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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement Undesignated Habitats 10.52 During the Extended Phase 1 Survey, habitats within and around the proposed development area, where access was available from public highways, were mapped and are shown in Figure 10.1, with target notes (TN) highlighting features of ecologist interest listed in Table 10.4. Land to the south east of the application site (proposed for development of a new Bio-ethanol plant by Abengoa) was fenced off and therefore could not be surveyed directly but was viewed from the fence line. 10.53 The development area comprises part of an agricultural field bordered to the north west by Middle Drain, to the north east by Hobson Way, and to the south east by South Marsh Road to the south west by a railway line and overland pipelines. There is small ditch (field drain) on the northern verge of South Marsh Road (D6 in Figure 10.1). The former in route of Middle Drain, in the north west corner of the development area, is now a depression with steep banks. Both of these features are seasonal and regularly dry out. Other than Middle Drain and the drainage ditch there were no other water bodies within or adjacent to the survey area. Surface water bodies are described in more detail in Chapter 8). 10.54 Due to use by water vole and the potential for use by otters (see Notable Species Section below), and the fact that it is one of the few large water courses continually running with water throughout the year within the vicinity of the development area, Middle Drain is considered to be of local value to nature conservation. Drains and ditches providing comparable habitat are widespread throughout North East Lincolnshire, which limits the nature conservation value of Middle Drain in a wider geographical context. 10.55 The majority of land within the redline boundary area is arable and was ploughed at the time of survey. This habitat is abundant in the local area with very little intrinsic value to nature conservation; however arable land is known to be of importance as high-tide roosting habitat for birds associated with the SPA and Ramsar site (discussed further below in the Notable Species Section). There are narrow strips (1 m 2 m) of field margin around the field, some of which are within the redline boundary primarily comprising sterile brome, cleavers and wild oat; however, these are not shown due to the scale of mapping used (see TN 5 in Table 10.4). 10.56 Overall the majority of the habitat within the redline boundary is of value for nature conservation within the context of the development area and immediately environs only. The wildlife corridor of Middle Drain is considered to be of local value to nature conservation. Target Note (TN) No. TN1 Habitat Description Table 10.4 Phase 1 Habitat Map Target Notes Amenity grassland with patches of scrub; a barn owl nest box is present in the south corner. The amenity grassland is regularly mown and is dominated by perennial rye grass (Lolium perenne), daisy (Bellis perennis), red clover (Trifolium pratens) and creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens). Four patches of scrub occur in each corner of the amenity grassland these comprise immature goat willow (Salix caprea), alder (Alnus glutinosa), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), silver birch (Betula pendula) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) with a field layer of creeping thistle (Cirsium vulgaris) and cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvatica). 5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 158
BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement Target Note (TN) No. TN2 TN3 TN4 TN5 TN6 TN7 TN8 Habitat Description Middle Drain: a moderate flowing water course, flowing along the northern border of the application site. The drain is approximately 4 m wide and 0.5 m to approximately 2 m deep. This drain is linked directly to the estuary and is tidally affected. Common reed (Phragmites australis) is emergent at the bank side and abundant along the northern bank. Mammal runs are present throughout the sward and the reeds at the water’s edge, some of which are large enough to have been made by water vole. Water vole faeces and a very small amount of water vole feeding signs were identified (these were reed stems cut into sections around 10 cm long with 45 o cuts at either end which were hollowed via a split along the stem). Habitat as for TN2; the habitat changes very little along the northern bank. At this point a fresh water vole latrine was found. Hole was found in bank of Middle Drain at water level, size and shape typical of water vole burrow. The margins of the arable field, which comprise the bulk of the application site and immediately surrounding area to the east, are approximately 1 2 m in width and comprise rough grassland on a shallow earth bank. The field margin mostly comprises cock’s foot grass (Dactylis glomerata), false oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis), cleavers (Galium aparine) and arable escapees such as wheat. The target note specifically denotes a pile of dead wood in this rough grassland area, dead wood can provide habitat for invertebrates and can also act as sheltering habitat for amphibians and reptiles. This rough grassland area with the dead wood feature has low potential to support reptiles for both basking and refuge and low potential to support great crested newts in their terrestrial phase. Large pile of dead wood associated with the top of the southern bank of Middle Drain. Dead wood features near rough grassland or water features are of use as places of shelter for reptiles and amphibians and for invertebrates. Former route of Middle Drain and an associated bridge beneath the railway. The area is now a depression with steep banks of common reed and rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) and scrub including bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). The area was wet at the time of survey but is expected to dry out very frequently, no aquatic vegetation was noted. Rainfall had occurred within 48 hours prior to the survey. A large area of semi-improved species-poor grassland with tall ruderals (weedy opportunistic plants often associated with disturbed ground) throughout. Species within the grassland include red rescue (Festuca rubra), cock’s foot, false oat grass, curled dock (Rumex crispus), common ragwort (Senecio jacobea) and common reed. Bulrush (Typha latifolia) occurs in a small localised area within one of the drains. The dense unmanaged sward contains anthills and some patches of bramble; along with the water bodies in the adjacent field to the south and the adjacent railway ballast, this area is considered to provide excellent habitat for common reptiles and terrestrial habitat for amphibians. 5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 159
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