EcoCheck
TM
for BAM Nuttall
ADAS Ecological Constraints Report Contact Information Site name ELR/mileage OS grid ref.
Date commissioned
Grange Park HDB 8m316yds to 8m613yds
Site contact Date required
TQ 317 953
22 October 2010 Phil Wray 25 November 2010
Summary/Recommendations The site was located in an urban environment with a mix of residential and commercial areas on all sides. The embankments of the Up and Down lines were densely vegetated. • The habitats on site were suitable for a variety of nesting birds. Vegetation clearance is recommended outside of the bird nesting season (March-August inclusive). If clearance occurs during the nesting season nest checks by an ecologist will be required immediately before work starts. • The dense Ivy-covered trees had potential to support roosting bats. As the embankments were densely wooded it is recommended that further bat surveys be undertaken to assess each tree for it’s potential suitability for bats. The underbridge at Vera Avenue also had potential to be utilised by bats due to cracked pointing. The features should not be obstructed during the works. • Rabbits were present on site and had caused damage to the embankments. It is recommended that a control programme should be employed ahead of excavations to prevent welfare implications as Rabbits are included in the Mammals Act 1996. Approved control methods include gassing, ferreting, shooting, killing traps, live-capture traps. • Japanese Knotweed was present on both the eastern and western embankments. Japanese Knotweed is listed as an invasive weed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended; it is an offence to cause its spread. A management plan should be implemented, such as chemical treatments, to ensure Japanese Knotweed is removed from the site. • A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) exists between the railway line and Homewillow Close. Prior consent is required from the Local Authority before undertaking any work on these TPO’d trees.
Overall Ecological Value 1 No discernable ecological value
Surveyor Checked by
2
3
4
5 Potential SSSI quality
Rachael Ford BSc (Hons) MSc
Survey date
02/11/2010
Ben Gardner BSc (Hons) MIEEM
Check date
11/11/2010
The aim of this report is to identify potential ecological constraints on a site that might affect, or be affected by, the project proposals and their implementation. Also, to identify the need for any more comprehensive or species specific surveys.
Pre-Survey Information (From Client) Site description
The rail line was located north of Grange Park station in an urban setting. The embankments to the Up and Down lines were both densely vegetated.
Size of site
297yds.
Access arrangements Known hazards Proposed works (Extent & type) Other preexisting site information
On foot from Grange Park rail station platform.
Running trains, OLE, road traffic by access points. Vegetation clearance, lay Rabbit netting, toe drain remedial works, safe cess construction, lay trough route, sheet piling, embankment cut and bench fill stabilisation, top soil added to the embankment. Rabbit activity on embankment, previously identified Japanese Knotweed.
Scheduled Monument Earthworks at Old Park 525m north east Scheduled monument Old Park Moated Site 1km
Statutory nature conservation designations within 2km
NBN Protected species record within 2km Badger
Otter
Water vole
Common Dormouse
Bats
Reptiles
Great Crested Newt
Yes No
© ADAS 2010 ADAS UK Ltd, 11d Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon, OX14 4RS. Tel: 01235 438900 Fax: 01235 438909
Whiteclawed crayfish
Site Survey Ecological description
Dense, tree lined embankments and numerous mature Ivy-covered trees on site.
Fauna Confirmed Presence Potentially Present Unlikely Presence No Possibility
CP PP UP NP
Code
Need further work or survey Yes
Reason/Notes (e.g. field signs present or desk study revealed presence in area and/or suitable habitat present)
No
Badgers
UP
No historical records of Badgers and no field signs were identified. The urban environment makes the area less suitable for Badgers.
Otters
NP
No suitable habitats on site.
Water Voles
NP
No suitable habitats on site.
Common Dormice
NP
No historical records in the area and a lack of suitable fruiting species on site.
Bats
PP
Historical records of bats within 2km of the site. Numerous Ivycovered mature trees on the embankments. Bat surveys recommended identifying potential roosts. Underbridge at Vera Avenue also had bat roost potential where pointing had cracked.
Nesting Birds(Buildings, tree, scrub, hedges, ground)
CP
Trees and scrub suitable for a variety of nesting birds.
Reptiles
UP
Records within 2km of site, however habitats on site offered limited suitability to reptiles due to dense trees and scrub.
Great Crested Newts
NP
No suitable habitat on site, no ponds within 250m of site.
White-clawed Crayfish
NP
No suitable habitat on site.
Others (specify in reason/notes col.)
CP
Rabbit activity identified, control measures recommended to prevent welfare concerns prior to excavations.
Habitat Feature
Descriptions
Trees
Oak, Ash, Sycamore, Silver Birch, Aspen Poplar, Elder, London Plane, Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Cherry Laurel, Beech, Plum, Hazel.
Scrub
Buddleja, Holly, Rose, Sycamore saplings, Bramble.
Hedgerows Ground flora Water / Ponds
N/A Bracken, Meadow Grass, Cocksfoot, Common Nettle, Curled Dock, Ivy, Pendulous Sedge, Wood Avens Horsetail, Japanese Knotweed. N/A
Alien invasive species
Japanese knotweed
Himalayan balsam
Giant hogweed
Yes No
© ADAS 2010 ADAS UK Ltd, 11d Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon, OX14 4RS. Tel: 01235 438900 Fax: 01235 438909
Site Diagram (if required) Grange Park Station
N Vera Avenue
Vegetation Tree Preservation Order
Residential / commercial
Vegetation
Residential
Green Dragon Lane
Japanese Knotweed Grange Park Station HDB 8m316yds to 8m 613yds TQ 317 953
Landscape Urban, residential and commercial, allotments further north, golf club further east. The embankments are steeply sloped with secondary woodland including some mature trees and trees covered in dense Ivy.
Pollution Disturbance to Neighbouring Properties Neighbours close to site perimeter to the west, require noise and vibration consideration. Schools in the vicinity may restrict working hours.
Additional Notes Although not listed as an invasive species on the Wildlife and Countryside 1981 as amended, Horsetail can cause damage to infrastructure due to its ability to grow through structures and hard-standing. There is a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) in place on two Laurel trees and one Yew tree between the railway line and Homewillow Close. Prior permission is required from the Local Authority before any work can be carried out on these TPO’d trees. The area on either side of the road along The Grangeway is within a Conservation Area. Work to trees within a Conservation Area also requires prior consent from the Local Authority.
© ADAS 2010 ADAS UK Ltd, 11d Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon, OX14 4RS. Tel: 01235 438900 Fax: 01235 438909
Photographs
Photo 1: Showing the character of the vegetated embankment ridge.
Photo 2: Showing the character of the secondary woodland at the base of the embankments, note the Ivy covered trees.
Photo 3: Showing the stand of Japanese Knotweed at the bottom of the western embankment.
Photo 4: Showing the Japanese Knotweed on the embankment ridge.
Photo 5: Showing the proximity of noise receptors to the work site.
Photo 6: Showing the bridge at Vera Avenue with bat roost potential.
© ADAS 2010 ADAS UK Ltd, 11d Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon, OX14 4RS. Tel: 01235 438900 Fax: 01235 438909
