QUEENS ROAD, NORTH WEALD BASSETT ECOLOGY PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY ISSUE 1 JUNE 2015 Landscape Architects Ecology & Environment Masterplanning Arboriculture Historic Landscapes Queens Road, North Weald Bassett ISSUE 1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2015 ISSUE NO. AUTHOR CHECKED BY DATE One Andrew Bodey Tom La Dell 30.06.2015 LaDellWood LLP Stocks Studio Grafty Green Maidstone Kent ME17 2AP t: 01622 850245 e: [email protected] w: www.ladellwood.co.uk A practice registered with the Landscape Institute A practice registered with the CIEEM LaDellWood LLP Partnership no. OC376445 Tom La Dell MA(Oxon)Botany DipLD CMLI CEnv MCIEEM FLS Lydia Wood BA (Hons) PGDipLA CMLI COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of LaDellWood LLP. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of LaDellWood constitutes an infringement of copyright. LIMITATION: This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of LaDellWood LLP Client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between LaDellWood LLP and its 2277 Ph1 Habitat Report ISSUE 1.docx ‐ 2 ‐ Queens Road, North Weald Bassett ISSUE 1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2015 Client. LaDellWood accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party. 2277 Ph1 Habitat Report ISSUE 1.docx ‐ 3 ‐ Queens Road, North Weald Bassett ISSUE 1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2015 CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Methodology 3.0 Results 4.0 Protected Species/Habitat Assessment 5.0 Recommendations 6.0 Conclusions References Figures Figures 1 to 4 Maps Map 1 – Site Location Drawing 2277/15/B/3 – Phase 1 Habitat Survey Annex Protected Species Legislation 2277 Ph1 Habitat Report ISSUE 1.docx ‐ 4 ‐ Queens Road, North Weald Bassett ISSUE 1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2015 1.0 Introduction Background 1.1 This report has been prepared by LaDellWood for proposed works at the Queens Road, North Weald Bassett. LaDellWood were commissioned to carry out a Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the site. This report represents the findings of the above survey undertaken on the 23rd May 2015. The information has been provided in support of a planning application to develop the site. Scope of the Report 1.2 This report details the results of the ecological surveys as a Phase 1 habitat survey. This report assesses the results and recommends any actions necessary to satisfy statutory guidance, National legislation, European legislation (see Table 1.2 & Annex) and the requirements of National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), 11: Conserving and enhancing the natural environment; and recommends further survey works and/or mitigation/enhancement measures where these are required. Site Context and Status 1.3 The habitat on the site consists of buildings & hard standings, tall ruderal, improved grassland, scattered trees, scrub and boundary hedgerows. 1.4 The Queens Road site is approximately 0.26 hectares in size and located in an semi‐rural location within the outskirts of North Weald Bassett (Map 1 shows site location). Access to the site is via Queens Road which runs north from High Road. The Site is surrounded by allotments gardens to the north and west beyond which are areas of improved grassland and a small area of woodland. To the east and south of the site are areas of residential properties and gardens. The site is located at NGR TL 497 044 Ecologists 1.5 The site survey was undertaken by Tom La Dell MA (botany), MCIEEM, CMLI who has over forty years experience in ecology practice. The report was also prepared by Andrew Bodey BSc hons ACIEEM, bat licence Level 2, CL18 (2014‐0509‐cls‐cls) and GCN licence 1595 who has over five years’ experience of ecology practice. The report was checked by Tom La Dell MA (botany), MCIEEM, CMLI who has over forty years experience in ecology practice 2277 Ph1 Habitat Report ISSUE 1.docx ‐ 5 ‐ Queens Road, North Weald Bassett ISSUE 1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2015 2.0 Methodology Desk Study 2.1 In order to establish baseline ecological data of the site Essex Field Club were commissioned to complete an ecological data search for the site. The search included protected species and habitats recorded within 1km of the site and statutory designated site up to 5km from thee site. Th MAGIC database was also accessed to establish the presence of designated habitats within 2km of the site. An assessment of habitats surrounding the site was undertaken using OS mapping and satellite imagery of the site, the assessment included a search for waterbodies located within 500m of the site Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2.2 The Phase 1 habitat survey involved a detailed daytime investigation of the site and surrounding land to record habitat and vegetation types following guidance set out by JNCC in the Phase 1 habitat surveys handbook (JNCC 2010). The survey was undertaken on 23rd June weather conditions were mainly sunny with a temperature of 22 degC and a light wind. Preliminary Protected Species Assessment 2.3 During the Phase 1 Habitat survey an assessment was undertaken to determine the potential of the site and surrounding habitats to support protected species. During the assessment provisional signs of protected or notable species were recorded. Due to records of species located within 2km of the site and/ or the habitats present on or surrounding the site particular consideration was given to the potential of the site to support badger, bats, common reptiles, great crested newt, invertebrates and breeding birds. The following section provides the species‐specific methodologies used. A detailed inspection was undertaken searching for evidence of badgers on site and where access was possible within 30 metres radius of the site boundary. The search looked for evidence of badger such as such as spoil heaps, sett entrances, claw marks, pathways and latrines. An Assessment of the presence of birds using visual and song identification and habitat suitable rfo breeding birds such as mature trees, dense scrub, hedgerows, and recording of evidence of previous nesting, including old nests and faecal marks etc; An assessment of the site’s potential for supporting reptiles was based on the presence of suitable habitats in or surrounding the site. Reptiles are cryptic species, it can be hard to establish presence 2277 Ph1 Habitat Report ISSUE 1.docx ‐ 6 ‐ Queens Road, North Weald Bassett ISSUE 1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2015 from a single visual inspection alone as they often leave little or no evidence to their presence at a site These species often require a diverse habitat structure with both cover for protection from predators and foraging and open sunny areas for basking. Typical habitats that support these species are long grass, scrub, woodland, hedgerows, wood and rubble piles. An assessment of the presence of amphibians through the identification of possible breeding sites such as ponds, ditches and other still water bodies as well as terrestrial habitats of grassland and scrub mosaic and of potential sheltering and hibernation sites. The Assessment for the presence of suitable bat habitat at the site involved a detailed investigation for the presence of suitable habitats such as buildings supporting roosting features for bats such as roof voids, loose tiles and open soffits or trees supporting loose bark, hazard beams and rot holes. During the survey further consideration was given to potential bat foraging and commuting habitats at the site. An assessment of the bat habitat value is made in Table 1.3, section 4.0. The assessment was made using criteria set out in Table 1.1 & 1.2 below. The survey followed methodologies set oute in th current Bat Conservation Trust guidelines (Hundt 2012). Table 1.1: Bat Building Habitat Grading Criteria (adapted from BCT Guidelines Hundt 2012) BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES CONNFIRMED AS A BAT ROOST bats seen roosting during initial assessment survey Evidence suggesting recent use of the building/tree by bats (e.g. accumulations of droppings of a mixture of ages) Social chattering heard within a roost during survey (often on hot days or close to emergence time) Stage 1: Initial Assessment Identify building on map, provide a description of significant roost features and/or evidence found during survey. Stage 2: Further Survey Further emergence/ dawn return survey to assess status of roost and how bats utilise the site. A minimum of three dusk emergence survey or dawn re‐entry surveys undertaken to inform Stage3: Likely Mitigation requirements Any works that may impact upon the roost and are likely to commit an offence must be undertaken under EPSM licence. 2277 Ph1 Habitat Report ISSUE 1.docx ‐ 7 ‐ Queens Road, North Weald Bassett ISSUE 1 Phase 1 Habitat Survey June 2015 BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES OF HIGH HABITAT VALUE Potential Roost Features: High numbers of potential bat roost features of significance to bats such as Large roof voids, hanging tiles, and cellars. Site Context: The site may have good connectivity within the landscape with suitable linear features such as hedgerows, railway lines and water courses. Habitats of high qualityr fo foraging bats such as woodland, water bodies, hedgerows, grazed parklands. Stage 1: Initial Assessment Identify building on map, provide a description of significant roost features and/or evidence found during survey. Stage 2: Further Survey Further emergence/ dawn return survey to assess status of roost and how bats utilise the site. A minimum of three dusk emergence survey or dawn re‐entry surveys undertaken. Stage3: Likely Mitigation requirements Any works that may impact upon the roost and are likely to commit an offence must be undertaken under EPSM licence.