St Mary Redcliffe Project 450 RIBA 2 Stage End Report

Approximately 90% of the cavity was searched with no signs of bats found. The second feature,
found at 2m from the ground, travelled straight up for approximately 100cm, exhibiting a
cylindrical spire extending back 5cm at the opening with an average diameter of 4cm. Smooth
textures recorded, no debris or detritus. Unlike the first, the top of the cavity was reached and
there was no evidence to suggest presence of bats.
4 Discussion
Birds
3.13 All areas were assessed for their suitability to foraging and nesting birds. The trees and shrubs
have the potential to support nesting birds during the nesting bird season. Within the area of
shrub on the eastern side of the southern lawn there are a number of existing bird boxes present
on the row of trees. Therefore, the Site is likely to support nesting and foraging of low numbers of
common and widespread birds.
Badgers
3.14 No evidence of badgers was observed within the Site. The desk study returned results of badgers,
but at a distance of 1,620m to the west of the Site, and no latrines, setts or other evidence of
badgers was found. The Site is located in a highly urban area and therefore it is highly unlikely
that badgers are present within the local landscape surrounding the Site. Badgers will not be
discussed any further within this report.
Other Notable Species
3.15 Other species searched for during the extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey were dormice, GCN and
reptiles. No evidence or suitable habitat was found within the Site to consider these species
relevant to the development proposals. In relation to GCN and reptiles, lawns were kept tidy
through regular mowing regimes, free from refuge piles, and other suitable terrestrial habitat for
these species. Furthermore, the closest records of GCN and reptiles species were recorded over
1,000m away and no records of dormice were present. As a result, there will be no further
mention of dormice, GCN, or reptiles throughout the remainder of the report.
4.1 Relevant legislation afforded to protected species, habitats and designated sites is detailed in
Appendix 2.
Statutory Designated Sites and Non-Statutory Designated Sites
4.2 A number of statutory and non-statutory designated sites are located within the wider landscape.
These include three SSSIs: Ashton Court, Avon Gorge, and Quarry Steps Durdham Downs; one
NNR; four LNRs and seven SNCI were also located nearby Site. The nearest designated site is
located over 900m from the Site boundary. Habitats within the designated sites include: seminatural
broadleaf woodland, including patches of ancient woodland, ancient pollards, species-rich
neutral grassland and patches of calcareous grassland.
4.3 It is not considered that the proposals will result in any impacts on the statutory designated sites
and non-statutory designated sites within the wider area as: the Site is spatially separated from
the designated sites, the proposals are small in scale; and any impacts as a result of the proposal
will be contained to within and adjacent to the Site. In addition, the proposals do not relate to
residential development and therefore will not result in increased recreational pressure on the
designated sites within the wider area.
Habitats
4.4 The proposals will result in the loss of all the amenity grassland in the north of the Site and
approximately 45m 2 of amenity grassland in the south of the Site. The ornamental planting and
shrubs, and one mature tree along the tree line (T5 - the tree identified to have two BRP features)
will be removed. The habitats to be removed are of negligible – low ecological value. The value of
the tree in relation to bats is discussed below.
4.5 As compensation for the loss of amenity grassland, a green roof and an area of terrace planting
has been proposed in the northern area of the Site and a wildflower meadow and wildflower green
roof have been proposed in the southern area of the Site. To replace the value of the loss of
mature trees within the Site, a formal line of trees will be planted along the northern perimeter of
the Site. Overall, these habitats will provide a significant increase in the ecological value of the
Site.
Bats
4.6 The buildings within the Site have negligible suitability to support roosting bats.
4.7 One tree within the Site has the potential to support a bat roost (T5, small-leaved lime). The tree
has been subject to a single endoscope survey which confirmed that bats were not present during
the survey and that the PRFs can be suitably surveyed using an endoscope as opposed to
requiring emergence surveys.
4.8 Tree T5 will be removed as a result of the proposals. Therefore, further surveys are required to
determine if this tree supports a bat roost. The further surveys can either be emergence/re-entry
surveys or endoscope surveys. The surveys should be undertaken during the bat survey season
(May - September, with September being sub-optimal).
4.9 All bats and their roosts are subject to the highest level of protection afforded to species in the UK
as European Protected Species (EPS), regardless of the number or species of bats affected. A bat
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 17 September 2019
Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 18 September 2019