ingleton quarry report - yorkshire dales national park...

Ingleton Quarry Report

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

May 2013

47066036

Prepared for: Hanson Aggregates

UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND

Hanson Aggregates — Ingleton Quarry

INGLETON QUARRY June 2013

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REVISION SCHEDULE

Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

1 June 2013 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

Paul Benyon

Associate

Mark Hampton

Principal

Paul Benyon

Associate

URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited 12 Regan Way, Chilwell, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, NG9 6RZ United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)161 237 6912 Fax: +44 (0)161 907 3501 www.ursglobal.com



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Limitations

URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited (“URS”) has prepared this Report for the sole use of Hanson Aggregates (“Client”) in accordance with the Agreement under which our services were performed (February 2013). No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by URS. This Report is confidential and may not be disclosed by the Client nor relied upon by any other party without the prior and express written agreement of URS.

The conclusions and recommendations contained in this Report are based upon information provided by others and upon the assumption that all relevant information has been provided by those parties from whom it has been requested and that such information is accurate. Information obtained by URS has not been independently verified by URS, unless otherwise stated in the Report.

The methodology adopted and the sources of information used by URS in providing its services are outlined in this Report. The work described in this Report was undertaken on 12th April 2013 and is based on the conditions encountered and the information available during the said period of time. The scope of this Report and the services are accordingly factually limited by these circumstances.

Where assessments of works or costs identified in this Report are made, such assessments are based upon the information available at the time and where appropriate are subject to further investigations or information which may become available.

URS disclaim any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of any change in any matter affecting the Report, which may come or be brought to URS’ attention after the date of the Report.

Certain statements made in the Report that are not historical facts may constitute estimates, projections or other forward-looking statements and even though they are based on reasonable assumptions as of the date of the Report, such forward-looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted. URS specifically does not guarantee or warrant any estimate or projections contained in this Report.

Where field investigations are carried out, these have been restricted to a level of detail required to meet the stated objectives of the services. The results of any measurements taken may vary spatially or with time and further confirmatory measurements should be made after any significant delay in issuing this Report.

Copyright

© This Report is the copyright of URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited.



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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................... 5

1.1 Background and Scope ................................................... 5

1.2 Study Site ......................................................................... 5

2 METHODOLOGIES ........................................................... 5

2.1 Scope ................................................................................ 5

2.2 Desk-based Study ............................................................ 5

2.3 Field Survey Methodologies ........................................... 6

3 DESK STUDY RESULTS .................................................. 7

3.1 Statutory Designated Sites ............................................. 7

3.2 Non-statutory Designated Sites ..................................... 7

3.3 Protected and Notable Species ...................................... 7

4 FIELD SURVEY RESULTS ............................................... 8

4.1 Habitats ............................................................................. 8

4.2 Protected and Notable Species of Fauna ...................... 8

5 IDENTIFICATION OF CONSTRAINTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER SURVEY .......... 9

5.1 Statutory and Non-Statutory Site of Nature Conservation Importance ............................................... 9

5.2 Protected/Notable Species ............................................. 9

5.3 Habitats ............................................................................. 9

6 SUMMARY ........................................................................ 97 REFERENCES .................................................................. 9 FIGURES APPENDIX A - Desk Study Results



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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background and Scope

URS Infrastructure and Environment UK Ltd (URS) was commissioned by Hanson Aggregates Ltd to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of three areas of land associated with Ingleton Quarry, North Yorkshire. The survey was commissioned in support of an application for a water storage lagoon.

This report describes the methods and results of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, identifies potential effects on flora and fauna and provides recommendations for avoidance, reduction, and compensation of effects, and where necessary, recommendations are made for further survey.

1.2 Study Site

Ingleton Quarry is situated approximately 1km north of Ingleton in North Yorkshire within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The area proposed for the new lagoon is a small plantation, one of a number of similar plantations used for screening the quarry. It is proposed to fell the trees in the centre and construct a new lagoon. The area is shown on Figure 1.

2 METHODOLOGIES

2.1 Scope

The scope of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal was as follows:

1. A desk-based study including a search of online databases to identify statutory and non-statutory designated sites of nature conservation importance and records of protected and/or notable habitats and species. In this instance, protected and/or notable species and habitats include those listed under one or more of the following:

Schedules 1, 5 and 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended);

Schedules 2 and 4 of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended);

Section 41 of the Natural Environment & Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006; and

2. An extended Phase 1 Habitat survey to record the nature and extent of habitat types within and adjacent to the three areas, and to assess the potential of the areas to support protected and notable flora and fauna.

2.2 Desk-based Study

The North & East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre (N&EYDC) was contacted for records of non-statutory designated sites and protected and notable species within a 1km radius.

The online Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) website (magic.defra.gov.uk) was used to identify statutory designated sites of nature conservation importance and ancient woodland within 2km.

Details of the organisations contacted and information requested from them are summarised in Table 1.



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TABLE 1: LIST OF DATA PROVIDERS

Data Provider Information Sought

N&EYDC Non-statutory designated sites of nature conservation.

Records of protected/notable species.

Multi Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (website)

Statutory designated sites of nature conservation importance.

Ancient woodland

2.3 Field Survey Methodologies

Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

An ecologist from URS undertook an extended Phase 1 Habitat survey on the 11th April 2013 to record vegetation and habitat types present within and adjacent to the proposed lagoon area. Habitats outside this area was noted but not surveyed in detail.

Habitat types were recorded in accordance with published guidelines for Phase 1 Habitat survey (Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2010).

The habitats within the proposed lagoon area and surrounding land were appraised for their suitability to support protected and notable species or assemblages that could be sensitive to the development proposals, in accordance with ‘Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment’ (Institute for Environmental Assessment, 1995).

Based on the habitat types present, the extended component of the survey focused on identifying the likelihood of bats occurring within or adjacent to the proposed lagoon.

Mature trees were assessed for their potential to support roosting bats in accordance with published guidelines (Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), 2012). The BCT guidance lists five categories corresponding to the likelihood that bats are present (Table 2).

TABLE 2: BCT TREE CATEGORIES

Bat Roost Potential Description

Confirmed roost Known or confirmed bat roost

High Trees with multiple, highly suitable features capable of supporting larger roosts

Moderate Trees with definite potential, supporting fewer suitable features than High or with the potential for use by single bats

Low Trees with no obvious potential, although the tree is of a size and age that aerial surveys may result in features being located

Negligible Trees with no potential to support bats



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The suitability of the habitats on and surrounding the proposed lagoon for bat foraging was also taken into consideration.

Field Survey Limitations

As the current survey was undertaken within the recommended survey period (April to September) and the areas could be accessed in their entirety, no limitations were identified.

3 DESK STUDY RESULTS

The complete desk study received from data providers is provided as Appendix A; however, a summary is presented below.

3.1 Statutory Designated Sites

The MAGIC search identified seven statutory designated sites within the 2km radius of the quarry; these are summarised below and further details are within Appendix A.

3.2 Non-statutory Designated Sites

There is one non-statutory designated sites of nature conservation interest within the area of search (Appendix A). This is Ingleton Glens Site if Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and it is located approximately 1km south west of the quarry (Appendix A).

3.3 Protected and Notable Species

The North East Yorkshire Ecological Data Record Centre provided a number of records of protected and notable species within the area of search (Appendix A).

TABLE 3: STATUTORY DESIGNATED SITES

Site Name Designation Distance from

Quarry Main Relevant Interests

Ingleborough Complex

Special Area for Conservation (SAC)

Immediately other side of B6255

Number of Annex I habitats including juniper formations on heaths and calcareous grasslands and alkaline fens. Number of other Annex I habitats present but not primary reason for designation

Thornton and Twisleton Glens

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Immediately adjacent Gorge woodland and geological features

Inglebrorough SSSI Immediately other side of B6255

Range of habitats including calcareous grassland, blanket bog and limestone pavement vegetation. Also geological features

Whernside SSSI 600m Upland vegetation communities and limestone cliff vegetation

Seato Pastures SSSI 1.7km Calcareous flush vegetation, marshy grassland and dry mesotrophic & calcareous grassland

Ingleborough NNR 3km Limestone pavement and associated upland habitats

Yorkshire Dales National Park Within National Park



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4 FIELD SURVEY RESULTS

4.1 Habitats

The following habitats were recorded during the extended Phase 1 Habitat survey:

Plantation Woodland

Semi-improved grassland;

Species poor semi-improved grassland;

Marshy grassland

Stone walls;

The following descriptions should be read in conjunction with the Phase 1 Habitat Plan (see Figure 2).

The area proposed for the new lagoon is plantation woodland currently forming part of a chain of plantation woodland along the north east boundary of the quarry that forms screening to the quarry.

The species present are sycamore, pine (Pinus sp.), alder (Alnus glutinosa) and mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia). Many of the trees are poorly grown and damaged. The ground flora is generally poor with tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), common bent, creeeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) but with patches of pignut (Conopodium majus) and green-ribbed sedge (Carex binervis) reflecting that the trees were planted into upland grassland and these species have survived, largely because of the poor growth of the trees.

Immediately to the north of the plantation is upland grassland and to the south further plantation.

The land to north west of the proposed lagoon is upland sheep pasture. It is bounded to the south, east and west by stone walls beyond which to the south and west are the plantations fringing the quarry.

The grassland is semi-improved grassland with common bent, crested dog's tail, red fescue (Festuca rubra), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), field woodrush (Luzula campestris), meadow buttercup, sheep's sorrel (Rumex acetosella), marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre) and the moss, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus.

East west across the area is a seepage, which starts nearby a rock outcrop adjacent to the stone wall along the east side of the pasture. At times there will be running water, as there is a defined channel but on the day of the survey the ground was just damp. A range of species were recorded along the channel and associated marshy ground; soft rush (Juncus effusus), purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea), yellow sedge (Carex viridula ssp oedocarpa), sharp-flowered rush (Juncus acutiflorus), cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), mat grass (Nardus stricta), lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula), brooklime (Veronica becca-bunga), glaucus sedge (Carex flacca) and the mosses; Plagiomnium undulatum and Calliergonella cuspidatum.

4.2 Protected and Notable Species of Fauna

Bats

None of the trees within the plantation or the fringing plantations have trees with any bat roost potential, including the very large sycamore.



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Badger

No signs of badger were recorded on the day of the survey.

Other Species

Based on an assessment of the habitats present within and surrounding the areas, there are few opportunities for other protected and notable species.

5 IDENTIFICATION OF CONSTRAINTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER SURVEY

5.1 Statutory and Non-Statutory Site of Nature Conservation Importance

It is not anticipated that the proposals will have any significant effect on the statutorily and non-statutorily protected sites in the immediate wider area. There are measures already in place at the quarry re surface water discharge and the new lagoon will not significantly change the requirements of these measures.

5.2 Protected/Notable Species

No effects on protected/notable species are anticipated from the proposals.

5.3 Habitats The habitats present in the proposed lagoon area are typical of those found in the area and the plantation woodland is part of a suite of plantations planted to screen the quarry.

6 SUMMARY

It is proposed to fell a small plantation woodland and construct a new silt lagoon. The quarry is situated within an area recognised of high nature conservation value and there are a number of statutorily designated sites adjacent to the quarry. The walkover survey found the habitats to be present of no more than local value; the plantation forming a screen planting for the quarry and the trees are poor quality generally with some damage. There are few opportunities for protected/notable species, partly because of the general low quality of habitat but also the small size of the area to be affected. There does not appear to be any ecological constraints to the proposal.

7 REFERENCES

Bat Conservation Trust (2012)

Bat Surveys; Good Practice Guidelines. BCT, London



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Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995)

Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment. Institute of Environmental Assessment, London

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2010)

Handbook for Phase I Habitat Survey: A technique for environmental audit. JNCC, Peterborough.



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FIGURES

Reproduced from OS mapping by permission of the Ordnance Survey ® on behalf of the Controller of HMSO. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number AL100018890

URS Infrastructure & Environment UK

Ltd 12 Regan Way

Chetwynd Business Park Chilwell

Nottingham NG9 6RZ

Ingleton Quarry

FIGURE 1:

Location of the Proposed Lagoon

Drawn by: PB Checked by: Date: 30/05/13 PC Ref: Based on Plan provided by Client

Area of the Proposed

Lagoon

URS Corporation

12 Regan Way Chetwynd Business Park

Chilwell Nottingham NG9 6RZ

INGLETON QUARRY

FIGURE 2 Phase 1 Vegetation and Habitat Survey

Reproduction: Based on Plan provided by client PC Ref: Drawn by: PB

Checked by: DN

Date: 27/05/2013

SI

SI

Approximate boundary of Proposed Lagoon

Plantation Woodland

SI Semi-improved Neutral Grassland

SI Poor Semi-improved Grassland

Marshy Grassland

Stone Wall

SI



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Appendix A: Desk Study Results

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Ingleborough Complex

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Location of Ingleborough Complex SAC/SCI/cSAC

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Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

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* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of

large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.

General site character Bogs. Marshes. Water fringed vegetation. Fens (10%) Heath. Scrub. Maquis and garrigue. Phygrana (7%) Dry grassland. Steppes (73%) Inland rocks. Screes. Sands. Permanent snow and ice (10%)

Boundary map and associated biodiversity information on the NBN Gateway. Natura 2000 data form for this site as submitted to Europe (PDF format, size 30kb). Interactive map from MAGIC (Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside).

5130 Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands

Ingleborough represents upland Juniperus communis formations on a calcareous substrate in northern England. It occurs here at its highest altitude on limestone in the UK. Amid stands of calcareous grassland it has the only large stands of juniper on 8240 Limestone pavements at high altitude in the UK. The scrub is of the relatively species-poor type typical of these situations.

7230 Alkaline fens

Spring-fed flush fens of NVC type M10 Carex dioica – Pinguicula vulgaris mire are extensive across Ingleborough, commonly associated with calcareous grassland types, but also found amidst acid grasslands and heathland communities. They are often species-rich communities, in which rare or locally distributed species such as bird’s-eye primrose Primula farinosa, black bog-rush Schoenus nigricans, few-flowered spike-rush Eleocharis quinqueflora and flat-sedge Blysmus compressus are frequent.

8210 Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation

Ingleborough is one of three sites representing the Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation found in northern England. Crevice communities occur on extensive limestone scars and are characteristic of the area. The flora has a mix of northern and southern species, including purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia, yellow saxifrage S. aizoides, alpine meadow-grass Poa alpina, hoary whitlowgrass Draba incana, lesser meadow-rue Thalictrum minus, wall lettuce Mycelis muralis and baneberry Actaea spicata.

8240 Limestone pavements * Priority feature

Ingleborough is one of four sites in northern England representing Limestone pavements on Carboniferous limestone. It has the most extensive series of Limestone pavements in the UK, varying from moderate altitude to montane in character (300-640 m). The pavements range from those where grazing is completely excluded (Colt Park Wood National Nature Reserve), to some where grazing is restricted (pavements amidst cattle-grazed pastures) and others within

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site Not applicable.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection Not applicable.

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.

common land intensively grazed by sheep. Characteristic species include baneberry Actaea spicata (more abundant here than elsewhere), great bellflower Campanula latifolia, found only here as a limestone pavement species, lily-of-the-valley Convallaria majalis, marsh hawk’s-beard Crepis paludosa, wall lettuce Mycelis muralis, lesser meadow-rue Thalictrum minus and mountain melick Melica nutans. Among the ferns, green spleenwort Asplenium viride, brittle bladder-fern Cystopteris fragilis and hard shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum occur on most pavements. Rigid buckler-fern Dryopteris submontana and limestone fern Gymnocarpium robertianum are widespread but much less abundant than at Morecambe Bay Pavements. Dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis and wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella occur on most pavements.

6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies: on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia)

6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae)

7130 Blanket bogs * Priority feature

7220 Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) * Priority feature

9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines * Priority feature

County: North Yorkshire Site Name: Thornton and Twisleton Glens

Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife andCountryside Act, 1981.

Local Planning Authority: Yorkshire Dales National Park, Craven District Council

National Grid Reference: SD 695745 & 705745 Area: 59.57 (ha) 147.21 (ac)

Ordnance Survey Sheet 1:50,000: 98 1:10,000: SD 67 NE, SE, 77 SW

First Notified: 1958* Date of Revision: 1984

Other Information:1. This site is listed in ÒA Nature Conservation ReviewÓ edited by D. A. Ratcliff (1977)Cambridge University Press.

2. Part of the site is identified as of national importance in the Geological Conservation Review.

3. Meal Bank Quarry, formerly included in this SSSI, is now scheduled as a separate site.

4. During the 1983 revision, the boundary has been amended to include an enclosure withformerly lay within Whernside SSSI.

*Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.

Description:The site comprises two deep glens which provide excellent examples of gorge woodland. To thewest, Thornton Glen is cut into Carboniferous Limestone, whilst to the east Silurian Slateunderlies much of Twisleton Glen.

This contrast in substrate is reflected in the plant communities. Woodland on the limestone isprincipally of ash Fraxinus excelsior with an understorey of hazel Corylus avellana; wych elmUlmus glabra is frequent by the riverside and yew Taxus baccata grows on the cliffs and scars.The ground flora is dominated either by dogÕs mercury Mercurialis perennis, ramsons Alliumursinum or tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa and is locally rich in woodland herbsincluding sanicle Sanicula europaea and sweet woodruff Galium odoratum. On the more acidicsoils overlying the slate, oak-birch woodland Quercus robur and Betula pendula is welldeveloped. The ground flora here is of great wood-rush Luzula sylvatica, bilberry Vacciniummyrtillus, and wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa.

The site includes areas of acidic, calcareous and neutral grassland, parts of which are flushed bygroundwater. One such flush is dominated by purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea with blackbog-rush Schoenus nigricans and birdÕs eye primrose Primula farinosa.

The woodlands are of outstanding bryological importance with a large number of Atlanticspecies, several at the limits of their British distribution (e.g. species of Lejeuneaceae.

The best exposures in Britain of the sedimentary rocks known as the ÒIngletonianÓ occurwithin the site. These rocks are of controversial age, but are now thought likely to have beenlaid down late in Cambrian or early in Ordovician times, about 500 million years ago, when thispart of Britain lay beneath the sea. The rocks seen here demonstrate clearly the internal

features which have enabled geologists to interpret the sequence of events which has affectedthem since they were deposited. At Thornton Force, the junction of the CarboniferousLimestone, which rests upon the Ingletonian, is a classic example of an unconformity, wheretwo adjacent groups of rocks can be seen to rest discordantly against each other. Here, theunconformity provides evidence of severe earth movement and subsequent erosion which tookplace after the deposition of the Ingletonian, but before the Carboniferous Limestone wasdeposited.

County: North Yorkshire and Cumbria Site Name: Whernside

Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife andCountryside Act, 1981, as amended.

Local Planning Authority: Yorkshire Dales National Park, (Craven District Council andSouth Lakeland District Council)

National Grid Reference: SD 735802

Ordnance Survey Sheet 1:50,000: 98 1:25,000: SD 67, 77, 78, 87

Area: 2600.1 ha 6424.8 acres (Craven)1239.3 ha 3062.3 acres (South Lakeland)3839.4 ha 9487.1 acres (Total)

First Notified: 1958*, Extended: 1996*, 1969* Date of Revision: 1986

Description:Whernside is of major significance both for its upland vegetation communities, and for itsphysiographic features, including limestone pavements and cave systems. While the siteshows some similarity to Ingleborough, and supports important examples of blanker mire,dwarf shrub heath, sub-montane acid grassland, inland cliff and limestone pavement vegetation,it differs in consisting of a ridge rather than a plateau. Whernside also qualifies for notificationon the grounds of its outstanding assemblage of plant species, some of the rare.

The site is particularly noted for some of the most extensive unbroken, horizontal limestonepavement in Britain (Scales Moor). Furthermore, the markedly stepped form of TwisletonScars illustrates the varied resistance of individual limestone layers to glacial erosion. TheKingsdale caves are more completely mapped than any other cave system in Britain andinclude the most extensively flooded system known in Europe. Preliminary study and datingof the deposits in the high-level abandoned caves indicate an exceptional age for the cave-system and offer potential for further study.

The varied topography and geology support a range of equally varied plant communities.Above 1200 m blanket bog dominated by hareÕs-tail cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum iswidespread. The associates, heath rush Juncus squarrosus, heather Calluna vulgaris, bilberryVaccinium myrtillus and crowberry Empetrum nigrum become locally dominant. Other speciesinclude deergrass Trichophorum cespitosum, stiff sedge Carex bigelowii and sheepÕs fescueFestuca ovina with a bog moss Sphagnum lawn in the wettest situations. Elsewhere on thehigh land mat-grass Nardus stricta replaces blanket bog.

The limestone cliffs along Twisleton Scars and the pavement on Scales Moor are ofconsiderable botanical interest, containing several uncommon or rare species. Their rich floraincludes baneberry Actea spicata, wall lettuce Mycelis muralis, spring sandwort Minuartiaverna, lesser meadow-rue Thalictrum minus, angular SolomonÕs-seal Polygonum odoratum, andtwo species of ladyÕs-mantles Alchemilla glaucescens and A. minima. Many fern species occurincluding green spleenwort Asplenium viride, brittle bladder-fern Cystopteris fragilis, hardshield-fern Polystichum aculeatum and most notably rigid buckler-fern Dryopteris villarii andlimestone polypody Gymnocarpium robertianum.

By contrast, sandstone cliffs on the summit ridge support sea campion Silene maritima andparsley fern Cryptogramma crispa.

Other Information:1. Although not described in ÒA Nature Conservation ReviewÓ, D A Ratcliffe, Cambridge

University Press, 1977, part of this site (Scales Moor) is now recognised as anextension to the internationally important Ingleborough site.

2. Parts of this site are listed within the Geological Conservation Review under the nameÒScales MoorÓ and ÒKingsdaleÓ.

3. During the 1986 revision, the boundary of this site has been amended to include landnot previously notified* and to exclude land previously notified.

4. This site is adjacent to Thornton and Twisleton Glens SSSI and Ingleborough SSSI.

* Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.

Date of notification: 15 October 1990

County: North Yorkshire Site Name: Seato Pastures

Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife andCountryside Act, 1981, as amended.

Local Planning Authority: Yorkshire Dales National Park, (Craven District Council)

National Grid Reference: SD 729761

Ordnance Survey Sheet 1:50,000: 98 1:10,000: SD 77 NW

Area: 9.92 (ha) 24.51 (ac)

First Notified: 1990

Description:The land described here as Seato Pastures is of great interest for calcareous (limestone) flushesor seepages that support a particularly species-rich vegetation. The flushes lie within acomplex of semi-natural grassland and wetland communities that add to the overall importanceof the site.

The calcareous flush vegetation occurs mainly on the sloping ground but is nonethelessextensive and in excellent condition at this site. It is characterised by small sedge species andherbs like common butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris and birdÕs-eye primrose Primula farinosa.The sedges include long-stalked yellow Carex lepidocarpa, carnation C. panicea, glaucous C.flacca, and tawny sedge C. hostiana, and these occur with grasses such as sheepÕs-fescueFestuca ovina, quaking-grass Briza media and purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea and otherfine-leaved species like few-flowered spike-rush Eleocharis quinqueflora and marsh arrowgrassTriglochin palustris. Amongst the other herbs are grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia palustris,marsh valerian Valeriana dioica and the scarce, yellow saxifrage Saxifraga aizoides.

The drier grassland on the banks that slope down to the river is mostly a form of crested dogÕs-tail Cynosurus cristatus, common knapweed Centaurea nigra grassland. Typically, itsupports plants like the birdÕs-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ladyÕs bedstraw Galium verumand rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, but there are also interesting transitions to limestoneand acidic communities. The limestone grassland is characterised by blue moor-grass Sesleriaalbicans, sheepÕs-fescue, and herbs such as salad burnet Sanguisorba minor, burnet-saxifragePimpinella saxifraga and small quantities of mountain everlasting Antennaria dioica. Incontrast, the acidic grassland supports species like mat-grass Nardus stricta, bitter vetchLathyrus montanus and a little heather Calluna vulgaris. Some of these grassland communitiesare also represented on unusual hummocks or mounds on the flood plain by the river.

Marshy hollows at the base of the slope provide further diversity to the vegetation with agradation from a course, tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa grassland to a purple moor-grass and sedge (eg. Carex nigra) community. The uncommon plant, flat-sedge Blysmuscompressus is found here.

Other Information:

The site adjoins the Ingleborough SSSI Ð which is listed as internationally important in ÒANature Conservation ReviewÓ, edited by D A Ratcliffe (1977). Cambridge University Press,and is also listed within the Geological Conservation Review.

County: North Yorkshire Site Name: Ingleborough Status: Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) notified under Section 28 of the Wildlife

and Countryside Act 1981 as amended. Colt Park Wood and Scar Close are National Nature Reserves (NNR) declared

under Section 19 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949 Local Planning Authority: Yorkshire Dales National Park, Craven District Council National Grid Reference: SD 760740 Area: 5230 (ha) 12,923.4 (ac) Ordnance Survey Sheets: 1:50,000: 98 1:25,000: SD 76, 77, 87 First Notified: 1955 Date of Revision: 1986 Description: Ingleborough is Britain’s fines karst area, the characteristic limestone landforms having been produced largely under glacial conditions. It is particularly noted for extensive limestone pavements, dry valleys and gorges, shakeholes and sinkholes, including Gaping Gill which is 105 metres deep and has within it the highest single-drop waterfall in Britain. Many of these features are classic teaching examples. More than 50kms of cave passage have been mapped underground, interesting not only for their scale and diversity, but also for the evidence they provide on the evolution of the Pennine landscape since the beginning of the Ice Age. Norber is a classic site for the perched erratic blocks of Silurian grit which were moved by the ice to rest upon limestone pedestals. Associated with the various acidic and basic strata, together with drift and peat which obscure the rocks over large areas, there is a wide range of vegetation types. Where limestone occurs at the surface, there is a calcareous grassland dominated by blue-moor grass Sesleria albicans, while elsewhere blanket-bog is dominated by hare’s tail cottongrass Eriophorum vaginatum. Where flushing occurs the blanket-hog becomes floristically richer with sundew Drosera rotundifolia, cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos and bog asphodel Narthecium ossifragum. There is a fine series of limestone pavements at Colt Park the pavement is tree covered and dominated by ash Fraxinus excelsior, while at Southerscales the lower wooded pavement characterised by hazel Corylus avellana and bloody crane’s-bill Geranium sanguineum, gives way above to a more montane flora including rigid buckler fern Dryopteris villarrii, limestone polypody Gymnocarpium robertianum and baneberry Actaea spicata. Scar Close demonstrates a unique combination of acidic and calcicolous species islands of peat on the pavement support heather Calluna vulgaris and crowberry Empetrum nigrum together with lily-of-the-valley Convallaria majalis. On the Moughton pavements, extensive juniper Juniperus communis occurs. The crags of the summit plateau support an arctic-alpine flora with purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositfolia, yellow mountain-saxifrage S. aizoides, roseroot Sedum rosea and alpine meadow grass Poa alpina.. Within the site there are several localities for the endemic English sandwort Arenaria norvegica spp. anglica.

Other Information: 1. Ingleborough is an internationally important site described in ‘Nature Conservation

Review’, D A Ratcliffe, Cambridge University Press, 1977, including Ingleborough Cave Systems and Ribblehead Woods (Colt Parks).

2. Part of the site is listed within the Geological Conservation Review, for its Karst and

cave features. The Norber Erratics are listed separately as an important Pleistocene/Quaternary site.

3. The site is adjacent to Whernside and Salt Lake Quarry SSSIs. 4. During the 1986 revision the boundary has been amended. The site now includes Long

Churn System, Scar Close and Colt Park Wood which were previously notified separately.

* Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949.

SD67-10SD67-10SD67-02

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of

Ordnance Survey on behalf of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.© Crown Copyright 2013.

Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead

to prosecution or civil proceedings.Licence No: 100034590.

Client: URS

Client Ref: Ingleton 01

Our Ref: E00498

Description: Map showing conservation sites within the search area

Scope of search: Site withinboundary + 1km buffer centredon SD 705 743

Scale: 1: 20,000 when printed at A4

Date produced: 10/05/2013

Legend

North Yorkshire SINC

1km buffer

Site boundary

Our ref: E00498 Date: 10/05/2013 Species list for data search of area: Site + 1km buffer at SD 705 743

E00498 species list.docx 1

The table below lists all species for which records have been found within the search area. The date refers to the most recent occurrence for each species.

SPECIES LIST

Scientific name Common name Taxonomic

group Year Designated as

Cyanistes caeruleus

Blue Tit bird 2002 Bern Convention Appendix 2

Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon

bird 1988

Bern Convention Appendix 2 Birds Directive Annex 1 Bonn Convention Appendix 2 EC CITES Annex A RDB - Internationally Important RDB Birds - 1a Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 1 Part 1)

Muscicapa striata

Spotted Flycatcher

bird 2004

Bern Convention Appendix 2 Bonn Convention Appendix 2 Craven LBAP Priority Species UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Numenius arquata

Eurasian Curlew

bird 2005

Birds Directive Annex 2.2 Bonn Convention Appendix 2 Craven LBAP Priority Species IUCN (2001) - Lower risk - near threatened RDB Birds - 1a RDB Birds - 1b UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Passer montanus

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

bird 2005 Craven LBAP Priority Species UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Perdix perdix Grey Partridge bird 2005

Birds Directive Annex 2.1 Craven LBAP Priority Species RDB Birds - 3 UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Phoenicurus phoenicurus

Common Redstart

bird 2004 Bern Convention Appendix 2

Poecile montanus

Willow Tit bird 2001 Bern Convention Appendix 2 UK BAP Non-strict

Poecile palustris Marsh Tit bird 2004 Bern Convention Appendix 2 Craven LBAP Priority Species UK BAP Non-strict

Troglodytes troglodytes

Winter Wren bird 1999 Bern Convention Appendix 2 UK BAP Non-strict

Turdus merula Common Blackbird

bird 1999 Birds Directive Annex 2.2

Anguilla anguilla European Eel bony fish (Actinopterygii)

1997 IUCN (2001) - Critically endangered UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Cottus gobio Bullhead bony fish (Actinopterygii)

1997 Craven LBAP Priority Species

Salmo salar Atlantic Salmon bony fish (Actinopterygii)

2000

Craven LBAP Priority Species Habitats Directive Annex 5 RDB - Internationally Important Statutory Instrument 2716- The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994.Schedule 3 The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2010 (Schedule 4) UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Salmo trutta Brown/Sea Trout

bony fish (Actinopterygii)

1997 Craven LBAP Priority Species UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Cerastium fontanum

Common Mouse-Ear

flowering plant

1999 UK BAP Non-strict

Meconopsis cambrica

Welsh Poppy flowering plant

1999 Nationally scarce

Sesleria caerulea

Blue Moor-Grass

flowering plant

1999 Nationally scarce

Cladonia portentosa

lichen 1968 Habitats Directive Annex 5





Hypogymnia physodes

lichen 1968 IUCN (2001) - Vulnerable Nationally rare UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Calypogeia integristipula

Meylan's Pouchwort

liverwort 1968 Nationally scarce

Colura calyptrifolia

Fingered Cowlwort


Jamesoniella autumnalis

Autumn Flapwort


Jungermannia leiantha

Long-Leaved Flapwort

liverwort 1963 IUCN (2001) - Critically endangered Nationally rare UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Pedinophyllum interruptum

Craven Featherwort


Scapania aequiloba

Lesser Rough Earwort


Scapania cuspiduligera

Untidy Earwort liverwort 1966 Nationally scarce

Vertigo (Vertigo) alpestris

Mountain Whorl Snail

mollusc 2006 Nationally Notable

Vertigo (Vertigo) pusilla

Wall Whorl Snail


Vitrea subrimata


Coscinodon cribrosus

Sieve-Tooth Moss

moss 2005 Nationally scarce

Fissidens rufulus Beck Pocket-Moss


Homomallium incurvatum

Incurved Feather-Moss

moss 1969 IUCN (2001) - Critically endangered Nationally rare UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Leucobryum glaucum

Large White-Moss

moss 1991 Habitats Directive Annex 5

Leucobryum juniperoideum

Smaller White-Moss


Orthothecium rufescens

Red Leskea moss 1991 Nationally scarce

Thamnobryum cataractarum

Yorkshire Feather-Moss

moss 2008 IUCN (2001) - Vulnerable Nationally rare UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Lutra lutra European Otter terrestrial mammal

2002

Bern Convention Appendix 2 Craven LBAP Priority Species EC CITES Annex A Habitats Directive Annex 4 IUCN (2001) - Lower risk - near threatened RDB - Internationally Important Statutory Instrument 2716- The Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994. Schedule 2 The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2010 (Schedule 2) UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.1 (killing/injuring)) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.1 (taking)) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.2) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.4a) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.4b) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.5a) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.5b) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5)

Mustela vison American Mink terrestrial mammal

2002 Craven LBAP Priority Species





Pipistrellus pipistrellus sensu lato

terrestrial mammal

1991

Bern Convention Appendix 2 Bonn Convention Appendix 2 Craven LBAP Priority Species Habitats Directive Annex 4 RDB - Internationally Important The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2010 (Schedule 2) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.1 (killing/injuring)) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.1 (taking)) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.2) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.4a) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.4b) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.5a) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5 Section 9.5b) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 5)

ingleton quarry report - yorkshire dales national park...

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