environmental statement - Rotherham's Online Application for ...

Phase 1 Habitat Survey;
Bat Surveys and Assessment;
Badger Surveys and Assessment;
Otter Surveys and Assessment;
Water Vole Surveys and Assessment;
White Clawed Crayfish Surveys and Assessment; and
Great Crested Newt Surveys and Assessment.
Ecological Data Search
7.10 A request for ecological data for the site was sent to the statutory and nonstatutory
consultees listed above. They were requested to provide
information regarding protected species and habitats within 2km of the
site. Data was also obtained from the „Multi-Agency Geographic
Information for the Countryside‟ (MAGIC) website.
Baseline Studies
7.11 Ecological surveys were undertaken for a large area including the
application site and surroundings. Baseline ecological data was gathered
for the seven bespoke assessments as follows:
Phase 1 Habitat Survey: A Phase 1 habitat survey was undertaken
over two seasons in June 2007 and June 2008 of the Ecological
Survey Area, which includes the application site and immediate
surroundings. The methodology involved a site walkover mapping the
habitats according to the Phase 1 classification system, as described in
the NCC Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey (1990). Target notes
were made to summarise the habitats and their dependant species, to
comment on their value and to describe the localities of any notable
species encountered.
Bat Surveys: A bat habitat assessment was undertaken in conjunction
with the Phase 1 habitat survey and included a walkover of the
Ecological Survey Area and adjacent habitat bordering the site in order
to assess its value as bat habitat. This included an assessment of
potential flightlines, roosts and foraging areas in order to target evening
surveys. The woodland and individual trees within the Ecological
Survey Area were assessed in terms of their potential for providing
roosting habitat.
Evening transect activity surveys were undertaken in June 2008 in ideal
weather conditions. The field boundaries within the Ecological Survey
Area and the potential bat habitat identified during the habitat
170
Penny Hill Wind Farm
Environmental Statement