St Mary Redcliffe Ecological Impact Assessment

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Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey 3.4 A visual representation of the results from the Phase 1 Habitat Survey with colour coded habitat labels can be found in Appendix 3, target notes are given in Appendix 4 3.5 The habitats within the Site include: approximately 185m 2 amenity grassland is present in the north and south; three rows of trees; ornamental planting with a mixture of native and non-native species; and hardstanding surrounding the church and forming various paths. 3.6 Amenity grassland consisted of perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne (D), white clover Trifolium repens (D), daisy Bellis perennis (F), ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolate (O), creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens (O). 3.7 Three rows of trees, delineated as: treeline 1 comprising 9 trees of small-leaved lime Tilia cordata with a single silver birch Betula pendula; treeline 2 comprising 13 trees of small-leaved lime; and treeline 3 comprising 5 trees small-leaved lime with a single horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum at the eastern boundary. All trees were semi-mature or mature with large crowns. 3.8 An area of ornamental planting, consisting of mainly native, non-mature specimens was present along the south-west boundary. Species included: elder Sambucus nigra (O), yew Taxus baccata (O), wild cherry Prunus avium (R), bramble Rubus fruticosus (R), buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica (R), ash Fraxinus excelsior (R), small-leaved lime (A) and ivy Hedera helix (A). Bats Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) 3.9 A search took place of the exterior of the church (areas within proximity of the proposals) as well as a small, brick walled, outbuilding with a corrugated roof, located on the eastern boundary of the Site next to Pump Lane. No evidence of bats was observed on the exterior of the buildings or the interior of the outbuilding and no features with the potential to support bat roosts were observed on either building. The stonework of the church in good repair with no cracks or cavities present and limited other features or materials were present. The exterior of the church was assessed as having negligible suitability to support bat roosts. The outbuilding was assessed as having negligible suitability to support a bat roost. Preliminary Hibernation Survey 3.10 All underground areas: the cellar, the vault and third underground space, were searched. No evidence of bats was found in any of the areas. All the vents were sealed with shutters and no other potential access points for bats to enter the underground areas were observed. The underground areas were assessed as having negligible potential to support bat roosts. Preliminary Ground Level Roost Assessment (GLA) 3.11 All trees within the Site were assessed for their potential to support bat roosts. One tree was assessed as having the potential to support bat roosts. The remaining trees did not support PRFs, with the majority of the trees being of a smaller size and in good health. Two PRFs were found on the mature small-leaved lime (T5). The PRFS were vertical splits with cavities extending up into the trunk. The first was at a height of one metre from the ground, the second at two metres from the ground. Both were facing north-east and exhibited good space for flight from the tree and sufficient shelter from weather and light as a result of the large tree crown. Images of both features can be found in Appendix 5. These two PRFs were assessed as having high suitability to support a bat roost. Endoscope Survey 3.12 Both PRFs were examined. The first feature opened immediately into a wide cavity that extended approximately 12cm back into the trunk, average diameter 8cm. The cavity then extended upwards 120cm with a slight right inclination tightening towards the top. The interior of the feature was smooth, with no debris or detritus found as the camera moved through the cavity. Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 16 September 2019
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. 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. Ecological Impact Assessment for St.Marys Church, Redcliffe 17 September 2019
Page 1 and 2: Ecological Assessment for St. Mary
Page 3 and 4: Ecological Assessment for St. Mary'
Page 5 and 6: 1 Introduction 1.1 LUC was appointe
Page 7 and 8: 2 Method 2.1 The methods adopted in
Page 9 and 10: feeding remains and bats were searc
Page 11 and 12: 3 Results Desk Study 3.1 The findin
Page 13 and 14: Clifton Wood SNCI Woodland area for
Page 15: Eurasian Badger Meles meles The Pro
Page 19 and 20: oost is defined as any structure or
Page 21 and 22: 5 Conclusion 5.1 The Site is of low
Page 23 and 24: Appendix 2 Policy & Legal Considera
Page 25 and 26: • This licence cannot be used in
Page 27: A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Page 30 and 31: Appendix 5 BRP Features on T5 First

St Mary Redcliffe Ecological Impact Assessment

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