Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent On Behalf of Aylesford Metals Company Date: August 2011 Our Ref: JER5206 RPS Conrad House Beaufort Square Chepstow Monmouthshire NP16 5EP Tel: (0)1291 621 821 Fax: (0)1291 627 827 Email: [email protected] This document is Printed on FSC certified, 100% post-consumer recycled paper, bleached using an elemental chlorine- free process. JER5206 Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent Planning & Development August 2011 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Quality Management Prepared by: Rebecca Geden Tim Oliver Authorised by: August 2011 Date: JER5206 Project Number: JER5206 R 110823 RG AMC Aylesford Phase 1 Document Reference: O:\JER5206 - AMC Aylesford Revised Phase I\Reports\Phase 1 Habitats Document File Path: Survey - revision\JER5206 R 110823 RG AMC Aylesford Phase 1.doc COPYRIGHT © RPS The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Aylesford Metals Company and shall not be distributed or made available to any other company or person without the knowledge and written consent of Aylesford Metals Company or RPS. JER5206 Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent Planning & Development i August 2011 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Contents Quality Management ..................................................................................................i Contents.....................................................................................................................ii 1 Introduction.........................................................................................................1 1.1 Scope of Works ....................................................................................................1 1.2 Site Description ....................................................................................................1 2 Methodology .......................................................................................................2 2.2 Desk Study............................................................................................................2 2.3 Field Survey ..........................................................................................................3 3 Results.................................................................................................................5 3.1 Desk Study............................................................................................................5 3.2 Field Survey ..........................................................................................................9 4 Discussion.........................................................................................................15 4.1 Designated Sites ................................................................................................15 4.2 Habitats and Flora ..............................................................................................15 4.3 Fauna...................................................................................................................16 5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................19 6 Recommendations............................................................................................20 6.1 Designated Sites ................................................................................................20 6.2 Protected Species ..............................................................................................20 JER5206 Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent Planning & Development ii August 2011 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Tables Tables Table 3-1 Statutory Designated Sites within 10km (International Sites) and 2km (National Sites) of proposed metal recycling facility............................................................................. 5 Table 3-2 Non-statutory designated nature conservation sites............................................... 6 Plates Plate 3-1 Hard standing concrete surface, with demolition rubble pile in the distance ........ 10 Plate 3-2 Water tank surrounded by ephemeral and scattered scrub vegetation ................ 10 Plate 3-3 Bare ground being colonised by ephemeral vegetation and scattered butterfly- bush .............................................................................................................................. 11 Plate 3-4 Spoil pile ............................................................................................................... 12 Plate 3-5 Building 1 Off-site Habitats ................................................................................... 13 Plate 3-6 River Medway adjacent to the site, showing concrete wall along riverside .......... 13 JER5206 Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent Planning & Development iii August 2011 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Drawings JER5206-001 Phase 1 Habitats Map JER5206 Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent Planning & Development iv August 2011 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 1 Introduction 1.1 Scope of Works 1.1.1 RPS was commissioned to undertake an extended Phase 1 habitat survey of a previously developed industrial site in New Hythe, near Maidstone, Kent by Aylesford Metals Company. The site is centred at Ordnance Survey central grid reference TQ 714 595. It is proposed to construct a metal recycling facility in this area, on the site of a former paper recycling facility, with the total site area covering approximately 3ha. 1.1.2 The purpose of the ecology survey was to identify the habitats present within and around the site to provide baseline data on the ecological status of the land. The site walkover survey also assessed the potential for the site and adjoining habitats to be used by species that receive legal protection (at a UK and/or European level) and species that are otherwise notable including Species of Principal Importance, UK BAP priority species, and Birds of Conservation Concern. 1.1.3 Broad consideration has been given to potential ecological impacts that could arise as a result of the development proposals, including effects on designated sites in the area. 1.2 Site Description 1.2.1 The proposed metal recycling facility site is located on a brownfield development site situated at the eastern edge of an industrial complex in New Hythe, Kent. 1.2.2 The site application boundary is shown on Drawing Number JER5206-001. 1.2.3 The majority of the buildings and warehouses associated with the previous land-use have been demolished; therefore the site currently supports a large area of highly disturbed land supporting hard standing and gravel associated with the building clearance. Sparsely vegetated ground and scattered scrub is present on the southern boundary of the site. The site is surrounded by chain link fencing and heras fencing. 1.2.4 The site is bounded immediately to the east by the River Medway; separated from the site by a high concrete retaining wall. Further industrial premises surround the site to the north, south and west. A railway line bounds the site immediately to the west. An internal road within the industrial park bounds the site to the north. JER5206 Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent Planning & Development 1 August 2011 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2 Methodology 2.1.1 The aim of the extended Phase 1 habitat survey is to provide an ecological assessment of the site. The survey of the site has been carried out in three stages: A desk study to collate records of designated sites, and protected species on the site and within the local area; A walkover field survey to identify and map habitats on the site, to assess floristic composition and abundance of these habitats and to assess the potential for habitats within the site to support protected or otherwise notable flora and fauna species; and, Collation and interpretation of the field survey results to assess the ecological condition of the site, taking into consideration habitat type and extent, floristic composition and the site’s potential to support protected and otherwise notable species. The desk study data and the ecological context of the site within the surrounding area and wider landscape help to inform this assessment. 2.1.2 The Phase 1 Habitat survey information has also been used to determine whether there is a need for additional supporting survey information with regards to species or species groups. 2.2 Desk Study 2.2.1 Information on statutory designated nature conservation sites within 2km of the site, and details of international designated sites within 10km of the site was sought from the Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (http://www.magic.gov.uk) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (http://www.jncc.gov.uk). 2.2.2 A request was submitted to the Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre (http://www.kmbrc.org.uk) for records of the following: Non-statutory designated nature conservation sites within 2km of the survey site; and, Records of legally protected species and other species of conservation concern within 2km of the site. JER5206 Proposed Metal Recycling Facility, New Hythe, Kent Planning & Development 2 August 2011 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 2.3 Field Survey Site Walkover Survey 2.3.1 The walkover survey was conducted in accordance with The Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (JNCC 1990), and included searches for signs of protected species, as