September 2013 Land North & South of Barton Road, Cambridge Ecological Appraisal Prepared by CSa Environmental Planning On behalf of Januarys (Cambridge) Ltd ( (88 (8 Report: CSa/2025/02A September 2013 Land North & South of Barton Road, Cambridge Ecological Appraisal Prepared by CSa Environmental Planning On behalf of Januarys (Cambridge) Ltd Date Prepared by Authorised by File Ref First Issue 19.09.12 SS LC CSa/20251/02 Second Issue 24.09.13 SS SS CSa/2025/02A Report: CSa/2025/02A CONTENTS Page Executive Summary 2 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Methodology 4 Desk Study 4 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 4 Site Evaluation and Assessment 5 Legislation and Guidance 6 3.0 Results and Evaluation 9 Site Location 9 Designated Nature Conservation Sites 9 Other Notable Habitats 12 General Site Description 12 Habitats and Flora 12 Fauna 17 Evaluation of Ecological Features 22 4.0 Discussion and Recommendations 25 Potential Impacts and Recommendations 25 Opportunities for Ecological Enhancement 33 5.0 Summary and Conclusions 35 Appendices Appendix A: Initial L&VIA Assessment of Land Parcel Suitability for Development Appendix B: MAGIC Database Site Check Report and Plan Appendix C: Data Search Response from Cambridge & Peterborough ERC Appendix D: Habitats Plan Land North & South of Barton Road, Cambridge Ecological Appraisal CSa/2025/02A Page 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The c.166ha site spanning the A603 Barton Road is one of several candidates being considered for development as part of the review of Local Plans for Cambridge City Council and for South Cambridgeshire District Council. This appraisal was initially undertaken in September 2012 to identify potential ecological issues in respect of potential development at the site, and has been updated in September 2013 in recognition of the Land Use Plan (ref. 5352-L_03 Rev D, Option A, FPCR) that was subsequently devised for the land north of Barton Road. A desk study and extended Phase 1 habitat survey were completed in 2012 and the ecological features of the site have been initially valued using this baseline data. The site is dominated by arable farmland, which is largely managed under Environmental Stewardship. Hedgerows in the north west of the site are designated as a CWS, as is the Bin Brook, which flows through the north east. These two CWS and the hedgerow network are attributed to be of County importance. The semi-improved grassland, uncultivated margins, plantation woodland, mature trees and scrub are considered to be of value at least at the Local/Parish level, whilst areas under arable cultivation and the amenity grassland pitches are of value at the Site level. Protected and notable species known to be present on site include water vole, brown hare, various Schedule 1 and UK BAP listed birds, GCN and brown trout, although the extent to which such species utilise the site is not yet known. The site also has potential for supporting a range of other protected species or species-groups, known to be present in the locality, such as bats, reptiles and invertebrates. As set out in the Land Use Plan, development north of Barton Road incorporates residential development, a school, local centre and associated transport infrastructure. The public open space incorporates retained existing woodland, hedgerows and trees as well as new planting. Further scoping and detailed surveys have been recommended to fully assess potential ecological impacts. Broad recommendations for mitigation and for enhancement are also set out. Subject to the results of such further surveys and the subsequent agreement and implementation of appropriate mitigation, it is anticipated that there is potential for sensitively designed development to proceed without significant ecological impact on these receptors. Opportunities for enhancement for the principally relate to the sensitive design and long term management of the semi-natural habitats that extend through the development plots and across the public open space. This is central to the avoidance of impacts on designated sites and could secure enhancement for biodiversity across the wider site. Land North & South of Barton Road, Cambridge Ecological Appraisal CSa/2025/02A Page 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report has been prepared by CSa Environmental Planning on behalf of Januarys (Cambridge) Ltd. It sets out the findings of an Ecological Appraisal of Land North and South of A603 Barton Road, to the west of Cambridge, (central grid reference TL 4277 5748), totalling c.166ha in area. The site is one of several candidates being considered for development as part of the review of Local Plans for Cambridge City Council and for South Cambridgeshire District Council. This appraisal was initially undertaken in September 2012 to identify potential ecological issues in respect of potential development at the site, and has been updated in September 2013 in recognition of the Land Use Plan (ref. 5352-L_03 Rev D, Option A, FPCR) that was subsequently devised for the land north of Barton Road. Further survey recommendations are set out, and broad recommendations for mitigation and for ecological enhancement measures have been provided where appropriate. 1.2 An Initial Landscape and Visual Assessment (report ref. CSa/2025/01) was carried out in July 2012 to assess the suitability of the site for development. Ten land parcels were identified on site and the ability of each to accommodate development was assessed (relevant extracts provided in Appendix A). This initial assessment has been used as a basis on which to set out the potential ecological constraints and opportunities. 1.3 This ecological appraisal aims to: undertake a desktop search for relevant biological records and assess their significance; review the site in relation to its wider ecological context; describe and map the habitats present; identify potential protected or notable species issues; assess potential impacts, and recommend broad mitigation and biodiversity enhancement measures. 1.4 This report presents the ecological appraisal information in a format accepted by ecological consultees across the country, adopting various best-practice procedures and methodologies. Land North & South of Barton Road, Cambridge Ecological Appraisal CSa/2025/02A Page 3 2.0 METHODOLOGY Desk Study 2.1 The Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) online database was searched to identify relevant statutory sites within 5km of the red line boundary (using a search radius of 6km from the central site grid reference. 2.2 Cambridge & Peterborough Environmental Records Centre (ERC) was contacted for records of non-statutory wildlife sites and protected/notable species within 1km of the site. The results of the record search are discussed within the report where appropriate. Biological records provide a useful indication of the species present within a searched locality. However, it should be noted that the absence of a given species from the dataset cannot be taken to represent actual absence. Furthermore, species distribution patterns should be interpreted with caution, particularly for mobile species such as bats that readily travel beyond the 1km search radius. 2.3 Waterbodies within a 0.5km of the site were identified using Ordnance Survey mapping, the MAGIC database and aerial photography such that these may be considered in line with Natural England guidance (NE, 20011). Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2.4 An extended Phase 1 Habitat survey site was carried out on 12 September 2012. The survey was completed during broadly clear, bright weather conditions with intermittent showers. This survey technique is at a level intermediate between the Phase 1 (JNCC, 20102) survey (where standardised habitat mapping is undertaken together with making notes on dominant and notable species) and the more detailed Phase 2 survey techniques that may be used to specifically record or survey particular habitats or species. In this survey, plant species observed are recorded and habitats are classified and mapped according to the abundance of vascular species present. Species are identified in accordance with Stace (20103). Note is also taken of any evidence of, or potential for, the presence of protected or notable species. 2.5 The botanical descriptions within this report are based on a survey visit undertaken late in the seasonal window for survey when species, particularly vernal species, may not be visible above ground. Further, the survey was conducted following harvest and the majority of arable field margins had been closely cropped. Whilst this is unlikely to compromise the objective of broadly 1 English Nature (2001) Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough 2 Joint Nature Conservation Council (2010) Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey – a technique for environmental audit. JNCC, Peterborough 3 Stace, C. (2010) New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd Ed. Cambridge University Press Land North & South of Barton Road, Cambridge Ecological Appraisal CSa/2025/02A Page 4 categorising the habitat types present, it is possible that some species could be missed. Site Evaluation and Assessment 2.6 Ecological features are valued based on the IEEM Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment 20064. These guidelines promote a standardised, scientifically rigorous and transparent approach to the assessment process, which is then further informed by professional judgment and interpretation. The process of valuing ecological features can be complex and subjective. 2.7 A number of factors need to be taken into account when applying professional judgement to value ecological features. Those addressed in this report include: designated sites and features; biodiversity value; potential value, specifically in relation to statutory designated sites and S41/BAP habitats and species; secondary or supportive value to SSSI; and legal issues, such as may arise as a result of designated sites and features being affected. 2.8 Parameters such as the size, conservation status and viability of any given feature are all relevant in determining biodiversity value. Furthermore the value of a species and/ or habitat may vary depending on the location within its range.