Protected Species Scoping Survey White House Barn, Lenwade, Norfolk Mr P. Rogers Walcis Farm, Lenwade, Norwich, NR9 5QR August 2016 1625 R1 v1 Huckle Ecology Ltd Maplefield, The Street, Redgrave, Suffolk, IP22 1RW www.huckleecology.com Registered in England. Company No. 10017144. Contents 1 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Terms of Reference ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Site Description .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Aim of this Report ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3 Desk Study ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Statutory Designated Sites ............................................................................................................................................... 6 Non-statutory Designated Sites ..................................................................................................................................... 7 European Protected Species ............................................................................................................................................ 7 UK Protected Species ....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Avian Species ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Summary of Desk Study ................................................................................................................................................... 9 4 Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment of White House Barn................................................................................... 9 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Results of Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment ........................................................................................................... 11 Photos of White House Barn ........................................................................................................................................ 16 Summary of Potential for Bats ...................................................................................................................................... 18 5 References ...................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Figures ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................................. 26 Appendix A - Legislation and planning policy ............................................................................................................... 26 National Planning Policy .................................................................................................................................................. 26 UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework ...................................................................................................................... 27 Legislation ........................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Summary of Legislation Relating to Bats ..................................................................................................................... 28 Appendix B – Designated Sites within 2km of White House Barn .......................................................................... 30 Appendix B.1 Statutory Designated Sites ....................................................................................................................... 30 River Wensum SSSI ............................................................................................................................................................... 30 Whitwell Common SSSI ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 River Wensum SAC .............................................................................................................................................................. 34 Appendix B.2 Non-Statutory Designated Sites within 2km of the Site .................................................................. 35 Disclaimer: Surveys and ecological assessments are undertaken on the understanding that nothing in the final report will be omitted or amended by the client or any other interested party. This report remains the property of Huckle Ecology Ltd until payment has been received in full. Photographs included in the report are for illustration purposes and may be used by the client only in relation to the project. Huckle Ecology will not be liable for the use of the any documents for purposes other than those for which they have been prepared and provided. Report prepared by Dr J. Huckle for Huckle Ecology Ltd Huckle Ecology Ltd Maplefield, The Street, Redgrave, Suffolk, IP22 1RW www.huckleecology.com Registered in England. Company No. 10017144. White House Barn, Lenwade, Norfolk Protected Species Scoping Survey 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Huckle Ecology was commissioned in July 2016 to provide an Ecological Report in relation to a proposed conversion of a barn into three no. holiday units. The report had been requested by the Planning Department of Breckland Council for scoping for “…bats, barn owls and breeding birds of all buildings within the site area”. 1.2 The proposed development is for the conversion of a barn and associated lean-to buildings called White House Barn. The barns are surrounded by mown grass and farm yards/hard standing that are of negligible ecological value. 1.3 A desk study was undertaken in July 2016 to identify features of ecological value that could potentially be affected by the proposed development. Records of statutory and non-statutory designated sites within 2km were requested from Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS), along with records of protected species or species of conservation concern (SoCC). 1.4 The desk study and data search have confirmed that while the Site does not benefit from any statutory or non-statutory nature conservation designation itself, it is located approximately 50m from the River Wensum which is designated as a SSSI and a SAC. Within 2km of the Site, there is one further SSSI, Whitwell Common SSSI, and a total of 13 County Wildlife Sites. 1.5 Although the barns are located within 50m of the River Wensum SSSI, the proposed development would not result in any increase in the developed footprint in the area and the barns are located sufficiently distant from the River Wensum to ensure that there would be no significant increase in disturbance or increased lighting above existing levels. Therefore, it is not considered likely that the proposed conversion would result in any adverse effect on the SSSI or its designating features. The. 1.6 The NBIS provided records of numerous protected species from within 2km of the site, reflecting the nature conservation value of the designated sites within the River Wensum valley, including the numerous gravel pits and meadows located on either side of the river itself. 1.7 The NBIS returned records of nine species of bats, which represents a relatively rich species assemblage. These records include a large number of records collected as part of the Norfolk Bat Project, with most records dating from 2013-2015, suggesting that the records reflect the intensity of recording at this time as well as the abundance of good quality roosting and foraging habitat within the River Wensum valley. 1.8 A Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment was undertaken, comprising a detailed external and internal inspection of the barns for field signs of bats, for indications that bats might use the barn and for potential access points into the building. 1.9 The building inspection revealed bat droppings and butterfly wings in the main barn and one of the two small brick outbuildings on the west elevation of the building. The bat droppings in the main barn were relatively scattered and