badger survey at 101 bankside lane bacup lancashire ol13 8hp

JCA Limited 2013

BADGER SURVEY

at 101 Bankside Lane

Bacup Lancashire OL13 8HP

Client: TD Jagger Limited Client Address: 3 Richmond House Caldene Business Park Mytholmroyd Halifax HX7 5QJ Client Contact: 10422 883 317 (Telephone) JCA Ref: 10901/KS

Badger Survey at: 101 Bankside Lane, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 8HP. JCA Ref: 10901/KS of 16

JCA Limited 2013

Contents

1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3

1.1 Purpose of the Report .................................................................................................................................3

1.2 Terms of Reference ....................................................................................................................................3

1.3 Proposed Development...............................................................................................................................3

1.4 Survey Details ............................................................................................................................................3

2. Law and Legislation .......................................................................................................................4

3. Desktop Study .................................................................................................................................5

3.1 Methodology...............................................................................................................................................5

3.2 Results ........................................................................................................................................................6

4. Survey ..............................................................................................................................................7

4.1 Method........................................................................................................................................................7

4.2 Results .........................................................................................................................................................8

5. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................9

6. References..................................................................................................................................10

Appendix 1: Badger Survey...............................................................................................................12

Appendix 2: Photographs...................................................................................................................13

Appendix 3: Landscape..................................................................................................................15


JCA Limited 2013

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the Report

1.1.1 A report is required at 101 Bankside Lane, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 8HP, to provide detailed, independent, ecological advice on Badgers (Meles meles), in the context of potential development.

1.1.2 If signs of Badger activity are discovered, the report will aim to describe how badgers are using the site, and then discuss what impact the proposed development will have on this species.

1.2 Terms of Reference

1.2.1 I am instructed by T D Jagger Limited to survey the site and produce my findings in a report.

1.2.2 For this purpose I have been supplied with a map (Ref:1537-12-02).

1.3 Proposed Development

1.3.1 The development proposed on the site is the construction of a residential property.

1.4 Survey Details

1.4.1 The survey was conducted on the 16th of November 2012 by Kieran Shaw BSc (Hons) GradIEEM.

1.4.2 101 Bankside Lane, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 8HP is located 1.6km south of Bacup at Grid Reference (GR): SD 86488 22284.

1.4.3 Bankside Lane features residential housing to the east with old garages to the west. To the south there is a field which accommodates horses and beyond that an industrial warehouse. To the north there are large areas of open grassland. The site slopes down rather steeply towards the south.


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2. Law and Legislation

2.1 Badgers (Meles meles) are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

2.2 Under this legislation it is an offense to:

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

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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3. Desktop Study

3.1 Methodology

3.1.1 A desktop study has been undertaken in order to obtain all relevant badger records surrounding the site. Resources used include the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) and the Lancashire Badger Group.

3.1.2 The NBN website was searched in order to obtain any and all badger records within the last 10 years, relating to this site. The NBN website holds ecological records collected across the UK from a variety of sources and is available for public use. The website operates by dividing the country into a series of 10 km square grids, and so the records held for the 10 km grid containing the survey site was reviewed.

3.1.3 Both the Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) and the Nature on the Map websites have been used to locate any designated sites, which may relate to badgers.


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3.2 Results

3.2.1 NBN Gateway:

No records were found within the NBN Gateway data search.

3.2.2 Lancashire Badger Group:

3.2.3 Nature Conservation Designations:

Two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – Greens Moor Quarry and Lee Quarries, located about 2 km south of the site.

Grid Reference (GR) Distance from site (km)

SD868226 0.5

SD868226 0.5

SD858223 0.624

SD855225 0.951

SD855226 0.98

SD857222 0.727

SD867227 0.51

SD856222 0.826

SD867227 0.51

SD865230 0.732

SD86932205 0.534 SD8680922085 0.411

SD8686421977 0.521


JCA Limited 2013

4. Survey

4.1 Method

4.1.1 The entire site, including a 50m buffer zone around the site boundary, was walked over by an Ecologist, looking for signs of badger activity. Special attention was given to any areas of suitable Badger habitat present on site, such as any woodland, hedgerows or dense scrub,

4.1.2 Signs of activity include:

• Setts (Main, Annex, Subsidiary and Outlier)

• Paths

• Latrines

• Footprints

• Hairs

• Scratching Posts

• Snuffle Holes

4.1.2 Equipment:

• Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Map

• Weatherwriter

• Binoculars

• Camera


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4.2 Results

4.2.1 Weather during the survey consisted of: Temperature: 12°C, Wind Direction: North, Wind Speed: 12mph, Humidity: 87% and Precipitation: None.

4.2.2 Hairs: No hairs were observed on the 16th November 2012. It should be noted however that in a survey and report conducted by Mr Andrew Hardman of the Lancashire Badger Group he found evidence of Badger in the form of hairs caught on barbed wire. This was located underneath one of the adjacent garages. It is therefore fair to state that Badgers have been in that specific area at one time.

4.2.3 Latrines: No Latrines were observed.

4.2.4 Setts: No Setts were observed.

4.2.5 Paths: A single path was observed cutting across the site from the garages towards the Rose hip bushes on the western side of the site. Vegetation was incredibly dense and therefore made it impossible to establish evidence of Badgers. As previously stated in the report written by Mr Andrew Hardman of the Lancashire Badger Croup this is clearly attributed to the presence of Badgers. It is therefore advised that clearance of this vegetation is overseen and supervised by a suitably qualified Ecologist to not only determine the presence of Badger but also to ensure that no harm comes to the species. Moreover, it is necessary for the formation of a path through the site to allow commuting Badgers access to the adjacent field to the south providing access to Setts and foraging grounds. This should also be constructed with the guidance and presence of an Ecologist.

4.2.6 Scratching Posts: No Scratching Posts were observed.

4.2.7 Snuffle Holes: No Snuffle Holes were observed.

4.2.8 Footprints: No Footprints were observed.

4.2.9 Day Nests: No Day Nests were observed.

4.2.10 Target Notes:

Target Note 1: Illegal fly tipping has taken place with piles of tree cutting and a “For Sale” sign being deposited on the land.

Target Note 2 and 3: From the site survey it is evident that a path has developed across the site. This is shown by bent over tall grass and erosion causing exposed soil. It is possible that this has been caused by Badger activity (As illustrated in Mr Hadman’s report), however is possible that this is a result of human activity.


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5. Conclusion

5.1.1 A Badger Survey was conducted at 101 Bankside Lane, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 8HP, by Kieran Shaw BSc (Hons) GradIEEM on the 16th of November 2012.

5.1.2 As the site has been used for fly tipping and featured tall dense vegetation the presence of Badger was difficult to determine. However this does not alter the final conclusion of the report.

5.1.3 It is possible that the species travel through the area however this is considered to be Low-Medium . This is due to no concrete badger activity been observed apart from a possible Badger path cutting across the site, it is possible that this is the result of human activity, please see report by Andrew Hardman.

5.1.4 It is therefore recommended that the clearing of vegetation specifically the Rosehip on site on the east be supervised by a suitably qualified Ecologist. In addition the Ecologist will advise on and oversee the formation of a path to allow any Badgers in the area a suitable commuting route without disruption through the site to the adjacent Field to the South. Therefore allowing access to potential setts and foraging grounds.

5.1.5 JCA Limited recommends that clearance of the site is done so with vigilance and upon discovery of any Badger activity JCA Limited or Natural England contacted and all work stopped immediately.


JCA Limited 2013

6. References

The Badger Trust (2012). [Online] Available from: http://www.badger.org.uk/Content/Home.asp [Accessed: 19th November 2012]. Google Maps (2012). [Online] Available from: http://maps.google.co.uk/ [Accessed: 19th November 2012]. Multiple-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC). <http://www.magic.gov.uk/> National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway. <data.nbn.org.uk> Natural England. < http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/> Nature on the Map. Natural England. <www.natureonthemap.org.uk> Relevant Legislation: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 <http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-3614> Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (The Habitats Directive) (Amended 2010) <http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/490/contents/made> Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 <http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37/pdfs/ukpga_20000037_en.pdf?view=interweave> Protection of Badger Act 1992 <http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/51/contents>


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Appendices

N

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S

W

Appendix 1: Badger Survey

KEY

Arboricultural & Forestry Consultants

Lim

it ed

PAPER SIZE : A3SCALE : 1:500

Target note

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La n

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1.

2.


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Appendix 2: Photographs

Figure 1: View from top of site looking south.

Figure 2: Bottom of site looking towards horse field.


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Figure 3: Path, probably a cause of illegal fly tipping by humans.


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Appendix 3: Landscape

Figure 4: Image of landscape.


JCA Limited 2013

I hope that this report provides all the necessary information, but should any further advice be needed please do not hesitate to contact the author.

Signed

....................................................................

Kieran Shaw BSc (Hons) GradIEEM

12thth February 2013

For and on behalf of JCA Ltd

Registered Office:

Unit 80 Bowers Mill Branch Road Barkisland

Halifax HX4 OAD

Tel. 01422 376335 Fax. 01422 376232

Email: [email protected] www.jcaac.com

Report printed on recycled paper

badger survey at 101 bankside lane bacup lancashire ol13 8hp

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