Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment
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Wiltshire Cottage Monks Alley Binfield Berkshire RG42 5NY Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment R2783/a May 2021 1 Diesel House, Honey Hill, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3BL Telephone: 0118 3271810 Mobile: 07979 403099 E-mail: info@wenman-ecology.co.uk www.wenman-ecology.co.uk John Wenman Ecological Consultancy LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC339057. Registered office: 100 New Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, RG45 6JP where you may look at a list of members’ names.
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................... 3 2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 4 2.1 Background .................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Legislative Background – Great Crested Newts .......................................................................... 4 2.3 Site Location and Context ............................................................................................................ 5 3 SURVEY METHOD – GREAT CRESTED NEWTS ........................................... 7 3.1 Background Data Search ............................................................................................................. 7 3.2 Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment .................................................................................... 7 3.3 Survey Constraints....................................................................................................................... 8 4 GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT FINDINGS ..................... 9 4.1 Background Data Search ............................................................................................................. 9 4.2 Habitat Description....................................................................................................................... 9 4.3 Natural England Rapid Risk Assessment Tool .......................................................................... 12 5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................... 13 5.1 Assessment of Habitat Suitability ............................................................................................... 13 5.2 Impact of Proposals ................................................................................................................... 14 5.3 Precautionary Measures and Habitat Enhancement Opportunities ........................................... 14 6 REFERENCES ................................................................................................ 16 APPENDIX 1 – SITE PHOTOGRAPHS .................................................................. 17 APPENDIX 2 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT.................... 21 APPENDIX 3 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT RAPID RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL .... 22 APPENDIX 4 – PROPOSED PLAN ........................................................................ 23
1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1.1 John Wenman Ecological Consultancy LLP was commissioned by Mr Lyndon Hedderley and Mrs Sunita Shroff to undertake a Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment at Wiltshire Cottage in Binfield, Berkshire. The survey was commissioned in connection with proposals seeking consent for the erection of a detached garden room/home office to the rear of Wiltshire Cottage. 1.1.2 The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) receives full protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (‘Habitat Regulations’). A survey to visually assess the site for its potential to support great crested newts was carried out on the 4th May 2021 by an ecologist registered under the Natural England great crested newt survey class licence (CL08) and an assistant ecologist. 1.1.3 The majority of the site comprised buildings, hardstanding and amenity grassland with introduced shrubs – habitats of negligible-low value to great crested newts. There were intact hedgerows and groups of scattered trees present on the site offering some opportunities for newts to forage or seek shelter. There was a pond present in the north of the site which has historic records of great crested newts being present. However, at present the pond is largely dry and heavily silted and as a result, in its current condition does not offer suitable aquatic habitat for breeding great crested newts. 1.1.4 The proposed development footprint will be small in size, covering an area of land less than 0.01 hectares and will only impact habitats of negligible ecological value to great crested newts, i.e. tightly fitted paving slabs and closely mown amenity grassland. The habitats of value to newts, i.e. the pond, dry ditch, hedgerows and scattered trees will all be retained and unaffected by the proposals and therefore the works will not result in disturbance or loss of suitable great crested newt habitat. Taking into account all factors, it is considered that a European Protected Species licence would not be required to allow the work to go ahead lawfully. Non-licensed avoidance measures have been recommended for indirect construction activities associated with the proposals, such as storage of materials and access of machinery, to ensure individual newts are not harmed during the works. John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review -3-
2 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Background 2.1.1 John Wenman Ecological Consultancy LLP was commissioned by Mr Lyndon Hedderley and Mrs Sunita Shroff to undertake a Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment at Wiltshire Cottage in Binfield, Berkshire. 2.1.2 The survey was commissioned in connection with planning proposals to be lodged with Wokingham Borough Council seeking consent for the erection of a garden room/home office in the garden to the rear of the cottage (refer to plans in Appendix 4). 2.2 Legislative Background – Great Crested Newts 2.2.1 Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) receives full protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (‘Habitat Regulations’). In summary, the legislation combined makes it an offence to: • Intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take a great crested newt; • Possess or control any live or dead specimen or anything derived from a great crested newt; • Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a great crested newt; • Intentionally or recklessly disturb great crested newts; in particular any disturbance which is likely to impair their ability to survive, breed or reproduce or nurture their young; or in the case of hibernating or migrating animals, to hibernate or migrate. 2.2.2 The government’s statutory conservation advisory organisation, Natural England, is responsible for issuing European Protected Species licences that would permit activities that would otherwise lead to an infringement of the Habitat Regulations. A licence can be issued if the following three tests have been met: • Regulation 55(9)(a) - there is “no satisfactory alternative” to the derogation, and; John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review -4-
• Regulation 55(9)(b) - the derogation “will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range” and; • Regulation 55(2)(e) - the derogation is for the purposes of “preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature and beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment”. 2.2.3 The great crested newt is listed as being of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England, under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, (commonly referred to as a UKBAP Priority species). 2.2.4 Local authorities have a statutory duty under Regulation 7(3e) of the Habitat Regulations to have regard to requirements of the Habitats Directive in the exercise of their functions. The Council must therefore consider and determine whether these three tests are likely to be satisfied by applications here survey findings show that European Protected Species licensing is necessary for great crested newts before granting planning permission. 2.2.5 European Protected Species licence applications for great crested newts can be submitted once all necessary planning consents have been granted and Natural England aim to issue a licence decision within 30 working days. 2.3 Site Location and Context 2.3.1 The cottage is situated on the southern side of Monks Alley (a no through road) in Binfield, Berkshire (OS grid reference: SU 83596 71117). 2.3.2 The cottage is set in a rural area and has multiple buildings within the site boundary, with a paddock to the rear of the garden, consisting of closely mown grassland. There is a pond present on the northern side of the site, with scattered mature trees around the edge of the pond and along the southern and eastern boundaries. There are neighbouring properties and their respective gardens on both sides of the site, with a pond present within the grounds of the property to the east, situated approximately 85 metres from the cottage. There is broadleaved woodland leading to an area of ancient and semi-natural woodland, starting approximately 125 metres to the John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review -5-
southwest of the cottage. Further to the north and south lies open countryside with established hedgerows and tree-lines. 2.3.3 Overall, the terrestrial habitats in the local area provide cover and feeding opportunities for great crested newts, and the nearby ponds may provide suitable breeding habitat. John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review -6-
3 SURVEY METHOD – GREAT CRESTED NEWTS 3.1 Background Data Search 3.1.1 The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) was commissioned to undertake a search of great crested newt records for land within a 1 km radius of the site. 3.2 Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment 3.2.1 The site was visually assessed for its potential to support great crested newts on the 4th May 2021 by an ecologist registered under the Natural England great crested newt survey class licence (CL08) and assistant ecologist. 3.2.2 Great crested newts require standing water for breeding and favour small to medium sized ponds with surface areas ranging from 50m² to 250m². For larval development to take place and young newts to emerge from ponds, ponds must hold water until the end of August (Langton et.al. 2001). 3.2.3 A great crested newt rapid risk assessment was carried out using the Natural England Rapid Risk Assessment Tool. The Tool takes into account the impacts of the development on great crested newts and determines the likelihood of effects on populations without any mitigation (Appendix 5). 3.2.4 Great crested newts require terrestrial habitats for feeding, movement from pond to pond and for hibernation. Habitats of greatest value to great crested newts are those listed below that provide invertebrate prey and provide cover such as under logs or stones: • Woodland; • Rough grassland; • Scrub; • Hedgerows; • Waste ground. 3.2.5 Terrestrial habitats of highest value to great crested newts are those rich in invertebrate prey, which provide cover during periods of cold and dry weather, such as under logs or stones for example. Open habitats such as closely mown grassland do not provide important habitats for feeding or shelter but John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review -7-
can be traversed by newts moving between more preferable habitats (English Nature 2001; Langton et. al. 2001). 3.3 Survey Constraints 3.3.1 Full access was available to the grounds of the property and as such the survey had no significant constraints. John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review -8-
4 GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT FINDINGS 4.1 Background Data Search 4.1.1 The data search revealed historic records of great crested newts within the pond on site, with four female and five male great crested newts recorded in 2007. A further seven ponds within 500 metres of the site have pre-existing records of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus); with records dating from 1996 to 2019. 4.1.2 The majority of these ponds appear to support low populations of great crested newts with one pond supporting numbers that reflect a moderate population. However, given the close proximity of these ponds to one another and the ecology of great crested newts, it is likely that these exist as a meta- population with animals moving between waterbodies. There are a number of ponds close to the site with no records of great crested newts but the closest pond with records is approximately 270 metres to the north-east of the site (2013). 4.2 Habitat Description 4.2.1 Photographs of the site are presented in Appendix 1 and a plan of the habitats with associated target notes is shown in Appendix 2. The findings of the visual inspection of the site are described as follows: 4.2.2 The following habitats were observed during the survey: buildings, amenity grassland, scattered trees, introduced shrub beds, species-poor intact hedgerow, standing water, dry ditch and other habitat. Buildings (B1-B4) 4.2.3 The site had multiple buildings, including the main cottage and attached garage (Photographs 1 & 2; B1). To the eastern side of the site there were three further buildings: a timber stable block with a plastic corrugated roof (Photograph 3; B2); a timber-clad potting shed with clay roof tiles; (Photograph 4; B3) and an open-sided horse trailer store with a corrugated metal sheet roof (Photograph 5; B4). Amenity Grassland (AM1 & AM2) 4.2.4 The majority of the site was amenity grassland in the form of managed lawn to the north, west and south of the cottage (B1) and a closely-mown paddock John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review -9-
covering the southern half of the site (Photographs 6 & 7; AM1 & AM2). The closely-mown amenity grassland composed largely of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), with occasional areas of springy turf moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus). There were herb species present including; dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), meadow thistle (Cirsium dissectum), hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), field woodrush (Luzula campestris), white clover (Trifolium repens), common mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum), germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) and common daisy (Bellis perennis). Other Habitat (OH1-4) 4.2.5 A gravel driveway ran from the entrance on the northern boundary, up to the brick walled garden in front of the cottage and connected to the outbuildings on the eastern side of the site (Photograph 9; OH1). There was a paving slab walkway, that lead from the driveway up to the cottage which had a number of red tip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) bushes on either side of the pathway (Photograph 10; OH2 & TN3). The paving slabs continued around the side and rear of the cottage, to form a patio area, including a drained ornamental pond, surrounded by an introduced shrub bed (Photograph 11; TN4 & IS2). 4.2.6 A further area of tightly fitted paving slabs were situated on the eastern side of the site, adjacent to the fence separating the lawn from the grazed paddock (Photograph 12; OH3). A tarmacked tennis court was to the western side of the site, surrounded by a chain link fence (Photograph 13; OH4). Species-poor intact hedgerow (PH1-4) 4.2.7 Beside the gravel driveway to the north of the site was a short intact hedgerow (Photograph 14; PH1) consisting of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), ivy (Hedera helix) and yew (Taxus baccata). To the southeast of the cottage there was a short Leylandii hedgerow and a short holly (Ilex aquifolium) hedge, with occasional ivy (Hedera helix), herb-robert (Geranium robertianum) and lords-and-ladies (Arum alpinum), adjacent to the small paving area (OH3) on the eastern side of the site (Photograph 15 & 16; PH2 & PH3). Separating the tennis court from the western side of the garden was an intact hedgerow made up of yew John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 10 -
(Taxus baccata) and holly species (Ilex sp.), with occasional bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and red dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) (Photograph 17; PH4). Introduced Shrubs (IS1-3) 4.2.8 An introduced shrub bed was present to the front of the cottage and included box (Buxus sempervirens) and cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.) bushes (IS1). There were further introduced shrub beds to the rear of the cottage, including: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), sage (Salvia officinalis), roses (Rosa sp.), barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and hellebore (Helleborus sp.) (Photograph 11; IS2). Mesotrophic standing water (SWM1) 4.2.9 Adjacent to the intact hedgerow (PH1) at the northern end of the site there was a heavily silted pond (Photograph 18; SWM1). The pond covered an approximate area of 60 m2, with an approximate water surface area of 30 m2; the western side of the pond was full of leaf litter and silted. Surrounding the pond, there were scattered trees consisting of three poplar (Populus alba) trees and a hazel (Corylus avellana) (Photograph 19; TN5). Marginal and emergent vegetation present included: pond sedge (Carex sp.), hemlock water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), soft rush (Juncus effusus), snake’s head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris), vetch (Vicia sp.), primrose (Primula vulgaris), bramble (Rubus fruticosus), iris (Iris sp.), meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) and lords-and-ladies (Arum maculatum) (Photograph 20; SWM1). Scattered Trees (SBW1) 4.2.10 There was a mature oak (Quercus robur) tree in the amenity grassland adjacent to the gravel driveway and brick wall to the north of the cottage (TN1). A second mature oak (Quercus robur) tree was situated to the south of the cottage, beside the fenceline separating the garden lawn from the paddock (Photograph 8; TN2). 4.2.11 There were scattered trees along the eastern and western boundaries of the site (Photograph 21; SBW1) including oak (Quercus robur), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and hazel (Corylus avellana). There was a dry ditch along the southeastern side of the site with scattered broadleaved trees along the John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 11 -
boundary and continuing into the neighbouring property to the east (Photograph 22; DD1). 4.3 Natural England Rapid Risk Assessment Tool 4.3.1 Information relating to the site was inputted into Natural England’s Great Crested Newt Rapid Assessment Tool. The output from this indicates that the proposed works are highly unlikely to have an adverse effect on great crested newts, i.e. a green result (Appendix 3). Although there is a pond on site 65 metres to the north of the proposed development footprint (albeit currently almost dry), the nature and scale of the work (a development footprint of less than 0.01 hectares) and the incorporation of non-licensed avoidance measures (see Section 5), will result in the works having a negligible impact on great crested newts. John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 12 -
5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Assessment of Habitat Suitability 5.1.1 There was a pond present in the north of the site. This pond also has historic records of great crested newts being present. However, during the survey the pond had very little water remaining; conversation with the property owners revealed that the waterbody also dries out annually (pers. comm). In light of these findings, the pond in its current condition does not offer suitable aquatic habitat for breeding great crested newts. However, in combination with the other suitable terrestrial habitat on site, this damp water feature could provide a possible foraging and sheltering resource for the local great crested newt metapopulation, in its current state. 5.1.2 The closely-mown amenity grassland that characterises the site and the scattered introduced shrub beds are both habitats typical of residential gardens. These habitats were well maintained/intensively managed and as a result offered limited opportunities for foraging or shelter for great crested newts. However, the dry ditch, hedgerows and scattered trees on site offer opportunities for newts to traverse across the site, to forage or to seek shelter. 5.1.3 All records of great crested newts in off-site ponds were over 250 metres from the site (and the building footprint for the proposed garden room). Great crested newts are capable of travelling significant distances (in excess of 1km) between aquatic and terrestrial habitats (Jehle et al., 2011). However, it has been found that great crested newts are unlikely to typically move in excess of 50m from a breeding pond, where this is surrounded by high-quality terrestrial habitat (Cresswell and Whitworth, 2004). It is likely that newts present in these ponds act as a metapopulation with individuals utilising all local waterbodies and surrounding suitable terrestrial habitat e.g. woodland parcels etc. It is therefore possible that great crested newts pass through the site using the suitable habitats on the site peripheries, i.e. the scattered trees and dry ditch, when moving between breeding ponds and overwintering habitat and may periodically utilise the short hedgerow habitats as a foraging and sheltering resource. 5.1.4 In summary, the site offers habitat that is of low-moderate value to great crested newts, including the pond in the north of the site, with scattered trees present to the east and west of the site, connecting to other suitable terrestrial John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 13 -
habitat habitats in neighbouring properties. However, the vast majority of the site (including the development footprint), i.e. the amenity grassland, hard standing and buildings, have negligible value to terrestrial great crested newts. Therefore, it is considered possible that great crested newts will be present on site but would be confined to the small areas of suitable habitat (mostly on the site peripheries) and only in low numbers. 5.2 Impact of Proposals 5.2.1 The proposed garden room (development footprint) will cover an area of land less than 0.01 hectares and as stated above will only impact habitats of negligible ecological value to great crested newts, i.e. tightly fitted paving slabs and closely mown amenity grassland (refer to Appendix 4 for proposed plan). The habitats of value to newts i.e. the pond, dry ditch, hedgerows and scattered trees will all be retained and unaffected by the proposals and therefore the works will not result in a loss of suitable great crested newt habitat. Moreover, the Natural England Risk Assessment Tool shows that a loss of less than 0.01 hectares of land within 100 metres of a breeding pond is unlikely to have an impact (green risk) on local great crested newt populations or individual newts regardless of the quality of habitat. In light of the survey findings and this assessment, it is considered that a European Protected Species licence would not be required to allow the work to go ahead lawfully. 5.2.2 Given the presence of ponds in the local area with records of great crested newts, it is recommended that non-licensed avoidance measures are employed during the construction work. This is to ensure that any indirect construction activities associated with the proposals, e.g. storage of materials and access by construction vehicles, do not impact individual/small numbers of newts that may move across the site on occasion. These are set out in Section 5.3 below. 5.3 Precautionary Measures and Habitat Enhancement Opportunities 5.3.1 There is a low residual risk that individual great crested newts could move through the site on an occasional basis and so be present in the area where construction activities are to take place. In order to minimise the small risk of harming great crested newts the following avoidance measures will be adopted: • All machinery must be restricted to hard standing areas, i.e. the gravel, John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 14 -
and habitats of negligible value to great crested newts, i.e. closely mown amenity grassland; • Night work will be avoided; • Any vegetation in the construction area will be kept closely mown during the course of the construction work; • During the course of construction, any open excavations and trenches will be capped or backfilled before nightfall, or alternatively, escape ramps will be installed to allow newts to escape if they fall into the excavations; • Any stored building materials such as bricks etc. that might offer shelter for newts will be kept raised off the ground on pallets. 5.3.2 In the highly unlikely event that a great crested newt is found during construction, works will stop immediately and a licensed ecologist will be called onto site to ensure the newt is not harmed and provide further advice on how to proceed; work will recommence only once further written advice has been received. 5.3.3 There is scope to improve the value of the site to great crested newts and other fauna post-development by adopting ecological enhancement measures tailored to this species. Measures could include: • The removal of silt and leaf litter built up within the pond. This is best undertaken in autumn prior to the hibernation period. Silt and leaf litter should be left in dense vegetation close to the pond to allow any small fauna present to get back into the pond or surrounding vegetation and; • Log piles/brash piles or rockeries could be constructed to provide suitable sheltering and hibernating features for great crested newts and other small fauna. John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 15 -
6 REFERENCES Baker, J., Beebee T., Buckley, J., Gent, A. and Orchard, D. (2011). Amphibian Habitat Management Handbook. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bournemouth. Cresswell W, Whitworth R (2004) An assessment of the efficiency of capture techniques and the value of different habitats for the great crested newt Triturus cristatus. English Nature Research Reports Number 576:1–75 Edgar, P., Foster, J. and Baker, J. (2010). Reptile Habitat Management Handbook. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bournemouth. English Nature (2001). Great crested newt mitigation guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough. Jehle, R et al (2011) The Crested Newt. A Dwindling Pond Dweller. Laurenti- Verlag Langton, T.E.S, Beckett, C.L., and Foster, J.P. (2001). Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook, Froglife, Halesworth. John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 16 -
APPENDIX 1 – SITE PHOTOGRAPHS 1. Cottage viewed from the north-west (B1). 2. Attached garage viewed from the west (B1). 3. Stable block viewed from the south (B2). 4. Potting shed (B3). 5. Open sided horse trailer store (B4). 6. Amenity grassland characterising the northern side of the site (AM1). John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 17 -
7. Amenity grassland in grazed paddock to 8. Mature oak tree to the rear of the garden the south of the site (AM2). (TN2). 9. Gravel driveway to the north-eastern side 10. Stone paved path connecting gravel of the site (OH1). driveway and the cottage (OH2). 11. Drained ornamental pond with introduced 12. Area of paving slabs to the eastern side of shrub beds (TN4 & IS2). the site (OH3). John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 18 -
13. Tarmacked tennis court to the western 14. Species-poor intact hedgerow to the west side of the site (OH4). of the gravel driveway (PH1). 15. Leylandii hedgerow to the south-east of 16. Intact hedgerow adjacent to the fenceline the house (PH2). to the south of the cottage (PH3). 17. Intact hedgerow (PH4) separating the 18. Silted pond situated at the northern end of garden (AM1) from the tennis court (OH4). the site (SWM1). John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 19 -
19. Poplar and hazel trees surrounding pond 20. Marginal and emergent vegetation within at the northern side of the site (TN3). and around the pond (SWM1). 21. Scattered trees along the eastern 22. Dry ditch along the south-eastern boundary of the site (SBW1). boundary of the site (DD1). John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 20 -
APPENDIX 2 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 21 -
APPENDIX 3 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT RAPID RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL Component Likely effect (select one for each component; Notional select the most harmful option if more than one is offence likely; lists are in order of harm, top to bottom) probability score Great crested newt breeding pond(s) No effect 0 Land within 100m of any breeding pond(s) 0.001 - 0.01 ha lost or damaged 0.05 Land 100-250m from any breeding pond(s) No effect 0 Land >250m from any breeding pond(s) No effect 0 Individual great crested newts No effect 0 Maximum: 0.05 Rapid risk assessment result: GREEN: OFFENCE HIGHLY UNLIKELY Guidance on risk assessment result categories "Green: offence highly unlikely" indicates that the development activities are of such a type, scale and location that it is highly unlikely any offence would be committed should the development proceed. Therefore, no licence would be required. However, bearing in mind that this is a generic assessment, you should carefully examine your specific plans to ensure this is a sound conclusion, and take precautions (see Non-licensed avoidance measures tool) to avoid offences if appropriate. It is likely that any residual offences would have negligible impact on conservation status, and enforcement of such breaches is unlikely to be in the public interest. John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 22 -
APPENDIX 4 – PROPOSED PLAN John Wenman Ecological Consultancy Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review - 23 -
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