Reptile Method Statement Land at the De Winton Hotel Llanbradach Caerphilly Dated September 2015

Transcription

1 Reptile Method Statement Land at the De Winton Hotel Llanbradach Caerphilly Dated September 2015 ON THE INSTRUCTION OF Jon Matthews Of Greenwich Communities Ltd Reported by Richard Watkins 10 Mount Pleasant, Llanelly Hill, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. NP7 0NT Tel:

2 Method Statement Reptile Mitigation Strategy De Winton Pub, Llanbradach Four native reptile species occur in South Wales, comprising common lizard, slow-worm, adder and grass snake. These four species are all afforded so-called partial protection under the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, which prohibits the deliberate killing or injury of individuals. However, there is no direct protection extended to the habitats which support these species. All four common reptiles are listed as Priority Species in the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent The proposed development site includes the detached De Winton Pub and associated gardens including a children s play area, car parking areas, a small area of amenity grassland and hard standing. The proposed development site measures approximately 2797m² and slopes gently from west to east. The De Winton Pub is situated along the eastern boundary of the site adjacent to De Winton Terrace. A small grassed children s play area is located along the northern elevation of the pub building and forms the south east corner of the site boundary. An area of land which previously would have functioned as a garden is present to the south west of the pub. An enclosed car parking are, part tarmacked and part paved, is present to the west (rear) of the pub. A single lane access road leads into the site from the north east of the site along the pub building which leads to a large expanse of tarmac car parking which forms the western site boundary. A small area of grassland is present in the north east corner of the site. Narrow bands of ruderal vegetation line the access road and car parking areas. Two slow worms were found on site during the site inspection, which was undertaken on during July A female slow worm was found under a piece of roofing felt in the garden area. A juvenile slow worm was found under a roofing tile found along the northern boundary in the grassland area to the north east of site. A full reptile survey was not undertaken due to the very small proportion of the site which is suitable for reptiles and the high number of natural refugia present in the suitable reptile habitat. It is felt that the site will only support a small population of reptiles and a full reptile survey would not provide more information. As the whole of the proposed site will be impacted on a translocation scheme for the translocation of reptiles is required. It is proposed to use destructive searching methods in the garden area and the grassland area to the north east of the site. The presence of Japanese Knotweed in the garden area complicates the site clearance methodology. Usually a tracked digger with a toothed bucket would be used to scrape over the top soil and rubble and uncover any reptiles. It is not deemed advisable to use a digger on this site due to concerns over the spread of highly invasive knotweed. Given the small area of potential reptile habitat affected by Japanese knotweed the use of labourers to remove potential suitable reptile habitat by hand is achievable in this instance. It is not proposed to use herptile fencing on site as the small areas of habitat which are suitable for reptiles are isolated from any surrounding habitat by tarmac and buildings. 2

3 Herptile fencing is generally used when a site needs to have reptiles removed from it but to retain habitat within the site which could be suitable for reptiles. As it is proposed to use species deterrence measures once the site has been subject to destructive searching methods the areas will not be suitable for reptiles and they will remain unsuitable until development works are completed. As it is unlikely reptiles will be able to recolonise the site during and post the translocation process it is not proposed to use herptile fencing as part of this strategy. Working Methods A method statement for site clearance will be followed where any reptiles on site will be captured and removed from site to an agreed translocation site. The below species deterrence measures will be followed Site clearance works will be undertaken between April and September inclusive. This will include the removal of suitable features that can be used by reptiles for hibernation. Pointing of suitable gaps in the stone walls found on site. The timing restraints will be implemented to avoid the reptile hibernation period when reptiles could possibly be using refugia such as rubble for hibernation purposes. Care and awareness must be shown when removing any building debris, rubble, brick masonry or timber which is present on site. This will be done under ecological supervision by hand and removed from site immediately. All contractors on site must be made aware of the possibility of endangered species using the site, the legislation protecting them and to show caution during clearance works. Due to the presence of Japanese knotweed on site minimal vegetation disturbance will be used. It is likely some vegetation will be disturbed by the hand removal of suitable reptile habitat from site. However no vegetation will be removed from site. Once the reptile translocation scheme has been completed the site will be chemically sprayed and treated by a suitably experienced Japanese knotweed specialist. The sward must be kept at a maximum height of 50mm to ensure it remains unsuitable for reptiles until the development works are completed. Supervised destructive searching methods will be implemented. Destructive searching methods involve a suitably experienced ecologist being present and supervising the hand removal and raking over of the top soil and rubble within the identified reptile areas. Once the material has been disturbed and checked for reptiles it will either be placed in a secure metal container and removed from site or compacted down and made unsuitable for reptiles. The careful removal of the top soil and natural refugia will allow the supervising ecologist chance to spot any reptiles which may be in danger and then remove them from the works area to a secure holding box and then the agreed translocation site. 3

4 The raked over soil will be compacted back down once the supervising ecologist is satisfied there are no reptiles present in the material. Any reptiles that are found during the supervised destructive searching will be captured by the supervising ecologist. The captured reptiles will be kept in a secure ventilated container and then removed to the agreed translocation site. A suitable translocation site has been agreed with the Ecologists at Caerphilly County Borough Council. Trehir Tip, Llanbradach located at NGR ST is the agreed translocation site. Any reptiles found at the proposed development site will be relocated and released at this site. A record of any reptiles found will be sent to the County Ecologists at Caerphilly County Borough Council. The ecologist will inform the applicant in writing when the site is considered to be clear of reptiles. A reptile hibernacula will be created at the translocation site. It will be built on a south facing slope in an undisturbed area of habitat agreed with the supervising ecologist. The hibernacula will measure 1.5m by 1.5m and will be at least 0.5m deep. It will be filled in layers of rubble and vegetated matter such as brash and tree limbs. Once the hole is filled a layer of soil will be placed over the top and allowed to naturally re-vegetate, it will not be reseeded. If the ground is to rocky to dig the required depth, a raised hiberacular will be constructed similar to the following drawing. 4

5 Appendix 1 Site Photographs Grassland in North East corner of site View of site looking east 5

6 View of raised garden area Numerous natural refugia in garden area 6