EXTENDED PHASE 1 SURVEY GYPSY LANE, LISKEARD

Transcription

1 EXTENDED PHASE 1 SURVEY GYPSY LANE, LISKEARD PREPARED BY JIM WALLWORK, ECOLOGIST PLANeco

2 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 INTRODUCTION 4 SITE DESCRIPTION 4 METHODOLOGY 5 LIMITATIONS 6 RESULTS 6 LEGISLATION 8 DISCUSSION 9 APPENDICES AND PHOTOGRAPHS Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 2

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PLANeco was commissioned by Mitchell Architects on behalf of Trand Ltd to carry out an Extended Phase 1 survey of a single agricultural field c.1.4ha at Gypsy Lane, Liskeard. The survey was carried out on 4th July 2012 [Phase 2 reptile survey undertaken in April and May 2013] by an experienced ecologist, who is a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and holder of the requisite Natural England licences. No badger setts will be affected by the proposed works. No roosting bats will be affected by the proposed development. The potential value of the green lane adjacent to the site should be afforded protection through a densely planted fenced buffer vegetation zone 3m-5m in width extending into the field. This proposal will negate the need for any further surveys and will maintain and create a habitat of value to a suite of flora and fauna. It is envisaged that much boundary vegetation will be retained as part of the proposed development. Any vegetation clearance that is necessary should be undertaken outside the breeding season [October February inclusive]. The species-rich contiguous green lane standard trees and vegetation will be retained as part of the proposed development; these habitats link well to the wider hedgebank network and to nearby copses and broadleaved woodland that provide suitable dormouse habitat. As a precaution it is recommended that the tall ruderal and scrub patches in the south-west corner are cleared by hand in the presence of an licensed dormouse ecologist. The mosaic of habitats within and adjacent to the site provided potentially good reptile habitat. A further survey to confirm their presence or absence is recommended. The habitats of most value are the hedgebank [H1] and the associated vegetation, standard trees and green lane. By retaining this feature and providing an understorey buffer zone this habitat will be safeguarded and improved. A Phase 2 reptile survey will better inform any potential impacts and recommended mitigation. Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 3

4 INTRODUCTION PLANeco was commissioned by Mitchell Architects on behalf of Trand Ltd to carry out an Extended Phase 1 survey of a single agricultural field c.1.4ha at Gypsy Lane, Liskeard. The survey was carried out on 4th July 2012 [Phase 2 reptile survey undertaken in April and May 2013] by an experienced ecologist, who is a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and holder of the requisite Natural England licences. Survey results will be passed to the county biological records centre in order to augment their records for the area. SITE DESCRIPTION The c.1.4ha survey area comprised a single agricultural field bound by a sunken tree-lined green track to the west; a gappy hedgebank bordering gardens to the east; and a lane-side bank and gardens to the south; a dense area of scrub is associated with collapsed corrugated iron sheds in the southwest corner. Figure 1. Site viewed from southernmost boundary The wider landscape had planted woodland and the A38 to the south and west; agricultural land to the west and north; and residential dwellings to the east. Liskeard is immediately to the east and the site s Ordnance Survey Grid Reference was SX METHODOLOGY DESK STUDY A desktop data search to identify statutory and non-statutory designated sites and records of protected species within 1km of the site was carried out using the National Biodiversity Network [NBN] gateway website, Natural England s Nature on the Map website and the government s MAGIC website. Aerial photographs were also interpreted. Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 4

5 HABITAT Phase 1 habitat types were noted and mapped where necessary using the standard methodology published by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1990 [reprinted by JNCC in 1993]. BADGERS A search was made within and adjacent to the site for signs of badgers, comprising: setts [comprising either single isolated holes or a series of holes]. faeces [usually deposited in characteristic excavated pits]. paths [between setts or leading to feeding areas]. snuffle holes [small scrapes where badgers have foraged]. day nests [vegetation where badgers may sleep above ground]. BATS Any potentially suitable trees within and adjacent to the site were inspected using binoculars and a powerful torch. External signs of occupation by bats including urine staining, fur rubbing and droppings were noted together with suitable crevices. DORMICE The hedgebanks were assessed for their suitability as dormouse habitat. BIRDS The habitats were assessed for their breeding bird suitability and any birds seen or heard during the survey were noted. REPTILES The habitats were assessed for their potential to support a reptile population. LIMITATIONS It should be noted that this survey takes no account of seasonal differences and a lack of signs of any particular species does not confirm its absence, merely that there was no indication of its presence at the time of survey. All trees were assed from ground level during the summer when the trees were in full leaf. If no action or development of this land takes place within twelve months of Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 5

6 the Phase 2 reptile survey, then the findings of this survey will no longer be considered reliable and should be repeated. RESULTS DESK STUDY There are no statutory or non-statutory sites within a 1km radius of the survey area. Legally protected and notable species records within 1km included: slowworm and whiskered / Brandt s bat; within the same 2km OS grid square: common pipistrelle, adder, grass snake, common lizard, otter and marsh fritillary; and within the same 10km grid square: barn owl, hobby, serin, goshawk, peregrine falcon, woodlark, heath fritillary, badger, water vole, greater horseshoe bat and dormouse. HABITATS See Appendix 1 and 2 for locations and photographs The field comprised semi-improved permanent pasture with a tall tussocky ungrazed sward dominated by false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, cock sfoot Dactylis glomerata, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis and timothy Phleum pratense with locally frequent broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius. Occasional herbaceous species included yarrow Achillea millefolium, cut-leaved crane s-bill Geranium dissectum, common sorrel Rumex acetosa, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, red clover Trifolium pretense, spear thistle Cirsium vulgare and creeping thistle C. arvense. An area of blackthorn Prunus spinosa, hazel Corylus avellana and bramble Rubus fruticosis scrub is located at the south-western corner of the site with tall ruderals dominated by nettle Urtica dioica and bramble associated with collapsed tin sheds. HEDGEBANKS H1: green lane bank dominated by associated standard broadleaved trees: sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus with occasional ash Fraxinus excelsior and oak Quercus robur with hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Rosa sp., hazel Corylus avellana, holly Ilex aquifolium, beech Fagus sylvatica, privet Ligustrum vulgare, elm Ulmus procera and bramble Rubus fruticosis. Ground flora included herb-robert Geranium robertanium, harts-tongue fern Phyllitis scolopendrium, navelwort Umbilicus rupestris, foxglove Digitalis purpurea, wood avens Geum urbanum, nettle, red campion Silene dioica, ivy Hedera helix, hedge woundwort Stachys sylvatica, dog s mercury Mercurialis Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 6

7 perenne, primrose Primula vulgaris, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, cleavers Galium aparine and hogweed Heracleum sphondylium. H2: gappy hedgebank of garden boundaries with bramble scrub and small stand of lawson s cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana at the southernmost end. Woody species included hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, oak, ash and Rosa sp. with a semi-mature oak and semi-mature ash standard. Ground flora was dominated by nettle and spear thistle with herb-robert, ivy, hedge woundwort, campion, foxglove Digitalis purpurea, woodruff Galium odoratum and great mullein Verbascum thapsus. H3: lane-side bank with occasional associated scattered scrub. The western end had locally abundant Rosa sp., nettle and false oat-grass with hawthorn, blackthorn, elder Sambucus nigra and ash more prevalent at the eastern end. H4: deep narrow sunken green lane bordered by high earthbanks topped by broadleaved trees as described in H1. Ground flora on the nar vertical bank faces included harts-tongue fern, navelwort, bluebell, male fern, hard fern Blechnum spicant, wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella and mosses and liverworts. BADGERS No setts were found on or immediately adjacent to the site. BATS No trees were identified that provided suitable roosting features for bats. The green lane immediately adjacent to the site provided a potentially suitable dark commuting and foraging corridor. BIRDS The hedgebanks and associated vegetation provided suitable bird breeding habitat. DORMICE See Appendix 1 and 2 for locations and photographs Only the species-rich green lane bank [H1] provided suitable dormouse habitat. REPTILES See Appendix 1 and 2 for locations and photographs The mosaic of a semi-improved tussocky grassland sward, tall ruderals and scattered scrub provided potentially suitable reptile habitat. Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 7

8 LEGISLATION AND SPECIES INFORMATION BATS All bat species and their roost sites are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended and are included in Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 and amended by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (the Habitats Regulations). Under UK law a bat roost is any structure or place which any wild [bat]...uses for shelter or protection. Legal opinion is that a roost is protected whether or not bats are present. Bats which have adapted to utilise buildings as roost sites make use of various parts of the building including hollow walls, roof spaces and areas above soffit boarding, behind weatherboarding and under hanging tiles; habitats which can be replicated when designing mitigation measures. It is important to note that individual roosts are not usually occupied all year round, as bat colonies move frequently (depending upon the species). The same site, however, does tend to be occupied at the same time each year. BIRDS All British birds, their nests and eggs (with certain exceptions) are protected under Section 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 as amended. This makes it an offence to: intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird; intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built; or intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. DORMICE The dormouse is fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 [as amended] and is also a European protected species and is included in Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 [as amended] which makes it an offence to intentionally or deliberately disturb, injure or kill a dormouse or damage or destroy any breeding site or resting place. Furthermore it is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). A licence is required under this legislation in order to carry out habitat management and also if dormouse habitat is destroyed for the purposes of development. REPTILES All six native reptile species are protected by law. Common lizard Lacerta vivipara, slow-worm Anguis fragilis, adder Vipera berus and grass snake Natrix natrix are protected under the wildlife and Countyside Act 1981 [as amended] from intentional killing or injuring. Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 8

9 Offences may be absolute, intentional, deliberate or reckless and where it is predictable that reptiles are present activities such as site and vegetation clearance could legally constitute intentional killing or injuring. DISCUSSION DESK STUDY No statutory or non-statutory sites will be affected by any proposed development of the site. BADGERS No badger setts will be affected by the proposed works. BATS No roosting bats will be affected by the proposed development. The potential value of the green lane adjacent to the site should be afforded protection through a densely planted fenced buffer vegetation zone 3m-5m in width extending into the field. This feature will in affect provide a boundary to the proposed gardens of properties that will be situated away from the lane. This proposal will negate the need for any further surveys and will maintain and create a habitat of value to a suite of flora and fauna. BIRDS It is envisaged that much boundary vegetation will be retained as part of the proposed development. Any vegetation clearance that is necessary should be undertaken outside the breeding season [October February inclusive]. DORMICE The species-rich contiguous green lane standard trees and vegetation will be retained as part of the proposed development; these habitats link well to the wider hedgebank network and to nearby copses and broadleaved woodland. As a precaution it is recommended that the tall ruderal and scrub patches in the south-west corner are cleared by hand in the presence of an experienced licensed dormouse ecologist. REPTILES The mosaic of habitats within and adjacent to the site provided potentially Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 9

10 good reptile habitat. A further survey to confirm their presence or absence is recommended. This will involve the deployment of refugia [mats and / or tins] in suitable areas across the site. The refuges need then to be checked on seven occasions when weather conditions are suitable. This assessment will follow guidelines set out in the Herpetofauna Workers Manual [JNCC, Gent and Gibson 1998]. HABITATS The habitats of most value are the hedgebank [H1] and the associated vegetation, standard trees and green lane. By retaining this feature and providing an understorey buffer zone this habitat will be safeguarded and improved. A Phase 2 reptile survey will better inform any potential impacts and recommended mitigation. Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 10

11 APPENDIX 1 PHASE 1 MAP H4 H1 H2 SI H3 KEY Species-rich hedgebank Standard trees Tall ruderals H SI Boundary number Semi-improved grassland Scrub Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 11

12 APPENDIX 2 PHOTOGRAPHS Figure 1. Corrugated tin sheds with associated ruderals and adjacent scrub Figure 2. Green lane immediately adjacent to the site Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 12

13 PLANeco Mob Tregillis Farm, South Petherwin Launceston PL15 7LL Gypsy Lane, Liskeard 13