St Mary Redcliffe Project 450 RIBA 2 Stage End Report

3 Results
with some parts ancient woodland. The canopy
contains oak, both pedunculate and sessile, Quercus
robur, Q. petraea, ash, small-leaved lime Tilia
cordata, birch Betula spp., whitebeams Sorbus spp.,
beech and hornbeam Carpinus betulus. An
exceptional diversity of whitebeams including two
Desk Study
which are unique to Avon Gorge Sorbus bristoliensis
and Sorbus wilmottiana.
3.1 The findings of the desk study are presented below. A description of all statutory designated sites
within a 5km buffer radius, and non-statutory sites within a 2km buffer are listed in Table 3.1.
Statutory designated sites include:
• Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar Sites which
are of European importance;
Leigh Woods
NNR
Found on the western slope of Avon gorge, a very
similar assemblage to Avon Gorge, including also
wild cherry Prunus avium, Spanish chestnut
Castanea sativa, and occasional lime hybrids Tilia
spp. Shrub layer is discontinuous, frequented with
hazel Corylus avellana and field maple Acer
2,600m North-west
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Nature Reserves (NNR) which are of
National importance; and
• Local Nature Reserves (LNR), which are of Local importance.
campestre, privet Ligustrum vulgare, hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, spindle Eunymus europeaus,
dogwood Cornus sanguinea, and yew Taxus
baccatta.
3.2 Non-Statutory designated sites include:
• Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), which are of County importance; and
Quarry Steps Durdham
Down
A key site designated for its reptilian history. Two
species of saurischian dinosaur were found in fissure
3,000m North-west
• Avon Wildlife Trust Reserves (AWTR).
SSSI
fillings from the old quarry site.
Table 3.1 Desk Study Findings – Site Search
Royate Hill
LNR
Bordered by a railway embankment, creates a varied
topography. Mosaic of habitats, including calcareous
3,630m North-east
Site Name and
Description
Distance to Site
grasslands, secondary woodland and scrub.
Designation
Statutory Sites
Troopers Hill
LNR
Old quarry and mining site that has created unusual
acidic soils for the area, containing as a result a
3,780m East
Ashton Court
SSSI
Important for its saproxylic coleoptera and other
invertebrate fauna, many species of which are
2,780m West
unique invertebrate assemblage. Endangered mining
bee Monada guttualata is present.
nationally scarce. Has a complex underlying geology.
Above ground ancient trees, including: ash Fraxinus
excelsior, wych elm Ulmus glabra, and beech Fagus
sylvatica, although most of the ancient trees are oak
Quercus robur. These ancient oak pollards are
Avon Valley Woodland
LNR
Noted for its underlying geology, specifically the
Carboniferous Downend Group strata. Woodland is
predominantly oak, containing willow, Salix spp.
Scrub, pasture and grassland.
3,580m East
important for saproxylic invertebrates. Species such
as Ctesias serra beetle, false darkling beetle
Phloiotrya vaudouer, darkling beetle Eledona
agricola, all with very adapted to extremely specific
conditions found on this site.
Stockwood Open Space
LNR
Majority of area is old grassland and unploughed
meadows, housing numerous species of butterflies.
An old woodland, with many thick hedgerows and
several farm ponds. Nesting whitethroats Sylvia
communis are found here.
4,360m South-east
Avon gorge
SSSI
The Gorge has natural cliffs and quarry exposures of
Carboniferous limestone, which are of great
3,380m North-west
Non-statutory Sites
SAC
geological interest and, together with the screes,
scrub, pockets of grassland and adjacent woodland,
support an exceptional number of nationally rare and
scarce plant species. Rare plants are found in species
rich neutral grassland, such as such as: Bristol rockcress
Arabis stricta, compact brome Bromus
Brandon Hill
AWTR and SNCI
Site located close to the centre of Bristol. Mosaic
habitat, consisting largely of parkland, areas of
wildflower meadows, with scattered trees, areas of
scrub, and presence of ponds. Small areas of
woodland to the north-west of the site.
1,200m North-west
madritensis, nit-grass Gastridium ventricosum, and
honewort Trinia glauca. Scarce plants include: dwarf
mouse-ear Cerastium pumilum and spring cinquefoil
Potentilla tabernaemontani. Woodland is present,
mainly semi-natural broadleaf woodland, but
includes areas of mixed and broadleaf plantation,
Arno’s Vale Cemetery
SNCI
Large, 22.85ha, overgrown Victorian Cemetery with
adjacent area of broadleaf woodland, grasslands
present supporting invertebrate assemblage.
1,600m South-east
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 11 September 2019
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 12 September 2019