ecology and protected species survey barns at...

ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY

BARNS AT SUDBROOK HOUSE FARM, HIGH DIKE, ANCASTER, GRANTHAM, LINCOLNSHIRE

MAY 2016

Issued to: RG Simpson Ltd c/o Owen Bond at Brown & Co. The Atrium St George’s Street Norwich NR3 1AB

Brookfield House

Chapel Lane Tattershall Thorpe

Lincolnshire LN4 4PG

Telephone:01526 344726 or 01205 723342

E-mail:[email protected]

Company registration number:8087266 VAT registration number:994957340

Barns at Sudbrook House Farm, Ancaster May 2016

Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd

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ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY, BARNS AT SUDBROOK HOUSE FARM, HIGH DIKE,

ANCASTER, GRANTHAM, LINCOLNSHIRE

Report to: RG Simpson Ltd

c/o Owen Bond at Brown & Co.

The Atrium

St George’s Street

Norwich

NR3 1AB

Report title: Ecology and Protected Species Survey,

Barns at Sudbrook House Farm, High

Dike, Ancaster, Grantham, Lincolnshire

Revision: Final Original issue date: May 2016

Amended: N/A Originated by: Gemma Watkinson Date: Assistant ecologist 17th May 2016 Reviewed by: Ian Nixon Date: Director 19th May 2016

Approved by: Helen Scarborough Date: 22nd May 2016

The findings of these surveys will remain valid for a period of 12 months.



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ECOLOGY AND PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY, BARNS AT SUDBROOK HOUSE FARM, HIGH DIKE, ANCASTER,

GRANTHAM, LINCOLNSHIRE

Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1

2 METHODS ........................................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Data search ............................................................................................................................ 2

2.2 Bats ........................................................................................................................................ 2

2.2.1 Daylight inspection .............................................................................................................. 2

2.2.2 Evening emergence survey ................................................................................................ 2

2.2.3 Dawn re-entry survey .......................................................................................................... 3

2.2.4 Automated bat detector system .......................................................................................... 3

2.3 Birds ....................................................................................................................................... 3

2.3.1 Common bird species ......................................................................................................... 3

2.3.2 Schedule 1 species ............................................................................................................. 3

2.4 Habitats and plant species ...................................................................................................... 3

3 SITE DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................... 4

3.1 Location and grid reference .................................................................................................... 4

3.2 Existing barn buildings ............................................................................................................ 4

3.2.1 Building 1 ............................................................................................................................ 4

3.2.2 Building 2 ............................................................................................................................ 5

3.2.3 Building 3 ............................................................................................................................ 6

3.2.4 Building 4 ............................................................................................................................ 7

3.2.5 Buildings 5 and 6 ................................................................................................................ 8

3.2.6 Building 7 ............................................................................................................................ 8

3.2.7 Building 8 ............................................................................................................................ 9



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3.2.8 Building 9 ............................................................................................................................ 9

3.2.9 Building 10 ........................................................................................................................ 10

3.3 Site boundaries and surrounding habitats ............................................................................ 11

4 RESULTS .......................................................................................................................... 11

4.1 Data search .......................................................................................................................... 11

4.2 Bats ...................................................................................................................................... 12

4.2.1 Daylight inspection ............................................................................................................ 12

4.2.2 Evening emergence survey .............................................................................................. 16

4.2.3 Dawn re-entry survey ........................................................................................................ 18

4.2.4 Automated bat detector system ........................................................................................ 18

4.3 Birds ..................................................................................................................................... 20

4.3.1 Common bird species ....................................................................................................... 20

4.3.2 Schedule 1 species ........................................................................................................... 23

4.4 Habitats and plant species .................................................................................................... 24

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................... 24

5.1 Bats ...................................................................................................................................... 24

5.1.1 Legal protection ................................................................................................................ 24

5.1.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................................ 25

5.2 Birds ..................................................................................................................................... 27

5.2.1 Legal protection ................................................................................................................ 27

5.2.2 Recommendations for common bird species .................................................................... 27

5.2.3 Recommendations for Schedule 1 species ....................................................................... 28

6 SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 28

7 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 29

FIGURE 1 ................................................................................................................................. 30

Existing buildings plan ...................................................................................................................... 30



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APPENDIX 1 ............................................................................................................................ 31

Plant Species List ............................................................................................................................. 31

APPENDIX 2 ............................................................................................................................ 34

Data Search Information ................................................................................................................... 34

APPENDIX 3 ............................................................................................................................ 35

Procedure to follow in the event of finding bats on site ..................................................................... 35

APPENDIX 4 ............................................................................................................................ 37

Bat roost features .......................................................................................................................... 37

APPENDIX 5 ............................................................................................................................ 41

Barn owl roosting features ................................................................................................................ 41

Photographs Photograph 1: Aerial view of the proposed development site (outlined in red) ....................................... 4 Photograph 2: Northern elevation of building 1 ...................................................................................... 5 Photograph 3: Example of cracks and gaps in internal brickwork .......................................................... 5

Photograph 4: View of upper storey of building 1 ................................................................................... 5 Photograph 5: Southern elevation of building 1 ...................................................................................... 5 Photograph 6: Eastern elevation of building 2 ........................................................................................ 6 Photograph 7: Southern elevation of building 2 ...................................................................................... 6

Photograph 8: Vegetation within open fronted section at south of building ............................................ 6 Photograph 9: Internal view of roof covering of building 2 ...................................................................... 6 Photograph 10: Southern elevation of building 3 .................................................................................... 7 Photograph 11: Northern and western elevations of building 3 .............................................................. 7

Photograph 12: Example of gaps in stonework on exterior of building 3 ................................................ 7 Photograph 13: Western elevation of building 3 ..................................................................................... 7 Photograph 14: Southern elevation of building 4 with thick ivy covering ................................................ 8 Photograph 15: Southern elevation of building 5 .................................................................................... 8

Photograph 16: Open sided machinery store (building 6) ...................................................................... 8 Photograph 17: Southern and western elevations of building 7 .............................................................. 9



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Photograph 18: Western elevation of building 8 ..................................................................................... 9 Photograph 19: Northern elevation of building 8 .................................................................................... 9 Photograph 20: Southern and western elevations of building 9 ............................................................ 10

Photograph 21: Northern elevation of building 10 and eastern elevation of building 9 ......................... 10 Photograph 22: Interior of building 10 .................................................................................................. 10 Photograph 23: Adjacent Sudbrook Farm house .................................................................................. 11 Photograph 24: Surrounding arable landscape .................................................................................... 11

Photograph 25: Adjacent trees at west of site ...................................................................................... 11 Photograph 26: Old bat dropping in building 7 ..................................................................................... 16 Photograph 27: Old brown long-eared bat dropping ............................................................................. 16 Photograph 28: Disused swallow nest within building 1 ....................................................................... 22

Photograph 29: Jackdaw nest down chimney in building 1 .................................................................. 22 Photograph 30: Active blackbird nest within ivy on building 4 .............................................................. 23 Photograph 31: Bird box on northern elevation of building 1 ................................................................ 23 Photograph 32: Active pigeon nest in building 6 ................................................................................... 23

Photograph 33: Barn owl pellet in building 10 ...................................................................................... 24

Tables

Table 1: Assessment of survey site to support roosting, foraging and commuting bats ....................... 13 Table 2: Surveyor 1 located south east of building 3 ............................................................................ 16 Table 3: Surveyor 2 located south of building 4 .................................................................................... 17

Table 4: Surveyor 3 located at north of building 1 ................................................................................ 17 Table 5: Surveyor 4 located at north east of building 7 ........................................................................ 18 Table 6: Results of dawn re-entry survey ............................................................................................. 18 Table 7: Common birds seen on site .................................................................................................... 21



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1 INTRODUCTION

Scarborough Nixon Associates Ltd has been commissioned by Owen & Bond Architects on

behalf of Martyn Simpson, to undertake an ecology and protected species survey of the barns

at Sudbrook House Farm, High Dike, Ancaster, Lincolnshire. The survey is in connection with

plans to convert the barn buildings for residential use.

The site was initially surveyed on 27th April 2016, in dry and bright conditions, by Ian Nixon

(registered to use Natural England class licences WML-CL19 and WML-CL20 to survey bats;

registration numbers 2015-12336-CLS-CLS and 2015-12338-CLS-CLS respectively and barn

owl survey licence number 2014-2300-SCI-SCI), Zac Hinchcliffe and Gemma Watkinson. An

evening emergence survey and a pre-dawn re-entry survey were carried out in May by Ian

Nixon, Helen Scarborough (registered to use Natural England Class Licences WML-CL19 and

WML-CL20 to survey bats; registration numbers 2015-12691-CLS-CLS and 2015-12692-CLS-

CLS respectively), Celia Commowick, Gemma Watkinson and Zac Hinchliffe.

During the initial appraisal of the site the protected species considered likely to occur were

identified. These were:

• Bats

• Common bird species

• Schedule 1 bird species

There are no ponds on or within 500m of the survey site, and there are no wet ditches on the

site. The site is therefore not considered suitable to support a population of breeding great

crested newts Triturus cristatus or water vole Arvicola amphibius. Due to the isolated nature of

the site from other suitable habitat, the site is also not considered suitable to support a

population of common reptile species. No signs of use by badger were noted during the

surveys.

This report details the methods used, describes the species found on the site, discusses the



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results and makes recommendations for further work. English names of higher plants are used

throughout the text. Plant names are those used by Stace (2010).

2 METHODS

2.1 Data search The Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre (LERC) was consulted and commissioned on

the 28th April 2016 to undertake a search for sites with statutory and non-statutory designation

and records of protected species within 1km of the proposed development site.

2.2 Bats 2.2.1 Daylight inspection

The existing barn buildings on site were inspected on the 27th April 2016, and with the aid of

ladders and high powered torches, they were checked for any gaps and dark corners with

potential for roosting bats, where it was safe to do so. Where accessible, all undisturbed

surfaces were inspected for evidence of past and present occupation by bats. This includes

droppings, urine or fur staining around possible access points and roost areas, lack of

cobwebs, feeding remains such as moth wings or other insect parts and the bodily remains of

bats (English Nature, 2004).

The site and adjacent areas were also assessed for potential foraging and commuting habitats

for bats. Any mature trees in close proximity to the buildings were assessed for their potential

to support roosting bats and visually checked with the assistance of binoculars for features

such as woodpecker holes, broken limbs, snag ends and rot holes, dense ivy and flaking bark.

2.2.2 Evening emergence survey

A team of 4 surveyors undertook a dusk emergence survey on 3rd May 2016. The survey was

carried out under suitable weather conditions with 3/8 cloud cover, light breeze, 10.9 – 8.2ºC,

62 – 67% relative humidity. One surveyor was located on the north western side of building 1,

one surveyor at the south of building 4, one surveyor on the south eastern side of building 3,

and one surveyor on the eastern side of building 7. This allowed all sides of the buildings to be

assessed for emergence with particular attention given to potential roost sites and exit/ entry

points.

The survey was started 15 minutes before sunset, and continued for 1.5 hours after sunset.

Bat detectors (Pettersson D-1000x ultrasonic time expansion bat detector, D-240x time



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expansion ultrasonic bat detector and Magenta bat5 heterodyne bat detector) were used to

assist the survey, and to enable acoustic species identification.

2.2.3 Dawn re-entry survey A pre-dawn re-entry survey was carried out on the 16th May 2016. The survey began 1.5

hours before dawn and finished at sunrise. The survey was carried out under suitable weather

conditions: dry, still, 6/8 cloud cover, and a starting temperature of 7.5ºC and a finishing

temperature of 3.4ºC. Two surveyors were positioned around the buildings to record bats

entering the barns to roost and general bat activity around the site. Particular attention was

given to building 3, where bats were recorded emerging from the building during the evening

survey. Bat detectors (D-240x time expansion ultrasonic bat detector and Magenta bat5

heterodyne bat detector) were used to assist the survey.

2.2.4 Automated bat detector system

An automated bat detector system (Anabat) was left within the two buildings where evidence

of bat activity had been noted (building 1 and building 7) on the 3rd May, in order to record bat

activity over 14 successive nights. The Anabats were positioned away from the ground and at

least 1-2m from solid objects. It was programmed to activate 30 minutes before sunset and to

switch off 30 minutes after sunrise. The recorded calls were then analysed using AnalookW.

2.3 Birds 2.3.1 Common bird species

All bird species noted on site were recorded. The survey site was searched for signs of use

by nesting birds, typically old and active nests and concentrations of faecal deposits

associated with a breeding site.

2.3.2 Schedule 1 species The buildings on site were inspected for the presence of barn owl Tyto alba and the signs

indicative of their past or present use including regurgitated pellets, concentrated

accumulations of flattened pellets indicative of a nest site, faecal encrustation, eggs or

eggshell remains, surplus prey items, bodily remains of chicks or infant down feathers. The

site was not considered to provide suitable opportunities for other Schedule 1 species.

2.4 Habitats and plant species

An extended ecological assessment survey was undertaken, not only to identify the habitats

present on the survey site, but also to include more detailed information on plant species on

site, and undertake a further appraisal of the area as habitat for legally protected species.



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Plant species on site were assessed against the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great

Britain, and the site was assessed against the Local Wildlife Site (LWS) criteria.

3 SITE DESCRIPTION

3.1 Location and grid reference The site comprises a complex of stone barn buildings located at Sudbrook House Farm, off

High Dike, Ancaster, Lincolnshire– central grid reference SK986461.

The buildings on site and the surrounding habitats are described in turn below and

representative photographs are included in the text. An aerial view of the site location is

provided as Photograph 1 and a site plan showing the existing buildings is provided as Figure

1. A plant list for the site is provided as Appendix 1.

Photograph 1: Aerial view of the proposed development site (outlined in red)

3.2 Existing barn buildings 3.2.1 Building 1

Building 1 is the largest of the stone barn buildings proposed to be converted on the site. It is

a part two-storey, part three-storey stone barn, with a pitched timber roof. The roof is covered

with pantiles that have been lined with lathe and plaster, but the plaster has fallen away in

most places. There are many gaps within the tiles, allowing potential entry points into the

building. The glazing was missing from the window on the southern elevation, and where the



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windows have been boarded up on the northern elevation, there are still gaps between the

boarding and the window frame. The interior of the building was cool and dark, and there are

gaps within the stonework on the interior of the building, and between the timber joists and the

stonework, many of which are not covered by cobwebs. Some areas of the upper storey of

building 1 could not be fully inspected, as the floor was considered to be unsafe in places.

Photograph 2: Northern elevation of

building 1

Photograph 3: Example of cracks and

gaps in internal brickwork

Photograph 4: View of upper storey of

building 1

Photograph 5: Southern elevation of

building 1

3.2.2 Building 2 Building 2 is adjoined to building 1 on the southern elevation, on the eastern side, to form an L

shape. It is a stone outbuilding and adjoining cart shed, which has a pitched timber roof

covered with unlined pantiles. There were many pantiles missing and the interior of the

building was light and draughty. At the south of the building, it is open on the western

elevation, and vegetation has grown up around and within the building, dominated by cow

parsley, elder, common nettle, sycamore saplings, ivy, hogweed and cleavers.



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Photograph 6: Eastern elevation of

building 2


building 2

Photograph 8: Vegetation within open

fronted section at south of building

Photograph 9: Internal view of roof

covering of building 2

3.2.3 Building 3

Building 3 is situated to the south of building 1, and is a small L-shaped building. It is a stone

barn, with a pitched timber frame roof, with a pantile covering lined with bitumen felt. In the

interior, the ridge beam was seen to be very cobwebby. A ceiling is in place in the south

western part of the building, with the space up to the eaves open to the rest of the barn. The

walls are partly rendered, but there are some gaps within the stonework in places on the

interior, and several gaps within the stonework on the exterior of the building.



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building 3

Photograph 11: Northern and western

elevations of building 3

Photograph 12: Example of gaps in stonework on exterior of building 3

Photograph 13: Western elevation of

building 3

3.2.4 Building 4

Building 4 is a stone barn with a pitched timber roof, covered with pantiles, lined with bitumen

felt, with a high covering of cobwebs on the interior of the building at the ridge. There were

numerous gaps within the exterior stonework, and there is a thick covering of ivy on the

southern elevation. The interior stonework has been rendered, but this has degraded in

places, and a small number of holes were seen within the interior stonework. Mouse

droppings were found on the stored materials within the building.



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Photograph 14: Southern elevation of building 4 with thick ivy covering

3.2.5 Buildings 5 and 6

Buildings 5 and 6 are modern agricultural structures, located to the north of building 1, which

are to be removed from the site in the proposed plans. Building 5 is constructed of a metal

frame, with profile metal sheeting on all elevations. Building 6 is a steel frame, open-sided

machinery store, which had a pitched corrugated metal sheeting roof.


building 5

Photograph 16: Open sided machinery

store (building 6)

3.2.6 Building 7 A small stone barn and adjacent open-fronted cart shed are located to the north of the modern

agricultural buildings. The cart shed is open on the northern elevation. They have a timber

frame pitched roof, covered with unlined slate tiles. There were several slipped tiles seen on

the open-fronted cart shed, and this part of the building has high ambient light levels and is

draughty. The enclosed barn had several slipped tiles, and the tiles were unlined. There were

several gaps seen within the stone work of the building, on the interior and exterior.



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Photograph 17: Southern and western elevations of building 7

3.2.7 Building 8

Building 8 is a small stone barn with adjoining cart shed which is open on the western

elevation. It has a timber frame hipped roof, with many missing and slipped slate tiles, making

the interior of the barn light and draughty. On the western elevation, there is missing glazing

and the barn door is broken. Adjoining the barn on the eastern elevation there is a modern

brick built barn with a pitched roof covered with fibre-cement corrugated sheeting. This part of

the building was not accessible during the survey and could not be inspected.

Photograph 18: Western elevation of

building 8

Photograph 19: Northern elevation of

building 8

3.2.8 Building 9

This stone barn is a two-storey structure, with a pitched timber roof, covered with slate tiles.

There are several slipped and lifted tiles, and lifted ridge tiles. The upper storey was accessed

using ladders, with access through the hayloft door on the western elevation. There are two

other wooden doors on the ground floor, on the western and southern elevations.



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The slate tiles have been lined on the interior with wooden boarding, and there were gaps

seen within this covering, which would allow access into the building. The walls were painted

and there were few gaps within the stonework, which were covered by cobwebs, except for

some small holes around the access door on the western elevation.

Photograph 20: Southern and western elevations of building 9

3.2.9 Building 10 This single storey stone barn is located at the east of the site, and is accessed by a door on

the northern elevation. There are some windows on the northern elevation which have missing

glazing. The timber frame pitched roof is covered by corrugated fibre cement sheeting, but

gaps were seen at the ridge. There are also many gaps within the interior brickwork. There

were large butterfly bush and elder plants adjacent to the building at the east.

Photograph 21: Northern elevation of building 10 and eastern elevation of

building 9

Photograph 22: Interior of building 10



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3.3 Site boundaries and surrounding habitats The adjacent land is dominated by arable crops. To the south of the barns is Sudbrook Farm

house, which has a complex roof structure covered with slate tiles. The applicant and previous

owner of the farm house has reported that brown long-eared Plecotus auritus bats have

roosted within the roof space of the farm house. There is also a large garden associated with

this property at the south of the site, and a garden associated with the occupied house

adjacent to the site at the east. To the west of the site there is an area with mature and semi-

mature trees.

Photograph 23: Adjacent Sudbrook Farm

house

Photograph 24: Surrounding arable

landscape

Photograph 25: Adjacent trees at west of site

4 RESULTS

4.1 Data search The LERC data search showed there are no statutory designated sites within 1km of the

survey site, but there is one non-statutory site within 1km of the site. High Dyke, Byard’s Leap

to Ancaster Verges is a Local Wildlife Site (LWS) that is located adjacent to the Sudbrook



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barns site. These road verges have been designated based on the calcareous grassland

habitats that are present. Lowland calcareous grassland is a priority habitat within

Lincolnshire. There were no calcareous grassland species or habitats seen on the survey site,

and the proposed development is not expected to impact on the botanical value of these road

verges.

Bats have been recorded in the area in 1994, and there are records for badger Meles meles

as recently as 2014. There was no evidence found during the survey to suggest that badger

are present on site.

The full LERC report for sites and species records within 1km of the survey site is provided in

Appendix 2.

4.2 Bats 4.2.1 Daylight inspection

The majority of the barn buildings are constructed of stone walls (except buildings 5 and 6),

and there are an abundance of gaps within the stonework, on the interior and exterior of the

buildings, many of which are free from cobwebs, particularly within building 1 and building 3.

There are many potential entry points into the buildings, for example, where there are slipped

or missing tiles, where glazing is missing from windows, or where there are gaps around the

boarded up windows, and gaps around the doors. There is potential for hibernation by bats in

the gaps within the stonework, as the interior of the barns are cool and damp in places.

The roof covering of the majority of the buildings are considered unsuitable to support a large

population of roosting bats, being unlined pantile, unlined slate, or corrugated metal sheeting

which provide few or no suitable roosting niches. Where there were many tiles missing, and

the roof was unlined, the buildings were draughty with high ambient light levels, and they are

considered to be unsuitable for maternity roosting by bats.

Building 1 has lathe and plaster lining the pantile roof, but this has degraded and is missing in

most places. Buildings 3 and 4 have pantiles lined with bitumen felt, and building 9 has timber

boarding under the slates. Building 3 had a ceiling in the western part of the building, but the

loft void area is open to the rest of the barn.

There was no evidence of roosting bats found within the buildings, with the exception of

building 1 and building 7. Approximately 10 old brown long-eared bat droppings were found

scattered on top of the stored items on the ground floor of building 1, and approximately 20

old pipistrelle Pipistrellus sp. bat droppings and one old brown long-eared bat dropping were



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seen scattered on the stored items in building 7. No further evidence was found, and no bats

were seen roosting in the buildings during the survey.

The stone barn buildings are considered to offer moderate potential for roosting bats as a

transient day roost. However the buildings are not considered to have potential for a long term

roost site for large numbers of bats, and bats are not considered to be breeding on site.

Buildings 5 & 6 are constructed with steel frames with metal sheeting. This type of structure

provides no suitable niches, and these buildings are considered to have no potential to

support roosting bats.

The buildings were assessed in accordance with Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists:

Good Practice Guidelines 3rd Edition (Collins J, 2016) Table 4.1 page 35. The results of the

assessment for each building in turn appear in tabular form below:

Table 1: Assessment of survey site to support roosting, foraging and commuting bats Building/ Feature

Description Site value for bats

Building 1 Pitched timber roof, pantiles lined with lathe and plaster

but degraded

Many gaps within interior stonework, many without

cobwebs

Cool and dark interior

10 old BLE droppings scattered on ground floor

Low potential

for transient

day roosting

Moderate

potential for a

hibernation

site

Building 2 Unlined pantile roof covering, with many missing tiles

Interior of building light and draughty

Gaps within exterior and interior stonework, many without

cobwebs

No potential

for maternity

roosting

Low potential

for transient

day roosting

Moderate

potential for a

hibernation

site



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Building/ Feature


Building 3 Pitched timber-frame, pantile roof, lined with bitumen felt,

no missing tiles noted

Ridge very cobwebby

Ceiling in western part, but loft space open to rest of barn


cobwebs

Low potential

for maternity

roosting

Low potential

for transient

day roosting

Moderate

potential for a

hibernation

site

Building 4 Pitched timber-frame, pantile roof, lined with bitumen felt,

no missing tiles noted

Ridge very cobwebby


cobwebs

Low potential

for maternity

roosting

Low potential

for transient

day roosting

Moderate

potential for a

hibernation

site

Building 5 & 6 Metal frame construction, with profile metal sheeting

roofing

No suitable roosting niches

No potential

for transient

or maternity

roosting



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Building/ Feature


Building 7 Open-fronted cart shed with high light levels and draughty

interior

Enclosed barn with unlined slate tiles, several slipped tiles

20 old pipistrelle droppings and 1 old BLE dropping

scattered on stored materials within enclosed part of barn

Gaps within interior and exterior stonework, many without

cobwebs

No potential

for maternity

roosting

Low potential

for transient

day roosting

Moderate

potential for a

hibernation

site

Building 8 Many missing and slipped tiles on western part of

building, light and draughty interior

Eastern part of barn with pitched roof of fibre-cement

corrugated sheeting

Negligible

potential for

transient day

roosting

Building 9 Two-storey stone barn with pitched timber roof, slate tiles

lined with wooden boarding, with slipped and lifted tiles,

and gaps in boarding

Few gaps in stone work, but covered by cobwebs

Low potential

for transient

day roosting

Building 10 Timber frame pitched roof, corrugated fibre-cement

sheeting, gaps were seen at the ridge

Gaps within interior brickwork

Low potential

for transient

day roosting

Moderate

potential for a

hibernation

site

Surrounding

habitats

Wider landscape dominated by arable land with limited

foraging potential

Small areas of woodland at west of site, and large garden

at south of site

Low potential

for foraging



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Photograph 26: Old bat dropping in

building 7

Photograph 27: Old brown long-eared bat

dropping

None of the trees in close proximity to the buildings will be impacted by the proposals. No

trees with high potential to support bats were noted in the immediate vicinity of the buildings.

4.2.2 Evening emergence survey

During the evening survey, a total of three common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus bats

were seen to emerge from the apex of the western elevation of building 3, considered to have

been roosting within a gap in the exterior stonework of the building. Common pipistrelle was

the most frequently recorded species, with foraging activity recorded at the south and east of

the buildings, and brown long-eared bats were recorded foraging at the south and west of the

buildings. Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus and a Myotis species were also recorded

during the survey.

The results of the evening emergence watch are presented in tabular form below:

Table 2: Surveyor 1 located south east of building 3 Time Species Notes/activity 20:57 Common pipistrelle Commuting pass south of buildings, west to east

21:07 Common pipistrelle Brief foraging pass around tree at south

21:10 Common pipistrelle Foraging pass west to east, foraging on eastern side of

barn buildings

21:12 Common pipistrelle Repeat foraging passes around east of barns, feeding

buzzes heard

21:16 Common pipistrelle

Soprano pipistrelle

Two bats seen – one common pipistrelle, one soprano

pipistrelle (joined from south), repeat foraging passes

21:24 Common pipistrelle Commuting pass south to north

21:28 –

21:40

Common pipistrelle Repeat foraging passes around east of barns, feeding

buzzes



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Time Species Notes/activity 21:48 Common pipistrelle Repeat foraging passes

21:51 Myotis sp. Commuting pass

21:53 Common pipistrelle Foraging passes and lots of social calls

Table 3: Surveyor 2 located south of building 4 Time Species Notes/activity 20:57 Common pipistrelle Commuting pass from north, between buildings to east

21:06 Common pipistrelle Foraging pass, west to east

21:07 Common pipistrelle Single pass

21:09 Common pipistrelle Two bats emerged from western elevation apex of

building 3.



21:17 Common pipistrelle Two bats, foraging pass

21:23 Common pipistrelle One bat emerged from western elevation apex of

building 3.

21:30 Unidentified bat

species

Pass from south to north

21:37 Common pipistrelle Foraging pass

21:47 Brown long-eared Foraging passes at south of buildings

21:50 Brown long-eared Repeat foraging passes at south of buildings

Table 4: Surveyor 3 located at north of building 1 Time Species Notes/activity

20:57 Common pipistrelle Distant brief pass

21.01 Common pipistrelle Single pass

21.10 –

21.12

Common pipistrelle From northwest into building 5 and then several repeat

passes in and out of building

21.15 –

22.00

Common pipistrelle Frequent passes east-west and return between buildings

1 and 5/8

21.30 Common pipistrelle Social calling started after a barn owl was heard – there

appeared to be no other bats in the immediate area



18

Table 5: Surveyor 4 located at north east of building 7 Time Species Notes/activity 21:09 Common pipistrelle Commuting pass from south to north

21:19 Common pipistrelle High commuting pass

21:21 Common pipistrelle Commuting pass

21:25 Common pipistrelle Repeat foraging passes, but distant, probably foraging

around main yard area

21:39 Common pipistrelle Several foraging passes and social calls

21:46 Common pipistrelle Foraging pass

21:48 Common pipistrelle Repeat foraging passes and social calls

4.2.3 Dawn re-entry survey

There was little bat activity noted during the dawn re-entry survey, and there were no bats

seen to enter the buildings. Attention was given to the western elevation of building 3 in

particular, where bats had previously been seen to emerge from the building during the

evening survey, but no bats were recorded entering the building during the dawn survey. The

results of the dawn re-entry survey are provided in tabular form below:

Table 6: Results of dawn re-entry survey Time Species Notes/activity

04:20 Common pipistrelle Bat pass, travelling from north west to south east over the

buildings

04:24 Common pipistrelle Bat pass

4.2.4 Automated bat detector system

The results of the two automatic bat detectors which were left on site show that there are no

distinct patterns in the behaviour of the bats recorded that would show that a roost was

present.

The results are shown in the graphs below – there were no recordings on the detector left in

building 7.



19



20

4.3 Birds 4.3.1 Common bird species

All birds seen during the daylight or evening surveys were recorded. These are listed below

along with their current status as BAP species or Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (Eaton et



21

al, 2015):

Table 7: Common birds seen on site

English name Scientific name BAP BoCC

mallard Anas platyrhynchos Amber

buzzard Buteo buteo Green

kestrel Falco tinnunculus Amber

feral pigeon Columba livia (domest.) Green

stock dove Columba oenas Amber

woodpigeon Columba palumbus Green

collared dove Streptopelia decaocto Green

tawny owl Strix aluco Amber

green woodpecker Picus viridis Green

great spotted woodpecker Dendrocopos major Green

skylark Alauda arvensis Y Red

swallow Hirundo rustica Amber

yellow wagtail Motacilla flava Y Red

pied wagtail Motacilla alba Green

wren Troglodytes troglodytes Green

robin Erithacus rubecula Green

blackbird Turdus merula Green

song thrush Turdus philomelos Y Red

mistle thrush Turdus viscivorus Amber

blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Green

chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Green

long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus Green

blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus Green

great tit Parus major Green

coal tit Periparus ater Green

house sparrow Passer domesticus Y Red

chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Green

greenfinch Carduelis chloris Green

goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Green

There were several active and disused nests and potential nesting areas noted within and

around the buildings.

On the ground floor of building 1 there were five disused swallow nests, one of which had a



22

disused sparrow nest on top, and another disused swallow nest was seen on the upper storey

of building 1. There was a disused wood pigeon nest on the ground floor at the western end of

the building, and a disused jackdaw nest in the chimney at the eastern end of the building. A

wooden bird box, and a nesting feature for swallows/house martins have previously been

positioned on the northern elevation of building 1.

There were a further five disused swallow nests within building 3, and a disused wren nest

was noted within a gap in the external brickwork of building 3. An active blue tit nest was

noted within one of the gaps in the exterior brickwork of building 3. An active blackbird nest

was seen within the thick ivy on the southern elevation of building 4. A further two disused

swallow nests were noted within building 7.

Swallows were seen on the site during the surveys, and entering building 1 during the dawn

survey, and it is considered likely that there will be active swallow nests within the buildings in

this nesting season. Adjacent to building 2, and building 10 there is a lot of scrub and tall

ruderal vegetation which has high potential to be used by nesting birds.

Photograph 28: Disused swallow nest

within building 1

Photograph 29: Jackdaw nest down

chimney in building 1



23

Photograph 30: Active blackbird nest

within ivy on building 4

Photograph 31: Bird box on northern

elevation of building 1

Photograph 32: Active pigeon nest in building 6

4.3.2 Schedule 1 species A barn owl was seen around the buildings during the evening emergence survey. Evidence of

barn owl was found within building 10 during the daylight inspections. Approximately 13 old

barn owl pellets were seen on the floor, and barn owl feathers were seen. There was no

evidence to suggest that the buildings are currently used by barn owls for breeding, and

building 10 is likely to be used as an occasional day roost by this species. Access to this

building is through the window on the northern elevation where the glazing is missing.



24

Photograph 33: Barn owl pellet in building 10

4.4 Habitats and plant species

The habitats and plant species recorded on the site are common and widespread in the local

area and in the country.

The plant species recorded on the site are not listed on Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and

Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). There are no species on site that are listed as Near

Threatened (NT), Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), or Critically Endangered (CR) in the

Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain.

The site would not meet the required criteria to qualify as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS). There

are no species classed as ‘notable’ for Lincolnshire.

5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Bats 5.1.1 Legal protection

In England, Scotland and Wales, all bats are strictly protected under the Wildlife and

Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended); in England and Wales this legislation has been

amended and strengthened by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. Bats are

also protected by European legislation; the EC Habitats Directive is transposed into UK law by

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 – often referred to as 'The

Habitat Regs'. Taken together, all this legislation makes it an offence to:

• Deliberately capture (or take), injure or kill a bat

• Intentionally or recklessly disturb a group of bats where the disturbance is likely to



25

significantly affect the ability of the animals to survive, breed, or nurture their young or

likely to significantly affect the local distribution or abundance of the species whether

in a roost or not.

• Damage or destroy the breeding or resting place of a bat

• Possess a bat (alive or dead) or any part of a bat

• Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost

• Sell (or offer for sale) or exchange bats (alive or dead) or parts of bats

A roost is defined as being ‘any structure or place that is used for shelter or protection’, and

since bats regularly move roost site throughout the year, a roost retains such designation

whether or not bats are present at the time.

5.1.2 Recommendations

The existing buildings are considered to have low potential for transient day roosting by small

numbers of bats. Three common pipistrelle bats were detected emerging from building 3 at the

south of the site during the evening emergence survey. There was little evidence found in the

buildings in the form of droppings, and it is considered unlikely that bats are breeding on site,

or that the site supports roosting by high numbers of bats. The results of the remote detector

survey support this. The stone buildings have a high number of gaps within the stonework,

with potential to be used by bats during the hibernation period.

The site was used for foraging by bats, with two bats seen at one time, and common

pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats identified. It is likely that the site

provides important foraging and commuting habitats for bats in the area, particularly within the

open areas at the south of the site, where scrub and ruderal vegetation has developed.

There is no requirement for a European Protected Species license and no further survey work

or large scale mitigation is required. It is recommended that a Method Statement for bats is

followed to ensure legal compliance and best practice.

Method Statement for Bats – Sudbrook Farm Barns, Ancaster, Lincolnshire

• Work will commence outside the main hibernation period only i.e. before late October or

after early April. This minimises the potential to disturb bats which may be using the

buildings for hibernation.

Note: early spring or late autumn are good times to commence work to avoid conflicts

between the bat hibernation season and the bird nesting season



26

• Prior to work commencing, the brick/stone buildings will be checked for signs of roosting

bats by a suitable licensed ecologist. An evening emergence survey or dawn re-entry

survey may be required if the ecologist considers this necessary.

• The roof covering of building 3 will be stripped by hand in the presence of a bat ecologist

prior to any redevelopment work commencing.

• All gaps within the stonework which are wider than 15mm should be checked for roosting

bats by a suitable licensed ecologist before they are repointed. This may require the use

of an endoscope and mirrors.

• All contractors working on the buildings will be briefed on the legal protection afforded to

bats and their places of shelter and on how to proceed if a bat is discovered during the

course of the work. A procedure to follow in the event of discovering bats on site is given

as Appendix 3.

• In order to replace the potential roost areas lost when the site is redeveloped, 12 bat roost

units or bat boxes should be installed on the site as part of the development, ahead of the

works commencing. Bat boxes can be positioned on the mature trees at the west of the

site, or on the exterior of the existing buildings. Where new buildings will be built on the

site, bat brick features should be incorporated into the design as works progress. As the

building has moderate potential to be used as a hibernation site as well as a transient

roost site, bat boxes should be placed on the northern and southern elevations of the

buildings and adjacent trees. Examples of bat roost units and bat boxes which could be

used are given in Appendix 4.

• Avoid placing external lighting that illuminates the newly installed bat roost units.

• The lighting scheme for the new development will be designed to ensure that dark unlit

areas of the site are retained, particularly around the retained mature trees at the west of

the site and the existing garden areas at the south and east of the site, where bats are

likely to be foraging and commuting. This ensures that unlit corridors, for foraging and

commuting bats, are retained.

• Plant flower borders within any new soft landscaped areas of the site which will include

night scented flowers in order to attract moths and other night flying insects (which will

provide foraging opportunities for bats, and replace those areas of scrub vegetation which

will be lost to the development). Species should include evening primrose Oenothera

biennis, sweet rocket Hesperis matronalis, honeysuckle species Lonicera sp, lavender



27

Lavendula sp, white jasmine Jasminum officinale, sweetbriar Rosa rubiginosa, night-

scented catchfly Silene noctiflora, night-scented stock Matthiola longipetala and soapwort

Saponaria officinalis.

5.2 Birds 5.2.1 Legal protection

All common wild birds are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as

amended). Under this legislation it is an offence to:

• Kill, injure or take any wild bird

• Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built

• Take or destroy the egg of any wild bird

Certain rare breeding birds are listed on Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

(and as amended). Under this legislation they are afforded the same protection as common

wild birds and are also protected against disturbance whilst building a nest or on or near a

nest containing eggs/unfledged young.

5.2.2 Recommendations for common bird species The site has high potential to be used for nesting by species of common bird. Within the

buildings, active blackbird, blue tit and woodpigeon nests were noted, and 13 disused swallow

nests, a disused house sparrow, wood pigeon, wren and jackdaw nest were also seen. The

scrub and tall ruderal vegetation found around the buildings, particularly the ivy on building 4,

and the vegetation around building 2 and 3 and to the east of building 10 all have high

potential to be used by nesting birds.

Any site vegetation clearance work, demolition of the existing buildings and work to develop

the existing buildings (including repointing the stone work) should commence outside the

active nesting season which typically runs from March through to late August. If work

commences during the bird breeding season, a search for nests should be carried out before

work begins, and active nests should be protected until the young fledge. It is recommended

that the existing bird box and nesting features on building 1 are repositioned outside of the

active nesting season if they are to be impacted by the proposed works.

It is recommended that nest features for a range of common bird species are incorporated into

the new development. In particular, features for swallow and house sparrow should be

included within the development. These could be incorporated into car ports and bin storage

areas on the site. Details of nest boxes/features for a range of bird species can be obtained



28

from Wildcare, Eastgate House, Moreton Road, Longborough, Gloucestershire GL56 0QJ

(01451 833181) www.wildcareshop.com

5.2.3 Recommendations for Schedule 1 species

The level and nature of field signs found indicates building 10 is used as an occasional day

roost by individual barn owls. No potential nest site was identified and there are no indications

that barn owls have bred on site. The absence of any pellets of particularly fresh appearance

suggested barn owls may not currently be utilising the site, but barn owls are still in the area,

as one was observed on site during the evening emergence survey.

As the site is not used for breeding, the proposed development of the building will not result in

a breach of the legislation which protect these species. However, long term roost areas are

important to the reproductive success and long term favourable conservation status of these

species.

In order to ensure best practice and retain barn owls in the area, an alternative barn owl

roosting feature should be put in place as soon as possible before the works commence, to

compensate for the eventual loss of the building as a roosting site. A tree-mounted or pole-

mounted box, or a purpose built barn owl tower is recommended for this site, which should be

placed on the northern, southern or western boundary, overlooking open countryside.

Appendix 4 provides further details on some of these boxes/features. Further information

about barn owl nest box designs and advice on installation can also be sourced from The

Barn Owl Trust, Waterleat, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7HU (e-mail: [email protected]).

6 SUMMARY The buildings on site are not considered to offer potential for a maternity roost for bats and the

surveys indicate that the barns are not used as a regular, long term roost site; however they

have moderate potential as a hibernation roost site and for transient day roosting by bats.

Three common pipistrelle bats were noted to emerge from one of the buildings during the

evening emergence survey, but no bats were seen to re-enter the buildings during the dawn

survey. The site was used by small numbers of common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats

for foraging. It is recommended that a Method Statement for bats is followed throughout the

works on site, to ensure that bats are not disturbed during the works, and this is provided

within the report. Recommendations include provision of roosting features to replace the

potential roost features lost through the development, and recommendations to enhance the

http://www.wildcareshop.com/



29

site as a foraging area for bats.

The site has high potential for use by nesting birds. Precautionary working practices are

provided in the report to safeguard common species of bird and suggestions for ecological

enhancements within the development are given.

Evidence was found that shows that barns owls use the site as an occasional day roost. They

are not considered to be breeding on site. Recommendations are provided in order to retain

barn owls in the area.

7 REFERENCES

British Standards Institution (BSI) 2013. British Standard 42020 Biodiversity. Code of practice

for planning and development.

British Standards Institution (BSI) 2015. BS 8596:2015 Surveying for bats in trees and

woodland.

Cheffings, C.M. & Farrell, L. (Eds), Dines, T.D., Jones, R.A., Leach, S.J., McKean, D.R.,

Pearman, D.A., Preston, C.D., Rumsey, F.J., Taylor, I. 2005. The Vascular Plant Red Data

List for Great Britain. Species Status 7: 1-116. Joint Nature Conservation Committee,

Peterborough.

Collop C (revised Bouic A 2015) Lincolnshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-20. 3rd edition.

Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership.

Eaton M A et al 2015. Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the

United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108, pp708–746.

Mitchell-Jones A J 2004. Bat Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature.

Mitchell-Jones A J and McLeish A P 2004. Bat workers manual. Joint Nature Conservation

Committee.

Stace C. 2010. New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd Edition. CUP, Cambridge.



30



FIGURE 1 Existing buildings plan

0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

Kilometres

© Crown Copyright 2016.All rights reserved. Licence number 100046507.

Site Locationand

Building Numbers

Figure 1 May 2016

Scale 1:25,000 @ A4

15 0 15 30 45

Metres

Scale: 1:750 @ A4

Brookfield HouseChapel Lane

Tattershall ThorpeLINCOLNLN4 4PG

01526 344726

SUDBROOK HOUSE, ANCASTER

LINCOLNSHIRE



31



APPENDIX 1 Plant Species List



32



ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME annual meadow-grass Poa annua

ash Fraxinus excelsior

bittercress sp. Cardamine sp.

bramble Rubus fruticosus

bristly oxtongue Helminthotheca echioides

butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii

cleavers Galium aparine

cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata

common field-speedwell Veronica persica

common mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum

common nettle Urtica dioica

common ragwort Senecio jacobaea

cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris

creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens

daisy Bellis perennis

dandelion Taraxacum sp.

dock sp. Rumex sp.

dove's-foot crane's-bill Geranium molle

elder Sambucus nigra

garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata

greater plantain Plantago major

great mullein Verbascum thapsus

ground-ivy Glechoma hederacea

groundsel Senecio vulgaris

hogweed Heracleum sphondylium

ivy Hedera helix

lesser burdock Arctium minus

nipplewort Lapsana communis

perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne

prickly sow-thistle Sonchus asper

red clover Trifolium pratense

red dead-nettle Lamium purpureum



33

ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata

small-flowered crane's-bill Geranium pusillum

small nettle Urtica urens

spear thistle Cirsium vulgare

spurge species Euphorbia sp.

swine-cress Lepidium coronopus

sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus

white clover Trifolium repens

white dead-nettle Lamium album

willowherb Epilobium sp

Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus



34



APPENDIX 2 Data Search Information

Lincolnshire EnvironmentalRecords Centre data search report

Achieving more for nature

Sudbrooke House Far, Ancaster3 May 2016

03/05/2016 (expires 03/05/2017)

SB

Gemma Watkinson, Scarborough Nixon Associates

Non-statutory sites

Statutory sites

Habitats

Species

Report details

Aspects included in this report

Produced by

Produced for

Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre is an ALERC accredited LRC, meeting the standard level criteriaFor more information on accreditation, see the ALERC website at http://www.alerc.org.uk/accreditation.html

Terms and conditions

Produced on

1617-037LERC reference

1. Copyright of all records remains with the recorder, and of the collated data with LERC.

2. No copies of data are to be made for use by third parties, without written permission from the original copyright owners of the data.

3. Permission must be obtained in writing from LERC if the data supplied is to be used for any other purpose than that requested.

4. LERC shall be acknowledged in any report relating to data supplied, and one copy of any such report will be supplied free of charge.

5. Permission to use data expires 12 months after its supply. Applications to extend beyond this period should be made before the expiry date.

6. Data provided is as held by LERC. Past records of presence of a species or habitat do not guarantee continued occurrence.

The Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre (LERC) collates wildlife and geological information for Greater Lincolnshire from various sources and makes it available for various uses. This data is crucial to aid conservation management of sites, to help organisations prioritise action, and to understand the distribution of species and trends over time. For more information on LERC or to request a data search, visit the website at http://glnp.org.uk/partnership/lerc/

About the Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre

Search area (all aspects combined)

© Crown Copyright and Database Rights (2015) Ordnance Survey (100025370)

Any reuse of the GIS layers must include the relevant attribution statement.

Centre of search area:

E: 498599 N: 346099

2

Non-statutory sitesSite citation sheets are available for Local Wildlife Sites, Local Geological Sites, Sites of Nature Conservation Interest and Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites. GIS boundaries are available for Local Wildlife Sites, Local Geological Sites, Sites of Nature Conservation Interest, Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves and Roadside Nature Reserves. Distance is given as the shortest distance in kilometres from the centre of the search to the site.

CODE

no sites found in the search area

TYPESTATUS CODENAME

EASTINGSTATUSCODE NAME

Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs)LWSs, along with biological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), are the most important places for wildlife at a local level. The GLNP seeks to identify every site that satisfies the selection criteria presented in the LWS guidelines, thus recognising a comprehensive suite of sites. Sites are selected by the Nature Partnership, based on recommendations made by its expert working group known as the LWS Panel and then submitted for inclusion within local authority planning policy. Identifying these sites helps local authorities meet their obligations under legislation and government guidance, including reporting on the number of sites in positive management for Single Data List Indicator 160-00.

Attribution statement: Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.

NORTHING

DISTANCE

DISTANCEEASTINGSTATUSCODE NAME NORTHING DISTANCE

Selected LWS386 High Dike, Byard's Leap to Ancaster Verges 498798 347071 0.12

1 site(s) found in the search area

CODE


TYPESTATUS CODENAME


Local Geological Sites (LGSs)LGSs, along with geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are the most important places for geodiversity and heritage in the county. They have substantive geoconservation value and their function is to protect and manage such interest and, where possible, provide educational opportunities. The GLNP seeks to identify every site that satisfies the selection criteria presented in the LGS guidelines. Sites are selected by the Nature Partnership, based on recommendations made by its expert working group known as the LGS Panel and then submitted for inclusion within local authority planning policy. Identifying these sites helps local authorities meet their obligations under legislation and government guidance, including reporting on the number of sites in positive management for Single Data List Indicator 160-00.


NORTHING

DISTANCE

DISTANCE

CODE


TYPESTATUS CODENAME


Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCIs)The LWSs status supersedes that of Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs), which were identified on the basis of local knowledge and were selected without consideration of any formal criteria. In Greater Lincolnshire, the GLNP aims to assess all existing SNCIs using the criteria outlined in LWS guidelines. To avoid confusion, until sites have been assessed against the LWS criteria they retain their SNCI status.


NORTHING

DISTANCE

DISTANCE

3

CODE


TYPESTATUS CODENAME


Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGSs)The LGS status supersedes that of RIGS, which were identified on the basis of local knowledge and were selected without consideration of any formal criteria. In Greater Lincolnshire, the GLNP aims to assess all existing RIGSs using the criteria outlined in LGS guidelines. To avoid confusion, until sites have been assessed against the LGS criteria they retain their RIGS status.


NORTHING

DISTANCE

DISTANCE

CODE


TYPESTATUS CODENAME


Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserves (LWT)The Lincolnshire Trust for Nature Conservation, formed in 1948, (and now known as the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) is a charity dedicated to safeguarding the countryside and wildlife of the historic county. It is one of a network of Wildlife Trusts that together form the largest voluntary organisation in the UK devoted to all aspects of wildlife protection.


NORTHING

DISTANCE

DISTANCE

CODE


TYPESTATUS CODENAME


Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs)A scheme for the protection and management of roadside verges was set up in 1960 by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and sites were originally termed "Protected Roadside Verges" (PRVs). Run in cooperation with Lincolnshire County Council, the Highways Division provides financial and advisory support with management is carried out by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. There are 65 Roadside Nature Reserves, which total a distance of over 80 kilometres (50 miles). For each verge, the Trust appoints a voluntary 'Wayside Warden' to help look after the biological interest in liaison with the Divisional Surveyors and landowners.


NORTHING

DISTANCE

DISTANCE

4

Non-statutory sites within the search area


Space restrictions on the map may result in some sites not being labelled. Please refer to the GIS layers or site citations for details.

5

Statutory sitesDistance is given as the shortest distance in kilometres from the centre of the search to the site.


Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)SSSIs are part of the national suite of sites providing statutory protection for the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. These sites are also used to underpin other national and international nature conservation designations, and are currently designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended in the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000).

Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.

TYPESTATUS NAME

STATUSCODE NAME

CODE

EASTING NORTHING

CODE

DISTANCE

DISTANCE


National Nature Reserves (NNRs)NNRs represent many of the finest wildlife and geological sites in the country. They are selected from the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and so each NNR has at least two designations.


TYPESTATUS NAME

STATUSCODE NAME

CODE

EASTING NORTHING

CODE

DISTANCE

DISTANCE


Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)LNRs are areas designated by the local authority, and protected through the Local Plan as of special wildlife interest that enhance public enjoyment of wildlife. The local authority either has ownership or a legal interest in the land.

Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016. NB This national dataset is “indicative” not “definitive”. Definitive information can only be provided by individual local authorities and you should refer directly to their information for all purposes that require the most up to date and complete dataset.

TYPESTATUS NAME

STATUSCODE NAME

CODE

EASTING NORTHING

CODE

DISTANCE

DISTANCE


Special Protection Areas (SPAs)SPAs are areas of the most important habitat for rare (listed on Annex I of the Birds Directive) and migratory birds within the European Union. SPAs, together with SACs, form the Natura 2000 network. SPA designation is underpinned by SSSI designation in the UK.


TYPESTATUS NAME

STATUSCODE NAME

CODE

EASTING NORTHING

CODE

DISTANCE

DISTANCE

6


Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)SACs are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive. SACs, together with SPAs, form the Natura 2000 network. SAC designation is underpinned by SSSI designation in the UK.


TYPESTATUS NAME

STATUSCODE NAME

CODE

EASTING NORTHING

CODE

DISTANCE

DISTANCE


Ramsar Sites (Ramsars)Ramsar Sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention. Most Ramsar Sites are also classified as SPAs, with all terrestrial Ramsar Sites also notified as SSSIs.


TYPESTATUS NAME

STATUSCODE NAME

CODE

EASTING NORTHING

CODE

DISTANCE

DISTANCE


Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs)AONBs were created by legislation within the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949. In Greater Lincolnshire there is one AONB, which is the Lincolnshire Wolds.


TYPESTATUS NAME

STATUSCODE NAME

CODE

EASTING NORTHING

CODE

DISTANCE

DISTANCE

7

Statutory sites within the search area


Space restrictions on the map may result in some sites not being labelled. Please refer to the GIS layers or site citations for details.

8

Habitats

NAME

no polygons found in the search area

NAME

HABITAT

Ancient Woodland SitesThe Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI), maintained by Natural England, is a provisional list of woodland sites over 2ha in size that have had continuous woodland cover since at least 1600AD. This includes ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) and ancient replanted woodland (ARW - also known as plantation on ancient woodland sites or PAWS).

Area (ha)

Attribution statement: Ancient Woodland © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.

NAME

no polygons found in the search area

NAME

HABITAT

Priority HabitatsPriority habitats are those identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action in the UK. The data presented is the most up-to-date of the data collated by the GLNP; further historic data and non-Priority habitat data may also be available.

Area (ha)


HABITAT Area (ha)

Lowland calcareous grassland 3.66

3.66 hectare(s) found in the search area

9

Habitats within the search area


10

Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre holds records on the following species within or overlapping the search area. Data shown is as held by LERC; past records of presence of a species does not guarantee continued occurrence and absence of records does not imply absence of a species, merely that no records are held. Depending on the parameters of the data search, additional records may be available. Confidential data, data at poorly defined geographic resolutions and data pending validation and/or verification may also be excluded from this report.

The results of the species search have been broken down into 1 separate data output(s), which are summarised on the following pages. Zero abundance records are excluded from these summaries, but are included in the spread sheets (these can be identified by having abundance values of '0 Present (Count: Exact)').

Species

Grid references are limited to 100m accuracy, although higher resolutions may be available. Location data for the following record types are further limited to avoid environmental harm: badger setts, bat roosts. Release of enhanced data is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and confidential records are provided separately.

The following organisations have contributed data to this report:

• Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership

• Lincolnshire Bat Group

• Lincolnshire Bird Club

May contain public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0.

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Summary

Search #1

Search parameters

all designations all taxonomic groups

Designations: Taxonomic groups: Geographic area:

Badger

Bat

Bird

Great Crested Newt

Water Vole

no data returnedBird (1 taxa) Number of records

Date range recorded

Designations

Quail, Coturnix coturnix BAmb, BD2.2, BoCC4-Amber, LBCSchedule1, WCA1i, WO1i

1 2008 - 2008

Terrestrial Mammal (2 taxa) Number of records

Date range recorded

Designations

Bats, Chiroptera 1 1994 - 1994

Eurasian Badger, Meles meles Bern3, PBA, ScotBL, WO53 1999 - 2014

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Greater Lincolnshire Nature PartnershipBanovallum House

Manor House StreetHorncastle

LincolnshireLN9 5HF

Tel: 01507 528398Email: [email protected]: www.glnp.org.uk

Achieving more for nature



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APPENDIX 3 Procedure to follow in the event of finding bats on site



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Procedure to follow if bats are discovered during works

• If at any point during the works, bats are discovered then contractors must stop work

immediately and telephone Scarborough Nixon Associates either Helen Scarborough on

01526 344726 or 07979833524 or Ian Nixon on 01205 723342 or 07833 674500.

• Scarborough Nixon Associates will either provide an appropriately licensed bat worker to the

site or provide a member of staff who will liaise directly with Natural England. Actions will then

be taken following advice given. This may include removal of bats, but only where direct

written or verbal permission is gained from Natural England.

• Only when Natural England is satisfied that there is no further risk to bats will works

recommence.

• Should it transpire that the operation being carried out is of more risk to bats than was

originally thought, then works will be stopped until they can be supervised by an appropriately

licensed bat worker.

• If a bat is found under a tile or any other aperture, works will stop immediately (as above). If

the bat does not voluntarily fly out, then the aperture will be carefully covered over to protect

the bat(s) from the elements, leaving a small gap for the bat to escape voluntarily. Any

covering should be free from grease or other contaminants, and should not be a fibreglass-

based material.

• Any injured bats should be gently placed in a secure ventilated box in a cool, quiet dark place

(e.g. cardboard box with a sealed lid) by the contractor for the bat’s protection whilst awaiting

the arrival of the licensed person.



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APPENDIX 4 Bat roost features



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APPENDIX 5 Barn owl roosting features



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