Tobacco Waste Site, Formby, Sefton, L37 1PH Ecological Assessment Simply Ecology Limited Ref: SE/NTQ012/01 June 2021 For National Trust, Countryside Office, Blundell Avenue, Freshfield, Formby, Liverpool, L37 1PH Simply Ecology Ltd, Office 7-2-6, Cameron House, White Cross, South Road, Lancaster LA1 4XF Tel: 01524 874522 - Mob: 07754 538437 - [email protected] www.simplyecology.co.uk Frontal Dunes, Formby CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background Information ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Aims........................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Site Description and Proposed Works ...................................................................... 1 2.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................... 3 2.1 Desk Study ................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 Extended Phase 1 Survey .......................................................................................... 3 2.3 Invasive Alien Plants.................................................................................................. 3 2.4 Amphibian Field Visit ................................................................................................ 3 2.5 Reptiles...................................................................................................................... 4 2.6 Personnel .................................................................................................................. 4 2.7 Timing and Constraints ............................................................................................. 5 3.0 DESK STUDY RESULTS .................................................................................................... 6 3.1 Nature Conservation Sites ........................................................................................ 6 3.2 Protected and Noteworthy Species .......................................................................... 9 4.0 PHASE 1 SURVEY RESULTS ..........................................................................................18 4.1 Habitat Results ........................................................................................................18 4.2 Amphibians .............................................................................................................27 4.3 Reptiles....................................................................................................................28 4.4 Red Squirrel .............................................................................................................29 4.5 Badger and Rabbit ...................................................................................................29 4.6 Northern Dune Tiger Beetle ....................................................................................30 5.0 IMPACT ASSESSMENT .................................................................................................33 5.1 Statutory Nature Conservation Sites ......................................................................33 5.2 Non-Statutory Nature Conservation Sites ..............................................................33 5.3 Habitats ...................................................................................................................33 5.4 Natterjack Toad .......................................................................................................34 5.5 Other Amphibians ...................................................................................................34 5.6 Sand Lizard ..............................................................................................................35 5.7 Badgers and Rabbits................................................................................................35 5.8 Red Squirrel .............................................................................................................35 5.9 Bats..........................................................................................................................35 5.10 Breeding Birds .........................................................................................................36 5.11 Invertebrates ...........................................................................................................36 6.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................37 6.1 Summary of Findings ...............................................................................................37 6.2 Designated Sites ......................................................................................................37 6.3 Habitats ...................................................................................................................38 6.4 Reptiles....................................................................................................................38 6.5 Amphibians .............................................................................................................39 6.6 Mammals ................................................................................................................39 6.7 Birds ........................................................................................................................39 6.8 Invertebrates ...........................................................................................................40 7.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................41 Simply Ecology Limited –Ecological Appraisal – June 2021 Frontal Dunes, Formby PLANS PAGE Plan 1: Site location. .......................................................................................................................... 2 Plan 2: Proposed dune notching excavation areas within the wider survey area. .............................. 2 Plan 3: Nearby Statutorily Protected Nature Conservation Sites. ...................................................... 7 Plan 4: Nearby Local Wildlife Sites. ................................................................................................... 8 Plan 5: European Protected Species. ............................................................................................... 10 Plan 6: UK Protected Species. .......................................................................................................... 11 Plan 7: Red Squirrel Records only. ................................................................................................... 12 Plan 8: Phase 1 of the notching sites and surrounding area. ............................................................ 26 Plan 9: All Amphibians and Reptiles records within 250m of the wider site. ..................................... 31 Plan 10: Northern Dune Tiger Beetle Recordings within 250m of the wider site.. ............................ 32 Simply Ecology Limited –Ecological Appraisal – June 2021 Frontal Dunes, Formby Control Sheet Name Position Author: Kevin Heywood BSc ACIEEM Ecologist Checked and Jason Reynolds MSc MCIEEM Director Approved by: Version History Version Date Modified by Approved by Comment/Reason(s) 1 N/A JR First Issue Disclaimer This report has been prepared by Simply Ecology Limited with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, within the terms of the Contract with the Client. The actions of the surveyor on site and during the production of the report were undertaken in accordance with the Code of Professional Conduct for the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. (www.cieem.org.uk). This report has been prepared by Simply Ecology Limited for the sole use of the client and in connection with the development project described – this report cannot be relied upon by any third party without express written consent by both Simply Ecology Limited and the client. This is a technical report and does not represent legal advice/ opinion. This report remains Simply Ecology Limited property and cannot be relied upon until full payment has been made. Simply Ecology Limited retain the right to re-publish data obtained and submit those species records produced during all ecological studies to the local recording centre. Copyright © This report is the copyright of Simply Ecology Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage of material from this report is prohibited. Simply Ecology Limited –Ecological Appraisal – June 2021 Frontal Dunes, Formby 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Information 1.1.1 In May 2021, Simply Ecology Limited was commissioned by the National Trust to undertake an Ecological Appraisal of land at the Nicotine Dunes, near Blundell Avenue, Formby, L37 1PH (OS grid reference SD 2726 0767). See Plan 1: Site Location, Plan 2: Proposed Notches. 1.2 Aims 1.2.1 The aims of this ecological assessment were to (see also Annex A and B): • To provide clear advice to the client, the Local Planning Authority and third parties, on the nature conservation value of the site and surrounding area. • To confirm the presence or absence of protected species, such as badgers, bats, great crested newts, otter, etc) within the proposed development site. • To enable the client