APPENDIX 7 : EXTENDED PHASE 1 HABITAT REPORT THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION PARTNERSHIP (EDP), SEPTEMBER 2019 Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Prepared by: The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd On behalf of: Bradford Rural Estates Ltd September 2019 Report Reference edp4371_r005e Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey edp4371_r005e Contents Section 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Section 2 Methodology ................................................................................................................. 3 Section 3 Ecological Baseline ...................................................................................................... 5 Section 4 Conclusions and Recommendations ....................................................................... 13 Appendices Appendix EDP 1 Ecological Desk Study Appendix EDP 2 Shropshire Council - LPR 2016 - 2036 Preferred Strategic Sites HRA July 2019 Appendix EDP 3 Preliminary Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) report (report reference C_edp4371_01_041217) Plan Plan EDP 1 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Plan (edp4371_d004b 05 September 2019 RB/JG/GY) This version is intended for electronic viewing only Report Ref: edp4371_r005 Author Formatted Peer Review Proofed by/Date 005_DRAFT JG HF NM - 005a_DRAFT JG - NM - 005b_DRAFT JG - - - 005c_DRAFT JG - NM - 005d JG - - NG 13.08.19 005e JG NG NM - Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey edp4371_r005e Section 1 Introduction Introduction 1.1 The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP) was commissioned by Bradford Rural Estates Ltd to complete an updated Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of an area of land referred to as Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’). 1.2 EDP previously undertook an ecological assessment of the site in 2018, however, subsequent to undertaking the assessment the redline boundary was changed such that it now incorporates additional areas of land to the west and areas previously included to the east are now no longer included. The revised redline boundary and location of the site is provided as Plan EDP 1. 1.3 The site is identified as a potential strategic site in the Shropshire Council strategic sites consultation document (July 2019) for the construction of a strategic employment site of around 50 hectares (ha); accompanied by around 3,000 homes and a local centre to provide services, facilities and infrastructure, as part of a planned settlement. The Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey has been completed to supplement the evidence-base being collated to inform promotion as part of a preliminary ecological constraints/opportunities analysis. 1.4 The site is centred on Ordnance Survey Grid Reference (OSGR) SJ 785 091 and is illustrated on Plan EDP 1 which accompanies this report. Much of the southern boundary of the site lies adjacent to the M54 motorway. The east of the site is largely bounded by the A41, with some additional areas of land immediately east of the A41. The northern boundary lies adjacent to the A5 with the western boundary lying adjacent to Lizard Wood, a large plantation woodland and arable fields and the B4379, a minor single track road. The wider landscape is predominantly arable with the nearest large town being Telford, located approximately 5.5km to the west. 1.5 This report addresses the ecology considerations pertaining to the site’s potential to accommodate a strategic employment and residential site. Specifically, it considers whether there are any ‘in principle’ ecological constraints to the site’s allocation for development or whether there are any other ecological constraints and opportunities which may influence the proposed development’s design, deliverability and/or capacity. 1.6 In the event that the allocation is confirmed, and a planning application is prepared, as per the requirements of the draft allocation policy, a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be produced to inform the determination of that application by the Council. 1 Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey edp4371_r005e This page has been left blank intentionally 2 Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey edp4371_r005e Section 2 Methodology 2.1 The findings, conclusions and recommendations of this report have been informed by a desk study and site survey carried out by experienced EDP Ecologists during 2019. Desk Study 2.2 The methodology for the desk study is presented in full in Appendix EDP 1. Site Survey 2.3 The survey technique adopted for the site visit was based on the standard ‘Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey’ technique1, based on habitat mapping and description, with additional information on Protected and Notable Species in the form of target notes. This level of survey does not aim to compile a complete floral and faunal inventory for the site. The level of survey involves identifying and mapping the principal habitat types based on the dominant and/or key flora. 2.4 The survey of the site was undertaken previously on 26 June and 28 June 2018 with the update survey of the additional areas of land completed on 05 July 2019. June and July are considered to be an optimal time of year for completing this type of survey. Limitations 2.5 It should be acknowledged that the purpose of the survey was to inform major or ‘in principle’ ecological constraints, and not to inform a planning application at this stage. Therefore, while all areas of the site were visited, the survey did not involve data collection at the level of detail necessary to inform a planning application. This could potentially result in the omission of minor details from this report but does not compromise its purpose, i.e. the overall assessment of the site’s general level of ecological constraint. Important Arable Plant Area Inventory 2.6 During the site survey a number of arable weed species were noted and therefore, an assessment of the value of these species at a National level was assessed using Plantlife’s2 Important Arable Plant Area (IAPA) inventory. This ranks certain species depending on their rarity, with the results totalled. On sand/free draining soils as are 1 Joint Nature Conservation Council (2004) Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey – A Technique for Environmental Audit (reprinted with minor corrections for original Nature Conservancy Council publication) 2 https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/habitats/arable-farmland/surveying-arable-plants 3 Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey edp4371_r005e present within the site a score of 20 and above is considered to be of County importance, 35 and above National and a score over 70 being of European importance. However, it should be noted that a detailed survey of each field for the arable Species present was not undertaken, and the assessment undertaken provides only a broad evaluation of the site’s potential value. Evaluation 2.7 Based on industry standard evaluation guidance3, ecological features are evaluated where possible on a geographical scale of value as follows: International/European > National > County > District > Local > Less than Local. In the absence of data from Protected Species surveys, professional judgement has been used to assign a likely value to ecological features. The intrinsic ecological value of habitats is based upon consideration of criteria including: size, connectivity, likely distinctiveness, likely species-richness and intensity of management. For populations/species assemblage, the likely presence/absence and if present their value is based upon a size/diversity inferred from the presence of suitable habitat. Given the level of baseline information currently obtained, it is not possible to evaluate the importance of many species/habitats given that their presence/quality has yet to be confirmed. 3 CIEEM (2016). Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the UK and Ireland. Terrestrial, Freshwater and Coastal, Second Edition. CIEEM, Winchester 4 Land North of Junction 3 of the M54, Shropshire Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey edp4371_r005e Section 3 Ecological Baseline Preliminary Ecological Baseline Designated Sites Statutory Designations 3.1 Statutory designations represent the most significant ecological receptors, being of recognised importance at an International and/or National level. Statutory designations of International/European value include Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar Sites. Statutory designations of National value include Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs). Although Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are statutory, their level of value is typically County level or less consistent with non-statutory designations and are therefore considered alongside non-statutory sites (see below). Statutory Designations – International 3.2 International statutory designated sites include Natura 2000 sites regarded as being important at a European level including, SPAs, SACs and Globally important wetlands designated as Ramsar Sites4. 3.3 The site is not covered by or lies adjacent to any statutory designations of International importance. 3.4 There are two designations of International importance within 15km of the site which, are