RAF Halton Ecology Technical Appraisal On behalf of Defence Infrastructure Organisation Project Ref: 40608/3001 | Rev: 001 | Date: June 2018 Office Address: Caversham Bridge House, Waterman Place, Reading, Berkshire RG1 8DN T: +44 (0)118 950 0761 E: [email protected] Ecology Technical Appraisal RAF Halton Document Control Sheet Project Name: RAF Halton Project Ref: 40608 Report Title: Ecology Technical Appraisal Doc Ref: 40608/3001 Date: June 2018 Name Position Signature Date June 2018 Prepared by: Becky Blamey Senior Ecologist BB June 2018 Reviewed by: Helen Evriviades Associate Ecologist HE Approved by: Marc Rennie Associate MR June 2018 For and on behalf of Peter Brett Associates LLP Revision Date Description Prepared Reviewed Approved 1 June 2018 Final BB HE MR This report has been prepared by Peter Brett Associates LLP (‘PBA’) on behalf of its client to whom this report is addressed (‘Client’) in connection with the project described in this report and takes into account the Client's particular instructions and requirements. This report was prepared in accordance with the professional services appointment under which PBA was appointed by its Client. This report is not intended for and should not be relied on by any third party (i.e. parties other than the Client). PBA accepts no duty or responsibility (including in negligence) to any party other than the Client and disclaims all liability of any nature whatsoever to any such party in respect of this report. © Peter Brett Associates LLP 2018 \\pba.int\cbh\Projects\40608 RAF Halton\Ecology\5. Reporting\2018\PBA Ecology RAF Halton_v1 JLL Comments 1 ii PBA_Final.docx Ecology Technical Appraisal RAF Halton Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. 1 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 Site Location .................................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Project Background ....................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Planning Status ............................................................................................................. 3 1.5 Appraisal Objectives ...................................................................................................... 3 2 Methodology ................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.2 Desk Study .................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Walkover Survey ........................................................................................................... 5 2.4 Stakeholder Event ......................................................................................................... 6 2.5 RAF Halton .................................................................................................................... 6 2.6 Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 6 2.7 Report Qualification ....................................................................................................... 6 3 Baseline Ecological Conditions ................................................................................................. 7 3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 7 3.2 Designated Areas for Nature Conservation .................................................................. 7 3.3 On-Site Habitats .......................................................................................................... 11 3.4 Species ........................................................................................................................ 17 4 Guiding Design Principles ....................................................................................................... 24 4.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Planning Context ......................................................................................................... 24 4.3 Design Principles ......................................................................................................... 26 5 Further Survey ........................................................................................................................... 28 5.1 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 28 6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 30 7 References ................................................................................................................................. 31 8 Figures ....................................................................................................................................... 33 Figures Figure 1: Aerial Photography and Habitat Areas ................................................................................... 33 Figure 2: Statutory Designated Areas ................................................................................................... 34 Figure 3: Photographs of the Site .......................................................................................................... 35 \\pba.int\cbh\Projects\40608 RAF Halton\Ecology\5. Reporting\2018\PBA Ecology RAF Halton_v1 JLL Comments 1 iii PBA_Final.docx Ecology Technical Appraisal RAF Halton Appendices Appendix A Nature Conservation Legislation and Planning Policy Appendix B Designated Areas For Nature Conservation \\pba.int\cbh\Projects\40608 RAF Halton\Ecology\5. Reporting\2018\PBA Ecology RAF Halton_v1 JLL Comments 1 iv PBA_Final.docx Ecology Technical Appraisal RAF Halton \\pba.int\cbh\Projects\40608 RAF Halton\Ecology\5. Reporting\2018\PBA Ecology RAF Halton_v1 JLL Comments 1 v PBA_Final.docx Ecology Technical Appraisal RAF Halton Executive Summary The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) are seeking the allocation of RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire (the ‘Site) (Figure 1) within the emerging Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP). An 82 hectare subset of the 298 hectare wider RAF Halton site has been identified for the provision of 1,000 residential units with associated commercial, community and transport infrastructure development. Peter Brett Associates LLP (PBA) was instructed by the DIO to undertake an ecological appraisal of RAF Halton to inform the allocation within the Proposed Submission VALP. A high-level desk study and site walkover were completed in 2017 to establish ecological features associated with the Allocation Site and wider RAF Halton. This information has formed the basis of this ecological appraisal alongside a review of planning policies and legislation relating to protected and notable species. Work undertaken on behalf of AVDC (LUC, 2017) has identified that the allocation of RAF Halton will not have a significant effect upon European designated sites. There are three separate UK statutory designated areas within 2km of RAF Halton: Weston Turville Reservoirs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Aston Clinton Ragpits SSSI and Dancersend SSSI. Natural England identified the potential for recreational impacts upon the SSSIs, and suggested potential solutions (design led mitigation) (Natural England, 2017). The habitats within the Allocation Site include woodland, high and low quality grassland and the built environment. Some of these habitats are designated as Habitat of Principal Importance (HPI) under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act, with ancient woodland and / or non-statutory designated areas either within or close the Allocation Site. The habitats within RAF Halton can be expected to support a range of protected or notable species. Baseline survey work will need to be completed at the detailed design stage to better understand the distribution of notable habitats and protected species within the Allocation Site, and develop strategies to avoid, mitigate or compensate for the potential impacts of the specific redevelopment proposals. It is expected that the scope of those surveys, and timing in relation to the disposal of RAF Halton, will be agreed as part of the preparation of the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The masterplan will allow for the retention of those habitats assessed as being of greatest ecological value including, the woodland and some of the grassland areas. The majority of the new built footprint will therefore fall within existing areas of development associated with the RAF Camp and habitats of low ecological value (sports pitches, amenity grassland and existing hardstanding). Jointly these measures, combined with new areas of linking habitat, create a robust network that connects habitats within the Allocation Site