SAND MARTINS GOLF CLUB ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL Prepared for Sand Martins Golf Club Ltd by Hankinson Duckett Associates HDA ref: 973.1 January 2021 hankinson duckett associates t 01491 838175 f 01491 838997 e [email protected] w www.hda-enviro.co.uk The Stables, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BA Hankinson Duckett Associates Limited Registered in England & Wales 3462810 Registered Office: The Stables, Howbery Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, OX10 8BA CONTENTS Page Executive Summary 1 Introduction 1 2 Methodology 3 3 Desk study 6 4 Phase 1 Habitat Survey 18 5 Protected and notable species 25 6 Nature conservation evaluation 29 7 Additional data requirements 32 8 Recommendations 34 9 Conclusion 48 10 References 49 HDA Document Control and Quality Assurance Record APPENDICES A Desk Study Results B Phase 1 Habitat Survey: Map and Target Notes E Evaluation Criteria EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report describes an Ecological Appraisal (including a desk study, Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey and ) of approximately 46ha of land at Sand Martins Golf Club, Wokingham, hereinafter referred to as ‘the site’. The site centre is located by National Grid Reference SU 799 664. The study was commissioned by Sand Martins Golf Club Ltd in June 2020 to inform the proposed development of two areas of the site comprising: • The 3.54ha Application 1 site, located in the central area of the golf course, which proposes an extension to the existing clubhouse to provide improved member’s facilities and restaurant and a freestanding venue building with guest accommodation; and • The 0.55ha Application 2 site, located on the central section of the northern golf course boundary, proposed for the creation of new Greenkeepers’ Compound. No areas of international, national, regional or district nature conservation importance relate to the Application 1 or Application 2 sites. The Moors (including Sand Martins Golf Course Edge) Local Wildlife Site (LWS) is however located within the wider golf course site, however at a distance of at least 95m from the proposed development areas. Accordingly, adverse effects on the LWS are unlikely to arise, particularly following the implementation of the impact avoidance measures described in Section 8.2 of this report. Although the Application 1 and Application 2 sites are located 4.7km from the Thames Basin Heaths SPA, the proposed works will not result in a net gain in residential dwellings and the guest accommodation proposed as part of the Application 1 scheme will not result in increased recreational pressure on the SPA. No mitigation or avoidance measures are therefore proposed in this regard. The Application 1 and Application 2 schemes are not expected to result in significant losses of habitat in a local context, either alone or in combination with other projects. Where losses of secondary woodland, scrub, tall ruderal and short perennial/ephemeral vegetation will arise these could be offset through enhancement of retained habitats and creation of new habitat of high wildlife value within the application sites and the wider golf course. Measures by which the habitat resource of the site can be maintained and enhanced are set out in Sections 8.3 and 8.4 of this report and, where appropriate are reflected in the emerging landscape schemes for the Application 1 and Application 2 sites (Colvin & Moggridge, 2021). In addition, it is proposed that habitat enhancement works are extended to the wider golf course. In combination these seek to achieve a net gain for biodiversity. Construction works should also be carried out in such a manner as to avoid impacts on ponds and retained vegetation, including the ‘locally notable’ oak tree within the Application 1 site and veteran trees beyond the application site boundaries within the wider golf course. This includes working to pollution prevention guidelines, adopting a sensitive lighting design and maintaining a suitable stand- off between construction works and sensitive receptors, as detailed in Section 8. The application sites are considered unlikely to support an important assemblage of breeding birds and no further survey for this group has been recommended. Notwithstanding this, breeding birds are likely to use both application sites and therefore the legislation relating to this group will apply. It is recommended that all scrub/tree clearance and building demolition is carried out outside of the bird breeding season (March to September inclusive), as wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended). Where this is not possible it is recommended that an ecologist carries out a check for nesting birds immediately prior to the commencement of these works. Sand Martins Golf Club/Ecological Appraisal/973.1/HS/January 2021 The Application 1 and Application 2 sites have also been identified as having potential to support other protected and notable species including bats, Dormice, reptiles and Great Crested Newts. Further surveys for these species/species groups have been instructed and these are the subject of separate reports. In summary, the development proposals for the Application 1 and Application 2 sites have been developed to avoid harm to identified features of ecological interest and subject to the implementation of the recommended measures for habitat retention, protection, creation and enhancement, and protection of the integrity of The Moors (including Sand Martins Golf Course Edge) LWS, no reduction in the ecological interest of the site or its surrounds is likely to arise as a result of the proposed development. It is therefore concluded that, beyond the normal requirements to maintain the habitat resource of the site and avoid impacts on protected species, there appears to be no overriding nature conservation constraints that would preclude the proposed development of the Application 1 and Application 2 sites. Furthermore, through the habitat creation and enhancement works proposed as part of the Application 1 and Application 2 schemes and extension of these improvement works to the wider golf course, it is expected that a meaningful net gain for biodiversity can be achieved. Sand Martins Golf Club/Ecological Appraisal/973.1/HS/January 2021 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Site location and summary description 1.1.1 This report describes an Ecological Appraisal (including a desk study, to inform the proposed developments that sit within the wider golf course which extends to approximately 46ha.Sand Martins Golf Club, Wokingham, hereinafter referred to as ‘the site’ is centred on National Grid Reference SU 799 664. The study was commissioned by Sand Martins Golf Club Ltd in June 2020. 1.1.2 The site is located on the south-western edge of Wokingham and comprises an existing golf course dominated by managed grassland with bands of trees, scrub, woodland and ponds with an existing developed area comprising car parking, the clubhouse and greenkeepers’ buildings at its centre. The site is bordered to the north by Evendons Lane, beyond which is grassland fields; to the east by areas of residential development; to the west beyond the course and driving range by broadleaved woodland and residential development; and to the south by a small area of woodland, residential housing and grassland with scattered trees. The location and boundary of the site is shown in Appendix A. 1.2 Development proposals 1.2.1 Development proposals for the site include: • Application 1 (Clubhouse Improvements and Freestanding Venue Building) – This application will comprise extension of the existing clubhouse (part two storey and part single storey) to provide improved members’ facilities and a new Restaurant. A freestanding venue building comprising 39 bedrooms, function rooms, kitchen and staff room. Car parking, servicing and associated landscape enhancements. This application relates to approximately 3.54ha of land in the centre of the site and is hereinafter referred to as the ‘Application 1 site’. The southern part of the Application 1 site comprises the existing golf course buildings and parking and the northern part comprises disturbed areas of scrub, secondary woodland, tall ruderal and ephemeral/short perennial vegetation. The Application 1 site is surrounded by the wider golf course. • Application 2 (Greenkeepers’ Compound) - This application will comprise a new Greenkeepers’ building, water storage tanks, irrigation plant, service yard and parking, new access from Evendons Road, boundary fencing and associated landscaping. This application relates to approximately 0.55ha of land on the northern site boundary and is hereinafter referred to as the ‘Application 2 site’. It is focussed on an area of mown amenity grassland bordered by tall ruderal vegetation and woodland to the north. The Application 2 site is bordered to the south by the wider golf course and to the north by an Sand Martins Golf Club/Ecological Appraisal/973.1/HS/January 2021 1 off-site footpath beyond which lies a residential property with Evendons Road beyond. 1.2.2 The locations of the Application 1 site and the Application 2 site in the context of the wider site are shown on the plan in Appendix B. 1.3 Scope and purpose of the report 1.3.1 The aims of the study are: i. To assess the likely nature conservation importance of habitats within the site; ii. To assess the likely presence of protected species and Habitats and Species of Principal Importance identified under Section 41 of the 2006 NERC Act where potentially affected by the Application