St Mary Redcliffe Project 450 RIBA 2 Stage End Report

2 Method
2.8 A list of other species considered during the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey are listed below:
• Badger
• Dormice
• Great Crested Newt (GCN)
2.1 The methods adopted in the survey throughout the assessment are outlined below. They accord
with the good practice guidance documents for ecological survey and assessment produced by the
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management 1 and the British Standards
Institute 2 .
Desk Study
2.2 To provide additional background information to the report, and to highlight any potential habitat
and/or species that may be influenced over the proposed changes to the Site, an evaluation of
pre-existing biological records was undertaken. A data search for statutory designated sites within
a 5km of the Site was undertaken as well as a data search for non-statutory designated sites, bat
records and other notable species groups within 2km of the Site.
2.3 Data was both requested and collated from the following sources:
• Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC); and
• Multi-Agency Geographical Information for the Countryside (MAGIC).
2.4 Absence of species records within the desk study from the biological records does not equate to
absence in reality. Species distributions were interpreted with caution as they may reflect surveyreporting
effort rather than actual distributions.
Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
2.5 A Phase 1 Habitat Survey was undertaken. This survey is a rapid, standardised approach to
categorising different habitat types within any given terrestrial site, and was carried out within the
Site boundary.
2.6 A DAFOR scale was applied to the species listed within each habitat type. A DAFOR scale assigns a
letter to a species based on how prominent they are within that particular habitat, it is at the
discretion of the surveyor to decide what label to assign to a particular species. DAFOR translates
as:
• D – Dominant
• A – Abundant
• F – Frequent
• O – Occasional
• R – Rare
2.7 The survey was ‘extended’ by considering the suitability of the Site for notable or protected fauna
and flora. Species considered included those identified within the desk study, or those considered
appropriate by the surveyor whilst on Site. The survey was conducted by Greg Nightingale BSc,
ACIEEM and Isaac Hogan BSc, MSc, QCIEEM on 12 th August 2019. Weather conditions were sunny
and dry.
• Nesting Birds
• Reptiles
Bats
2.9 Several different bat surveys were carried out as to assess the Site’s suitability to support bat
roosts. The following surveys were undertaken: Preliminary Roost Assessment, Preliminary
Hibernation Assessment, Ground Level Assessment (GLA) and Endoscope Surveys.
2.10 All features were examined using a torch (CB2-L1) Clubman Deluxe Li-Ion 12V 8.8 AH and
binoculars (Pentax Papilio ll 5x21)). The search took place on the 12 th August 2019, conducted by
Greg Nightingale (Class 2 Bat Licence holder) and Isaac Hogan. The survey methods used is in
accordance with Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) guidelines 3 .
2.11 Only the areas of the Site to be affected by the proposals were assessed (i.e. a complete survey
of the church was not carried out as the church would largely be unaffected by the proposals).
Information gathered was then used to evaluate the Bat Roost Potential (BRP, for designation see
Table 2.1) of each feature.
Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)
2.12 A PRA of the exterior of the church was undertaken to determine if the building had the potential
to support bat roosts. The PRA on Site included inspecting the north-east and south-east church
walls up to one storey high from the courtyard area only, as these were the areas to be affected
by the proposals. In addition, and external and internal survey of a small outbuilding, located to
the south-east of the church, was undertaken. This is the first step towards establishing whether
there are roosts present in, or access points available on structures or buildings. Features
searched for included: gaps in brickwork/stonework, lifting damaged rendering on walls and lifted,
or under tiles and slates. A thorough search for actual and potential signs, including bats,
droppings, urine splashes ect, were searched for.
Preliminary Hibernation Survey Assessment
2.13 Proposals include below ground work, as a result preliminary hibernation surveys were conducted
in underground spaces beneath the church and northern lawn, including the cellar; the vault; and
a third underground space, to evaluate the suitability for use by bats over winter. A thorough
search for actual and potential signs, including bats, droppings, urine splashes ect, were searched
looked for as well as potential access points into the underground area. including all vents, ducts,
and surfaces.
Ground Level Assessment (GLA)
2.14 All trees within the Site underwent a GLA. This included all trees found within the southern lawn.
The assessment involved a detailed inspection of a tree from ground level to identify any Potential
Roost Features (PRFs) that could be used by bats to roost. PRF searched for included: woodpecker
holes, loose bark, hollow trunks, cavities, splits and cracks along branches, and dense ivy lattices.
Endoscope Survey
2.15 PRFs found during the GLA, which were within close proximity to the proposed works was subject
to an endoscope survey (Video Borescope N85NH). This enabled a detailed review of the potential
for the PRF to support a bat roost. Evidence such as: droppings, grease marks and staining,
1 Survey guidance is available at http://www.cieem.net/sources-of-survey-methods-sosm- and appraisal guidance is available at
http://www.cieem.net/guidance-on-preliminary-ecological-appraisal-gpea-
3 Collins, J. (ed.) (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd ed). The Bat Conservation Trust,
London.
2 British Standards Institute (2013). BS42020:2013 Biodiversity – Code of Practice for Planning and Development. BSI, London.
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 8 September 2019
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 7 September 2019