Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

Transcription

1 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

2 Seminar Outline What is Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)? What are the main objectives of PEA? Methods of PEA Wildlife legislation and planning policy Examples of PEA Outputs of PEA Lunch Site visit Westpoint (Wadworth Pavilion) Field equipment Risk assessment and access Identifying signs of protected species Case studies Please ask questions throughout!

3 What is Preliminary Ecological Appraisal? Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (CIEEM Guidelines, 2016). Extended Phase 1 habitat survey and data search. Enables the ecologist to determine what protected species could be present on site and therefore what further surveys for protected species are required. The first stage of assessing the likely impacts of the development on habitats and protected species within a site. Ideally undertaken at the very early stages of the planning process, so that the results of ecological surveys can inform the development masterplan.

4 What are the Main Objectives? To assess the baseline conditions of the site in terms of habitats present, particularly habitats of principal importance (NERC Act, 2006). To map the habitats on site, in accordance with the JNCC Phase 1 Handbook. To look for signs of protected species. To look for invasive species (i.e. Japanese knotweed). To determine the sites' potential to support protected species (key constraints to development). To make recommendations for avoidance/retention, mitigation and enhancement, in accordance with relevant legislation and planning policy. To make recommendations for further ecological surveys.

5 Methods Data Searches Contacting the local biodiversity records centre for information on designated sites, ancient woodlands, habitats of principal importance and protected species. Local biodiversity records centres usually require a map, identifying the location of the site and the radius of your data search. Most biodiversity records centres require you to fill in an online form. Maps can be downloaded from or your GIS team will produce one for you. Designated sites and habitats of principal importance can be checked on Use the following website to convert post codes into grid references: Or use tools. Core Strategies and Local Development Frameworks should also be consulted for relevant planning policies. Consult aerial photography - available online Streetview on Google Maps can also be helpful. Natural England

6 Grid References Needed for your report Can be done online Always use at least a 6 figure grid reference in your report Make sure they are correct!

7 Grid References Eastings Northings 100K square TU k square

8 Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC)

9 Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC)

10 Bristol Local Plan 2011

11 Habitat search

12 Statutory sites search

13

14

15 Aerials Google Earth is a FREE aerial resource online. Contraints: picture can be old, resolution can be poor (especially in remote areas) Shows landscape of the surrounding area nearest woodlands, connectivity, major habitats etc. Ancient or Modern landscapes Compare the aerial to the OS Map

16 Modern landscape Straight, regular fields Modest hedgerows Few landscape features Ancient landscape Curved fields Large hedgerows Small irregular fields Copses, woodlands etc

17 Compare Barn 1 and 2 Connectivity hedgelines, woodland edges Nearest foraging areas for bats etc Nearest water Few or many landscape features? Which species are likely to be present? Barn 1 Barn 2

18 Trunk road Medeivel Landscape - Strip fields Note the bisected fields Enlarged fields Moorland Dartmoor National Park

19 Methods Phase 1 Habitat Survey An extended Phase 1 habitat survey in accordance with JNCC guidelines. The zone of influence (area to be affected by development) may be larger than the site. Record and map baseline conditions of the site - habitats and signs of protected species. Record any limitations of the survey (areas which could not be accessed, bad weather, suboptimal time of year etc).

20 Methods Surveying Hedgerows Criteria Important Hedgerows These first six criteria are desk-based. If a hedgerow fulfils one of these criterion, it is classed as important. 1. Marks a pre-1850 parish or township boundary. 2. Incorporates an archaeological feature. 3. Is part of, or associated with, an archaeological site. 4. Marks the boundary of, or is associated with, a pre-1600 estate or manor. 5. Forms an integral part of a pre-parliamentary enclosure field system. 6. Contains certain categories of species of birds, animals or plants listed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act or Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) publications.

21 Criteria Important Hedgerows 7. Includes: (a) at least 7 woody species, on average, in a 30 metre length; (b) at least 6 woody species, on average, in a 30 metre length and has at least 3 associated features; (c) at least 6 woody species, on average, in a 30 metre length, including a blackpoplar tree, or large-leaved lime, or small-leaved lime, or wild service-tree; or (d) at least 5 woody species, on average, in a 30 metre length and has at least 4 associated features. 8. Runs alongside a bridleway, footpath, road used as a public path, or a byway open to all traffic and includes at least 4 woody species, on average, in a 30 metre length and has at least 2 of the associated features listed below. The associated features are: A bank or wall supporting the hedgerow; Less than 10% gaps; On average, at least one tree per 50 metres; At least 3 species from a list of 57 woodland plants; A ditch; A number of connections with other hedges, ponds or woodland; A parallel hedge within 15m.

22 Methods Surveying Hedgerows If less than 30m survey the whole hedge Between m survey the central 30m Between m divide it into two and survey the central 30m of the two sections Over 200m divide hedge into three sections and survey the central 30m of each section Survey the entire width of the hedge See for full Regs

23 Hedgerows Woody Species For ecologists the most important factor regarding the 1997 Hedgerow Regulations is number of woody species Only species listed on Schedule 3 of the Hedgerow Regulations count (57, mainly including trees and shrubs, but excludes climbers) Recently planted hedges and garden hedges are also discounted

24 Parallel Hedgerows

25 Hedgerows with Banks

26 Methods Assessment for Potential to Support Protected Species Buildings/bridges/barns bats, nesting birds. Dense scrub/hedgerows/woodland - badgers, dormice, nesting birds. Hedgerows/gardens/woodland - hedgehog (species of principal importance), nesting birds Presence of watercourses - water voles, otters, crayfish Coarse and rough grassland - reptiles Ponds and any other type of habitat - great crested newts, toads Ancient woodland, unimproved grassland, brownfield - invertebrates Unimproved grassland, brownfield - plants

27 Wildlife Legislation and Planning Policy Conservation of Species and Habitats Regulations, 2017 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Countryside Rights of Way Act, 2000 Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act Hedgerow Regulations 1997 Protection of Badgers Act 1992 ODPM Circular 06/2005 NPPF National Planning Policy Framework Regional and Local Plans

28 Example 2: -The development involves removal of habitat during the summer months

29 Example 3: -The development involves demolition of existing buildings -Adjacent to ancient woodland

30 Example 4: -Recently cleared site -Great crested newt records in data search within 50m -Tree boundaries to be retained

31 Example 5: -Old rubble pile set within tall ruderal vegetation and scrub -Reptile records in data search -Rubble pile to be dismantled and removed

32 Example 6: -Adjacent to Thames Basin Heaths SPA -Is proposed as a SANG

33

34

35 Outputs of PEA Phase 1 habitat survey map. List of target notes. Report of methods, results and recommendations.

36 Westpoint Site

37 N

38 Field Equipment Two clean copies of the basemap for the site. Aerial photography printouts. Development proposals drawing (if available and applicable). Phase 1 Handbook. Weatherwriter. Pencils. Camera. Details of lone worker system. Mobile phone. Wet weather gear (waterproof coat and wellies). Any Personal Protective Safety Equipment (high-vis, steel-toe caps etc).

39 Risk Assessment and Site Access Prepare a Risk Assessment. Read and sign the Risk Assessment form for today. Your client must confirm in writing, that you have permission to access the land.

40 Identifying Signs of Protected Species Informs your assessment of what further surveys would be required. Most common signs to look for include for badgers, bats, otters, water voles, hedgehogs, dormice, birds of prey, nesting birds.

41 Prints - Badger

42 Prints Water Vole

43 Prints Domestic Animals

44 Droppings Roe Deer

45 Droppings - Badger

46 Droppings - Badger

47 Droppings Water Vole

48 Droppings - Hedgehog

49 Droppings - Otter

50 Droppings - Bat

51 Feeding and Foraging Signs - Badger

52 Feeding and Foraging Signs - Badger

53 Feeding and Foraging Signs - Badger

54 Feeding and Foraging Signs Water Vole

55 Feeding and Foraging Signs - Dormice

56 Feeding and Foraging Signs Squirrel

57 Feeding and Foraging Signs Dormouse, Wood Mouse, Bank Vole

58 Feeding and Foraging Signs Barn Owl

59 Feeding and Foraging Signs Little Owl

60 Feeding and Foraging Signs - Kestrel

61 Skins - Adder

62 Skins Sand Lizard

63 Skins Common Lizard

64 Skins Slow Worm

65 Skins Grass Snake

66 Case Studies

67

68

69 Case Study 1 Ludwell Valley Park

70 Case Study 2 University Playing Fields