyn, Lleweni Parc, Denbigh 3 RESULTS 3.1 Desk Study Designated Sites 3.1.1 There are no statutory sites for nature conservation located within 1km of the site. 3.1.2 There are two Local Wildlife Site (LWS) located within 1km of the site; The Belt; located 400m to the west of the site and designated due to its broadleaved woodland habitat which forms a continuous block of 8.4ha. This habitat is considered likely to qualify as UK Priority Habitat and as ancient woodland. Ty‐coch and Afon Clwyd Woods; located 800m to the north of the site. The sites comprise of broadleaved woodland on the banks of the River Clwyd with a diverse age structure and ancient woodland flora. There is also an area of neutral grassland occurring on a bank to the south of the site. Round‐leaved crowfoot also occurs in the river and the sandy bank of the river meander has the potential for nesting Sand Martin and Kingfisher. 3.1.3 There are a total of 14 blocks of ancient woodland located within 1km of the site. These include The Belt, sections of Big Wood 400m to the south of the site, Coed Nant Lleweni 175m to the north and a number of sites on the opposite side of the Afon Clwyd. These sites comprise a mix of semi‐natural, plantation and restored ancient woodland. Species Records 3.1.4 A summary of the protected and notable species records provided by Cofnod is given below. Full details of biological records returned from the search are given in Appendix C. Amphibians; none Bats; unknown bat sp. Birds; bullfinch, curlew, dunnock, house sparrow, kestrel, lapwing, marsh tit, reed bunting, song thrush and spotted flycatcher Mammals; badger, brown hare, hedgehog, otter, polecat, stoat and water vole Invasive Species; Himalayan balsam and American mink Invertebrates; various species of butterfly and moths Reptiles; none Environment (Wales) Act 3.1.5 The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 replaces the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.