GREAT CRESTED NEWT SURVEY appletons

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SPECTRA BUSINESS PARK, WARRINGTON

For

COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES (UK) LTD

GREAT CRESTED NEWT SURVEY

MAY 2017

APPLETONS REF:2082

1 __________________________________________________________________________________________ SPECTRA BUSINESS PARK, WARRINGTON GCN SURVEY REPORT MAY 2017

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Bolton

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APPLETONS REF:2082


DOCUMENT CONTROL TITLE: GREAT CRESTED NEWT SURVEY PROJECT: SPECTRA BUSINESS PARK, WARRINGTON JOB NO: 2082 CLIENT: COUNTRYSIDE PROPERTIES (UK) LTD

Prepared by: Paula Bateson

Date: 07.06.17

Surveyor: Paula Bateson

Dates: 30.03.17 – 11.05.17

Checked by: Lorna Cruice

Date: 12.06.17

Approved for distribution by: Lorna Cruice

Date: 12.06.17

Document

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FINAL Great crested newt Survey

12/06/17 PB LAC PH - Countryside 13/06/17

Revisions to Final Document

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APPLETONS REF:2082


NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Appletons was commissioned by Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd to carry out a great crested newt survey

at Spectra Business Park, Warrington. This survey is required to inform a planning application associated

with a proposed residential development. To fulfil this brief, four survey visits were completed between 30th

March 2017 and 11th May 2017 on three of the eight ponds present within a 500m radius of the proposed

development site. A Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessment was also conducted on the three ponds.

The HSI identified two of the ponds as ‘good’ in terms of suitability for great crested newts and one as ‘poor’.

The remaining five ponds within 500 m of the site were not subject to great crested newt presence / absence

surveys due to the lack of habitat connectivity between the waterbodies and the proposed development site.

Four great crested newt presence / absence survey visits included torching and bottle trapping techniques.

No great crested newts were identified within the ponds surveyed. As such it is considered highly unlikely

that great crested newts will be present within the proposed development area, and the proposed works

would not impact upon the favourable conservation status of this species.

The surveys identified common toad, smooth newt and palmate newt within the ponds surrounding the

proposed development site.

The following recommendations are made in relation to amphibians and the proposed development:

• Great crested newt: No mitigation in relation to great crested newts is required. In the unlikely

event that a great crested newt is discovered during any works at the site all works should cease

immediately and Natural England and / or a great crested newt licensed ecologist should be

contacted immediately to determine a way forward.

• Common toad, smooth newt and palmate newt: Removal of potential hibernation and resting

areas should be undertaken in a sensitive manner to avoid harming common amphibians known to

be present within ponds surrounding the site. If any are found during the course of site-based works

they should be removed carefully to a suitably undisturbed location within the near vicinity.

APPLETONS REF:2082


CONTENTS:

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Methodologies

3.0 Desk Study

4.0 Results

5.0 Conclusions

6.0 Recommendations

7.0 References and Bibliography

APPENDIX 1:

Species Legislation

APPENDIX 2:

Drawing 2082-GCN-01: Pond Location Plan

APPENDIX 3:

Pond Photographs

APPLETONS REF:2082


1.0 INTRODUCTION

Project background

1.1 In March 2017, Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd commissioned Appletons to undertake a survey for great

crested newts Triturus cristatus at the site of a proposed residential development at Spectra Business Park,

Warrington.

1.2 The need for great crested newt surveys was identified by a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of the

proposed development site undertaken by Appletons in August 2016.

Development Site Description and Context

1.3 The proposed development site measures approximately 15.49 ha and is centred at Ordnance Survey Grid

Reference SJ 601 868. The site is bound by the River Mersey to the east and south, a railway line to the

west and a business park to the north. Within the wider area, to the south-west the River Mersey meanders

between St Helens Canal and Manchester Ship Canal, and the land comprises a mix of farmland, woodland,

a land fill site and further west the habitats of the Mersey Estuary. The remainder of the surrounding

landscape is dominated by residential and industrial areas of Warrington.

1.4 At the time of the survey visits, the proposed development site consisted of two distinct sections; the

northern half of the site was dominated by the large industrial units and hardstanding of Spectra Business

Park, whilst the southern half of the site was dominated by a recently cleared area of land, previously

occupied by a golf driving range.

Survey Area and Justification

1.5 Great crested newts can use suitable terrestrial habitat up to 500 m from a breeding pond (English Nature,

2001, Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines). Reference to Ordnance Survey mapped data indicates

the potential presence of six standing waterbodies within a 500m radius of the site, and two further ponds

were identified along the railway sidings during the first survey visit.

1.6 The distances of these eight waterbodies from the proposed development are provided in Table 1.1, along

with the justification for inclusion or exclusion from the survey effort. The locations of the waterbodies in

relation to the proposed development site are also shown on Figure 2082-GCN-01 in Appendix 2.

APPLETONS REF:2082


Pond / waterbody reference

Distance from proposed development

Subject to survey?

Justification

1 48 m north-west Yes Ponds 1, 2 and 3 possess good habitat connectivity to the site in the form of railway tracks and vegetated railway embankments.

2 120 m north-west Yes

3 160 m north-west Yes

4 185 m north HSI only

Habitat connectivity between the waterbody and site area was considered poor, in addition to its suitability for great crested newts due to the presence of waterfowl, large fish and terrapins.

5 95 m south No Waterbodies located beyond River Mersey from site, which is considered a barrier to GCN dispersal. GCN not likely to travel more than 250 m from ponds where suitable foraging and hibernation habitat exists. Habitats surrounding waterbodies 6, 7 and 8 considered suitable for GCN based on aerial imagery.

6 300 m south-west No

7 340 m south-west No

8 470 m south-east No

Table 1.1: Distance of waterbodies from the development boundary

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2.0 METHODOLOGIES

Desk study

2.1 As part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal undertaken in August 2016 by Appletons, a data search for

protected species within 1 km of the site was undertaken. The consultees for the desk study were:

• Natural England - MAGIC website for statutory conservation sites; and

• RECORD (The Biodiversity Information System for Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Wirral).

2.2 Relevant amphibian data are discussed in Chapter 3. In compliance with the terms and conditions relating

to its commercial use, the full desk study data are not provided within this report.

Habitat Suitability Index and Connectivity Assessment

2.3 All surveyed ponds were visually assessed for their suitability to support great crested newts by a suitably

qualified ecologist. Ponds were assessed utilising the modified great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index

(HSI) (Oldham et al, 2000). The HSI is a numerical index between 0 and 1, wherein a score of 1 represents

optimal habitat for great crested newts. The HSI score is used to define the suitability of the pond on a

categorical scale (Table 2.1). It should be noted, however, that the system is not precise enough to allow

the conclusion that a pond with a high score will definitely support great crested newts whilst those with a

low score will not.

HSI Score Pond Suitability

< 0.5 Poor

0.5 – 0.59 Below average

0.6 – 0.69 Average

0.7 – 0.79 Good

> 0.8 Excellent

Table 2.1: Great Crested Newt HSI Scoring 2.4 The HSI is given by assigning a quantitative figure to each of 10 variables, including pond area, water quality

and level of shading, which are all factors considered to affect great crested newts. The tenth root of the

product of these variables is then calculated, giving a figure for habitat suitability. An assessment was also

made of the habitat connectivity between ponds and the site, based on a review of habitat survey data (if

available) and mapped sources.

Great Crested Newt Presence / Absence Survey

2.5 Surveys for the presence of great crested newts require a minimum of four visits per year, with at least two

visits between mid-April and mid-May to record peak numbers of great crested newts (English Nature, 2001).

2.6 Several survey methodologies are to be utilised during these visits. The standard survey methodologies

include:

• Torchlight survey;

• Bottle trapping;

• Egg searching; and,

• Refuge searching.

APPLETONS REF:2082


2.7 The torchlight survey is a standard amphibian recording technique employing a high power torch to

illuminate the ponds and allow the surveyor to record any great crested newts seen. This technique was

undertaken during the survey visits, when males will be displaying and courting females.

2.8 Bottle traps were laid during the evening using the method described by Gent and Gibson (1998). The traps

were then checked for newts before 10 am the following morning. Any newts found were recorded and then

released back into the pond.

2.9 The egg search involved a direct assessment of emergent and submerged vegetation for great crested newt

eggs. Egg surveys can only be undertaken during late spring and early summer (April to June).

2.10 Refuge searching involved looking underneath objects such as rocks, logs, moss and discarded debris in

the vicinity of a pond. Adult and juvenile great crested newts can often be found underneath such objects,

between March and October, especially if the objects are flat and retain moisture. Refuge searching is not

a reliable method on its own and is only used as a supporting method to the other methods described.

APPLETONS REF:2082


3.0 DESK STUDY RESULTS

Biological Records

3.1 As part of the August 2016 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, a desk top study was undertaken to determine

the presence of any records of protected species, including great crested newts, within 1 km radius of the

site survey boundary. Data was provided by RECORD (The Biodiversity Information System for Cheshire,

Halton, Warrington and Wirral). Amphibian data identified by the ecological desk study search is summarised

in Table 3.1.

Species No. of Records

Most Recent Record

Species of Principle Importance

Proximity of Nearest Record to Study Area

Legislation

Common frog Rana temporaria

45 2013 100 m south WCA 5 S9(5)

Common toad Bufo bufo

6 2015 270 m south-east WCA 5 S9(5)

Key: WCA 5 S9(5): Schedule 5 Section 9(5) of Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Protected animals (other than birds). Protection limited to selling, offering for sale, processing or transporting for purpose of sale, or advertising for sale, any live or dead animal, or any part of, or anything derived from, such animal. Species of Principal Importance: Species of principal importance for nature conservation in England. Note. These tables do not include reference to the Berne Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats), the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Table 3.1: Summary of Amphibian Records Within 1 km of Survey Area

3.2 No records of great crested newt were identified within a 1 km radius of the survey area, however absence

of records should not be taken as confirmation that great crested newts are absent from an area.

Previous Surveys

3.3 A reptile survey of the proposed development area at Spectra Business Park was undertaken by Appletons in

September 2016. Based on experience, amphibians are often found beneath the artificial refugia utilised for

reptile surveys. One common toad was recorded on three out of the seven survey visits. No great crested

newts were recorded.

APPLETONS REF:2082


4.0 RESULTS

Introduction

4.1 The great crested newt survey presence / absence visits were undertaken between 4th April 2016 and 11th

May 2016 by:

• Paula Bateson, Project Ecologist, BSc(Hons) ACIEEM, NE GCN Licence Holder;

• Lorna Cruice, Ecological Field Assistant, BA DipLA TechArborA CMLI; and

• Paul Harrison, Ecological Field Assistant, BSc(Hons) MSc.

4.2 Any constraints encountered during the surveys are detailed in Sections 4.5 and 4.6.

4.3 At the time of the first presence / absence survey visit, each pond was subject to a habitat assessment to

determine its suitability to support great crested newts. The findings of this assessment, including the

calculated HSI score for each pond surveyed, are provided in Tables 4.1 and 4.2.

4.4 The results of the great crested newt presence / absence survey visits are detailed in Tables 4.3 and 4.4.

Survey Constraints

4.5 Dense vegetation and algae within Pond 3 prevented effective torch surveys. An increased number of

traps per metre were installed to compesate for this constraint.

4.6 The survey was subject to no further constraints.

Habitat Suitability Index Assessment and Connectivity Assessment

4.7 Table 4.1 provides a brief description of each of the surveyed ponds, and assesses the presence or

absence of habitat features favoured by great crested newts. Pond locations are shown on Figure 2082-

GCN-01 in Appendix 2. Photographs of the ponds are provided in Appendix 3.

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Attribute Description

Pond 1

Description A linear pond between two railway tracks, shaded by mature willow scrub within and surrounding the pond. Pond considered to measure up to 0.5 m in depth, with a substrate of mud and leaf litter over half a meter deep. The water level of the pond was recorded to fall significantly over the course of the survey visits due to the exceptionally dry Spring weather, however the pond did not dry out.

Grid Reference SJ 60090 87107

Pond Area Approximately 250 m2

Distance from Site Area & Habitat Connectivity

48 m north-west. A railway line and Slutchers Lane separated Pond 1 from the site area. Neither of these features were considered dispersal barriers for great crested newts. Railway ballast can be utilised as refuge habitat whilst railways embankments can provide suitable foraging habitat. Slutchers Lane is a single lane private road, currently barriered off to traffic.

Permanence Pond considered to dry no more than two years in ten or only in drought.

Water Quality Poor water quality based on low invertebrate diversity and few submerged plants.

Shade Approximately 90% of pond surface was shaded by willow Salix sp. scrub.

Macrophytes A fringe of emergent vegetation dominated by yellow flag Iris pseudacorus was present along the northern edge of pond, covering approximately 10% of the pond surface covered by macrophytes.

Egg Laying Habitat

Present.

Open Courtship Area

Open areas of water present.

Wildfowl Pair of mallards noted on each visit, but little evidence of impact.

Fish No fish observed with torchlight. No records of fish stocking.

Surrounding Terrestrial Habitat

Willow and bramble scrub and rough grassland dominates ground between the railway tracks. Railway basalt provides refuge and hibernation opportunities for amphibians. Railway sidings generally quiet both in terms of staff and trains.

Photo Reference (see Appendix 3)

Photos 1 and 2.

Pond 2

Description Linear stretch of standing water representing the margin of a previously larger pond, which has recently been filled in. The water was considered polluted from the tipped material. Depth of the water was shallow.


Pond Area 20 m2 approximately


Approximately 120 m north-west of proposed development area. As with Pond 1, railway sidings and Slutchers Lane separated Pond 2 from the site area however neither of these features were considered dispersal barriers for great crested newts.

Permanence At the time of the survey, the waterbody was considered likely to dry out between three years in ten to most years.

Water Quality Poor based on low invertebrate diversity and absence of submerged plants. The water was considered polluted from the tipped material.

Shade 100% of pond surface shaded by surrounding mature scrub.

Macrophytes Yellow flag Iris pseudacorus covered approximately 10% of water surface.

Egg Laying Habitat

Present.

Open Courtship Area

Present, although turbid.

Wildfowl Pair of mallards occasionally noted on water, but little evidence of impact.

Fish No fish present.


Mature scrub and railway sidings dominate the surrounding habitats.


Photo 3.

Table 4.1: Pond Descriptions and Assessment of Habitat Features for Great Crested Newts (Continues)

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Attribute Description

Pond 3

Description Small manmade pond close to the workers cabins, constructed from railway sleepers and pond lining. Recently unmanaged. Water largely choked with marginal vegetation and algae.


Pond Area Approximately 3 m2


160 m north of site As with Ponds 1 and 2, railway sidings and Slutchers Lane separated Pond 3 from the site area however neither of these features were considered dispersal barriers for great crested newts.

Permanence Pond considered to rarely dry out

Water Quality Moderate based on vegetation.

Shade Approximately 30% of pond surface shaded by surrounding mature scrub.

Macrophytes 70% of pond surface occupied by emergent vegetation, dominated by yellow iris with water plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica and common reed Phragmites australis also present.

Egg Laying Habitat

Present.

Open Courtship Area

Limited.

Wildfowl No evidence of waterfowl recorded.

Fish No fish identified within pond throughout survey.


Mature scrub and railway sidings dominate the surrounding land. Railway sleepers and rocks immediately surrounding pond provide good refuge opportunities.


Photo 4.

Pond 4

Description Pond 4 comprised an ornamental lake within the centre of the business park, which measured approximately 175 m by 30 m. It is understood that terrapins are often sighted within the lake.


Pond Area 3,806 m2

Distance from Development Boundary & Habitat Connectivity

185 m north Intervening habitat between the pond and site area comprised roads, carparks and large office buildings. Ornamental planting provided pockets of potentially suitable terrestrial habitat for amphibians, however no continuous habitat was recorded to link the pond to the site.

Permanence The lake supported a population of large fish, and was estimated to measure over 1.5 m in depth at its deepest points. Considered likely to never dry out.

Water Quality Water quality considered moderate based on invertebrate diversity and plant life.

Shade Some margins of the lake were shaded by overhanging trees, but the waterbody was generally open in nature and unshaded.

Macrophytes Aquatic and marginal vegetation included waterlily Nymphaea sp., great reedmace Typha latifoli, Canadian waterweed Elodea Canadensis and ornamental reeds Phragmites sp.. Emergent and floating vegetation was estimated to cover approximately 5% of the water surface, whilst Canadian waterweed occupied at least 30% of the pond beneath the surface.

Egg Laying Habitat

Present.

Open Courtship Area

Open areas free of aquatic vegetation present.

Wildfowl Numerous mallard ducks Anas platyrhynchos present at the time of the survey. Pond banks showing patches where vegetation removed, however pond still supports submerged plants and banks are not denuded of vegetation.

Fish Large fish recorded within the lake, including koi carp Cyprinus carpio.


Ornamental planting and mown amenity grassland immediately surrounded the pond. Roads of the business park surrounded this strip of landscaping.


Photo 5.

Table 4.1: Pond Descriptions and Assessment of Habitat Features for Great Crested Newts (Continued)

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4.7 The HSI score for each of the ponds assessed is detailed in Table 4.2.

PondRef.

HSI Category HSI Score

SI 1 SI 2 SI 3 SI 4 SI 5 SI 6 SI 7 SI 8 SI 9 SI 10

1 1 0.5 1 0.33 0.4 0.67 1 0.67 1 0.4 0.64 (good)

2 1 0.05 0.5 0.33 0.2 1 1 0.67 1 0.4 0.46 (poor)

3 1 0.05 1 0.67 1 1 1 0.67 1 1 0.68 (good)

4 1 0.52 0.9 0.67 1 0.67 0.01 0.67 0.33 0.6 0.44 (poor)

Key: SI 1 – Location SI 2 – Pond Area SI 3 – Pond Drying SI 4 – Water Quality SI 5 – Shade

SI 6 – Waterfowl SI 7 – Fish SI 8 – Ponds Within 1km SI 9 – Terrestrial Habitat SI 10 – Macrophytes

Table 4.2: Habitat Suitability Index of Ponds Within 500 m of Study Area

4.8 Due to the poor habitat connectivity between pond 4 and the proposed development area, and the poor

suitability for breeding great crested newts, this pond was not subject to great crested newt presence /

absence surveys and is not considered further within the current report.

Great Crested Newt Survey Results

4.8 Table 4.3 provides a summary of the survey dates and weather conditions.

Survey Visit

Number Date Time

Parameter

Temperature 0C

Cloud %

Precipitation Wind

(Beaufort Scale)

1 30-03-17 pm 16 70 Dry F2

31-03-17 am 13 100 Dry F3

2 06-04-17 pm 9 100 Dry F1

07-04-17 am 9 100 Dry F1

3 03-05-17 pm 14 100 Dry F2

04-05-17 am 15 50 Dry F2

4 10-05-17 pm 16 0 Dry F0

11-05-17 am 11 10 Dry F0

Table 4.3: Weather Conditions During Great Crested Newt Survey Visits

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4.10 Table 4.4 details the results of the great crested newt survey.

Pond 1 Pond 2 Pond 3

Survey Visit 1 – [30-03-17 / 31-03-17]

Torch Survey 1CT, 1♂SN, 3♀S/PN 2♀SN, 2♂SN -

Bottle Trapping 1♂SN, 9♀PN, 1♂PN 2♀SN 2♀SN, 2♂SN,

2 SN efts

Refugia Search 0 0 0

Egg Search 0 0 0

Vegetation Cover (0-5)

1 0 5

Turbidity (0-5) 4 2 1

Peak GCN Count 1 0 0 0

Survey Visit 2 – [06-04-17 / 07-04-17]

Torch Survey 3♂PN, 5♀S/PN 1♂PN, 1♀SN -

Bottle Trapping 3♂SN, 9♀SN, 1♂PN 1♀SN, 1♂SN 2♀SN, 3♂SN


Egg Search 0 0 0


2 0 5



Survey Visit 3 – [03-05-17 / 04-05-17]

Torch Survey 1♂SN, 3♀S/PN 3♀S/PN -

Bottle Trapping 5♂PN, 1♀PN, 2♂SN,

1♀SN 1♂PN, 1♀SN, 1♂SN 2♀SN, 2♂SN, 2 SN efts


Egg Search 0 0 0


1 0 5



Survey Visit 4 – [11-05-16 / 12-05-16]

Torch Survey 2♀S/PN, 2♂SN Nil -

Bottle Trapping 1♂PN, 1♀SN 5♂SN, 1♀SN, 1♀PN 3♂SN, 1♀SN 3♂SN, 2♀SN

Refugia Search 0 0 1♀S/PN

Egg Search 0 0 0


1 - 5

Turbidity (0-5) 3 - 1


Pond notes - -

Dense vegetation and algae within pond prevented effective torch surveys. Greater emphasis on other survey techniques employed.

Key: CT – Common toad Bufo bufo GCN – Great crested newt Triturus cristatus SN – Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris PN – Palmate newt Triturus lissotriton helveticus

0 – No count ♂ - male ♀ - female Eft – newt larva

Note: ‘Peak GCN Count’ is the peak count of adult GCN recorded during a single visit using a single survey technique.

Table 4.4: Great Crested Newt Survey Results – Ponds 1 to 7 (Continued)

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Population Size Class Assessment

4.11 As no great crested newts were recorded during the surveys a population size class assessment was not

required.

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5.0 CONCLUSIONS

Summary of Site Proposals

5.1 Current proposed plans involve a residential development of over 500 residential properties with driveways,

gardens, access roads and public open space.

Habitat Suitability Index Assessment

5.2 The results of the HSI index assessment for all ponds surveyed are summarised in Table 5.1.

HSI Score Pond Suitability for GCN Pond Reference

< 0.5 Poor P2, P4

0.5 – 0.59 Below average

0.6 – 0.69 Average

0.7 – 0.79 Good P1, P3

> 0.8 Excellent

Table 5.1: Pond Habitat Suitability Index Results

5.3 The HSI assessment concluded that Pond 4 was poor in terms of suitable habitat for great crested newts.

In addition, habitats between the pond and proposed development site were dominated by roads, carparks

and buildings of the surrounding business park, considered unsuitable habitat for great crested newts to

disperse across. This pond was therefore not included within the subsequent presence / absence survey

effort.

5.4 The remaining ponds (Ponds 1 – 3) were subject to GCN presence / absence surveys. Pond 2 was

calculated as poor by the HSI Assessment, due to recent infilling work.

Great Crested Newt Survey Findings

5.5 No great crested newts were recorded in any of the surveyed ponds. A low number of common toad, smooth

newts and palmate newts were recorded.

Conclusions and Summary of Potential Impacts

5.5 No great crested newts were identified during any of the survey visits to any of the ponds, therefore it is not

considered that the development proposals outlined in Section 5.1 will impact upon the favourable

conservation status of this species.

5.6 Common toad was identified by the survey visits, which is a Species of Principle Importance for Nature

Conservation in England (Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006).

A recommendation is made in Section 6 for precautionary working measures in relation to common toad,

which should also apply to smooth newt and palmate newt.

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6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 All recommendations provided in this section are based on Appletons’ current understanding of the site

proposals. Should the proposals alter, the conclusions and recommendations made in the report should be

reviewed to ensure that they remain appropriate.

Great crested newt

6.2 No great crested newts were identified within any of the ponds included within the study, and as such the

species is highly unlikely to be present within the area of proposed works. No great crested newt mitigation

is required.

6.3 In the unlikely event that a great crested newt is discovered during any works at the site, all works should

cease immediately and Natural England and / or a great crested newt licensed ecologist should be

contacted immediately to determine a way forward. No further recommendations are made regarding this

species.

Common toad, smooth newt and palmate newt

6.4 Removal of potential hibernation and resting areas should be undertaken in a sensitive manner to avoid

harming common amphibians known to be present within ponds surrounding the site. If any are found during

the course of site-based works they should be removed carefully to a suitably undisturbed location within

the near vicinity.

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7.0 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

Countryside Rights of Way Act, 2000.

English Nature. (2001). Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough.

Gent, A. and Gibson, S. (1998). Herptofauna Workers Manual, Joint Nature Conservation Committee,

Peterborough.

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2012). UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Available:

http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/UK_Post2010_Bio-Fwork.pdf

Langton, T., Beckett, C. and Foster, J. (2001). Great Crested Newt: Conservation Handbook. Froglife,

Suffolk. Available: http://www.froglife.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/GCN-Conservation-

Handbook_compressed.pdf

Oldham R. S., Keeble, J., Swan, M. J. S. and Jeffcote, M. (2000). ‘Evaluating the suitability of habitat for

the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)’. Herptetological Journal 10 (4), 143-155.

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, as amended.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended).

http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/UK_Post2010_Bio-Fwork.pdf

http://www.froglife.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/GCN-Conservation-Handbook_compressed.pdf

http://www.froglife.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/GCN-Conservation-Handbook_compressed.pdf

APPENDIX 1

APPLETONS REF:2082


GCN Legislation Great crested newts (GCN) and the places they use for shelter or protection receive European protection under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (Habitats Regulations 2010). They receive further legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981, as amended. This protection means that GCN, and the places they use for shelter or protection, are capable of being a material consideration in the planning process. Regulation 41 of the Habitats Regulations 2010, states that a person commits an offence if they:

• deliberately capture, injure or kill a GCN;

• deliberately disturb GCN;

• deliberately take or destroy eggs of a GCN; or

• damage or destroy a GCN breeding site or resting place.

Disturbance of animals includes in particular any disturbance which is likely to impair their ability to survive, to breed or reproduce, or to rear or nurture their young, or in the case of animals of a hibernating or migratory species, to hibernate or migrate; or to affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong.

It is an offence under the Habitats Regulations 2010 for any person to have in his possession or control, to transport, to sell or exchange or to offer for sale, any live or dead GCN, part of a GCN or anything derived from GCN, which has been unlawfully taken from the wild. This legislation applies to all life stages of GCN. Whilst broadly similar to the above legislation, the WCA 1981 (as amended) differs in the following ways:

• Section 9(1) of the WCA makes it an offence to intentionally (rather than deliberately) kill, injure or take any protected species.

• Section 9(4)(a) of the WCA makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly* damage or destroy, or obstruct access to, any structure or place which a protected species uses for shelter or protection.

• Section 9(4)(b) of the WCA makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly* disturb any protected species while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection.

*Reckless offences were added by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.

Great crested newts are listed as Species of Principal Importance on the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework (2012), and as such are material considerations in the planning process. GCN Ecology The great crested newt is the largest of the three newt species in the UK. Like all UK amphibians, they breed within ponds but great crested newts spend the majority of the year on land. Great crested newts prefer to breed in medium to large ponds without fish or significant numbers of waterfowl. Ponds which lack shade on the southern margins appeared to be favoured. Newts enter the ponds to breed in the spring, immediately after they come out of their winter dormancy. The females lay eggs individually on the leaves of aquatic vegetation, and these generally hatch within four weeks, although the exact timing is dependent on environmental conditions. The larvae then stay in the water until the metamorphosing into adult newts (when they lose their external gills) between August and October and are now able to leave the water. Great crested newts can live up to 14 years in the wild and spend most of their lives out of the ponds, foraging at night in areas of undisturbed habitat, favouring rough grassland, scrub and woodland areas. Newts may travel up to 1 km from a breeding pond, but most tend to travel no more than 250 m if the ponds are close to suitable terrestrial habitat. Great crested newts are predators from birth, taking a variety of live prey including aquatic invertebrates, frog tadpoles, slugs, earthworms, spiders and other land invertebrates. Great crested newt hibernate during the winter months in underground crevices, such as gaps between tree roots, or under piles of logs, rubble etc. Great crested newt populations have declined significantly in Britain, and continental Europe, since the 1940s as a result of habitat loss.

APPENDIX 2

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Legend

Site boundary

500 m radius from site boundary

Standing waterbody

Tidal water - River Mersey

Building

Railway track

Road

Woodland

0 250 500125 Meters

Pond 4

Pond 1

Pond 3

Pond 2

Waterbodies 5, 6, 7 and 8 located beyond River Mersey

Riv

er M

erse

y

River M

ersey

Landscape Architecture Ecology Enviromental Planning & Assessment Aboriculture

appletons

Title: Pond location planDate: 07/06/17

Drawing reference: 2082-GCN-01Drawn by: PB

Site: Spectra Business ParkClient: Countyside Properties (UK) Ltd

SPECTRA BUSINESS PARK, WARRINGTON

APPENDIX 3

APPLETONS REF:2082


Photo 1: Pond 1, looking north

Photo 2: Pond 1, looking south-east

Photo 3: Pond 2 Photo 4: Pond 3

Photo 5: Pond 4

GREAT CRESTED NEWT SURVEY appletons

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