141 Manchester Road C-en-le F PS Phase One survey 2014 v3

Report No: 2014/EB/14

Compiled by: Elizabeth Barratt

Date: May 2014

Dr E Barratt 3 Rutland Road Hazel Grove Stockport Cheshire SK7 6JD [email protected]

EVR ecologyEVR ecologyEVR ecologyEVR ecology

mammal specialists * protected species surveys * habitat surveys * conservation projects

PHASE 1 HABITAT SURVEY

AND PROTECTED SPECIES

ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR

LAND AT REAR OF 141

MANCHESTER ROAD,

CHAPEL EN LE FITH

Protected species and Phase 1 habitat surveys report for the site at 141 Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith

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CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................... 3

1.1 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION ................................................................................ 3

1.2 PROPOSED WORKS ........................................................................................................ 4

1.3 AIMS OF STUDY .............................................................................................................. 4

1.4 PERSONNEL .................................................................................................................. 4

2 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 DESK STUDY ................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 FIELD SURVEY ................................................................................................................ 5

3 RESULTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 6

3.1 DESK STUDY RESULTS ................................................................................................... 6

3.2 FIELD SURVEY RESULTS ................................................................................................ 6

4 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................................ 12

4.1 CONSTRAINTS OF SURVEY ....................................................................................... 12

4.2 ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMNT .......................................................................................... 12

5 RECOMMENDATIONS AND MITIGATION ................................................................................................ 13

5.1 FURTHER SURVEY ........................................................................................................ 13

5.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR EPS LICENSING ......................................................................... 14

5.3 MITIGATION MEASURES ............................................................................................... 14

6 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................ 15

7 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................. 15


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1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The survey area is a plot of land to the rear of 141 Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith, SK23 9TN. Existing site plan with habitat mapping is given in Figure 1, page 8. The Ordnance Survey reference is SK04543 80095 (taken from centre of site). Site location The site is located to the south of Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith, to the west of the town centre. The area is on the edge of the residential development on the west of Chapel en le Frith, on the edge of the Peak District, Derbyshire. The surrounding habitat is upland sheep pasture, residential housing and mature gardens. Site habitat The site is a grassland pasture which is now mown with edge shrub vegetation and mature trees in the site boundary. Site habitat is shown below in Table 1. Table 1: site photographs

Site centre ~

Northern site boundary

Western site boundary


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Southern site boundary

Eastern site boundary

1.2 PROPOSED WORKS

The planning application is for the construction of 28 residential dwellings within the site boundary.

1.3 AIMS OF STUDY The surveys were conducted to find the status of the site in respect to protected species and to complete a Phase One habitat survey on the land area. It was to:

• establish the presence / absence of protected species on the site

• gather information to make an informed assessment as to the potential use of the site by protected species

• collect data to assess potential impacts on any species found on site and establish whether there may be a requirement for mitigation and compensation measures to be implemented to reduce the identified impacts of the development

• assess whether there may be a requirement for a licence for European protected species (EPSL) to be obtained to allow the development to proceed.

Guide to species ecology is given in Appendix 1.

1.4 PERSONNEL Dr Elizabeth Barratt is a mammal ecologist and bat specialist. She is a professional consultant with over 25 years’ experience in mammal conservation and survey work, specializing in bat ecology. She has been a licensed bat worker and member of the Cheshire Bat Group since 1986 and is a Voluntary Bat Warden for Natural England. Dr Barratt is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. Val Cooper is a professional consultant and bat specialist. She has over 15 years experience in surveying and conservation work on mammals and amphibians, and holds licenses for surveying bats and great crested newts. She is experienced in preparing and delivering protected species licenses. She has a BSc in Zoology/Psychology (Joint Honours) and MSc (with distinction) in Restoration Ecology. She has been a licensed bat worker and member of the Cheshire Bat Group since 1994. She works as a Voluntary Bat Warden for Natural England and participates in the annual National Bat Monitoring Programme of the Bat Conservation Trust. She is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.


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2 METHODOLOGY

2.1 DESK STUDY A biological record search was undertaken for the site at 141 Manchester Road. Records of protected species, BAP species and site designations were requested from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. An internet search was also carried out for information on and near the site at 141 Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith.

2.2 FIELD SURVEY 2.1.1 Habitat on site/trees

A site walkover was carried out on 15th April 2014. Habitat areas were mapped and dominant species were recorded. Any unusual or rare species were noted. Habitats were characterised based on the JNCC 2010 Phase 1 Habitat Survey guidance.

2.1.2 Bats

Habitat was evaluated for potential for use by bats for roosting, foraging and commuting. All trees marked for felling were checked for bat potential.

2.1.3 Badgers

The land area was walked over and inspected for signs of badger use and occupation. These include:

• Presence of badger setts: evidence of holes at least 250mm diameter

• Activity in around any identified setts in the form of fresh dung piles, discarded bedding materials, badger hairs

• Evidence of commuting and foraging activity on the land: badger pathways, hair on any fences over potential paths, scrapes, uprooted areas of vegetation and so forth

• Areas of potential use by badgers, such as vegetated embankments.

2.1.4 Nesting birds During the site walk over an inspection for signs of presence and potential for use by nesting birds was assessed.


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3 RESULTS

3.1 DESK STUDY RESULTS Records were requested for a 1km radius of the site and post 2000 for the protected species.

3.1.1 Designated Sites

SSSI: Coombs Reservoir Mosses & higher plant assemblages and breeding birds Local Wildlife Sites: HP092 Lower Crossings Meadows 2.55ha Unimproved neutral grassland HP095 Bradshaw Hall Lane 0.54ha Hedgerow Potential Local wildlife Sites HP Down Lee Farm 12.43ha Farmland bird – lapwing

3.1.2 Protected and Notable Species Records

Mammal Records: Bat Roost Records Common pipistrelle bat Pipistrelle bat sp Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith 1993 – 2004 Common pipistrelle Chapel en le Frith 2002 Pipistrelle sp Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith 2013 Brown long-eared bat Manchester Road, Chapel en le Frith 2013 Badger Records are present for a site to the northwest and the north of 141 Manchester Road Water Vole Records for water vole are from outside the 1km survey area and predate the search parameters of post 2000. Records are present for Coombs reservoir to the west of the site. Otter Records for otter are from outside the 1km survey area. A single otter record is known for a site to the west of Coombs Reservoir Brown Hare Records for brown hare are from outside the 1km survey area and are located to the west of the site near Coombs reservoir Bird Species (UK BAP) Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Chapel en le Frith 2001 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Chapel en le Frith 2005 Reptiles No records of reptiles were returned by the record search within 1km of the site Amphibian No records of amphibian species were returned by the record search within 1km of the site. Outside the search area toad records are known for the area near Tunstead Milton and near Coombes Reservoir (to the west of the site)

3.2 FIELD SURVEY RESULTS

3.1.1 Habitat on site/trees The site habitat and species are mapped and tabulated in Figure 1 and Table 2 below.

Figure 1: Phase 1 habitat map

pasture

Mature gardens

Mature gardens

pasture

Manchester Road

TN1

TN2

TN3 TN4

TN5

TN6

TN7

TN8

TN9

TN10 TN11

TN12

TN13

Table 2: Target notes (TN) and Phase 1 codes (JNCC, 2003)

TN Phase 1 Description

1 J2.5; J2.3.2

Bordered by dry stone wall and hedgerow. Gaps in dry stone wall. Holly, comfrey, ground elder, mature horse chestnut, sycamore with ivy up the stem and leylandii hedge in neighbouring property on the north western corner of the site below the garages. Small bird population around the hedgerows ~ great tits, blue tits, wrens. Corrugated metal three sided agricultural building which is used to store machinery and is in a semi-derelict state.

2 J2.3.2

Shrub running along the tree line in the boundary. Seven mature trees along the lower western boundary. Ditch at west side, with some water trickling down hill and there is a bare area of ground at the bottom, which is perhaps due to persistent wetting from ditch. Ground elder, celandine, plantains present in the ground flora. Shrubs become very dense in this area. Hawthorn present.

3 A2.1

J2.3.2 Trees are taller in this area and mainly willow with some saplings of hawthorn. Ground cover of mainly elder with some lesser celandine in patches around area, other species present: dock, epilobium and hogweed and some nettle especially at edge of ditch. Insects – hoverflies; bumble bee and mason bee sp.; comma butterfly.

4 A2.1 Scrub mainly cherry at north edge with dense patches of brambles. Evidence of pathways into this scrub area and along south boundary


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5 J2.3.2 South hedge line with old hawthorn stocks. No signs of any laying at any time and there are large gaps. There is a depression at one point) but no continuous ditch and no water. Some hawthorn stocks have good cover of ivy. Path running along southern boundary. Mature trees covered with ivy, some dead wood standing. Potential bat roosts, trees are within the site boundary. Dense bramble undergrowth.

6 A2.1 Scrub area similar to area 4, with cherry, willow and hawthorn scrub

with mainly ground elder and some celandine patches. Fallen tree that is probably elder. Mainly nettle and bramble in this area towards the southern boundary. Dead tree standing in the south east corner. The tree is sited in the hedgerow. Dense bramble undergrowth.

7 J1.3 Mown grassland, predominantly perennial rye grass.


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8 J2.3.2 Hawthorn hedge, defunct similar to south line. Several points where fence has been pushed through but no signs of digging and no clear path. No hairs found. Over boundary there is a ditch which has water down the centre (no obvious flow) and signs of dampness, mainly soft rush, along the length. Field to east is cultivated grass possibly for silage, and no signs of digging and clear view to 30m. Gap at top end with signs of path along edge heading south along boundary.

9 Cleared scrub area. Probably willow. Poor ground flora – some

ground elder and occasional lesser celandine

10 J2.4 Fence line

11 J2.4 New fencing along boundary with a gap at the north end

12 Cleared area with poor ground flora.

13 J2.3.2 Trees – large with ivy cover. Sycamore and possibly beech. Wall

along boundary at this point


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Site plants: Perennial rye grass Dog rose Lesser Celandine Dock Common Hogweed Nettle Bramble Ivy Epilobium Plantain Trees: willow, hawthorn, oak, cherry, sycamore, horse chestnut

3.1.2 Protected species Badgers: No evidence of latrines or dung pits was found during the survey. No evidence of badger setts were recorded, though the areas of dense bramble were difficult to search thoroughly. A path was found running along the southern and eastern boundaries which could potentially be badger moving across the site but no corroborating evidence was found to support this. The biological record search recorded badger activity to the north and west of the site but not within the site boundary Bats: The site has a number of mature trees and deadwood standing along the site boundaries within the hedgerows. The majority of the trees identified for removal have been felled and of those still standing none were identified as having bat potential. To the south east corner of the site are a number of trees, covered with ivy, some of which are outside the site boundary. If the decision is made to remove these trees at a later date then an activity survey will be required prior to removal.

At the north west corner of the site, by the entrance to the land there are two garages. The garages are surrounded by dense willow scrub and adjacent to mature trees and hedgerow on the west side. Garage 1: The garage has a sloping corrugated plastic roof and the walls are a breeze block and brick wall construction. The east side is covered with ivy but the covering was not dense at the time of survey. Gaps are present under the barge boards. Internally there is boarding around the plastic roofing under the eaves. The interior is very light and there is no evidence of bat activity associated with this building Garage 2:


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The garage is covered in ivy across the front of a metal up and over door. The construction is a wooden frame, single skin building covered with an asbestos/cement roof with no inner lining. There was open access to the rear but this was blocked with willow trucks and the cluttered environment made this area unsuitable for bats. There was no evidence of bat activity associated with this building

Garage 1

Garage 2

Nesting birds: No evidence of nesting bird activity was found in association with the garage structures. Birds were observed entering the bramble/shrub areas running along the southern boundary of the site (TN4 & TN6). There is potential for nesting activity to occur within this area, and within the mature trees and hedgerows along the site boundary. Any clearance of this site should be carried out outside the nesting period as described below.

4 ASSESSMENT

4.1 CONSTRAINTS OF SURVEY 4.1.1 The shrub area along the southern boundary of the site could not be fully surveyed due to the dense

nature of the bramble/shrub layer.

4.1.2 The desk study results give an indication of species present in and around the site, but do not give an assessment of current presence/absence, and are dependent upon levels of biological recording in the area.

4.2 ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMNT 4.2.1 Site habitat


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The redline area is species poor with dominant species of bramble and a deciduous prunus shrub and perennial rye grassland. The centre of the site is species poor semi-improved grass land. The hedgerows are species poor with trees. It is our understanding that no mature trees, which are currently standing, will be lost as part of the proposed development.

4.2.2 Bats

There are a number of mature trees within the boundary hedgerows around the site which have potential as roost sites but there is no current plan to remove these particular trees as part of the proposed development. If this changes and these trees are to be removed, then a tree inspection and activity survey will be required before tree removal takes place. Potential for disturbance to foraging bats will be considered with creating a lighting scheme for the housing development. Lighting should avoid the hedgerows and any potential new roosts created within the development (Appendix 3). The development provides an opportunity to incorporate bat boxes in to the new housing (Appendix 4)and provide foraging opportunities through the inclusion of appropriate insect attracting plants as part of the landscaping scheme (appendix 5) No evidence of bat activity was found in association with the garages which are in a damp condition. Ivy should be removed prior to the demolition of the building

4.2.3 Badgers

There is no evidence of badger activity within the accessible areas of the site. The path along the southern boundary may be used by a number of mammal species and should therefore be retained outside the development area if possible.

4.2.4 Nesting birds

There is potential for use of the shrub area to the southern border and along the hedgerow/tree boundaries. No nests were seen but the density of the vegetation made it hard to inspect. Potential for use by wild birds for nesting will be mitigated for.

4.2.5 Other protected species

There is no evidence for the presence of protected species on the site at the time of survey, and no additional species were flagged up as a result of the record search. The ditch along the southern site boundary was only partially filled with water and was considered unsuitable for water vole and great crested newts. With regard to otter: no suitable rivers or streams are present on site or likely to be impacted by the proposed development

5 RECOMMENDATIONS AND MITIGATION

5.1 FURTHER SURVEY 5.1.1 Bats

A tree inspection and activity survey will be required if tree felling schedule is altered and the mature trees with potential roost sites or the standing dead wood are to be felled. It is our understanding that there are no proposals to remove these trees at present.

5.1.2 Badgers There is currently no requirement for further survey based on the data from this survey

5.1.3 Nesting birds

It is advised that site clearance should be undertaken outside the breeding bird season.


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If any work is to be undertaken during the bird breeding season of March to September then mitigation measures will be required, which includes an initial survey for breeding birds in the redline area and an ongoing monitoring of work. If nesting birds are found or nesting behaviour observed work ceases in that area until the young have fledged.

5.1.4 The conclusions and recommendations in this report in respect to surveys for protected species are based upon results from surveys in April 2014. These data will only be of use for 1 year (depending on species and circumstances) after which further survey to establish the position and possible changes in status will be necessary to ensure all activities are informed and guided by recent data on site status.

5.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR EPS LICENSING 5.2.1 Protected species No requirement for licensing is identified at this time. 5.3 MITIGATION MEASURES 5.3.1 Bats: Bats ~ the lighting scheme will be design to avoid disturbance of bat foraging areas and commuting routes

along the woodland edge and access track. The lighting scheme will be designed following the BCT guidance given in Appendix 3. A new development offers opportunities to increase the number of bat roosts available through the inclusion of bat boxes within the new build (Appendix 4) and creating a landscaping scheme to incorporate insect attracting plants thereby creating foraging areas for bats (Appendix 5)

5.3.2 Nesting birds

The potential for nesting birds has been identified at the site. If work commences in the breeding season of March to September then a breeding bird survey will be carried out for their presence with the scrub area.

All bird species and their nests are protected from destruction and disturbance in the breeding season. It

is recommended that

• any landscaping and land clearance done near the hedgerow boundaries and shrub areas, unless carried out outside the nesting season of March to September, will be preceded by a pre-start survey for active nests.

• If no nests are found then work will go ahead, but a watching brief will be maintained over the nesting period to ensure that no active nests are disturbed during the works.

• if nesting behaviour is observed (carrying nesting materials or food into hedges), then work should be suspended in 4m of that area and an ecologist contacted to assess the situation and advise.

• As a precaution all building material storage and contractor’s compounds should be located at least 4m from a hedgerow/shrub area, and any operations involving dust, vibration and noise also located away from boundary areas.

6.3.4 Other Protected species There are no mitigation measures required for any protected species at this time.

However if any protected species are found during any work being undertaken during the clearance and construction on the site then all work must stop and a qualified ecologist or natural England contacted for advice as to how to proceed. Failure to do so may result in an offence under the legislation detailed in Appendix 2.


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6 REFERENCES

BCT (2012) Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines Bat Conservation Trust

English Nature (2004) Bat Mitigation Guidelines Version January 2004

JNCC (2004) Bat Workers Manual Third Edition.

JNCC (2003) Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey 3rd edition

JNCC (2001) Habitat management for bats

Natural England (2007) Badgers and Development: A Guide to Best Practice and Licensing Version 09/07

7 APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Species ecology

Appendix 2: Legislation and policy guidance

Appendix 3: BCT lighting guidance

Appendix 4: BCT bat box guidance note

Appendix 5: Landscaping for bats

Documents

141 Manchester Road C-en-le F PS Phase One survey 2014 v3