LDA Report Template - Greater Cambridge Planning

A Worton Rectory Park

Oxford OX29 4SX

United KingdomT +44 (0) 1865 887050F +44 (0) 1865 887055W www.lda-design.co.uk

LDA Design Consulting Ltd

Registered No: 09312403

17 Minster Precincts, Peterborough PE1 1XX

Waterbeach

Updated Great Crested Newt Survey Report

24 January 2019

24 January 2019 Waterbeach

5475_Waterbeach

Contents

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1. Commission..................................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2. Site Description .............................................................................................................................................. 1

1.3. Proposed works .............................................................................................................................................. 1

1.4. Previous Ecology Work ............................................................................................................................... 1

1.5. Aims of Study .................................................................................................................................................. 1

2.0 Methodology.............................................................................................................................................................. 3

2.1. Desk Study........................................................................................................................................................ 3

2.2. Habitat Suitability Index Assessment for Great Crested Newt.................................................... 3

2.3. 2017 Presence/Absence Survey ................................................................................................................ 4

2.4. Population size class assessment ............................................................................................................. 5

3.0 Results .......................................................................................................................................................................... 7

3.1. Desk Study........................................................................................................................................................ 7

3.2. Habitat Suitability Index assessment results...................................................................................... 7

3.3. GCN: presence/absence survey results .................................................................................................. 8

3.4. GCN population size class assessment .................................................................................................. 9

4.0 References ................................................................................................................................................................. 10

5.0 Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................... 11

5.1. Appendix 1: Photographs of ponds with GCN ................................................................................. 11

6.0 Figures ........................................................................................................................................................................ 12

5475_Waterbeach

Version: 1.1

Version date: 24 January 2019

Comment

This document has been prepared and checked in accordance with ISO 9001:2008.


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1.0 Introduction

1.1. Commission

BSG Ecology was commissioned to carry out great crested newts Triturus cristatus (GCN) surveys in 2017.

1.2. Site Description

The Waterbeach site (the ‘Site’) comprises 230 ha of land situated to the north of the town of Waterbeach, approximately 4 km north of Cambridge, central Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference (OSNGR): TL 504 675. The Site comprises large arable fields and small woodland copses with a network of species-poor native hedgerows and deep drainage ditches. Many of the arable fields have wide margins (approximately 5 - 7 m wide) of poor semi-improved grassland. Wide strips of good semi-improved grassland are also present in some areas. Bannold Drove, an ancient trackway, runs north-south through the Site and is lined with mature trees, particularly in the middle section which forms the centre of the Site.

A railway line forms the eastern boundary of the Site, Denny Abbey and Farmland Museum is situated outside the north western corner and Waterbeach Barracks, Ministry of Defence (MOD) land and airfield bound the Site on the west. Sewage treatment works sit within the south of the Site, west of Bannold Drove.

Three large ponds sit directly adjacent and outside of the eastern Site boundary.

The Site is shown in Figure 7.1.

1.3. Proposed works

There are proposals for a new town in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire to involve large scale residential development including a new town centre, a train station and associated infrastructure.

1.4. Previous Ecology Work

In 2008 a small population of GCN was identified within ponds within the grounds of Denny Abbey (LDA, 2008). A small population of GCN was also identified in the golf course ponds within Waterbeach MOD land, situated south of Denny Abbey, directly adjacent to the western boundary of the Site (LDA, 2008). In 2016 a medium population of GCN was found to be present in the Waterbeach Barracks golf course outside and adjacent the western boundary of the Site (REC, 2016).

1.5. Aims of Study

The aim of the GCN surveys was to identify the presence / absence of GCN within ponds in proximity to the Site. Where GCN were present also completing a population assessment to interpret how GCN are using the Site.

This report provides baseline ecological information to inform the development of the eastern side of Waterbeach Newtown. It contains the methods and results of the GCN surveys undertaken at the Site in 2017. This report is intended to be read in conjunction


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with the Nature and Conservation Chapter of the Environmental Statement for the Site; the chapter details the impact assessment, mitigation and compensation strategies for GCN.


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2.0 Methodology

2.1. Desk Study

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Environmental Records Centre (CPERC) was contacted in July 2017 to provide records of GCN within a 2 km radius around the central OSNGR of the Site in line with CIEEM ecological impact assessment guidance (CIEEM, 2016).

Historical data from previous surveys on or adjacent to the Site was collated (Section 1.4) and an update check was made for water bodies within 250 m of the Site using the MAGIC website, Ordnance Survey mapping and publicly available aerial imagery.

The desk study made use of publically available internet mapping and aerial photography resources to assess the context of the Site including:

The Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) database (http://www.magic.gov.uk/) to identify ponds and any granted GCN European Protected Species Licence applications within 2 km of the Site (Dataset Reference Date 2015-09-15 last updated 2016-12-19).

Bing maps (https://www.bing.com/maps/)

Google maps (https://www.google.co.uk/maps)

These sites were referenced throughout the course of the survey work, and most recently in August 2017 during reporting.

2.2. Habitat Suitability Index Assessment for Great Crested Newt

A Habitat Suitability Index Assessment for GCN was carried out for one small pond within Denny Abbey farmland outside the north-western boundary of the Site (Ponds 1) in April and May 2017. In addition, an assessment of three further ponds (Ponds 2, 3 and 4) located outside and adjacent the south-eastern Site boundary was undertaken. Pond locations are indicated in Figure 7.10.

Information on the physical features and characteristics of these ponds was collected to allow a GCN HSI to be derived (Oldham et al., 2000). The simplified method for determining HSI values, developed by Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the United Kingdom (ARG UK, 2010) was used.

The HSI is calculated by allocating scores to features associated with a pond such as size, quality of surrounding habitat and presence of fish. These scores are then used to calculate the overall HSI for each pond as a number between 0 and 1, with 0 being the least suitable and 1 being the most suitable. The HSI score allows each pond to be placed in one of five pre-defined categories defining its suitability for GCN as follows: <0.5: poor; 0.5–0.59: below average; 0.6–0.69: average; 0.7 – 0.79: good; >0.80: excellent.

Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping indicates that a further 18 ponds are present within 250 m of the Site (Figure 7.10). The GCN populations identified within ponds inside the Waterbeach Barracks will be used to inform the assessment of potential impacts of the proposals. Further ponds located within Denny Abbey, north-west of Denny Abbey and west of the A10 were not surveyed; these ponds sit outside 250 m of the development footprint. The A10 is a busy road and it is considered newts are unlikely to cross it. Although no records of GCN were


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obtained in 2017 from these areas, given the number of ponds present and past records, this species is considered highly likely to be present in both these areas.

2.3. 2017 Presence/Absence Survey

In order to determine whether GCN are likely to be present within the Site surveys were carried out on ponds holding water; Ponds 2, 3 and 4 (situated directly adjacent to the eastern boundary of the Site) over the period May–June 2017. Pond 1 was dry and devoid of aquatic vegetation. All surveys took into account current industry standard guidance (English Nature, 2001; Natural England, 2015). Guidance recommends that to determine presence/likely absence of GCN within ponds, four overnight survey visits be completed (and that three methods, preferably torch survey, bottle-trapping and egg search, should be implemented during each of the four visits). In order to estimate the population size class, should this species be found during the first four visits two further surveys are recommended.

Overnight surveys of the ponds were carried out on the dates listed in Table 1, which included four visits during May, considered to be the peak breeding season (English Nature, 2001). On each survey, three survey methods were employed; these were a combination of bottle trapping, netting, torch light searches and/or egg searches:

Torch surveys: This method involved searching for GCN after sunset using a 1 million candle power torch. All accessible parts of a pond’s margins were slowly walked and searched.

Bottle trapping: Where water depth and bank side access allowed, bottle traps (constructed from 2 L plastic drinks bottles) were set in suitable parts of a pond at dusk and left in place overnight. Bottle traps were checked for amphibians the following morning within 12 hours of setting, and any animals caught were released at the point of capture.

Netting: A long-handled pond net was used for sampling suitable parts of each pond for amphibians, where access permitted.

Egg search: Egg searches were conducted in order to determine whether GCN were breeding in the ponds. This involved searching marginal and aquatic vegetation for the distinctive leaf folding pattern and egg of GCN. Results from egg searches are only useful for indicating presence/likely absence, and not population size. The presence of GCN eggs also provides clear evidence of attempted breeding at a pond.

Surveys were coordinated by Mathew Denny MCIEEM, who holds a Natural England GCN scientific survey licence (licence number: 2015-17631-CLS-CLS) and has surveyed GCN for 15 years. Survey dates, key personnel and a summary of weather conditions during the 2017 GCN surveys are listed in Table 1.


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Table 1. Dates, times and weather conditions recorded during the GCN surveys.

Date Visit

No. Surveyors1

Ponds

Surveyed2

Recent

Rain

Events

Temperature

ºC

Wind

Beaufort

scale3

Start End Start End

08/05/17 1 MD AM 2,3 and 4 27/04/17 9 8 1 1

14/05/17 2 MD AM 2,3 and 4 13/05/07 12 10 1 1

18/05/17 3 MD AM 2,3 and 4 13/05/07

17/05/17 18 15 0 0

22/05/17 4 MD AM 2,3 and 4

Heavy overnight rain 18/05/17 - 19/05/17

18 17 1 1

05/06/17 5 MD AM 3 and 4

05/06/17 Rain at end of survey

14.5 14.5 4 4

12/06/17 6 MD AM 3 and 4 08/06/17 09/06/17

15 15 1 1

2.4. Population size class assessment

On the basis of six overnight surveys carried out on those ponds with newts found to be present, a population size class assessment was carried out adopting current industry standard guidance (English Nature, 2001; Natural England, 2017b).

In order to estimate the population size class for ponds containing GCN, the peak adult count per pond per visit recorded through either torching or bottle-trapping must be determined. Where ponds supporting GCN occur within 250 m of each other, and are not separated by a significant barrier to dispersal, the population size class is indicated by the peak adult count summed across all connected ponds on a single survey visit. Populations can then be classed as ‘small’ for maximum counts of up to 10 adults, ‘medium’ for maximum counts between 11 and 100, and ‘large’ for maximum counts exceeding 100 adults.

1 MD – Mathew Denny, AM – Arlie McCarthy (accredited agent of licence number: 2015-17631-CLS-CLS). 2 Ponds 2 and 3 within the Site were not surveyed because they were dry. 3 The Beaufort scale is an empirical measure for describing wind intensity on a scale of 0 to 12. 0- Calm, 1- Light air, 2- Light breeze, 3- Gentle breeze, 4- Moderate breeze, 5- Fresh breeze, 6- Strong breeze, 7- Moderate gale, 8- Fresh gale, 9- Strong gale, 10- Whole gale, 11- Storm, 12- Hurricane force


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This level of survey effort was considered to be sufficient to obtain a good understanding of the numbers of GCN occupying ponds during the breeding season, and to design appropriate mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures.

Based on professional judgement (factoring in habitat connectivity and likely dispersal corridors), a decision has been made where GCN ponds are between 250 to 500 m from other GCN ponds, as to whether these form part of the same population or are a separate, discrete population, for example due to dispersal barriers or lack of habitat connectivity.

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3.0 Results

3.1. Desk Study

CPERC provided one record of GCN 360 m south-west of the Site.

The MAGIC database of granted European Protected Species licences (Dataset Reference Date 2015-09-15) indicates no licences have been issued within a 2 km radius of the Site’s boundary.

3.2. Habitat Suitability Index assessment results

The results of the Habitat Suitability Index assessment of ponds are provided in Table 2. Pond locations are indicated in Figure 7.10.

Table 2. Results of Habitat Suitability Index Assessment for great crested newts

Pond Location

Area

(m²) Permanence Water Quality Shade (%) Waterfowl Fish Density

Terrestrial

Habitat

Macrophyte

Cover

HSI

Score

Suitability

Class

Pond 1

TL 4984 6846

- - - - - - - - - N/A Not suitable

Dry and devoid of aquatic vegetation.

Pond 2

TL 50761 66936

530 0.9 1 25 0.67 0.01 4 1 30 0.55 Below

average

Thick scrub present in the south-eastern section. This is a large pond to the east of the Site that is stocked with fish. This pond is adjacent to Ponds 3/4. Arable farmland lies to the west separated by a large hedgerow with trees.

Pond 3 Pond 4

TL 50819 66856

500 0.9 1 30 0.67

1 4 1 30 0.87 Excellent

Two large ponds joined together. Iris Iris pseudacorus and Typha latifolia is present in the north of the pond. Thick Phragmites is present in the southern section. Water mint Mentha citrata is also present. Arable farmland lies to the west and train tracks to the east.

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3.3. GCN: presence/absence survey results

Results of the GCN survey that was carried out in 2017 are presented in Table 3.

Table 3: Summary of great crested newt survey results.

Pond Maximum adult peak count per survey visit GCN

eggs

present

Other amphibians or fish recorded (peak

count

1 2 3 4 5 6

2 0 0 0 0 - - No Smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris, fish present

3/4 6 15 0 14 3 2 Yes Smooth newt


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3.4. GCN population size class assessment

A medium population was identified from the 2017 GCN surveys, whereby a ‘population’ is defined as a collection of ponds where there is reasonable certainty of regular interchange of individuals between ponds (typically, within 250 m of each other and with an absence of barriers to dispersal) (English Nature, 2001). This population is considered to be separate populations from populations identified within the MOD land west of the Site.

Results of the assessment are provided in Table 4. A medium sized population was confirmed; one consisting of two ponds east of the Site.

Table 4. Population size class assessment results

Population

ID

Ponds included Peak GCN

count4

Population size class

Population A Pond 3 and Pond 4 15 Medium

4 Note that peak count based on torch and bottle trap survey methods, and that for other ponds outside the Site, this may not be available, or based on a single visit.


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4.0 References

ARG UK (2010). ARG UK Advice Note 5: Great crested newt habitat suitability index. http://www.arguk.org/download-document/9-great-crested-newt-habitat-suitability-index-arg-advice- note-5

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

LDA (2008). Waterbeach Non-MOD land: Great crested newt survey report. LDA. London.

Natural England (2017b). Natural England Standing Advice: Great crested newts: surveys and mitigation for development projects. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/great-crested-newts-surveys-and-mitigation-for-development-projects

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). Herpetological Journal 10 (4), 143-155.

REC (2016). Baseline Ecological Assessment. Waterbeach Barracks & Airfield, Waterbeach, Cambridge. REC Reference: 100566E12R0


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5.0 Appendices

5.1. Appendix 1: Photographs of ponds with GCN

1. Pond 3/4


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6.0 Figures

Figure 7.1: The Site.

Figure 7.10: Ponds with GCN presence within 250 m of the Site.

CamWashes SSSI

Cam WashesSSSI

Wicken FenSSSI, Ramsar site& Fenland SAC

Stow-cum-QuyFen SSSI

Upware BridgePit North SSSI

Upware NorthPit SSSI

Worts MeadowLNR

L:\Co

ntrac

ts\Liv

e Con

tracts

\2001

-3000

\2301

-2400

\2400

.18 W

aterbe

ach 2

017\W

ork in

Prog

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WATERBEACH - NEW TOWN EAST ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ADDENDUM

Figure 7.1: The Site

0 5 km

North

LEGEND

PROJECT TITLE

DRAWING TITLE

COHHSSB

17 Jan 2019

FINAL1:55,000

BSG Ecolog y

ISSUED BYDATESCALE @A3STATUS

DRAWNCHECKEDAPPROVED

T:No dim e nsions are to be scale d from th is drawing .All dim e nsions are to be ch e cke d on site .Are a m e asure m e nts for indicative purpose s only.© LDA De sig n Consulting Ltd. Q uality Assure d to BS EN ISO 9001 : 2008Source s:

Esri:

Oxford (0)1865 887 050

Site boundary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Special Area for Conservation (SAC)5 km radius from Site

OS Ope n data / © Natural Eng land / © DEFRA / © DECC / © Eng lish He ritag e . Contains Ordnance Surve y data © Crown copyrig h t and database rig h t 2018 | Ae rial Ph otog raph y -

Th is drawing m ay contain: Ordnance Survey m ate rial by pe rm ission of Ordnance Survey on be h alf of th e Controlle r of He r Maje sty’s Statione ry Office © Crown Copyrig h t, All rig h ts re se rved. 2018 Re fe re nce num be r: 10048980

Local Nature Reserve (LNR)

4

2 3

1

L:\Co

ntrac

ts\Liv

e Con

tracts

\2001

-3000

\2301

-2400

\2400

.18 W

aterbe

ach 2

017\W

ork in

Prog

ress\M

appin

g\02 G

IS\01

proje

cts\24

00.18

_GCN

_v2.m

xd

Figure 7.10: Great crested newt ponds

0 500 m e te rs

North

LEGEND

PROJECT TITLE

DRAWING TITLE

COHHSHB

08 Dec 20171:12,000

BSG Ecolog y

ISSUED BYDATESCALE @A3STATUS

DRAWNCHECKEDAPPROVED

T:No dim e nsions are to be scale d from th is drawing .All dim e nsions are to be ch e cke d on site .Are a m e asure m e nts for indicative purpose s only.© LDA De sig n Consulting Ltd. Q uality Assure d to BS EN ISO 9001 : 2008

Source s:

Esri:

Oxford (0)1865 887 050

Medium population recordedin Waterbeach barracks ponds

in 2008 (REC, 2008)

WATERBEACH - NEW TOWN EASTENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

FINAL

OS Ope n data / © Natural Eng land / © DEFRA / © DECC / © Eng lish He ritag e . Contains Ordnance Surve y data © Crown copyrig h t and database rig h t 2018 | Ae rial Ph otog raph y -

Th is drawing m ay contain: Ordnance Surve y m ate rial by pe rm ission of Ordnance Survey on be h alf of th e Controlle r of He r Maje sty’s Statione ry Office © Crown Copyrig h t, All rig h ts re se rve d. 2018 Re fe re nce num be r: 10048980

Site boundary50 / 100 / 250 / 500m radii from greatcrested newt pondsPonds and waterbodies not subject tosurvey

Ponds subject to surveyGreat crested newt presentGreat crested newt present (breedingpond)

No great crested newt recorded

Dry pond

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