DARNTON B3 ARCHITECTURE ON BEHALF OF RHONDDA CYNON TAFF COUNCIL ROBERTSTOWN, ABERDARE ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL AND SUMMARY OF BREEAM ECOLOGY CREDITS AUGUST 2018 4 Stangate House, Stanwell Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom. CF64 2AA Telephone: - 029 2040 8476 e-mail: - [email protected] Website: - www.soltysbrewster.com DARNTON B3 ARCHITECTURE (ON BEHALF OF RHONDDA CYNON TAFF COUNCIL) ROBERTSTOWN, ABERDARE ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL AND SUMMARY OF BREEAM ECOLOGY CREDITS Document Ref: E1882501/ Doc 01 – August 2018 Issue Revision Stage Date Prepared by Approved by Signed 1 - Draft 10 May 2018 Anna Owen Dr. Matthew (Ecologist) Watts (Director) 2 BREEAM For 07 August Anna Owen Dr. Matthew update Submission 2018 (Ecologist) Watts (Director) Darnton B3 Architecture Robertstown, Aberdare Ecological Appraisal and Summary of BREEAM Ecology Credits E1882501/ Doc 01 CONTENTS Summary 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Methodology Desk study Field survey 3.0 Results Desk study Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Fauna 4.0 Policies and Plans 5.0 BREEAM Land Use & Ecology Credits 6.0 Conclusions and Recommendations References Appendices Appendix I Site location Plan – Pages–Independent Market Assessment (JLL, 2017) Appendix II Local records map received from SEWBReC Appendix III Target notes to accompany Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Map Appendix IV Advice sheet on the use of street lighting and bats Appendix V Soft Landscape Plan – Option 2 Layout Darnton B3 Architecture Robertstown, Aberdare Ecological Appraisal and Summary of BREEAM Ecology Credits E1882501/ Doc 01 SUMMARY Soltys Brewster Ecology were commissioned by Darnton B3 Architecture on behalf of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council to undertake an ecological appraisal of a parcel of land at Robertstown, Aberdare to inform planning for the development of new light industrial/employment units. The ecological baseline conditions at the site were established in April 2018 through a combination of desk study and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. Desk based consultation confirmed that the site does not hold any form of statutory or non-statutory nature conservation designation. However the Upper Cynon Floodplain is considered a Site of Importance to Nature Conservation and is associated with the River Cynon and land to the east of the river. The river lies outside the development boundary and is located approximately 100m south of the site. Local records received from the South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC) did not indicate any protected or notable species specifically associated with the site although records of a variety of plants, birds, invertebrates, bats and other mammals were identified in the surrounding (1km) area. An Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey undertaken in April 2018 identified that the site supports a limited range of habitat types, dominated by scrub vegetation with areas of poor semi-improved grassland, bare ground, small area of scattered scrub and introduced/invasive shrub in the form of Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica. The habitats present were considered capable of supporting protected or otherwise notable flora and fauna potentially including nesting birds, reptiles and invertebrates. The grassland and scrub were considered of limited ecological value in the context of the site and immediate local area. In particular, the scrub was considered of value in a local context for the provision of shelter, foraging and commuting resource for a variety of mammal, bird, reptile and invertebrate species. Retention of the semi-improved grassland and Bramble scrub during development is considered impracticable. It is therefore recommended that a buffer strip of Willow and Birch scrub is retained along the western boundary to ensure continued ecological connectivity and resources for species such as bats, birds and invertebrates. The stands of introduced shrub (invasive Japanese knotweed) and bare ground were considered to be of negligible value to wildlife and a strategy for treatment/removal would be required as part of the development. The semi-improved grassland habitat, dense Bramble scrub and piles of discarded railway sleepers were identified as being potentially suitable to support common reptiles such as Common Lizard Zootoca vivipara, Slow Worm Anguis fragilis and potentially Grass Snake Natrix natrix. A targeted reptile survey is recommended (and has been commissioned) to establish the presence/ absence of reptiles within the site boundary, the species present and inform mitigation proposals. The findings of the survey will be reported separately. Darnton B3 Architecture Robertstown, Aberdare Ecological Appraisal and Summary of BREEAM Ecology Credits E1882501/ Doc 01 Further considerations include the avoidance of the bird nesting season during vegetation clearance works (March- August) and the use of native species or species of known benefit to wildlife in any soft landscaping scheme associated with future development. The incorporation of bird and bat boxes as part of any proposed development – i.e. fitted to or incorporated into the new industrial units - would also provide localised enhancement for these groups. Sensitive design of site lighting will also be required to minimise impact on species such as bats which are likely to use any retained boundary features as a foraging and commuting resource. Based on the assessment of the indicative layout and soft landscaping information, it is considered likely that at least 5 credits could be readily achieved under the LE01 – LE05 BREEAM categories, subject to complying with the recommendations set out in this report. Darnton B3 Architecture Robertstown, Aberdare Ecological Appraisal and Summary of BREEAM Ecology Credits E1882501/ Doc 01 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1. Soltys Brewster Ecology (SBE) were commissioned by Darnton B3 Architecture on behalf of Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council (RCT) to undertake an ecological appraisal of a parcel of land at Robertstown, Aberdare. The site is proposed for the development of light industrial/employment units and to inform a planning submission, a survey to establish the ecological baseline is required. 1.2. The site occupies an area of approximately 1.90 ha (4.69 acres) and is centred at grid reference SO 00171 03130. The site lies within the Robertstown/Abernant strategic site which is allocated for commercial and residential development as part of the Rhondda Cynon Taf adopted Local Development Plan (LDP) 2006- 2021. 1.3. The site is bordered to the south by a new car park for the recently constructed Coleg y Cymoedd which lies between the River Cynon and application site. Immediately east of the site runs Wellington Street and the western boundary is bordered by a railway track. Residential properties lie to the north. In the wider area, the A4059 and Aberdare town are located to the west of the railway track (see location plan, Appendix I). 1.4. The current report presents the findings of an ecological desk study and Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey undertaken at the site in April 2018. The report describes the existing ecological conditions as well as identifying any potential ecological constraints/ opportunities associated with the proposed development at the site. 1.5. In addition to the above, this report also provides an indication of the potential credit award of proposed scheme under the BREEAM New Construction (2014) Land Use and Ecology category (LE01 – LE05), and suggests measures to maximise credit award where possible. Darnton B3 Architecture Robertstown, Aberdare Ecological Appraisal and Summary of BREEAM Ecology Credits E1882501/ Doc 01 2.0 METHODOLOGY 2.1. In order to establish the baseline ecological conditions on site and in the adjoining habitats, a combination of desk-based consultation and Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey were undertaken in April 2018. Desk study 2.2. The desk study primarily involved consultation with the South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC) to identify any records of rare, protected or notable flora and fauna within the site boundary and surrounding 1km area. The search criteria also included information relating to the location and citation details (where available) for any internationally and nationally important sites designated for their nature conservation interest such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). 2.3. Information relating to locally identified sites designated for their nature conservation interest, such as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) is held by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. The county council website was consulted and the County Ecologist contacted for the acquisition of any further information, appropriate to the site and immediate local area. Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2.4. The fieldwork was undertaken on 18 April 2018 by a suitably experienced ecologist1 and followed standard Phase 1 Habitat Survey protocol (JNCC, 1990) as amended by the Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995). All habitats within the site were classified and mapped as accurately as possible. Habitats considered to have potential to support rare, protected or otherwise notable species of flora and fauna were noted, as were any direct signs of these species (e.g. Eurasian Badger Meles meles setts and dung-pits). Incidental observations of birds on or flying over the site were also recorded. 2.5. A map of habitats was drawn up and target notes were used to identify features of ecological interest. Where possible, habitats were cross-referenced