APPENDIX 1 – Extended Phase 1 Survey, 2007 VSM Estates Limited Project MoDEL, RAF Uxbridge Ecological Appraisal March 2007 Halcrow Group Limited VSM Estates Limited Project MoDEL, RAF Uxbridge Ecological Appraisal March 2007 Halcrow Group Limited Halcrow Group Limited Red Hill House 227 London Road Worcester WR5 2JG Tel +44 (0)1905 361361 Fax +44 (0)1905 361362 www.halcrow.com Halcrow Group Limited has prepared this report in accordance with the instructions of their client, VSM Properties Limited, for their sole and specific use. Any other persons who use any information contained herein do so at their own risk. © Halcrow Group Limited 2009 Halcrow Group Limited Red Hill House 227 London Road Worcester WR5 2JG Tel +44 (0)1905 361361 Fax +44 (0)1905 361362 www.halcrow.com VSM Estates Limited Project MoDEL, RAF Uxbridge Ecological Appraisal Contents Amendment Record This report has been issued and amended as follows: Issue Revision Description Date Signed 1 0 Draft 05/03 DGW 1 1 Minor Amendments 09/03 DGW / SH 1 1 Approved 13/03 NM Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Methodology 2 2.1 Desk Study 2 2.2 Field Survey 2 2.3 Evaluation 3 3 Legislative, Planning Policy and Biodiversity Action Plan Context 4 3.1 Legislative Framework 4 3.2 Planning Policy 4 3.3 Biodiversity Action Plan 7 4 Baseline Conditions 9 4.1 Context 9 4.2 Natural Area 9 4.3 Designated Sites 9 4.4 Habitats 11 4.5 Species 13 5 Evaluation and Recommendations 16 5.1 Designated Sites 16 5.2 Habitats 16 5.3 Species 18 5.4 Summary 21 Figure 1 Site Location Plan Figure 2 Application Site Boundary Figure 3 Habitats Plan Appendix 1 Target Notes Executive Summary Halcrow Group Ltd has been commissioned by VSM Estates Ltd. to carry out an ecological appraisal of RAF Uxbridge, to identify the likely impacts of the proposed re-development on the habitats and species present. The site is situated in Uxbridge, on the western fringe of Greater London, in the London Borough of Hillingdon., centred on Ordnance Survey Grid Reference TQ 063 835 This ecological appraisal updates a previous assessment undertaken by Entec Ltd. in February 2005 and is required to inform proposals for the re-development of the site for residential and commercial purposes. The ecological appraisal involved undertaking a desk study combined with a field survey of the site. The report sets out the findings of this work and discusses these findings in relation to relevant legislation, planning policy and local Biodiversity Action Plans. The site is not covered by any statutory or non-statutory designated sites of ecological note. ‘The River Pinn and Manor Farm Pastures Site of Borough Importance Grade 2’ is approximately 1km south of the site, with potential to be impacted by the proposed re- development as it is downstream of the site. The implementation of best practice measures to prevent pollution incidences to the River Pinn will ensure that there are no adverse ecological impacts on the designated site and will be in line with Policies EC1 and EC3 of the London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan. The site consists predominantly of buildings and amenity grassland with a number of trees, woodland, some semi-improved grassland and the River Pinn which runs north to south through the site. The habitats present are considered to be of value ranging from within the immediate zone of influence only, up to borough importance. Recommendations are included within the report for the retention, protection, enhancement or re-creation of some features. The recommendations are made to minimise and mitigate ecological impacts of the proposed re-development on habitats. The ecological assessment has identified the potential for the site to support bats, great crested newt, otter, water vole, badger, reptiles, birds and stag beetle. The appraisal has recommended undertaking further detailed surveys of those areas, trees and buildings potentially suitable for bats, great crested newt, otter, water vole, badger, reptiles and kingfisher during optimal survey times if these potential habitats are to be affected. Outline recommendations are also included for the incorporation of enhancement measures within the re-development for certain species. The appraisal concludes that subject to the implementation of the recommended measures, and the findings of the recommended surveys, the proposed re-development of the site could be implemented without significant adverse ecological impacts. 1 Introduction Halcrow Group Ltd has been commissioned by VSM Estates Ltd., to carry out an ecological appraisal of RAF Uxbridge, hereafter referred to as the ‘site’, to identify the likely impacts of the future re-development on the habitats and species present. This ecological assessment updates a previous assessment, undertaken by Entec Ltd. on behalf of Ministry of Defence Estate in London (MoDEL) in February 2005, in order to determine whether there has been any change to habitats and potential for protected species. The site is situated in Uxbridge, on the western fringe of Greater London, in the London Borough of Hillingdon., centred on Ordnance Survey Grid Reference TQ 063 835 (Figure 1). The site is bordered by residential development to the north and east, the Hillingdon Road (A4020) to the west and by the River Pinn and Hillingdon golf course to the south. The site is proposed for mixed residential, leisure, retail and office development (Figure 2). This report is structured as follows: • Section 2 – Methodology. This section summarises the methodology used for undertaking the desk study and field survey. In addition it describes the basis for the evaluation of ecological features; • Section 3 – Legislative, Planning Policy and Biodiversity Action Plan Context. This section sets out the considerations made while undertaking the ecological appraisal and informs the recommendations set out in Section 5; • Section 4 – Baseline Conditions. This section describes the findings and context of the site with respect to the Natural Area profile, designated sites, habitats and flora and fauna. In addition, it identifies any actual or potential protected/notable habitat or species issues which have been identified; and • Section 5 – Evaluation and Recommendations. This section sets out the conclusions and recommendations of the ecological appraisal in relation to relevant legislation, planning policy and nature conservation strategies as set out in Section 3. Doc No Rev: Date: February 2007 1 M:\Jobs-Current\VSM Estates\MoDEL\x RAF Uxbridge\Reps\EIA\EIA Scoping\EIA Scoping Figures\Appendix A.doc 2 Methodology 2.1 Desk Study A desk study was conducted for a 2km radius of land encompassing the site. This area was considered to be sufficient to cover the likely zone of influence of the future re- development. The agencies and organisations contacted are as follows: • Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL), (includes all records for the London Bat Group); • London, Essex and Hertfordshire Amphibian and Reptile Trust (LEHART); • London Mammal Group; and • Hertfordshire and Middlesex Badger Group (no response to date). With respect to statutory designations, Natural England recommends consulting the Government’s ‘Multi-agency Geographic Information for the Countryside’ (MAGIC) website1. This source was consulted as part of the desk study. This consultation exercise is valuable in identifying past records and nature conservation designations. Understanding nature conservation issues within the wider area helps in the assessment of the ecological value of a site and the habitats and species that a site supports. Where applicable, information supplied by these organisations has been incorporated into the following account with due acknowledgement where they are particularly informative or relevant. 2.2 Field Survey An extended Phase I Habitat Survey of the site was undertaken by an experienced ecologist on the 21st February 2007. The field survey technique adopted was at a level intermediate between the Joint Nature Conservancy Council (JNCC) standard ‘Phase I’ habitat survey and ‘Phase II’ more detailed survey (JNCC, 2004)2. The scope and detail of the survey 1 www.magic.gov.uk 2 Joint Nature Conservancy Council (2004) Handbook for Phase I Habitat Survey – a Technique for Environmental Audit. Reprint 2003. Joint Nature Conservancy Committee, Peterborough Doc No Rev: Date: February 2007 2 M:\Jobs-Current\VSM Estates\MoDEL\x RAF Uxbridge\Reps\EIA\EIA Scoping\EIA Scoping Figures\Appendix A.doc undertaken follow the recommendations made by the former Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995)3. The dominant plant species were recorded and habitats classified and mapped. Note was taken of the more conspicuous fauna, and any evidence of, or potential for the presence of protected animals was recorded. The weather conditions during the survey were cloudy with sunny intervals (75% cloud cover) and a light south-westerly breeze. Air temperature during the survey was approximately 9-110C. February is a sub-optimal time for undertaking an extended Phase I survey, with many plant species not visible. However, it is still possible to identify the habitat types present at the site, together with their dominant species, and potential for the occurrence of protected species. 2.3 Evaluation The habitats and species evaluations are based on the guidance from the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM)4. The level of value of specific ecological receptors is assigned using a geographic frame of reference, i.e. international value