BIODIVERSITY METHOD STATEMENT

BIODIVERSITY METHOD STATEMENT

Land at Blackthorn Road, Launton, Oxfordshire Report Reference: BG19.216.1 January 2020

BG19.216.1 Land at Blackthorn Road, Oxfordshire Biodiversity Method Statement Page 2

Brindle & Green Ecological Consultants specialise in delivering high quality and affordable ecological surveys and reports-tailored for their suitability for informing planning applications. Brindle & Green surveyors have the necessary experience, technical ability, qualifications and accreditations to meet the high demands increasingly enforced by Local Authorities and Natural England. Projects are undertaken against the recognised guidelines for the species or habitats being studied. Brindle & Green reports are uniquely designed to provide the reader with the best possible understanding of our client’s proposals and to ensure that the information requested by the Local

Planning Authority is easily found and understood.

www.brindlegreen.co.uk



Document Control

Report

Name

Signature

Date

Prepared by Kerry Baker 08/01/2020

1st Check by Lucinda Sweet

MCIEEM 10/01/2020

2nd Check by Amy Trewick

ACIEEM 04/02/2020

Issued by (PDF)

John Harvey ACIEEM

04/02/2020

Rev1 Lucinda Sweet

MCIEEM 26/08/2020

Rev1 Details Amendments to enhancement prescriptions for protected

species to reflect LPA comments. Updated Figures.

Liability Brindle & Green has prepared this report for the sole use of:

Mulberry Homes

The report is in accordance with the agreement under which our services were performed. No warranty, express or implied, is made as to the advice in this report or any other service provided by us. This report may not be relied upon by any other party except the person, company, agent or any third party for whom the report is intended without the prior written permission of Brindle & Green. The content of this report is, at least in part, based upon information provided by others and on the assumption that all relevant information has been provided by those parties from whom it has been requested. Information obtained from any third party has not been independently verified by Brindle & Green unless otherwise stated in the report.

COPYRIGHT © This report is the copyright of Brindle & Green. Unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person is prohibited.


Project Details

Project carried out by:

Brindle and Green Unit 3, Silverhill Court Radbourne Derby. DE6 4LY Head Office: 0800 222 9105 Email: [email protected] Website: www.brindlegreen.co.uk

Project carried out for:

Mulberry Homes

Twigden Barns Brixworth Road Creaton Northamptonshire NN6 8LU

Project site:

Land at Blackthorn Road Launton, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 5DA

Grid Reference. SP 6116 2244


Contents

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 7

2 Biodiversity Method Statement ........................................................................... 8

3 Trees ................................................................................................................ 20

4 Construction Lighting ........................................................................................ 20

5 Ecological Incident Response .......................................................................... 21

Appendix 1. Legislation, Policy and Guidance ......................................................... 22

Appendix 2. Phase one Habitat Survey Plan ........................................................... 23

Appendix 3. Map of Key Ecological Enhancements ................................................. 24

Appendix 4. Results of Badger Survey .................................................................... 25


1 Introduction

1.1 Brindle & Green Ecological Consultants Ltd were commissioned by Mulberry Homes

to produce a Biodiversity Method Statement to support the proposed residential

development of up to 72 new dwellings with a large area of public open space on Land

at Blackthorn Road, Launton, Bicester, Oxfordshire. This document seeks to safeguard

Protected and Priority species, pursuant to Condition 15 of the approved planning

consent for Application APP/C3105/W/17/3188671 which states:

“Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, including any

demolition, and any works of site clearance, a method statement for enhancing

Biodiversity on site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning

Authority. Thereafter, the biodiversity enhancement measures shall be carried out and

retained in accordance with the approved details.”

1.2 The content of the method statement shall include the following:

a) purpose and objectives for the proposed works;

b) detailed design(s) and/or working method(s) necessary to achieve stated objectives

(including, where relevant, type and source of materials to be used);

c) extent and location of proposed works shown on appropriate scale maps and plans;

d) timetable for implementation, demonstrating that works are aligned with the

proposed phasing of construction;

e) persons responsible for implementing the works;

f) initial aftercare and long-term maintenance (where relevant);

g) disposal of any wastes arising from works.

The works shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved details and shall

be retained in that manner thereafter.

1.3 This document draws upon the results of the Phase Two protected species report

carried out by Aspect Ecology in July 2018 following the survey recommendations in

the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal carried out in March 2017 by First Environment

Consultants Ltd; in addition to outlining working procedures in order to safeguard the

following: Nesting Birds, Bats, Badgers, Great Crested Newts and Reptiles. Ecological

enhancements are included within Appendix 3 of this report. Details for a soft

landscaping Scheme can be found within Appendix 5 of this report.

1.4 Recommendations contained within this report have been prepared by an experienced

ecologist and are therefore the view of Brindle & Green Limited. It is based on


information provided by our client, the development proposals, and the results of the

desk study and our survey of the site. This report pertains to this information only.

2 Biodiversity Method Statement

2.1 The following section will address Condition 15.

2.2 It is proposed that all contract workers to be involved with the ground clearance and

construction of the industrial unit are inducted and briefed on the ecological constraints

on site, to inform individuals of key aspects to consider when undertaking tasks. A

toolbox talk should be provided to all operators, contracting and sub-contracting staff

to ensure that field signs, species identification, habitat preferences and legal

protection afforded to protected species is understood. All staff and contractors should

sign an acknowledgement that the toolbox talk has been given and understood and

should be informed of who to contact should protected species be encountered during

development works.

2.3 Site clearance and construction work can begin onsite upon installation of

precautionary herptile fencing and will be cleared under the supervision of a suitably

qualified ecologist.

2.4 Works to undertake site clearance within the northern compartment of the site and

works to undertake habitat enhancement within the south-eastern compartment can

begin during April/May 2020. Whereby refugia such as hibernacula can be created to

provide a receptor area should reptiles be encountered during the clearance works.

2.5 a) Purpose and Objectives for the Proposed Works

2.5.1 The application site is the subject of an approved outline planning consent for site

clearance to facilitate the development of up to 72 new residential dwellings and the

creation of an area of public open green space. This document details the mitigation

and management measures to be implemented in order to minimise any environmental

impacts during the clearance and construction phases of the development and provides

a framework within which the measures will be implemented throughout the project.

The primary objective is to safeguard protected species and to identify and avoid,

minimise and mitigate against any construction effects to the existing protected species

on site, and ensure that personnel and contracting staff know their responsibilities with

regard to protected species and their legal protection.


2.5.2 The working area is defined as any area where there will be a requirement for

temporary or permanent works to facilitate the construction of the development. This

includes areas required for access, temporary construction and temporary storage

areas.

2.5.3 Works on site will comprise of (but are not limited to):

- Site clearance, including spoil and vegetation

- Fencing & road restraint systems

- Drainage and service ducts

- Earthworks (excavation and fill)

- Structure construction

- Pavements

- Kerbs, footways and paved areas

- Traffic signs & road markings

- Landscaping works

2.5.4 Table 1 provides a list of potential impacts and constraints to ecological receptors as a

result of the permitted scheme which were compiled using the results of the Phase Two

survey report completed by Aspect Ecology in July 2018. Table 1 also details the

mitigation works that are proposed (however the detailed working methods will be

described within Section 2.6) to prevent a breach of wildlife legislation and a negative

impact on local biodiversity.

2.6 b) Detailed Designs and/or Working methods necessary to achieve stated

objectives

2.6.1 It will be made clear to all contractors that should any unexpected discoveries of

protected species be made during clearance or construction works must cease in this

area and the appointed Ecologist contacted immediately.

2.6.2 No ground works or movement of heavy plant will take place until it is established by

the appointed Ecologist that all required aspects of ecological mitigation have been

carried out adequately in accordance with the measures detailed below.

2.6.3 Details of the timings of the mitigation and enhancements can be found within the

timetable of works in Paragraph 2.8, Table 1.


2.6.4 Site Establishment

The site will be set up to minimise risk to the environment and promote efficient use of

resources. Specifically, biodiversity enhancement areas and receptor sites should be

identified and delineated to protect boundary trees, and protected species inhabiting

the area. Location of all construction compounds, storage areas and mixing areas will

be determined and agreed with the ECoW in advance of works starting and located in

areas which lie well away from any adjacent unaffected habitats.

- All areas of unaffected habitat, and areas to be created into public open space,

adjacent to areas which are to be cleared, will be fenced off by secure temporary

fencing (e.g. Heras fencing, or chestnut paling on scaffolding poles) to prevent

incidental damage or incursion by site personnel and vehicles.

- Storage and mixing areas will be appropriately bunded to contain any accidental

spills.

- Suitable signage will be put in place to prevent dumping of materials or waste into

enhancement or receptor areas.

- Appropriate safeguarding will be secured following a tree and hedge protection

plan for retained vegetation.

- Temporary offices, welfare facilities and secure storage of equipment should be

within the site compound

- Materials storage areas will be set up and managed.

- Temporary lighting will be designed to minimise spillage of light, and oriented away

from vegetative features, roads and residential development.

2.6.5 Equipment and Plant

The contractor will identify the equipment and plant to be used, including type, size and

expected number. Plant used for the scheme is likely to comprise conventional

demolition, earthworks and construction plant. All equipment and plant should be

stored within the compound away from adjoining waterbodies, the receptor area, and

any proposed ecological features. Sensitive ecological areas will be marked by a heras

fence boundary.

2.6.6 Breeding Birds

2.6.6.1 The breeding bird season is generally accepted as being between March and

September, works should be avoided during this period where possible, and

developers should consider and implement the options (below) appropriate to their

scheme to reduce the effect on breeding birds to Neutral (Not significant):


i) Undertake vegetation clearance between the months of October and February

where possible (outside of the breeding season).

ii) Any vegetation proposed for removal between the months of March and

September should be subjected to a search for active birds’ nests 24 hours prior

to commencement of works. This should confirm whether all or some clearance

is achievable.

iii) In addition to a pre-works check, the clearance of vegetation between the

months of March and September should be supervised by a suitably qualified

ecologist. If breeding birds are found, works should cease in the immediate area

and the nest should be cordoned off and checked until the young have fledged.

2.6.6.2 All contractor risk assessments and method statements should be scrutinised and

authorised before the commencement of works to ensure the above factors are

included, upheld and implemented.

2.6.6.3 Appendix 3 contains recommendations for ecological enhancement for breeding birds

to be integrated into the new dwellings.

• Three No. 17A Schwegler Swift triple nest boxes are to be installed into the

eaves of the north-eastern facing elevations of three dwellings (on the northern

boundary)

• Four WoodStone Build-in open Nest Box are to be installed into the north-

eastern facing elevations of two dwellings at a height of at least 2 metres.

Consideration should be taken to positioned near to but not obstructed by

vegetation.

• Four 1SP Schwegler Sparrow Terraces are to be installed into the northern

elevations of four dwellings at a height of at least two metres using the

considerations mentioned in the previous point.

An additional 3 1B Schwegler Nest boxes (assorted hole sizes) will be installed on the

north-eastern elevation of three mature trees on the northern boundary of the site 9Nine

in total).

2.6.7 Roosting Bats

2.6.7.1 The preliminary ecological appraisal carried out by First Environment Ltd. identified a

proportion of trees as having suitability for roosting bats ranging from low to moderate.

It is understood that the trees are not to be impacted as part of the development and

therefore no further phase two surveys for roosting bats were carried out. To reduce


the impact of the construction to Neutral (Not Significant); in any event should future

arboricultural or management actions require any works affecting trees with suitability

for roosting bats; advice should be sought from a suitably qualified ecologist to

determine the roosting suitability and the need for further survey work or the need for

soft felling under reasonable avoidance measures (RAMs).

2.6.7.2 Precautions will be undertaken to ensure that retained trees with potential opportunities

for roosting bats are safeguarded during works. Such trees (along with other retained

woody vegetation) should be protected with suitable tree protection fencing (e.g. Heras

fencing or similar), whilst all contractors will be made aware of the presence and

importance of these trees and the potential presence of roosting bats.

2.6.7.3 Any construction lighting during the works should be installed under a sensitive lighting

scheme, included within Chapter 4 and should not face the direction of the trees with

roosting potential to prevent disturbance to any bats that may be utilising the trees, post

construction security lighting should also be directed away from these features.




2.6.7.5 Appendix 3 contains recommendations for ecological enhancement for roosting bats to

be integrated into new dwellings.

• 13 x 1FR Schwegler bat tubes (or similar approved) will be integrated into the

southern facing elevations of seven of the new dwellings at a height of at least

4 metres.

2.6.8 Foraging and Commuting Bats

2.6.8.1 To avoid unnecessary impact to foraging and commuting bats and to reduce the impact

of the construction to Neutral (Not Significant), construction work should only be carried

out during daylight hours. However, if this is not possible, the extent of disturbance

should be minimised by employing a sensitive lighting scheme during construction

works included within Chapter 4. In addition, post construction security lighting should

be installed under the following recommendations:


• Avoid excessive lighting by using the minimum amount of light needed for the intended

task (no more than 2500 kel.), avoiding lighting on ecologically sensitive areas

(scattered trees and hedgerows), and avoid using reflective surfaces underneath lights.

• Consider the mounting height. A higher mounting height may be preferable as a lower

mounting height can create more light spill.

• Use narrow spectrum light sources to lower the range of species affected by lighting,

use low UV emitting light sources which peak no higher than 550nm and avoid blue

wavelengths.

• Positioning of the lighting should be directed away from ecological enhancement areas,

scattered trees or hedgerows to minimise disturbance to wildlife. However, if this is

unavoidable, it is preferable to employ motion triggered / timed lighting with the above

specifications.


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ii

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2.6.10 Great Crested Newts (GCN) and Reptiles

2.6.10.1 No ponds were recorded within the application boundary and as such no ponds will

be directly impacted as a result of the development. Furthermore, despite suitable

habitat on site, no reptiles were recorded during the phase two surveys. To prevent

potential harm to amphibians and reptiles and to reduce the impact of the construction

to Neutral (Not Significant); the application boundary for the area to be developed will

be fenced off as a precautionary measure and cleared under the following method

statement.

i) An ecological ‘toolbox talk’ should be provided to all site personnel. The ‘toolbox

talk’ will include the legal protection afforded to GCN and reptiles and what to

do if amphibian / reptiles are encountered. Written advice will also be provided

to the site foreman containing contact details for the suitably qualified ecologist

and the County Council Ecologists, and a copy of these details will also be held

on the site.

ii) Vertical exclusion herptile fences will be installed prior to the development

around the development footprint to prevent individual amphibians or reptiles


entering the development site. A pre-works check to search under natural

refugia such as logs will be carried out prior to works commencing. The

installation and monitoring of the fences will be supervised by a suitably

qualified ecologist, as there will be an element of vegetation clearance and

ground disturbance to allow installation. The ground will be stripped using a

toothed bucket digger with an ecologist search as it moves. Should any GCN

be encountered during the installation; works will cease and the ecologist on

site will advise further. Should any reptiles be encountered they will be moved

to a predetermined receptor site with hibernacula.

iii) Following the fence installation; a pre-works check under natural refugia will be

carried out prior to works commencing. The ground within the fenced area will

be soft stripped / destructively searched using a toothed bucket digger under

the supervision of a suitably qualified ecologist. Root digging of trees or areas

of hedgerow will take place outside of the hibernation period (Between March

and October). All arising and earth will be removed from site to prevent

opportunities of suitable cover for herptiles. Should any amphibians or reptiles

be found works will cease until they have been safely translocated to a

predetermined receptor site with hibernacula. If any GCN are found during the

clearance works will cease and the supervising ecologist will advise further.

iv) Once the site has been cleared and stripped of vegetation and the supervising

ecologist is satisfied that the site is clear of herptiles; construction works within

the fenced area can be undertaken unsupervised. The fence should be retained

during construction, including associated access roads and green space, and

should be removed once all works are completed, under ecological supervision.

v) It is anticipated that the main earth moving works will commence immediately

once the area has been cleared. If this is not the case, however, the cleared

area will subsequently be maintained in a cleared state by means of repeated

strimming as required, with any vegetation regrowth being maintained at a

maximum height of 50mm until all of the required works are completed.




2.6.10.3 Appendix 3 contains recommendations for ecological enhancement for reptiles and

amphibians through the construction of two hibernacula.

2.7 c) Extent and location of proposed works

Figure 1: Details of the redline boundary and adjacent site ownership of the proposed scheme.

2.8 d) Timetable of implementation

Table 1: A summary of the proposed working methods to be undertaken and timetable of implementation. Construction works will begin April 2020 when the precautionary fencing has been installed. It is anticipated that construction will be completed in 2021.

Receptor Sources of Impact Propose Working Methods Risk with Mitigation

Timing of proposed

works

Breeding Birds

Construction works disturbance

Loss of nesting and foraging habitat

Vegetation removal can be undertaken under ECoW during breeding season to protect nesting birds. If nesting birds are identified, the area should be sectioned off until the individuals have fledged.

Neutral (Not Significant)

April -May 2020

Bats

Future aboricultural management could impact trees with suitability for roosting bats.

Secure trees with bat roosting potential with a suitable buffer identified with Heras fencing


March 2020

Should future works be necessary a suitably qualified ecologist will be sought to assess roosting suitability and advise further.

As required during or post development

Loss of foraging habitat for commuting bats

Sensitive lighting scheme to be implemented during and post development April 2020 to continue post development

Badger Harm or injury to individuals or inhabited setts during construction phase

Construction of an artificial sett within close proximity to Sett A.


Construction of artificial sett April- June 2020

Submission of an A24 Natural England licence to exclude Sett B Sett exclusion from July 1st 2020 to November 30th

2020

Site operatives to maintain a cautious approach when working on site

Great Crested Newts

Construction works disturbance.

Obstruction of commuting pathways between hibernation sites and breeding ponds.

Harm, Injury or death to individuals during site clearance and construction

Installation of exclusion fencing under Ecological supervision


March 2020

Clearance of scrub and vegetation under Ecological supervision March - April 2020

When site has been cleared and ecologist is satisfied constructions works can continue unsupervised. Fence removal will be under Ecological supervision. April 2022

Reptiles

Loss of suitable terrestrial and hibernation habitat.

Harm or injury or death to individuals during site clearance.

Installation of exclusion fencing under Ecological supervision


March 2020

Clearance of scrub and vegetation under Ecological supervision March – April 2020

When ecologist is satisfied that reptiles are not present works can continue unsupervised. Fence removal, once works are completed, will be under Ecological supervision.

April 2022

2.9 e) Persons responsible for implementing works

2.9.1 It is the client’s and contractor manager’s responsibility to ensure the working

methods identified are strictly implemented and adhered to. Brindle and Green

Ltd are responsible for the delivery of ECoW, protected species licencing,

environmental contracting, tree felling, translocation and habitat

creation/enhancement.

2.9.2 The Site Foreman manager, will be responsible for reporting to the supervising

ECoW and / or Named Ecologist during construction activities. Once the initial

supervision is completed the site foreman should report to Brindle and Green

on at least a monthly basis. The site foreman should request the presence of

an ECoW in advance of known dates of works requiring attendance.

2.10 f) Initial Aftercare and long-term management

2.10.1 Habitat creation and management to benefit protected species will be secured

within a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) for the site. The

LEMP will detail the specifications of any planting scheme, and timing within a

10-year management plan.

2.11 g) Disposal of any waste arisings form works

2.11.1 Arisings will be collected and removed from the works area immediately and

will either be composted in adjacent unaffected habitats at least 100m away

from any area of work, or from any ponds occupied by great crested newt, or

removed from the site entirely. Where material is to be composted on the site

this will be in locations which will not subsequently be disturbed by any of the

proposed restoration works. The ECoW will supervise the clearance works

throughout.

2.11.2 Chippings and logs from felled trees will be taken off site.


3 Trees Any advice on the protection of trees will be highlighted within the Arboricultural

Impact Assessment and Arboricultural Method Statement submitted in support

of the original application.

4 Construction Lighting 4.1 In determining the lighting arrangement on site, consideration will be given to

residents and other sensitive receptors that may experience a nuisance by light.

4.2 Where appropriate, measures should be implemented to reduce obtrusive light.

4.3 Where possible, a daylight only construction schedule will be adopted to

minimise adverse lighting. It is not anticipated that any construction works will

be carried out at night. It is unavoidable that construction work may require

work during the hours of darkness in consideration of shorter daylight

availability during winter months.

4.4 Where appropriate the following measures will be considered for

implementation:

- Dim or switch off lights where it is safe to do so.

- Use specifically designed equipment.

- Position lights sensibly.

4.5 Habitats on site include the woodland boundary and scattered trees for

commuting and foraging bats. As such the bats and lighting in the UK Bats and

the Built Environment Series – guidance should be observed. This can be found

at

http://www.bats.org.uk/data/files/bats_and_lighting_in_the_uk__final_version_

version_3_may_09.pdf

4.6 It is recommended that low level bollard lighting could be used supporting low

or high-pressure Sodium lamps instead of Mercury or metal halide along any

footpaths. LED’s can be used, however; white or blue light spectrums should

be avoided. It would be recommended that these should be set to a timer or on

a motion sensor to reduce impacts to local wildlife.


5 Ecological Incident Response

5.1 All environmental incidents should be reported directly to the site manager as

soon as reasonably practicable. Ecological incidents should then be reported

to the Brindle & Green Ltd head office on 01332 825771.

5.2 An environmental incident can be:

- A fuel or chemical spillage onto ground, into drains or a watercourse.

- Incidents involving waste, such as fly-tipping or the illegal transfer of waste.

5.3 An ecological incident can be:

- Damage to the habitat of protected species or nesting birds.

- Damage to protected species, either plants or animals.

5.4 Where necessary in the event of a pollution incident the Environment Agency

(EA) will be contacted and Client Environmental Project Manager notified. The

EA pollution hotline number is 0800 807060. In addition, there may be the need

to contact Natural England.


Appendix 1. Legislation, Policy and Guidance Articles of British wildlife and countryside legislation, policy guidance and both Local

and National Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) are referred to. The articles of legislation

are:

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)

• The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended)

• Department for Communities and Local Government. National Planning Policy

Framework. March 2019

• EC Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds 79/409/EEC

• National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949

• The Protection of Badgers Act 1992

• The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006


Appendix 2. Phase one Habitat Survey Plan Phase one survey plan created by First Environmental consultants Ltd.

Appendix 3. Map of Key Ecological Enhancements


Documents

BIODIVERSITY METHOD STATEMENT