City of Norwich High School / Ecology Survey / Report for NPS South East Ltd City of Norwich High School City of Norwich High School, Norfolk. Ecology Survey Survey / Ecology / Report for NPS South East Ltd Report for NPS South East Ltd South East Report for NPS Author JI Thacker PhD Job No. 111063 Reviewed by Approved by Date Initial GW Hopkins S Phillips 120112 The Ecology Consultancy 79 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1UA T. 01603 628408 E. [email protected] W. www.ecologyconsultancy.co.uk CONTENTS Executive Summary .......................................................................................... 4 1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 5 2 Methodology .................................................................................................. 6 3 Results ........................................................................................................... 9 4 Protected Species Assessment ................................................................... 12 5 Discussion .................................................................................................... 13 References ...................................................................................................... 14 Appendix 1: Figures ........................................................................................ 15 Appendix 2: Photographs ............................................................................... 17 Appendix 3: Legislation & Planning Policy ...................................................... 19 LIABILITY The Ecology Consultancy has prepared this report for the sole use of NPS South East Ltd. in accordance with the agreement under which our services were performed. 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The Ecology Consultancy City of Norwich High School / Ecology Survey / NPS South East Ltd Executive Summary The Ecology Consultancy was commissioned by NPS Property Consultants Ltd. to undertake a walkover Phase 1 survey and protected species assessment of an area of land at City of Norwich High School, Norwich to inform plans for a new biomass boiler. The walkover survey was undertaken on the 11th January 2012 and the survey team included a licensed bat surveyor. The proposed development site consists of an existing modern building. The site is assessed to be of low ecological importance, consisting of non-natural, poor quality habitat. There is negligible likelihood of protected species being present on the development site. No mitigation measures are required for this development. It is considered that no ecological enhancement measures are feasible and none are proposed. The Ecology Consultancy City of Norwich High School / Ecology Survey / NPS South East Ltd 1 Introduction BACKGROUND 1.1 The Ecology Consultancy was commissioned by NPS South East Ltd. to undertake a Phase 1 habitat survey and protected species assessment of a building at City of Norwich high School, Norwich, Norfolk. 1.2 This report presents the results of the survey and highlights the potential implications for the development proposals for protected or otherwise noteworthy species, together with any requirement for further surveys. It also provides recommendations for appropriate mitigation measures and also enhancement of the site for biodiversity, in line with Planning Policy Statement (PPS)9 and best practice guidelines. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 1.3 The proposals are to build a biomass boiler within an existing modern building which is open on one side. The building is a single-storey, modern building attached to the boiler room, which is part of a larger sports facility. It is located immediately south-east of the main school building. SITE CONTEXT AND STATUS 1.4 The site is a high school situated to the south of Eaton Road to the south of the city of Norwich, Norfolk. The approximate centre of the site is located at TG 218 067. The location and habitat plans of the site are presented in Appendix 1, and photographs are provided in Appendix 2. 1.5 The wider landscape is suburban and largely developed, but there are some open amenity spaces in close proximity, including a golf course to the south of the school. LEGISLATION AND PLANNING: POLICY 1.6 Appendix 3 contains details of legislation, planning policy and Biodiversity Action plans relating to wildlife and conservation, and is provided for general guidance only. The Appendix includes: Details of national legislation afforded to species Statutory designated sites Non-statutory designated sites National Planning Policy UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plans The Ecology Consultancy City of Norwich High School / Ecology Survey / NPS South East Ltd 2 Methodology PERSONNEL 2.1 The walkover Phase 1 survey and protected species assessment was undertaken by Drs Jit Thacker and Graham Hopkins MIEEM both of whom are experienced field ecologist; the latter holds a Natural England Survey licence for bats (number 20113791). The visit was on the 11th of January 2012. DESK TOP STUDY 2.2 Information regarding the present and historical ecological interest within a 2km radius of the site is presented to accompany this application. The data are as provided by the Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS) to accompany an application for Eaton Hall School in January 2010. The two sites are approximately 800m apart and given the scale of this development it is considered sufficient for the data search to be reused. 2.3 The status of species is taken directly from the relevant legislation, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP, 2009), local (Norfolk) BAP or the list of Birds of Conservation Concern (Eaton et al., 2009). The red and amber lists of Birds of Conservation Concern refer to bird species of particular conservation concern for a number of reasons. In general terms, Red list species are globally threatened showing severe recent declines in population. Amber list species are species either with unfavourable conservation status or those species showing moderate recent declines in population; they may also include particularly localised species. The full definitions are given by Eaton et al. (2009). PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY 2.4 The methods for describing and mapping habitats during the Phase 1 survey broadly follow the standard guidelines by Joint Nature Conservancy Council (JNCC, 2010). 2.5 Scientific names are given after the first mention of a species, thereafter, common names only are used. Nomenclature follows Stace (2010) for vascular plant species. Habitats are mapped (Appendix 1) and photographs are provided (Appendix 2). PROTECTED SPECIES RISK ASSESSMENT AND SURVEY Habitat–Based Assessment 2.6 The potential of the site to provide habitat for protected and noteworthy species was assessed from field observations in conjunction with the data search provided by NBIS. The purpose of this assessment was to establish the likelihood of such species being present and whether more comprehensive surveys for protected species are required. Incidental records of birds and other fauna noted during the course of the habitat survey were also compiled. The Ecology Consultancy City of Norwich High School / Ecology Survey / NPS South East Ltd 2.7 Protected species are those afforded protection under the various wildlife legislation detailed in Appendix 3. For the purpose of this report noteworthy species are defined as those listed as Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and as Species of Principal Importance under Section 41 of The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act. 2.8 When assessing the likely presence/absence of species during the walkover survey, habitat was assessed in accordance with the risk assessment categories detailed in Table 1, below. The site is terrestrial therefore water vole Arvicola amphibius and otter Lutra lutra and other aquatic species are scoped out at this stage and not considered further. Table 1. Criteria for assessing presence of protected species Risk Definition category Present Presence confirmed in the course of current survey or recent, confirmed records. High On-site habitat of high quality for a given species/species group. Site within/peripheral to a national or regional population stronghold. Good quality surrounding habitat and good connectivity. Moderate On-site habitat of moderate quality, providing most or all of the known key requirements of a given species/species group. Local records from the data search, within national distribution, suitable surrounding habitat. Factors limiting the likelihood of occurrence may include small habitat area, habitat severance, disturbance etc. Low On-site habitat of poor to moderate quality for a given species/species group. Few or no records from data search but presence