Reach – A Biodiversity Assessment for the Neighbourhood Plan March 2021 MKA ECOLOGY Reach, Cambridgeshire A Biodiversity Assessment to support the Neighbourhood Plan March 2021 0 Reach – A Biodiversity Assessment for the Neighbourhood Plan March 2021 Site Reach Project number 103520 Client Reach Neighbourhood Plan Group Version Date of issue Revisions number 1.0 19 March 2021 Original Author(s) Will O’Connor CEcol MCIEEM Will O’Connor CEcol MCIEEM Surveyor(s) Ellen Miller MKA Ecology Limited Contact 01763 262211 [email protected] MKA Ecology Ltd is a Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Registered Practice. 1 Reach – A Biodiversity Assessment for the Neighbourhood Plan March 2021 CONTENTS 8.2 Appendix 2: UK Habitat Classification Methodology ................................................ 43 8.3 Appendix 3: Measures for Reach residents to consider for enhancing the biodiversity in their gardens .................................................................................................................... 44 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Aims and objectives .................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Site description and context ........................................................................................ 3 2 LEGISLATION, POLICY AND INITIATIVES ................................................................... 6 2.1 Legislation and policy .................................................................................................. 6 2.2 Local projects and initiatives ....................................................................................... 8 3 REACH ........................................................................................................................... 10 3.1 The geological setting ............................................................................................... 10 3.2 The ecological setting ................................................................................................ 10 3.3 Habitat survey ........................................................................................................... 17 4 SENSITIVITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES....................................................................... 23 5 SUMMARY OF POLICY PROPOSALS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY ........................................................................................................................... 34 6 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 36 7 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 38 8 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................ 39 8.1 Appendix 1: Legislation and Policy ........................................................................... 39 2 Reach – A Biodiversity Assessment for the Neighbourhood Plan March 2021 1 INTRODUCTION Reach is situated on a low chalk promontory which extends into the low fenland of Cambridgeshire, much of which is below sea level. This juxtaposition of high and low ground 1.1 Aims and objectives creates a fascinating range of geological and ecological influences which ensure that Reach is rich in biodiversity feature of note. The low fenlands support important populations of birds and the waterways provide biodiverse corridors with thriving invertebrate communities and notable In November 2020 MKA Ecology Ltd was commissioned to undertake a biodiversity aquatic plants. The higher chalklands contain ancient grasslands of national importance, and assessment of Reach Parish to support the forthcoming Reach Neighbourhood Plan. This a network of hedgerows that connect developing patches of woodlands. This variety of habitats reports presents the findings of that assessment which were gathered through a process of make Reach a biodiverse hotspot with tremendous opportunities for further enhancement. field studies, consultations and a desktop study. The key aims of the assessment were as However, consequently this does mean that any potentially damaging activities, such as follows; development, must be carefully planned and considered. Identify and record important habitats within the Neighbourhood Plan Area; Reach has a strong cultural heritage which is intricately linked with the biodiversity features of Recommend appropriate measures to protect these habitats, and the Parish. There is widespread evidence of Roman settlement which is still clear in the Define initiatives and measures for improving habitats and the ecological network. landscape with the Reach Lode with was constructed at this time as a navigable connection between the River Cam and the higher grounds. Where the lode ends in Reach, at a location The overall aim of the Biodiversity Assessment is to support the Reach Neighbourhood Plan, known as The Hythe, a port developed with some of the slipways still present and visible today. the purpose of which will be to help the community shape and influence change in the coming The Anglo-Saxons created the Devil’s Dyke, a linear earthworks of approximately 11km years. running from Wooditton and terminating at The Hythe and lode in Reach. The Devil’s Dyke is now home to internationally important orchid habitats and a wealth of other chalk specialist This assessment specifically concerns biodiversity and ecology where areas are identified for species. Drainage of the fens started in the 17th century which had a dramatic effect on local opportunities, be they enhancement or development led, there may be other matters which biodiversity as the fens and swamps were claimed for agriculture. This drainage has continued make these unsuitable, for example ownership or other identified constraints such as almost to the present day, the consequence of which is drying and degradation of the peat and landscape. a significant lowering of ground levels, to the extent that the lode is up to 3m above the surrounding peat. Coprolite extraction in the 19th century resulted in the open ponds and pools 1.2 Site description and context that can still be seen in the fen area. Throughout these periods significant quarrying of clunch took place on Chapel Hill which have created exposed chalk and grasslands which are, over Reach is situated in East Cambridgeshire District and is approximately 10km north-east of time, succeeding to woodland and scrub. Cambridge and 7km north-west of Newmarket. The village of Reach is centred on OS Grid Reference TL566662 but the parish boundary extends significantly to the north-west and south- The fen edge parishes tend to run in strips, from fen, to chalky loam, to sandy boulder clay on east. The extent is approximately 4.7km². The parish boundary, which is also taken as the higher ground. In more modern times this would ensure that however wet or dry the season boundary of the Neighbourhood Plan, is shown on Figure 1. The village of Reach has a the parish could count on crops from at least two of these three zones. In earlier times only the population of approximately 335. central skirt land would have fields laid out around the village and its springs. The higher ground 3 Reach – A Biodiversity Assessment for the Neighbourhood Plan March 2021 would have been forest providing wood and panage for pigs. The lower ground would have Since the mid-20th century development within Reach has been small scale, and typically infill, been fen, providing marshy grazing in summer but in winter the waters may have risen replacement dwellings or conversions. The 2015 Local Plan proposes only infill for Reach with considerably with no drainage. The fen would have also provided fish and wildflowl as well as no new allocations within the Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA, 2014). other materials such as reed for thatching, and willows for wattles, fishtraps and baskets. Each Opportunities for commercial or industrial development are limited although there is potential of the three zones would have been vital for the local community (Ennion, 1949). for further solar applications beyond the community solar farm. There is some limited accommodation for small business. With the rich natural environment and features of historical In January 2019 it was agreed that Reach would develop its own Neighbourhood Plan. The interest in the locality there is potential for tourism led development. plan will help the community shape and influence planning strategy in the neighbourhood. It will encompass a suite of topics including development, recreation, traffic management, landscape, as well as biodiversity and nature conservation. The Neighbourhood Plan will have the same legal force as the East Cambridgeshire District Council Local Plan and will carry statutory weight. East Cambridgeshire District Council will need to consider the Neighbourhood Plan when determining planning applications. A landscape appraisal has been produced by Alison Farmer to support the Neighbourhood Plan (AFA, 2020). Where relevant the landscape appraisal report is referred to within this assessment. AECOM (2020) have also produced a design code for potential development. As part of the Neighbourhood Planning process a residents’ survey was conducted in early 2020. The survey demonstrated that the