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BOC Immingham Dissolved Acetylene Project Environmental Statement
10.66 An assessment of the potential of land within the development area to support amphibians was
undertaken during the Extended Phase 1 survey in March 2011. Small areas of sub-optimal
terrestrial habitat for great crested newts were identified within and near to the development area;
these being the arable field margins, these areas were considered to be of low suitability due to
the lack of places for amphibians to seek shelter and the limited area available.
10.67 A summary of the results of the HSI survey are given in Table 10.5. The raw data from the HSI
assessment is given in Appendix 10D. All of the identified ditches and the former Middle Drain
route in the north west corner (TN7) within the application site are considered unsuitable for newts
as described within Table 10.5. All areas considered suitable for great crested newt during the
initial assessment in March 2011 had dried out to such a degree by 6 th April 2011 that they were
no longer suitable to support breeding amphibians. Due to the drying out of the ditches they do
not support sufficient depth of water or aquatic plant material to provide egg-laying habitat for
great crested newt or other amphibians. D7 and Middle Drain were considered unsuitable to
support breeding populations of great crested newts and other amphibians due to water flow
rates.
10.68 Given the lack of suitable aquatic habitat within 500 m of the development area, and the low
suitability of terrestrial habitat within the development area it is considered highly unlikely that
great crested newts, or other amphibians would be present and they are not considered further in
this assessment.
Table 10.5 HSI Results for Water Bodies within 500 m of the Proposed Development Site
Water Body
Reference on
the Phase 1
Plan
Middle Drain
TN7 former
Middle Drain
HSI rating Habitat Description
N/A due to
water flow
Poor
D1 Good
D2 Good
Moderate flow, 4 m wide and approximately 2 m deep. With
common reed emergent and on banks.
Considered to be unsuitable to support a breeding
population of newts due to flow and potential for fish to enter
the drain from the Humber Estuary.
A shallow ponded area formerly part of Middle Drain now cut off
from the drain. Although common reed is present around the
pond the water level did not exceed 20 mm and is likely
regularly to dry out, the area is considered unsuitable to
support a breeding population of newts.
Field drain almost entirely within an arable field, bare scraped
banks and no evident aquatic vegetation.
Considered unsuitable to support a breeding population of
newts due to heavy management and lack of vegetation for egg
laying.
Field drain almost entirely within an arable field, bare scraped
banks, common water starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) and fool’s
watercress (Apium nodiflorum) present within water.
Considered unsuitable to support a breeding population of
newts due to heavy management and lack of vegetation for egg
laying.
5100935.404 Environmental Statement August 2011 161