WILD
FRONTIER
ECOLOGY
Ecological Report
Downham Market Fire Station
June 2016
Report produced by
Submitted to
Produced by:
Susannah Dickinson BSc MCIEEM
Checked by:
Robert Yaxley CEnv MCIEEM
Wild Frontier Ecology
Unit 2, Cold Blow Farm
Great Snoring
Fakenham
Norfolk
NR21 0HF
NPS Property Consultants Ltd.
Lancaster House
16 Central Avenue
St Andrews Business Park
Norwich
NR7 0HR
Tel: 01328 864633
[email protected]
© All rights reserved, Wild Frontier Ecology Ltd 2016. No part of this document to be copied or
re-used without the permission of the copyright holder.
Company Registered in England and Wales No 4942219.
Registered Office - Saxon House, Hellesdon Park Road, Drayton High Road, Norwich NR6 5DR
Director Robert Yaxley BSc (Hons) CEnv MCIEEM. VAT Reg No. 887 4692 54
The data which we have prepared and provided is accurate, and has been prepared and provided
in accordance with the CIEEM’s Code of Professional Conduct. We confirm that any opinions
expressed are our best and professional bona fide opinions.
This report conforms to the British Standard 42020:2013 Biodiversity – Code of practice for
planning and development.
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CONTENTS
1. Non-technical Summary............................................................................. 3
2. Background ........................................................................................... 4
3. Relevant Legislation ................................................................................. 6
4. Assessment Methods ................................................................................. 8
5. Results ................................................................................................. 9
6. Impact Assessment ................................................................................ 10
7. Mitigation ........................................................................................... 11
8. Conclusions ......................................................................................... 11
9. Site Photos .......................................................................................... 12
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1. Non-technical Summary
Wild Frontier Ecology Ltd. (WFE) was commissioned to undertake an ecological
assessment of the proposed new fire station at Downham Market.
The proposed development is set within an area of existing buildings and hardstandings
with amenity grassland at the periphery. The site survey found no realistic habitat for
protected species within the defined working area, and therefore no potential for these
or other species of conservation interest to be negatively impacted by the proposed
development. Best practice mitigation measures have been recommended.
The amenity grass and hardened surfaces are not valued natural habitats, and
consequently the land take and working access for the proposed development would
have a neutral ecological impact.
No significant ecological impacts from the proposed development are therefore
expected.
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2. Background
Wild Frontier Ecology Ltd. (WFE) was commissioned by NPS Property Consultants Ltd. to
undertake a phase 1 habitat survey and ecological assessment of the proposed new fire
station at Downham Market. It is proposed to convert part of the existing police station,
and to extend this building to provide garage space for three Norfolk Fire and Rescue
Service (NFRS) appliances.
The works area is shown in Figure 1. The blue line indicates the land holding, and the
red line the site of new building works. The extent of the works is shown by the pink
line and also includes an area of the ground floor of the existing police station which is
to be refurbished. Further plans are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1: Site layout as provided by NPS
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Figure 2: Proposed works as provided by NPS
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3. Relevant Legislation
3.1 Bats
All bat species are listed under Annex IV (and certain species also under Annex II) of the
European Union’s Council Directive 92/43/EEC (The Habitats Directive), and are given
UK protected status by Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species
Regulations 2010. Bats and their roosts also receive protection from disturbance from
the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of
Way Act 2000). This protection extends to both the species and roost sites. It is an
offence to kill, injure, capture, possess or otherwise disturb bats. Bat roosts are
protected at all times of the year (making it an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct
access to bat roosts), regardless of whether bats are present at the time.
3.2 Badgers
The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 makes it unlawful to knowingly kill, capture, disturb
or injure an individual badger, or to intentionally damage, destroy or obstruct an area
used for breeding, resting or sheltering by badgers (i.e. a sett).
3.3 Birds
All bird species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended.
This prevents killing or injuring any bird or damaging or destroying nests and eggs.
Certain species (including barn owl Tyto alba) are also listed under Schedule 1 of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which prohibits intentionally or recklessly disturbing
the species at, on or near an ‘active’ nest.
3.4 Reptiles
All native reptiles are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981,
and are afforded protection under Sections 9(1) and 9(5). For the reptile species
occurring in Norfolk, adder Vipera berus, grass snake Natrix natrix, slow-worm Anguis
fragilis and common lizard Zootoca vivipara, this protection prohibits deliberate or
reckless killing and injury but does not include habitat protection.
3.5 Great Crested Newts
The great crested newt Triturus cristatus is fully protected in accordance with both
national and international legislation. The species is listed under Annexes IV and II of
European Directive 92/43/EEC, and Schedule 2 of The Conservation of Habitats and
Species Regulations 2010. The species is also protected by Sections 9(4) and 9(5) of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended.
It is an offence to knowingly or
recklessly kill, injure, disturb, handle or sell the animal, and this protection is afforded
to all life stages. It is unlawful to deliberately or recklessly damage, destroy, or
obstruct the access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection; this
includes both the terrestrial and aquatic components of its habitat.
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3.6 Species and Habitats of Principle Importance
Other priority species and habitats which are a consideration under the National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2012, placing responsibility on Local Planning
Authorities to aim to conserve and enhance biodiversity and to encourage biodiversity
in and around developments. There is a general biodiversity duty in the Natural
Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 (Section 40) which requires every
public body in the exercising of its functions to ‘have regard, so far as is consistent with
the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity’.
Biodiversity, as covered by the Section 40 duty, includes all biodiversity, not just the
Habitats and Species of Principal Importance.
Section 41 of the NERC Act lists a number of species and habitats as being
Species/Habitats of Principal Importance. These are species/habitats in England which
had been identified as requiring action under the UK BAP, and which continue to be
regarded as conservation priorities under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.
The protection of either Species of Principal Importance or Habitats of Principal
Importance is not statutory, but “specific consideration”1 should be afforded by Local
Planning Authorities when dealing with them in relation to planning and development
control. Also, there is an expectation that public bodies would refer to the Section 41
list when complying with the Section 40 duty.
1
JNCC (2016) Online at: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5705
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4. Assessment Methods
4.1 Survey Objectives
The objectives of the survey were to observe and describe habitats and any protected
species presence within the potential zone of influence of the proposed works, and
ensure that the site is examined to a sufficient level to accurately assess ecological
impacts.
4.2 Desk Study
The MAGIC website2, managed by Natural England, was used to identify nearby
designated areas for nature conservation. A data search using the Norfolk Biodiversity
Information Service was judged as unnecessary for this assessment given the scale of
the proposed development, other forms of local information available, and the
evidence gained from the site inspection.
Google Earth and/or Bing Maps aerial photographs, along with Ordnance Survey
1:10,000 maps were used to examine the local landscape (e.g., identify nearby ponds,
woodland, hedgerows, etc.).
4.3 Site Survey
The study site was walked over and an extended Phase 1 habitat survey conducted to
JNCC Guidelines3. The habitats present were evaluated with the development proposal
in mind. The Phase 1 survey was supported by target notes and photographic evidence.
A visual inspection of the buildings to be impacted by the proposed development was
undertaken. The physical features of the buildings were investigated for evidence of
bat use and bat roosting potential. The search for bat roosts was not only for bats in
situ, but also for the more likely droppings, urine and body oil stains, and
accumulations of feeding remains (insect parts).
4.4 Survey Dates and Personnel
The survey was carried out on 19th May 2016 by Susannah Dickinson BSc MCIEEM (NE bat
survey licence registration number 2016-22497-CLS-CLS), in fine weather conditions.
2
Natural England (2016) Online at: magic.defra.gov.uk
3
JNCC (2010), Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey − A Technique for Environmental Audit. JNCC.
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5. Results
5.1 Phase 1 habitat survey
The site is a predominantly existing buildings and asphalt car park. A phase 1 habitat
map is supplied, Figure 3.
The hard-standings are used for car parking (9. Photos, Photo 1 and 2). A previous fire
station building within this area has been demolished previously and this area is now
bare ground. To the west of the land holding are four mature trees, three London plane
Platanus × hispanica and a silver birch Betula pendula (Photo 3). There are also
ornamental flower beds adjacent to the existing building (Photo 4). At the periphery of
the land holding are some areas of amenity grassland which are mown short (Photo 5).
The amenity grassland is dominated by common grass species such as perennial
perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne and fescue Festuca sp. and herbs including daisy
Bellis perennis, dandelion Taraxacum agg., lesser trefoil Trifolium dubium, and cutleaved crane’s-bill Geranium dissectum.
The proposed new building is to be an extension to the existing police station building,
the footprint is confined to areas of existing buildings and hardstandings, although
adjacent amenity grassland may also be impacted upon, by adjacent building works.
Outside of the landholding the local area is predominantly residential dwellings with
associated gardens.
5.2 Visual inspection
Three buildings are to be affected by the proposed development. The first (Figure 3,
Building 1) is a metal bicycle shelter; this is single skinned and the gates to the front
are an open lattice (Photo 6). This structure has no bat roosting potential.
The second structure (Figure 3, Building 2) is a shed of brick construction with a flat
felt roof which appears to be well fitted and in a good condition (Photo 5 & 7). It has
plastic fascias which are tightly fitted and wooden double doors at the front which are
also tightly fitted. There are no obvious access points, so this structure has negligible
bat roosting potential.
The final structure inspected was the single storey arm of the main police station
building (Figure 3, Building 3). Part of this will refurbished and a former garage, now
used as a store, will be demolished to make way for the new garage for fire appliances.
This is also a brick structure with a flat felted roof (Photo 10). A wide fascia is made up
of concrete slabs (Photo 8). The brick work and roof are in a good condition with no
obvious cracks or crevices. There is a small gap between the concrete fascia and the
brick work but this is heavily webbed (Photo 11). There are two uPVC windows and two
large metal doors; a small gap around the doors is a potential access point. However an
internal inspection found no niches within the garage, which is plastered ceiling and
intact painted brickwork, with no exposed beams (Photo 9). No signs of bat use were
observed in the building. This building is therefore also considered to have negligible
potential for roosting bats.
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5.3 Survey Constraints and Limitations
There are no significant constraints to the survey which was conducted in fine weather
at an optimal time of year.
6. Impact Assessment
6.1 Protected Species and Species of Principle Importance
The amenity grassland and hardstandings hold no realistic habitat for badger or reptiles
within the defined working area, and therefore no potential for these species to be
negatively impacted by the proposed development.
There are no known ponds or ditches within 500 metres. There is therefore no habitat
for great crested newts, water voles or otters.
All the structures examined are relatively modern buildings with no obvious niches for
roosting bats. The buildings are deemed to have negligible potential for roosting bats in
line with the Bat Conservation Trust guidelines4 no further work is recommended.
Neutral impacts to bats are near certain.
It is also considered unlikely that these buildings will be used by nesting birds. No
obvious niches were observed and the area around it is disturbed by frequent human
activity. It is possible that common bird species could be nesting in shrubs in adjacent
gardens, but minor negative impacts would be unlikely. Best practice measures are
recommended as a precaution (see section 7) to ensure that there are no negative
impacts on bird species.
The hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus is a Species of Principle Importance which might
occur transiently within the defined working area; however there is very little potential
for a negative impact.
6.2 Habitats of Principle Importance
The amenity grass and hardened surfaces are not valued natural habitats, and
consequently the land take and working access for the proposed development would
have a neutral ecological impact.
4
Collins, J. (ed.) (2016). Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines, 3rd edition, Bat
Conservation Trust, London.
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7. Mitigation
If the removal of any woody vegetation (shrubs or trees) is required it should preferably
be done outside of the main bird nesting season (1st March – 31st August) to ensure that
no active bird nests are damaged or destroyed), or else have the affected vegetation
thoroughly checked for bird nests prior to the works.
Excavations should not be left open overnight, or else should be fitted with egress
boards sloped at a shallow angle. Preferably all excavations should be covered
overnight to prevent animals from falling in.
All building materials and waste materials should preferably be stored above ground,
such as on pallets or in skips respectively. This measure should ensure that such
materials do not provide a sheltering opportunity, attractive to invertebrates,
amphibians, reptiles and small mammals.
Bats are small and highly mobile mammals which can use a range of roosting sites,
some of which can be small and used infrequently. In the unlikely event that a bat is
found during works, then work should cease until advice has been sought from a
professional ecologist.
8. Conclusions
The results of the Phase 1 habitat survey and visual inspection of the buildings led to a
conclusion that no ecological receptors had any more than a very minor potential for
impact risk associated with the proposal. Given the nature of the development site, the
construction of the proposed development is deemed unlikely to result in negative
ecological impacts. With the proposed precautionary measures in effect, no significant
impacts from the proposed development are expected for protected and/or other
valued species.
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9. Site Photos
Photo 1. View across existing hard standing to proposed development site
Photo 2. Existing hard standing and site of demolished building.
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Photo 3. Large plane trees at west of land holding
Photo 4. Main building and flower beds – ground floor area to be refurbished
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Photo 5. Amenity grassland at periphery of site, and storage shed (Building 2).
Photo 6. Bike shed (Building 1)
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Photo 7. Storage shed (Building 2)
Photo 8. Garage store to be demolished (Building 3)
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Photo 9. Interior of garage store (Building 3)
Photo 10. Roof of area for refurbishment and garage to be demolished (Building 3)
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Photo 11. Niche below fascia (Building 3)
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Figure 3: Phase 1 Habitat Map
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