Temporary shale gas exploration at Preston New Road, … · ruderal herbs and rank grass species...

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Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd Temporary shale gas exploration at Preston New Road, Lancashire Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy – Exploration Well Site

PNR_BMS_Main Site Vol1

Issue 3 | 25 November 2016

This report takes into account the particular instructions and requirements of our client.

It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by any third party and no responsibility is undertaken to any third party. Job number 230382-00

Ove Arup & Partners Ltd 8 Fitzroy Street London W1T 4BJ United Kingdom www.arup.com


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Contents Page

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Report Purpose 1 Report Structure 2

2 Development Description 4

2.1 Proposed Scheme 4

3 Ecological Baseline 6

3.1 Introduction 6 3.2 Nature Conservation Designations 6 3.3 Flora 7 3.4 Fauna 9 3.5 Summary of assessment and habitats affected 13

4 Aim, Objectives and Responsibilities 14

4.1 Aim 14 4.2 Objectives 14 4.3 Roles and responsibilities 15

5 Ecological Construction Management Plan 16

5.1 Introduction 16 5.2 Construction Control Measures 16 5.3 Habitat Creation and Enhancements 21 5.4 Summary of Habitat Restored/Created in Relation to Habitat

Disturbed/Lost 25

6 6 Year Ecological Operational Management Plan 27

6.1 Introduction 27 6.2 Operational Control Measures 27 6.3 Maintenance of Habitats 28

7 Ecological Decommissioning and Restoration Management Plan 31

7.1 Introduction 31

8 Monitoring 32

8.1 Introduction 32


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Appendices

Appendix A

Phase 1 Habitat Survey Plan

Appendix B

Legislation and Status

Appendix C

Biodiversity Mitigation Plan

Appendix D

Structural Enhancements


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1 Introduction

1.1 Report Purpose Ove Arup and Partners Ltd (Arup) have been commissioned by Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd in relation to shale gas exploration works at a site at Preston New Road, Lancashire (Grid reference E337408, N432740). An Environmental Statement (ES) was submitted to Lancashire County Council (LCC) in May 2014 in support of planning applications for Temporary Shale Gas Exploration at Preston New Road and for associated Monitoring Works. The ES identified habitat losses and potential impacts to birds, bats and brown hare as a result of the development and highlighted the need to mitigate such impacts through the production and implementation of a Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy (BMS). This BMS is required in order to satisfy condition 37 of planning permission granted on 6 October 2016 for the proposed site, referred to in this report as the Preston New Road Exploration Works (PNR EW) (planning permission granted on appeal – ref no: APP/Q2371/W/15/3134386; application ref: LCC/2014/0096). The planning condition is replicated below:

37. Prior to the commencement of development, a Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy, which shall include, but not be limited to, details of measures for the avoidance/mitigation of impacts on protected species and their habitats together with a method statement for the protection of wildlife, flora and fauna during construction and during the operational life of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the County Planning Authority. The requirements of the method statement shall be implemented in full.

This BMS has been produced as a requirement of the ES and to comply with the above planning condition. The purpose of the BMS is to provide an over-arching mitigation strategy encompassing construction, operational and decommissioning activities associated with the installation of the exploration well site, which will be referred to as the Site within the remainder of this report. A separate BMS has been produced for the array, which during hydraulic fracturing operations will monitor for seismic activity.

The implementation of this BMS will be overseen by an appointed Ecological Clerk of Works who will undertake routine compliance checks to ensure all measures are being undertaken to an appropriate standard.


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Report Structure This report includes:

Section 2: Development Description

Section 3: Ecological Baseline

Section 4: Aim, Objectives and Responsibilities

Section 5: Construction Management Plan

Section 6: 6 Year Operation Management Plan

Section 7: Decommissioning and Restoration Management Plan

Section 8: Monitoring


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Figure1 provides a schematic to illustrate how the two BMS’s and each section of the BMS will feed into each other. The monitoring programme will provide information in relation to potential routes of ecological impact and allow methods to be altered if required. In addition, the on site monitoring will feed into the final decommissioning of the Site as over the life span of the Project it is likely that ecology on the Site will change as will wildlife legislation and best practice guidance. Figure 1: BMS structure.

Development Description Ecological Baseline

Aim, Objectives and Responsibilities

Arrays – Construction Management Plan

Main Site – Construction Management Plan

Arrays – 6 Year Operational Management Plan

Main Site – 6 Year Operational Management Plan

Decommissioning Management Plan

Monitoring Programme


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2 Development Description

2.1 Proposed Scheme The exploration well site is located at Preston New Road within the central area of Petroleum Exploration and Development License 165 (PEDL 165) between Little Plumpton and Peel Hill, Lancashire, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Site location (Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2013). Not to scale.

In order to connect to the grid, to accept produced shale gas from the Preston New Road site, it is proposed that a new gas pipeline is laid to connect to the Local Transmission System (LTS) pipeline. The connection will be made to the LTS to the west of the well pad Site. The approximate location of the pipeline route is identified in Figure 3 below.


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Figure 3: Approximate location of proposed gas pipeline at the Preston New Road site. (Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2013).


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3 Ecological Baseline

3.1 Introduction A baseline assessment was undertaken to identify ecological features of value within the zone of influence1 of the Site which could be impacted by the proposed works during all of the Project phases; construction, operation, decommissioning and the restoration of the Site. The Project’s zone of influence is defined as the area falling within 250m of the Site boundary.

This Section describes the baseline conditions at the Site as it is now, i.e. prior to construction commencing. Section 3.5 quantifies the habitats that will be affected by the Project and indicates their ecological value.

The environmental baseline for the Preston New Road site has been developed through a desk based review of existing documents and through field surveys conducted by experienced ecologists at Arup and by their sub-consultants.

3.2 Nature Conservation Designations

3.2.1 Statutory designations No statutory designations were identified within the Site or within close proximity to the Site (i.e. within a 3km radius). Marton Mere is located 3.2km north-west of the Site and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

In relation to internationally designated sites, the following sites have been identified within a 10km radius of the Site:

• Ribble and Alt Estuaries Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site located approximately 6.7km south.

• Morecambe Bay SPA and Ramsar (and Wyre Estuary SSSI) located approximately 6.7km to the north.

• Liverpool Bay SPA located approximately 7.4km to the west

The Lytham Moss Biological Heritage Site (BHS) which is approximately 2.1km south west of the main Site is a non-statutory designation but is functionally linked to the SPA sites as it supports pink-footed geese and whooper swans.

3.2.2 Non-statutory designations Two BHSs (Table 1) were identified within the search area:

1 CIEEM (2006) Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom.


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Table 1: Description of BHSs. Site Name Distance from

Site Reason for Designation

Great Plumpton BHS 1.2km north-east

The site comprises a section of land associated with the former Blackpool Central Direct Railway Line. The site supports notable invertebrates and birds such as willow warbler.

Lytham Moss BHS 2.1km south-west

The site is of ornithological importance for providing winter feeding ground for flocks of pink-footed geese and whooper swans with bird numbers exceeding 0.5% of the British wintering population.

3.3 Flora The Site and surrounding area was found to comprise the following habitat types:

• Grassland (Improved);

• Arable;

• Woodland and dense scrub;

• Tall ruderal herbs;

• Hedgerows;

• Waterbodies;

• Running water (Carr Bridge Field drains); and

• Buildings and hardstanding.

Appendix A includes the Phase 1 Habitat Survey Plan showing existing habitat types in and around the Site.

The dominant habitats located within and surrounding the Site are improved or species poor semi-improved grassland which is heavily grazed. The grasslands were dominated by perennial rye grass Lolium perenne, with occasional ruderal forbs including creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, white clover Trifolium repens, scentless mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum and redshank Persicaria maculosa. The wider area surrounding the Site is comprised of a mosaic of arable fields and grazed pasture farmland.

A triangle of woodland and dense scrub exists approximately 400m to the north-west of the Site. The woodland area was dominated by willow tree species (including crack willow Salix fragilis, and white willow Salix alba) with occasional ash Fraxinus excelsior. The understorey comprises dense scrub, tall ruderal herbs and rank grass species dominated by reed canary grass Phalaris


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arundinacea, rosebay willowherb Chamerion angustifolium, elder Sambucus nigra, bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, common nettle Urtica dioica and hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium.

Scattered scrub species were also identified adjacent to some of the waterbodies and field drains located within the survey area. Dominant species identified included hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and elder Sambucus nigra, with occasional bramble and goat willow Salix caprea.

Narrow bands of tall ruderal herbs and rank grasses were identified along linear features within the survey area including field boundaries and field drains. Dominant ruderal species recorded included common nettle, false oat grass Arrhenatherum elatius, cock’s-foot grass Dactylis glomerata and reed canary grass, while cleavers Galium aparine and creeping thistle Cirsium arvense were frequent. Species including redshank, ragwort Senecio jacobaea, fat hen Chenopodium album, shepherd’s purse Capsella bursa-pastoris, hogweed Heracleum sphondylium, hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium, bittersweet (woody nightshade) Solanum dulcamara, were identified as occasional within bands of tall ruderal herbs located within the survey area.

Large sections of field boundaries located within the survey area were identified to be lacking hedgerows. The majority of the hedgerows identified within the survey area are intact relatively species-poor hedgerows dominated by hawthorn with occasional blackthorn Prunus spinosa, elder and wych elm Ulmus glabra.

Juvenile isolated trees, including ash Fraxinus excelsior, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and field maple Acer campestre, were identified infrequently within the section of hedgerow along Preston New Road to the south of the Site.

Sections of defunct ‘gappy’ hedgerows and sections of field boundary where the hedge had been completely removed were also identified within the survey area. The majority of hedgerows identified are aligned by rank grasses and tall ruderal herbs dominated by common nettle, cleavers, creeping thistle, false-oat grass and cock’s-foot grass.

All of the hedgerows recorded within the survey area did not qualify as ‘important’ hedgerows, under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997, as they did not contain enough woody species within a 30m length (predominately hawthorn with occasional blackthorn and elder) or associated features. However, within the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitat descriptions, all hedgerows consisting predominantly (i.e. 80% or more cover) of at least one woody UK native species are covered by this priority habitat.2 Consequently, the majority of the intact hedgerows located within the survey area are likely to qualify as UK BAP priority habitat, despite being relatively species-poor.

Nine waterbodies are located within 250m of the Site boundary. These are located within the mosaic of arable and pasture farmland (Figure 4). The majority of these ponds were assessed to be poor by the Predictive System for Multimetrics (PYSM) assessment as they have been impacted by agriculture. However, waterbodies 9 and 10 were found to support a greater diversity of aquatic plants and invertebrates.

2 UK Biodiversity Action Plan (2008) ‘UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat Descriptions’ (Updated July 2010).


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Figure 4 Location of Ponds

Carr Bridge Brook flows east to west along the field boundary located approximately 330m north of the Site. The beck is approximately 0.5m in width and was identified as being heavily vegetated by tall ruderal herbs, predominantly comprising reed canary grass, rosebay willowherb and common nettle, for its length. During the walkover survey the beck was identified to contain relatively low flows (0.25m). A small field drain was also identified along a field boundary located approximately 250m north-west of the Site. This field drain flows into Carr Bridge Brook immediately downstream of the triangle of woodland.

3.4 Fauna Details of the status of protected species and their legislation can be found in Appendix B.

3.4.1 Bats The data search provided by the Lancashire Environment Record Network (LERN) identified a number of records for bats within the 3km search radius including brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Daubenton’s Myotis daubentonii and Natterer’s Myotis nattereri bat species. However, no bat records were identified within the Site or the immediate vicinity. The closest bat record was for a pipistrelle bat approximately 500m south-west.

A series of bat activity surveys were undertaken in accordance with current guidance in order to identify actual and potential bat commuting, foraging and roosting features at the Site. Four species of bat were identified during surveys:

WB 11

WB 12


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common pipistrelle, brown long-eared, Myotis sp. and noctule. During the bat roost potential survey it was confirmed that there are no buildings or trees within the survey area with features within which bats could roost.

The bat roost potential survey also determined that the survey area includes hedgerows and waterbodies which provide suitable foraging and commuting for bats. Lack of artificial lighting, discrete sheltering features and the presence of animal dung are likely to be important factors in relation to bat foraging opportunities in the survey area.

3.4.2 Badgers No badger records were identified within the 3km search radius surrounding the Site by LERN. The closest badger record by Lancashire Badger Group to the Site is located approximately 1.5km to the south-west of the Site.

During the Phase 1 Habitat surveys the surrounding woodland copses were identified as providing suitable habitat for badger setts. The intact hedgerows were also identified as providing suitable foraging habitat for badgers. However, no setts or field signs for badgers were identified during the Phase 1 Habitat survey or badger survey of the Site and surrounding area.

3.4.3 Water Voles No records for water voles were identified within a 3km search radius surrounding the Site by LERN.

The detailed water vole survey undertaken within the study area at the Site did not identify the presence of any signs of water vole (e.g. latrines, feeding station, footprints and burrows) within the length of Carr Bridge Book and adjoining field drain or adjacent waterbodies. Moreover, the Site is located over 100m from all suitable habitat for water vole. This includes the reaches of Carr Bridge Brook located approximately 300m to the north and adjoin field drain, located approximately 270m to the north-west. Consequently water voles are considered to be currently absent from the zone of influence.

3.4.4 Brown Hare A number of brown hare records have been identified by LERN within the search radius surrounding the Site. During the Phase 1 Habitat survey the habitat mosaic located to the south and west of the Site was identified as offering suitable habitat for brown hare. A number of brown hare sightings have also been identified within the survey area during the suite of ecological survey work undertaken at the Site.

3.4.5 Breeding Birds Twenty four bird species were noted during the breeding bird surveys (Table 2). Six species of confirmed, probable or possible breeding birds were recorded: lapwing, skylark, chaffinch, dunnock, linnet and common whitethroat. The most abundant breeding bird species (in terms of numbers and recorded activity) were


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lapwing and skylark. No breeding birds were observed within the Site; however a small number of breeding birds were noted within its zone of influence.

Table 2: Summary of the breeding bird survey results indicating potential for breeding in 2014.

Species Behaviour recorded

Herring gull Overflying

Grey heron Overflying

Lapwing Overflying site and display flights – probable breeding

Oystercatcher Overflying site

Mallard Male and female loafing and overflying site

Shelduck Loafing and overflying the Site

Wood pigeon Perching on telegraph posts and overflying site

Rook Foraging and overflying site – confirmed breeding on adjacent land

Swallow Overflying site

Swift Overflying site

House martin Overflying site

Skylark Display flights – breeding

Meadow pipit Perching on fence posts

Wheatear Perching by pond

Blackbird Male perching on hedge top

Mistle thrush Perching and flying adjacent to survey area

Great tit Foraging within hedgerow

Blue tit Foraging within hedgerow

Linnet Perching on hedgerow and telegraph wires – possible breeding

Common whitethroat Singing from hedgerow – Probable breeding

Dunnock Perching on fenceline – Possible breeding

Chaffinch Male singing and male and female perching on hedgerow – Probable breeding

Goldfinch Feeding and overflying site

Reed bunting Male perching on hedgerow

3.4.6 Wintering Birds The data collected by the Fylde Bird Club is provided by tetrad (4km²) therefore the precise identification of where SPA bird species have been recorded is not possible. However, to gain an understanding of this large data set, Table 3 presents the results obtained in tetrad 33R within which the Site is located.


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Table 3: Summary Table of Fylde Bird Club Data in Tetrad 33R from 1988-2013 (The numbers at the top of the table illustrate the number of birds recorded).

The wintering bird survey undertaken by Ecology Services Ltd. in winter 2013-14 recorded the following wintering estuary bird species on site or within 250m of the Site: pink-footed goose (birds recorded on one occasion, peak count 2,500), oystercatcher (on one occasion 2 birds in well field) and lapwing (several occasions on site with a peak count of 90). Whooper swan was recorded flying over the study area but it was not observed on the ground.

3.4.7 Amphibians Five species of amphibian were identified within the data search provided by LERN and Lancashire Amphibians and Reptiles Association (LARA), namely great crested newt Triturus cristatus, common toad Bufo bufo, common frog Rana temporaria, smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris, and palmate newt Lissotriton helveticus. The closest amphibian record is for smooth newt located 900m north east. The closest great crested newt record is 2.4km south west of the Site.

Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) and great crested newt surveys (including eDNA) were conducted by Quants and Arup during the 2013 and 2014 amphibian survey season. The surveys confirmed the absence of great crested newts but the presence of a small number of smooth newts, common toad and common frog within several of the waterbodies within the study area.

3.4.8 Reptiles No records of reptile species were identified within the 4km search radius surrounding the proposed Site by LERN or LARA. During the Phase 1 Habitat survey the habitats located within, and contiguous to, the Site (e.g. disturbed areas of grazed / short mown improved grassland and arable) were identified to provide sub-optimal habitat for reptiles. In addition, no areas of suitable hibernacula (e.g. log piles etc.) for reptiles were identified within the survey area.

1 to 20 21-100 101-1000 1000+

SpeciesNo. of Records Species

No. of Records Species

No. of Records Species

No. of Records

Pink footed geese Pink footed geese 1 Pink footed geese 5 Pink footed geese 1Shelduck 1 Shelduck Shelduck ShelduckPintail Pintail Pintail PintailOystercatcher 1 Oystercatcher Oystercatcher OystercatcherRinged Plover Ringed Plover Ringed Plover Ringed PloverKnot Knot Knot KnotDunlin 2 Dunlin Dunlin DunlinBar Tailed Godwit Bar Tailed Godwit Bar Tailed Godwit Bar Tailed GodwitCurlew Curlew Curlew CurlewRedshank Redshank Redshank RedshankBritish Lesser Black-Backed Gull 3

British Lesser Black-Backed Gull



Herring Gull 2 Herring Gull Herring Gull Herring GullCommon Tern Common Tern Common Tern Common TernBewick's Swan Bewick's Swan Bewick's Swan Bewick's SwanWhooper Swan 2 Whooper Swan 2 Whooper Swan Whooper SwanWigeon Wigeon Wigeon WigeonTeal Teal Teal TealRuff Ruff Ruff Ruff


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3.5 Summary of assessment and habitats affected Table 4 summarises the areas of each habitat that will be affected by the Project. Refer to Table 6 for areas of new and enhanced habitat to be provided.

Table 4 Areas of habitat lost in unmitigated scenario Habitat Area lost Value of habitat affected Improved grassland ̴ 2.6 ha (this is the area

inside the red line boundary for access and well pad)

Poor

Waterbodies Very poor to moderate Ungrazed corners NA Farmland bird habitat

NA

Watercourses Poor Hedgerows ̴ 30m (250m lowered) Poor Woodland Moderate Arable Poor Amenity grassland/ tall ruderal

Poor


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4 Aim, Objectives and Responsibilities

4.1 Aim The aim of the BMS is to:

Ensure that the Project results in no net loss of biodiversity and, where possible, seeks to achieve a net gain.

This section outlines the objectives that underpin the measures outlined in the subsequent management plans for construction, operation and decommissioning and defines roles and responsibilities for their implementation.

4.2 Objectives

4.2.1 Hedgerow The development will result in the loss of approximately 40m (250m will be lowered) of species poor hedgerow. This habitat type is considered to be UK BAP habitat and loss of this habitat type should be avoided.

Objective 1: An increase in the extent of hedgerow and an increase in species richness of hedgerows present on Site.

4.2.2 Bats The Site and surrounding area was identified to be of district, local or parish value in relation to commuting and foraging areas for bats with the hedgerows providing suitable foraging and commuting habitat. There is potential for disturbance to bats from light, noise and heat pollution in an unmitigated scenario.

Objective 2: Enhance habitats for bats surrounding the main Site by maintaining and were possible improving connective linkages across the Site.

4.2.3 Brown Hare The ES notes that in an unmitigated scenario, the Project could result in loss of habitat for brown hare and that there is a small chance that hare may be harmed by machinery during clearance works. The Project also has the potential to disturb habitat for brown hare within the zone of influence as a result of increased lighting, noise and vehicle movements. This impact would be greatest in the breeding season for brown hare. Objective 3: Ensure that the Project does not result in loss of habitat for brown hare and minimises disturbance within the zone of influence.

4.2.4 Breeding Birds Whilst the majority of bird species recorded on the Site are common and widespread, the Site has the potential to be of value to farmland bird species, with skylark, lapwing, song thrush and yellowhammer all being identified. The ES


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indicated that without mitigation the Project could result in a significant impact to nesting and breeding birds through loss of habitat and disturbance by noise and light.

Objective 4: Ensure that the Project does not result in net loss of habitat for breeding birds and minimises disturbance within the zone of influence.

4.2.5 Wintering Birds (Nature Conservation Designations) The Morecambe Bay Ramsar and SPA, Ribble and Alt Estuary Ramsar and SPA, Marton Mere SSSI/LNR and Lytham Moss BHS have been designated for their value to support breeding or wintering bird species. In an unmitigated scenario the Project has the potential to affect these designations through the displacement of wintering bird populations from functionally-linked off-Site feeding areas.

Objective 5: Ensure that noise and visual disturbance during all phases of the Project does not result in disturbance to SPA bird species.

4.2.6 Amphibians (Waterbodies) Small populations of common toads (BAP species), frogs and smooth newts were identified within waterbodies near to the Site. The ES concludes that the potential impacts to amphibians as a result of the Project are minimal and not significant at the local level. However, opportunities exist to enhance habitat on Site for amphibians.

Objective 6: Enhance the ponds within the vicinity of the main Site for amphibians and provide improved terrestrial habitat.

4.3 Roles and responsibilities It is the responsibility of Cuadrilla to ensure that the above aim and objectives are met through the implementation of the measures detailed in Sections 5-8 of this BMS. Cuadrilla’s EMMP includes all of the measures detailed in this strategy and provides the on-Site mechanism for their implementation. An Ecological Clerk of Works will be appointed by Cuadrilla to oversee and document the implementation of measures. The Clerk of Works must be a chartered member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and must have demonstrable experience of acting as a Clerk of Works on similar projects with similar species.


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5 Ecological Construction Management Plan

5.1 Introduction This section details measures to be implemented during the construction phase (planning permission through to operation) of the Site to mitigate impacts on biodiversity. The Construction Management Plan includes control measures to reduce disturbance during the construction of the main Site as well as habitat creation and enhancement measures that will be implemented during the construction phase.

The construction period for the Site includes works on the well pad and access track. Construction activities will involve site preparation, the installation of groundwater monitoring wells, the construction of the well pad and drainage system and utility connections.

5.2 Construction Control Measures The Ecological Clerk of Works, working on behalf of Cuadrilla, will undertake regular compliance checks to ensure that the measures prescribed below are being correctly adopted and implemented for the duration of the Project. In addition, the Ecological Clerk of Works or sub-consultants appointed by the Ecological Clerk of Works will undertake monitoring to ensure that the mitigation is effective in relation to its target species or habitat (refer to Section 8 for the monitoring programme).

5.2.1 Bats To prevent the loss of bat roosting habitat and to minimise potential impacts on foraging bats from disturbance (noise and light), the following measures will be implemented (refer to Section 5.3 for habitat creation and enhancement measures).

• Trees within the zone of influence of the Site (250m) will be assessed as to their bat roost suitability prior to construction works commencing on Site (at least three months prior to works). These survey works will be undertaken in accordance with the current survey guidance3. If it is determined that a tree has suitability as a roosting site, the tree will either be inspected with an endoscope or bat activity surveys will be completed. These survey works will be undertaken in accordance with the current survey guidance3 and during suitable weather conditions. Bats are protected from direct impacts and also indirect impacts such as disturbance by noise and vibration. If bats were to be present then appropriate measures would need to be developed to mitigate for the impacts and a licence from Natural England maybe required.

• All lighting will be directed onto the equipment only and away from suitable bat foraging habitat; including adjacent hedgerows, by fitting

3 Collins, J. (ed.) (2016) Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd edn).The Bat Conservation Trust, London.


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hoods to direct the light below the horizontal plane, preferably at an angle less than seventy degrees.

• The operating lights will be designed so that the light levels (brightness) are as low as safely possible.

• Upward lighting will be minimised to avoid light pollution. • The height of the lighting columns will be limited to reduce light spillage. • Monitoring of bat activity will commence during the construction period.

Three transects will be walked across the area within the zone of influence of the development. These will be completed in accordance with the current guidance.3 Transects will be spread over the survey season to ensure one survey visit is completed in late May/early June, one in late June/early July and one in late August/early September. Two automatic bat recorders will also be installed on site when each of the transects are completed. Remote recorders will be left to record for three suitable bat activity nights. They will be positioned in the hedgerows that have been impacted/improved. The surveys will take place during the construction period and for the first three years of the operational phase. On completion of the surveys the Ecological Clerk of Works will review the results with the Lancashire County Council Ecologist and determine whether further monitoring is required. Monitoring may be used to inform Site practice/activities where possible (e.g. alteration of lighting). However, as it takes a number of years to gain information that reflects patterns/trends the overarching objective of monitoring is to assess the efficacy of implemented mitigation.

There is the potential that even with the above measures in place light avoiding species such as brown long eared bats may be deterred from migrating along the hedgerow immediately to the north of the Site. It is intended that the new hedgerows located to the west of the Site would provide improved connectivity within the local area providing the bats with further options in relation to their route of commute to and from foraging resources. The fencing surrounding the new hedgerow will act as the linkage feature while the hedgerow is establishing. Details of this mitigation are presented within Section 5.3 habitat creation and enhancement.

5.2.2 Badgers To avoid impacts to badgers during construction, an inspection for badger setts (e.g. newly formed) within 50m of the working area will be undertaken to confirm that there are no setts that could be disturbed.

Contractors will ensure that, where possible, excavations are not left uncovered over night during works. If this is unavoidable, a means for mammals to escape must be provided (e.g. profile one end of trench into a slope, place in temporary ramp overnight).

5.2.3 Brown Hare The following mitigation measures will be implemented to limit disturbance to brown hare and to prevent animals being killed or injured:


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• Works will be predominately undertaken in grazed pasture, therefore, the potential for individuals including young to be masked by vegetation is negligible.

• Ungrazed corners (refer to Section 5.3 habitat creation and enhancement) will be established through the installation of fencing. This will provide brown hare with cover which is currently absent from site.

• The Ecological Clerk of Works will be responsible for delivering a toolbox talk to all Site personnel prior to works commencing. The tool box talk will include a section on brown hare and how works could impact upon this species e.g. accidental killing by fast moving vehicles or disturbance.

• The Site security fencing around the well pad will be made impenetrable to mammals and will be installed around the proposed working area as part of the initial Site set up. This will prohibit mammals, including brown hare, from entering the Site compound and being harmed by machinery.

• Any pits / excavations located outside the security fencing or prior to the installation of the fencing will either be covered or will have mammal ramps positioned in them to allow any trapped animals to escape.

• Any works to be undertaken outside the Site compound will be temporarily fenced to prevent accidental encroachment into adjacent areas of habitat which may be utilised by brown hare e.g. marginal tall ruderal vegetation.

• The landscaped earth bund will minimise visual disturbance to adjacent boundary features and areas of arable habitat which may be utilised by brown hare.

• The Site lighting will be designed to minimise light spillage onto adjacent areas of suitable habitat for brown hare, by being focused on equipment. This will include facing lighting away from the eastern boundary and using UV filters and fitted hoods.

5.2.4 Nesting and Wintering Birds The following measures will be implemented to reduce disturbance to wintering or nesting birds, as applicable:

• Vegetation clearance works will be programmed to avoid the bird nesting season between March and August. Where this is not possible all vegetation to be removed will be checked by the Ecological Clerk of Works prior to removal. Should an active nest be found then work shall not commence until the young has fledged and a 5m exclusion zone will be established around the nest.

• There is the potential for ground nesting birds (e.g. lapwing) upon this Site; therefore if construction is to occur during the nesting bird period (March to August) then a survey will be undertaken by an experienced ornithologist to determine the presence or absence of nesting birds.

• To monitor impacts of the development (not just construction) on breeding birds, surveys will be undertaken in accordance with the methodology and guidance described in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey


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protocol.4 In accordance with the baseline survey two transects will be walked each year, (April and in May). It will take a number of years to obtain data that will reflect if and how the breeding success of birds changes and if the mitigation implemented has been successful. Therefore, surveys will start during the construction period and will extend for three years into the operational period (refer to Table 7). On completion of the surveys, the Ecological Clerk of Works will review the results with the Lancashire County Council Ecologist and determine the requirement for further monitoring.

• If construction works occur during the wintering bird period (October to March), then wintering bird surveys will be undertaken within the zone of influence of the development. The survey will follow the methodology and guidance for vantage point surveys described by SNH (20145). Surveys will be completed twice a month from October to March. The surveyors will note the presence of all bird species. They will note whether any of the birds demonstrate behaviour that would suggest that they are responding to noise on site. This should be categorised as:

− no response, − response leading to birds moving away on the ground, − response leading to birds taking flight, but then returning back to

site within a short duration; or − response leading to birds taking flight and not returning.

The surveyor will record the location of all birds observed on site during the survey. These surveys will continue into the operational phase of the development, to develop understanding on how wintering birds respond to development and to assess any interactions between the presence of farmland bird habitat and the population of wintering birds on site.

• The Ecological Clerk of Works will be responsible for tailoring the toolbox talk depending on whether wintering birds or nesting birds are present. The Site personnel will be informed of the habitats that could be used by birds for nesting or foraging during winter and the species which could be present. Site personnel will be informed of all of the measures that may be implemented to ensure that disturbance of key bird species is kept to a minimum, e.g. limit the number of vehicle trips, service equipment etc.

• The noise management plan will be implemented to minimise off Site disturbance.

• The Site lighting will be designed to minimise light spillage onto the intact hedgerow located adjacent to the Site by being focused on equipment only. This will include facing lighting away from the hedgerows and using fitted hoods.

4 At the time of writing this documentation is available at www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs 5 SNH (2014). Guidance Recommended bird survey methods to inform impact assessment of onshore wind farms - May 2014


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5.2.5 Amphibians To avoid disturbance and harm to common amphibians and in particular to toads.

• Works will be predominately undertaken in grazed pasture, therefore, the potential for individuals to be killed or injured during these works is considered to be negligible. Long grass is present at the base of hedgerows. This vegetation will be removed over the winter period (Nov – Feb) so that it does not provide common amphibians with cover when they become active. If these works do not take place during the winter period then a phased cut will be implemented. During the first cut vegetation will be reduced to 15cm and then left for 24 hours, then cut to 5cm and left undisturbed for a further 24 hours. All cuttings will be removed. The Ecological Clerk of Works will then undertake a fingertip search prior to the vegetation being cut to the ground. If amphibians are identified at any time these will be relocated outside of the working area in suitable terrestrial habitat.

• Materials stored on Site will be stored on pallets to ensure suitable refugia for amphibians is not created.

5.2.6 Reptiles As indicated above, where possible long grass vegetation at the base of hedgerows will be removed over the winter period (Nov – Feb) so that it does not provide common reptiles with cover when they become active. If these works do not take place during the winter period then a phased cut will be implemented. During the first cut vegetation will be reduced to 15cm and then left for 24 hours, then cut to 5cm and left undisturbed for a further 24 hours. All cuttings will be removed. The Ecological Clerk of Works will then undertake a fingertip search prior to the vegetation being cut to the ground. If reptiles are identified at any time these will either be left to relocate themselves or relocated by the Ecological Clerk of Works outside of the working area in suitable terrestrial habitat.

Contractors will be made aware of the low risk of reptiles being present and that they should allow animals to relocate themselves. If this does not occur then they should contact the Ecological Clerk of Works.

5.2.7 Invasive Botanical Species No invasive botanical species (e.g. Japanese knotweed) were recorded on Site.

• Contractors will be made aware during the toolbox talk of how easy it is for invasive weeds, such as Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera, to be spread and that they have a responsibility to ensure that all vehicles visiting the Site have not been previously to sites contaminated by an species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). If vehicles have been to such a site then it will be necessary for vehicles to be washed down prior to entering this Site.


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5.3 Habitat Creation and Enhancements

5.3.1 Approach This section describes the mitigation measures that will be implemented during the construction period at the Site to create and enhance habitats in and around the Site at Preston New Road. This should be read in conjunction with the Landscape Maintenance and Management Strategy. The location of the created and enhanced habitats within the final scheme design is shown in Appendix C Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy Plan. The proposed methods of habitat creation and management are described in more detail in the following sections.

5.3.2 Tree Planting and Management If standard trees are lost during hedgerow removal they will be replaced on a 2:1 basis, with common oak Quercus robur.

Planting will be undertaken between October and March and will not occur when the ground is frozen or during long periods of dry winter weather. The implementation of the planting mitigation should be carried out during the winter and where possible either con-currently or before the start of the Site operations.

To ensure that the planted trees establish effectively tree guards will be put in place and secured with canes to prevent grazing by deer and rabbit. Stock will be permanently excluded from the newly planted area in order to prevent tree loss.

The contract for planting the trees will include a maintenance contract for six years, which includes the replacement of all lost trees.

Weed control around the base of newly planted trees will be undertaken by the contractor. This should take the form of mulching or manual control. The use of chemical herbicides should be avoided where possible, to prevent impacts upon amphibians.


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Figure 5: Tree Species Recommended by Lancashire County Council

5.3.3 Hedgerows To compensate for the loss of approximately ̴ 40m (345m will be lowered) of hedgerow during construction of the Site, access road and gas connection, approximately 1,000m of species-rich hedgerows will be planted along existing boundary fence lines where a hedgerow is absent. In addition, approximately 700m of gappy hedgerows will be enhanced with additional plantings. The location of these measures is shown in Appendix C.

The implementation of the planting mitigation should be carried out during the winter and where possible either con-currently or before the start of the Site operations (planting season 1st October to 31st March). This will ensure that the hedgerows are established earlier in the scheme and can provide replacement habitat as soon as possible.

The hedgerows will be comprised of two rows of hedgerow trees and shrubs including hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, hazel Corylus avellana, blackthorn Prunus spinosa, dog rose Rosa canina agg., guelder rose Viburnum opulus and holly Ilex aquifolium.

The planting density will be 6 plants per metre and planting will be in staggered rows with 400mm between the rows. Groups of the same species will be planted together in a mosaic to reduce the risk of less competitive species being out-competed. Plantings will occur between October and March when the ground is not frozen. It is advised that planting occurs earlier in the season (October to


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December) to allow the plants more time to establish a network of feeder roots before the onset of spring.

To ensure that hedgerows establish successfully tree guards will be installed to prevent grazing by rabbits and deer. Maintenance will be undertaken annually for the first six years to ensure that the trees establish. This will include the removal of the tree guards once the trees have established.

Newly planted hedgerows will be protected by fencing to prevent grazing/browsing by stock which is kept in the adjacent pasture (fencing to be located 600mm from the centre of the hedgerow on each side).

Improvements to existing hedgerows (i.e. the filling up of gaps) will be conducted following the above guidance for new hedgerows.

All planting will utilise native species of local provenance in keeping with the habitats and species established within the wider landscape.


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5.3.4 Waterbodies The majority of the waterbodies located within 250m of the working area were observed to have limited aquatic growth and to be impacted by agriculture. It is proposed that waterbody 1, 4 and 9 is fenced to limit stock encroachment into these features. However, it will be necessary to provide a point where stock can reach water without standing in it. Due to ongoing impacts by wildfowl it is not proposed that these features are enhanced with additional plantings.

5.3.5 Ungrazed Corners Four field corners will be left ungrazed to provide habitat for sheltering brown hare (refer to Appendix C). These will be fenced to exclude all stock (refer to detail above) and to ensure that they are not impacted during silage cuts. The fencing will be modified so that there are gaps within these sections of fencing that will allow hares to move freely into and out of these corners.

5.3.6 Farmland Bird Habitat The farmland bird habitat will be seeded to provide improved foraging resource for birds such as linnet and skylark, which were both recorded within the study area. Therefore, the seed mix will include linseed, millet, kale, mustard, rape and cereals (it will not include maize or sorghum). This will also include wildflower species to act as a nectaring resource, attracting invertebrates and insectivorous bird species. The location of the farmland bird habitat is illustrated in Appendix C.

The seed mix will be sown in spring (March to May), each year of the full lifespan of the development. The seedbed should be prepared and the crop drilled as for a commercial arable crop. Sowing densities are detail below in Table 5.

Table 5: Suggested seed rates for crops. If part of a mixture then divide the figure by the number of crops in the mix Crop Seed rate kg / ha Kale 5 Cereal 125 Quinoa 10 Linseed 60 Rape 7.5

If cereals are to be used in the mix then it is often a good approach to sow the cereal crop and then broadcast the remaining seed before rolling to achieve good establishment. The wildflower mix may be subsequently sown over the seed/crop mix. It is proposed that a propriety wildflower mix is used with a high concentration of floral rich annuals.

Pesticide use is restricted to the use of contact non residual herbicides prior to sowing, spot treatment or weed-wipe of pernicious or alien species, and seed treatments to control seedling pests and diseases.

Annual crops should be replaced every spring but mixes with kale can be replaced every other spring.


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This crop has been located beyond the zone of influence by noise and light to ensure that it is of maximum value to birds.

These areas will be fenced to exclude stock and prevent accidental encroachment during silage cuts.

5.3.7 Bird Boxes In order to enhance the local area for tree sparrows (a Lancashire BAP species) 12 tree sparrow boxes are to be installed within an area of woodland. These will be installed either on trees or posts, in the absence of trees where the boxes can be installed approximately 2-3m above the ground (Refer to Appendix C for their location and Appendix D for an example of the type of box). Tree sparrows are colonial nesters, consequently specific sparrow boxes should be erected which support multiple breeding pairs and positioned in close proximity of each other.

5.4 Summary of Habitat Restored/Created in Relation to Habitat Disturbed/Lost

Table 6 summarises the areas of each habitat that will be affected by the construction phase of the Project and the areas of new and enhanced habitat provided.

Table 6: Areas of Compensation and Enhancement Habitat. Habitat Area lost Area of

compensation/ enhancement

Value of habitat affected

Improved grassland approx. 2.6 ha (this is the area inside the red line boundary for access and well pad)

Poor

Waterbodies Waterbodies 1, 4 and 9 are to be fenced and waterbody 1 and 4 enhanced with additional plantings.

Moderate

Ungrazed corners approx. 0.2 ha Moderate Farmland bird habitat

approx 2 ha Moderate

Watercourses Poor Hedgerows approx 40m (325m

lowered) approx 1000m new species-rich hedgerow and approx 700m enhancement to existing gappy hedgerow

Moderate

Woodland Moderate Arable Poor Amenity grassland/ tall ruderal

Poor


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6 6 Year Ecological Operational Management Plan

6.1 Introduction This chapter details measures to be implemented during the operational phase (after construction is complete and prior to decommissioning) of the Site to mitigate its effect on biodiversity. This Operational Management Plan includes control measures to reduce disruption during the operational activities at the main Site as well as periodic measures to maintain habitats.

In accordance with condition 2 of the planning permission granted on 6 October 2016, the maximum duration of operational activities will be 75 months from the commencement of the development.

6.2 Operational Control Measures The impact assessment of the operational phase identified that the sensitive receptors (breeding birds, wintering birds, brown hare and bats) were affected by the same impact pathways.

The significant impact pathways identified are as follows:

• Disturbance caused by night lighting and 24 hour operations;

• Disturbance caused by visual disturbance due to the movement of vehicles and personnel on Site; and

• Disturbance caused by noise disturbance, which will at times include sudden loud noises.

These impacts were also identified for the construction phase of the development.

Therefore, mitigation measures proposed during the construction phase to control noise, light and visual disturbance will be implemented during the operational phase. However, mitigation specific to the operational phase is detailed below.

• It was identified that a source of noise disturbance to wintering birds during the operational phase of the development would be noise emitted by the fracturing pumps, albeit that this noise would not be continuous and would be for a defined period of time.

• However, to mitigate against noise emissions in relation to wintering birds the fracturing pumps will be housed behind an acoustic barrier/fence. This hoarding will ensure that noise emissions are below 62 -50 dBLAeq within the field that pink footed geese have been recorded, which is in line with ambient noise levels.


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• Tool box talks which include training in relation to all wildlife on Site (bats, nesting birds, wintering birds, badger, water voles and brown hare) will be provided to all Site personnel prior to operational activities. The purpose of these talks will be to illustrate to each contractor how on an individual level they contribute to the mitigation. These talks will be seasonal, therefore nesting bird information will be delivered at the beginning of the season.

• Large machinery such as drilling rig or that associated with hydraulic fracturing will be located away from suitable foraging bat, nesting bird and brown hare habitat.

• Flare stacks will be located aware from boundary features to reduce the potential for bats encountering these structures. The position of the stacks within an illuminated compound will deter bats from approaching these structures.

• ‘Soft start ups’ will be employed (i.e. starting up pieces of machinery one by one and working up to the full activity levels gradually). This is to minimise any potential disturbance impacts as a result of impulsive / irregular noises emitted during operational activities.

• To reduce noise emissions from the pumps during hydraulic fracturing Cuadrilla will work with suppliers to select low noise pumps (e.g. placement of silencers on exhausts).

• All site lighting will be positioned to minimise light spillage onto adjacent areas of habitat (e.g. hedgerows, scrub, ungrazed corners, etc.). All lighting will be faced away from the eastern boundary and fitted hoods will be placed onto lighting.

Regular compliance checks will be undertaken by the appointed Ecological Clerk of Works to ensure that all measures provided are being correctly adopted and implemented during operational activities. The compliance checks will also monitor the effectiveness of the mitigation provided to identify whether it needs to be adjusted to reduce impacts upon key ecological receptors (refer to Section 4 Aims and Objectives).

6.3 Maintenance of Habitats During the operational phase of the development maintenance measures will be necessary for habitats in and around the main Site. This section details specific measures by habitat.

6.3.1 Trees If standard trees are lost during the construction phase these will be replaced.

As part of the maintenance contract (six years), the contractor will be instructed to remove the tree guards after six years but they will also be on site annually so can remove the guards earlier if it is considered appropriate. The Ecological Clerk of Works will also monitor this and provide additional instruction to the contractor if required.


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The Ecological Clerk of Works will inspect the fencing around the newly planted trees to ensure that it is effectively excluding stock.

6.3.2 Hedgerows The contract for planting the hedgerows will include a minimum of five years of maintenance. Therefore, the contractors will be required to ensure that each year the trees are weed free (manually or with herbicide if care is taken), tree guards are replaced if lost and any trees/shrubs lost will be replaced.

The use of fertilisers will be kept at least 2m away from hedge bottoms and ditches, and care will be taken not to allow them to run-off fields into hedge bottoms.

As part of the maintenance contract (six years), the contractor will be instructed to remove the tree guards after six years but they will also be on site annually so can remove the guards earlier if it is considered appropriate. The Ecological Clerk of Works will also monitor this and provide additional instruction to the contractor if required.

6.3.3 Un-Grazed Corners

The Ecological Clerk of Works will monitor these areas and determine whether a bi-annual rotational cut would be advantageous if these four areas are turning to scrub.

The Ecological Clerk of Works will inspect the fence annually to ensure that it continues to exclude stock, but allows hare to access.

6.3.4 Farmland Bird Habitat

The farmland bird habitat will need to be re-sown either each spring or every other spring depending on the type of seed mix applied. Refer to Section 5.3.5 for details on how to sow these areas. Consideration will also be given to changing the crop composition annually so that there is not a build-up of disease within the ground.

6.3.5 Bird boxes The tree sparrow boxes are to be cleared out every year between September and January (outside of the bird breeding season). All nest material, egg material (including unhatched eggs) and dead nestlings are to be removed from the boxes and if possible, the box should be disinfected. Any unused boxes should be recorded. If the box is continually found unused then the box should be moved to a more suitable location as determine by the Ecological Clerk of Works.

6.3.6 Invasive Weeds The well compound and the margins of the access track should be monitored annually by the Ecological Clerk of Works for invasive plant species such as


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Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica and giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum. If found to be present then a control programme will be implemented.


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7 Ecological Decommissioning and Restoration Management Plan

7.1 Introduction On completion of exploration works, the well pad and associated surface works will either be taken into production (subject to further consents and EIA) or decommissioned and the land restored to its current agricultural use.

Given that decommissioning and restoration activities will take place several years after the commencement of the development, the Ecological Decommissioning Plan will be fully defined one year prior to decommissioning. At this time updated ecological surveys will be undertaken to ensure that the plan reflects the current ecological status of the Site and it takes into account legislation and best practice guidance at that time.

It is anticipated that the majority of the control measures prescribed for the construction stage of the main Site within Section 5.2 will be implemented during the decommissioning and restoration of the Site. These control measures have been developed to prevent disturbance to wintering birds, breeding birds, bats, the accidental killing and injuring of brown hare and disturbance to habitat utilised by brown hare.

As the decommissioning and restoration plan will be dependent on the current ecological status of the Site, wildlife legislation, best practice guidance and the method by which the Site is decommissioned the plan will not be developed further at this time. However, it will be Cuadrilla’s and the Ecological Clerk of Works' responsibility to develop this document and obtain approval from the County Ecologist as to its content.


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8 Monitoring

8.1 Introduction Monitoring will be undertaken at all stages of the Project to ensure that control measures are implemented successfully and to enable changes to be made in the operation of the Site or to the mitigation measures installed.

The information collected will also provide information that can be used by Cuadrilla, the statutory nature conservation bodies and other stakeholders in relation to the impacts of the development.


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Table 7: Monitoring

Species/ habitat

Type of Survey Timing Success Criteria, where appropriate.

Sign off by Ecological Clerk of Works

Sign off by Site Manager

Information provided to Lancashire County Council Ecologist

Construction Period Bats More than two years will have passed since

the bat roost potential survey of trees. Therefore, all trees within the zone of influence of the development will be inspected as to their bat roost potential where practicable 3 months prior to works taking place on Site. This is to provide time to undertake the additional survey works detailed below. If it is determined that a tree with bat roost potential is to be directly or indirectly impacted then either an endoscope inspection or bat activity surveys will be required. It should be noted that bat activity surveys are seasonally constrained. These surveys will be completed in accordance with the current guidance.

Bat roost potential survey and endoscope survey can be completed any time of year Bat activity surveys can only be undertaken between May – September, during suitable weather conditions

No bat roosts are disturbed, damaged or destroyed by works, unless works are completed under licence and suitable mitigation is provided.

Summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist, within two months of works being completed.

Monitoring of bat activity will commence during the construction period, and will

One survey visit is completed in

Analysis of monitoring data to

Annual summary report to be


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Species/ habitat





continue into the operation phase. Three transects will be walked across the area within the zone of influence of the development. These will be completed in accordance with the current guidance. They will be spread over the survey season so that one survey visit is completed in late May/early June, one in late June/early July and one in late August/early September. Two automatic bat recorders will also be installed on site when each of the transects are completed. These will be left to record for three suitable bat activity nights. They will be positioned on the hedgerows that have been impacted/improved.

late May/early June, one in late June/early July and one in late August/early September.

determine any patterns/trends in activity and to assess efficacy of mitigation. Success indicator will be if species diversity remained equal to that prior to development and that bats continued to use connective linkages across the wider site at levels equal or greater than that recorded prior to development.

provided to the County Ecologist presenting the results of the findings, which include a review against baseline data.

Badgers Pre start survey to identify if badgers have constructed setts within 50m of the working area.

Any time of year Badger setts are not disturbed, damaged or destroyed by works, unless works are

Summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist, within two months of


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Species/ habitat





completed under licence and suitable mitigation is provided.

works being completed.

Nesting birds (only applicable during the bird nesting season March – August)

Pre start survey to identify if birds are nesting within the immediate zone of influence. Ideally all vegetation will be removed prior to the nesting season. If not, this will be monitored by an experienced ornithologist immediately prior to its removal for nesting birds. In addition, there is the potential for ground nesting birds within the fields that the access track and well pad will be constructed on. These will need to be monitored immediately prior to works for species such as lapwing. If construction works occur during the breeding bird period then weekly breeding bird surveys will be undertaken to assess how works are impacted on the manner in which birds utilise the Site.

March – August Active birds’ nests are not damaged or destroyed by works.

If applicable a summary report will be provided to the County Ecologist within two months of works being completed.


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Species/ habitat





Breeding Birds To monitor impacts of the development (not

just construction) on breeding birds surveys will be undertaken in accordance with the methodology and guidance described in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey documents6. In accordance with the baseline survey two transects will be walked each year, one in April and on in May.

One survey in April and one survey in May

Analysis of monitoring data to determine any patterns/trends in activity and to assess efficacy of mitigation (hedgerow, farmland bird habitat and sparrow boxes). Success indicator for mitigation will be if species diversity remained equal to that prior to development and that the number of breeding territories held are equal or greater than those

Annual summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist presenting the results of the findings, which includes a review against baseline data.

6 At the time of writing this documentation is available at www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs


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Species/ habitat





recorded prior to development.

Wintering birds (only applicable during the wintering bird season October to March)

If construction works occur during the wintering bird period then twice a month, during the wintering bird period vantage point surveys will be undertaken in accordance with the methodology and guidance described in ‘Survey methods for use in assessing the impact of proposed onshore wind farms on bird communities’. The survey will use the vantage points used for the monitoring prior to development, presented within the ES (additional monitoring points may need to be identified to include created farmland bird habitat). The surveyors will note the presence of all bird species. They will note whether any of the birds demonstrate behaviour that would suggest that they are responding to noise on site. This should be categorised as:

• no response, • response leading to birds moving

away on the ground,

October to March – twice a month

To understand how wintering birds respond to development and the success of the farmland bird habitat. Success indicator of mitigation will be the presence of bird species that would use the farmland bird habitat recorded prior to development and that they occur in either equal or greater numbers than previously recorded.

Annual summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist presenting the results of the findings, which includes a review against baseline data.


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Species/ habitat





• response leading to birds taking flight, but then returning back to site within a short duration; or

• response leading to birds taking flight and not returning.

The surveyor will record the location of all birds observed on site during the survey.

Great Crested Newts (GCN)

If the development is delayed by 2 years from the date of original survey then the waterbodies within 250m of the working area will be re-surveyed as to the presence or absence of GCNs in accordance with the current guidance. If GCNs are found to be present then a population assessment will be completed.

Mid-March to Mid-June

No GCN are killed or injured by works. GCN habitat is not disturbed, damaged or destroyed by works, unless works are completed under licence and suitable mitigation is provided.


Common amphibians including toad

Where possible at the base of hedgerows that are to be removed long grass should be cut down to the ground during the winter period when amphibians are unlikely to be present.

Nov – Feb

No common amphibians are killed or injured by

Summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist, within


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Species/ habitat





If this is not possible long grassland at the base of the hedgerow to be removed is to be cut in phases (15cm, 5cm, down to the ground). After each cut the cutting will be removed and the area left for 24 hours to allow animals to relocate themselves. After the cut to 5cm the Ecological Clerk of Works will undertake a fingertip search to ensure that no animals remain.

March - October

works, were possible

two months of works being completed.

Reptiles Where possible at the base of hedgerows that are to be removed long grass should be cut down to the ground during the winter period when reptiles are unlikely to be present. Long grassland at the base of the hedgerow to be removed by phased cutting (15cm, 5cm, down to the ground). After each cut the cutting will be removed and the area left for 24 hours to allow animals to relocate themselves. After the cut to 5cm the Ecological Clerk of Works will undertake a fingertip survey to ensure that no animals remain.

Nov – Feb March - October

No common reptiles are killed or injured by works.



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Species/ habitat





Contractors to inform the Ecological Clerk of Works if they see any reptiles on Site. The contractors will be made aware of this requirement to report on species observed during the tool box talks.

Operation Period Woodland Monitor tree establishment if replacement

tree planting occurs. Implement any measures required to ensure the success of these plantings (e.g. replacement of trees, thinning, guard removal, fence repairs, releasing from grasses).

April - October Success indicator: No more than 10% loss after six years.

Report presenting how the mitigation has established will be issued to the County Ecologist on conclusion of the six year period.

Hedgerows Monitor tree and shrub establishment within the hedgerows. Implement any measures required to ensure the success of these plantings (e.g. tree replacement, thinning, guard removal, fence repairs, releasing from grasses).

April - October Success indicator: No more than 10% loss after six years. No gaps in planted hedgerow due to tree loss. Six

Report presenting how the mitigation has established will be issued to the County Ecologist


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Species/ habitat





species present in those areas planted to this specification.

on conclusion of the six year period.

Invasive botanical species

Annual invasive botanical species survey along the site access track (including Japanese knotweed) is to be undertaken by the ECoW which will inform control works, as appropriate.

April - October Success indicator: No invasive weeds present on Site at the end of the six year period.

N/A

Bats Bat transect surveys are to be completed during the first three years of operation to assess how bats are responding to the active Site. Three survey visits will be completed each year with the first survey visit in late May, the second in late June/early July and then third in late August/early September. Undertaking three years of survey will allow the impact of any amendments made to lighting to be monitored. The ECoW will assess whether this monitoring needs to be extended after the third year to understand how bats are responding to the elevated light levels and the new hedgerow plantings. A static recorder will be installed in two

Transect Surveys – The first survey visit will be completed in late May, the second in late June/early July and then third in late August/early September

Analysis of monitoring data to determine any patterns/trends in activity and to assess efficacy of mitigation. Success indicator for mitigation will be determined if species diversity remained equal to that prior to development and

Annual summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist presenting the results of the findings, which include a review against baseline data. In consultation with the County Ecologist a review will be completed at the


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Species/ habitat





locations within the Site for three consecutive nights (surveys will be completed in accordance with current guidance) starting on the night that the transect is undertaken. These surveys will be undertaken during suitable weather conditions for bats.

that bats continued to use connective linkages across the wider site at levels equal or greater than that recorded prior to development.

end of the monitoring period to assess if monitoring should be continued.

Brown Hare Ecological Clerk of Works will monitor scrub development and will implement control if required on a rotational basis.

Any time of year Success indicator: No scrub encroachment - maintain tall grassland/forb habitat.

Report presenting how the mitigation has established will be issued to the County Ecologist on conclusion of the six year period.

Breeding birds

A breeding bird survey will be completed in year 1, 3 and 6 in accordance with the methodology described in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey documents, available at www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs. Two survey visits will be undertaken. One in April

Breeding bird survey April and May. Bird box inspection -

Analysis of monitoring data to determine any patterns/trends in activity and to assess efficacy of mitigation

Annual summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist presenting the results of the findings, which

http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs


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Species/ habitat





and on in May. The surveyor will walk a predetermined transect, in line with that completed prior to development on Site, and presented in the ES. The bird boxes will be cleaned out annually and if it is observed during this process that they have been unoccupied for 2 years then Ecological Clerk of Works should identify an alternative location.

October – January annually.

(hedgerow, farmland bird habitat and sparrow boxes). Success of the mitigation will be determined if species diversity remained equal to that prior to development and that the number of breeding territories held are equal or greater than those recorded prior to development.

include a review against baseline data. In consultation with the County Ecologist a review will be completed at the end of the monitoring period to assess if monitoring should be continued.

Wintering Birds

Wintering birds within the zone of influence of the development should be monitored twice a month, during the wintering bird period, for the first three years of operation (this is to include the planted farmland bird habitat). After three years the ECoW will

October - March To understand how wintering birds respond to development and the success of the

Annual summary report to be provided to the County Ecologist presenting the results of the


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Species/ habitat





determine whether the data collected indicates whether birds are responding to the development and whether mitigation is required or if monitoring needs to be extended to gain an understanding of how birds are responding. The survey will use the vantage points used for the monitoring prior to development, presented within the ES (additional monitoring points may need to be identified to take in the created farmland bird habitat). The surveyors will note the presence of all bird species. They will note whether any of the birds demonstrate behaviour that would suggest that they are responding to noise on site. This should be categorised as:

• no response, • response leading to birds moving

away on the ground, • response leading to birds taking flight,

but then returning back to site within a short duration; or

• response leading to birds taking flight and not returning.

farmland bird habitat. Success of the mitigation will be the presence of bird species that use farmland bird habitat recorded prior to development and that they occur in either equal numbers or greater numbers than previously recorded.

findings, which include a review against baseline data. In consultation with the County Ecologist a review will be completed at the end of the monitoring period to assess if monitoring should be continued.


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Species/ habitat





The surveyor will record the location of all birds observed on site during the survey.

Decommissioning All species/ habitats

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA - including a Phase 1 Habitat Survey and assessment of the potential for habitats to support protected species) will be undertaken to assess the value of the habitats on Site and to scope the need for protected species surveys. Note: the surveys scoped below are based on the current understanding of the Site, this may have changed by the time the Site is decommissioned.

Any time of year. N/A PEA to be issued to County Ecologist within 2 months of reports being completed.

Bats Trees located within the zone of influence of the works will be surveyed as to their bat roost potential. If trees are found to have bat roost potential then either an endoscope survey or bat activity surveys will be completed.

Bat roost potential survey and endoscope survey can be completed any time of year

Bat activity surveys can only

No bat roosts are disturbed, damaged or destroyed by works, unless a licence has been obtained and suitable mitigation implemented.

Bat Survey Report to be issued to County Ecologist within 2 months of reports being completed.


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Species/ habitat





be undertaken between May – September, during suitable weather conditions

Badger Badger survey to be completed at least three months prior to decommissioning within the zone of influence of the development.

Any time of year No badger setts are disturbed, damaged or destroyed by works, unless a licence has been obtained and suitable mitigation implemented.

Badger Survey Report to be issued to County Ecologist within 2 months of reports being completed.

Nesting birds (only applicable during the bird nesting season March – August)

The Phase 1 habitat survey will scope whether a breeding bird survey is required the season before decommissioning and restoration occurs. Pre start survey to identify if birds are nesting within the immediate zone of influence. Ideally all vegetation will be removed prior to the nesting season. If not, this will be

March – August Active birds’ nests will not be damaged or destroyed by works.

To be confirmed, what reporting would be required.


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monitored by an experienced ornithologist immediately prior to its removal for nesting birds.

Wintering Birds (only required if decommissioning and restoration is to occurring in the wintering bird period)

Wintering bird surveys should be completed in the winter prior to decommissioning within the zone of influence. This requires two survey visits a month from October to March, in accordance with the methodology specified above (Table 7 Construction Period – Wintering Birds).

October - March SPA qualifying bird species are not significantly disturbed by works.

If appropriate and Habitats Regulation Screening Assessment will be completed and provided to the County Ecologist and Natural England.

Great Crested Newts (GCN)

A GCN presence and absence survey is likely to be required the season prior to decommissioning and restoration. This requires four survey visits between mid-March to mid-June with two of the visits occurring in mid-April to mid-May to all ponds within 250m of the works.

Mid-March to Mid-June

No GCN will be killed or injured. GCN habitat will not be damaged, destroyed or lost.

Great Crested Newt Survey Report would be provided to the County Ecologist within 2 months of reports being completed..

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Appendix A

Phase 1 Habitat Survey Plan


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A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

A AA A

A A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A AA A A A A A A A A A A A A WB1

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Job No230382-00Drawing No IssueAppendix A P1

Drawing StatusISSUE

Job Title

Client

13 Fitzroy StreetLondon W1T 4BQTel +44 20 7636 1531 Fax +44 20 7580 3924www.arup.com

0 150 30075

Metres

LegendSite Location

Phase 1 Habitat MappingA1.1.1- Broadleaved Woodland- semi-naturalA2.1- Dense Scrub

I I II I I B4- Improved Grassland

C3.1- Tall Ruderal HerbsG1 - Standing water

A A AA A A

J1.1- ArableG2- Running WaterJ2.1.2- Intact Species- Poor Hedgerow

! A3.1- Broadleaved Parkland/scattered treesNo Access

!°

© Arup

Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd.

Preston New Road Exploration Site

A3

MXD Location

Preston New RoadPhase 1 Habitat Survey Map

Scale at A31:5,500

© Copyright Information

Issue Date By Chkd Appd

P1 22/05/14 AM KP RC

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Appendix B

Legislation and Status


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Legislation and Status Several species identified by the ecological surveys and desk study are protected by both domestic and European law, details of which are listed below:

Bats Legislation

British bat species are fully protected through their inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and in Schedule 2 of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2010 as European protected species. Under the legislation, it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take a bat as well as intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a bat or disturb an animal while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for that purpose.

All UK bat species are also included in the Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plan, which has set targets to increase populations of the species.

National and Regional Status

There are eighteen species of bat which occur within Britain, of these eight have been recorded within Lancashire.

Badgers Legislation

The badger receives strict protection under the Protection of Badger Act 1992. Under the Act it is an offence to:

• Wilfully or attempt to kill, injure or take a badger. • Possess a dead badger or any part of a badger. • Sell or offer for sale or control any live badger. • Mark, tag or ring a badger. • Use badger tongs in the course of killing, taking or attempting to kill a

badger. • Dig for a badger.

In addition to the protection of the animal specifically, the sett itself is also protected and it is an offence to:

• Interfere with a badger sett by damaging a sett or any part thereof. • Wilfully destroy a sett, obstruct access to a sett or disturb a badger while

occupying a sett. • Cause a dog to enter a sett.

The 1992 Act defines a badger sett as ‘any structure or place which displays signs indicating current use by a badger.’


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National Status Badgers occur across most of the UK, albeit that their distribution is uneven. The highest population densities are generally across the south-west of England. By comparison, there are relatively few badgers in the northern part of Scotland

Brown hare Legislation

Brown hare is listed as a priority species within both the UK and Lancashire BAP. The north-west in particular has been identified as an area which has suffered a significant decline in brown hare populations.

National Status

The brown hare has declined by more than 80% during the past 100 years in the UK and the decline is ongoing. In some parts of Britain, such as the south-west, the brown hare is almost a rarity and may even be locally extinct.

Breeding birds Legislation

All wild birds are protected under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) in that it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird or take, damage or destroy the nest (whilst being built or in use) or its eggs. Species listed in Schedule 1 of the Act are afforded further protection in that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird included in Schedule 1 while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; or disturb dependent young of such a bird.

National and Regional Status

The revision of the UK wild bird indicator (which is a ‘headline’ indicator generated by combining the trends of 106 widespread breeding bird species across the UK, for which annual or periodically collected data on numbers are available) identifies that in general all bird species have declined since the 1970s and numbers have undergone a further small decline between 2000-2002 (RSPB et al. 2003). However, in general numbers have stabilized, after their initial decline since the early 1980s. In an attempt to prevent numbers continuing to fall 59 bird species were listed as priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (JNCC, 2010). Regionally eight bird species have also been identified as priority species within the Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plan including lapwing, black-tailed godwit, farmland birds, hen harrier, reed bunting, skylark, song thrush and twite, as species for which conservation action should be encouraged within the county.

Wintering birds Legislation

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended) transposed the European Community (EC) Directive Conservation of Natural Habitats & Flora (92/43/EEC) into national law. They offer protection to a number of plant and animal species throughout the EC via the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). This is the case in relation to wintering


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birds within the Flyde Region, which receive protection as a number of species are listed as qualifying species of the SPA.

Amphibians Legislation

The great crested newt is fully protected through its inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) and in Schedule 2 of The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations, 2010 (as amended) as a European protected species. Under the legislation, it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take a great crested newt as well as intentionally or recklessly disturb, damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a great crested newt or disturb an animal while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for that purpose. The legislation applies to great crested newts in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats and to all life stages.

Common toad has been included in Section 41: Species of Principal Importance in England under the NERC Act 2006. Great creased newts and common toads are also UK BAP Priority Species.

National and Regional status

All amphibian species within the UK are on the decline for several reasons including habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. In addition they have been persecuted and collected by humans. The great crested newt have been identified within the Lancashire BAP as species for which conservation action should be encouraged within the county.

Reptiles Legislation

Common reptiles (inc. common lizard, adder, grass snake and slow worm) receive partial protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Therefore, it is an offence to injure or kill a common reptile.

National and Regional status

All amphibian species within the UK are on the decline for several reasons including habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. In addition they have been persecuted and collected by humans.

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Appendix C

Biodiversity Mitigation Plan


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Job No230382-00Drawing No IssueAppendix C P1

Drawing StatusISSUE

Job Title

Client

13 Fitzroy StreetLondon W1T 4BQTel +44 20 7636 1531 Fax +44 20 7580 3924www.arup.com

0 150 30075

Metres

LegendExtent of surfaceworksArea to containtree sparrow nestboxesFencingEnhancement ofexisting hedgerowsfor site fauna

Sections of newhedgerow withspecies rich margin

Farmland BirdHabitatUngrazed cornersfor sheltering hare

!°

© Arup

Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd.

Preston New Road Exploration Site

A3

MXD Location

Preston New Road - Biodiversity Mitigation Strategy

Scale at A31:5,500

© Copyright Information

Issue Date By Chkd Appd

P1 21-10-16 AM LS RC

WB9

Note: Fencing will be located 0.5m from the topof the waterbody to be fenced. Fencing of hare corners and bird habitat will be located along theboundary edge and will be designed to deter grazing. Fencing surrounding new and enhanced hedgerows will be located 0.6m from the centre line and again will be designed to prevent cattle grazing. Tree sparrow nest boxes will be located on appropriatetrees or posts within the area denoted on the map.

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Appendix D

Structural Enhancements


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Structural Enhancements Model Tree sparrow box

Species Tree sparrows

Material Wood

Dimensions 310mm height x 370mm width x 185mm. Weight: 2.5kg

Number/ location on site

12 erected in clusters of 3 along the species rich hedgerow.

Notes Tree sparrows are colonial nesting birds therefore the boxes should be positioned in clusters in the hedgerow

Photo

Temporary shale gas exploration at Preston New Road, … · ruderal herbs and rank grass species...

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