ECOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENTe-planning.worcestershire.gov.uk/swift/apas/MediaTemp/...1...

ECOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION METHOD

STATEMENT

Focus Ecology Ltd

Unit 17H

Shrub Hill Industrial Estate

Worcester

WR4 9EL

Email: [email protected]

Tel. 01905 780084

© Focus Ecology Ltd / Pencroft Ltd / E J Planning

CHURCH FARM QUARRY, GRIMLEY,

WORCESTERSHIRE

for

PENCROFT LTD / E J PLANNING

Date: March 2015

Contract Ref: 0484

mailto:[email protected]

1 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry. Grimley

CONTROL SHEET

Pencroft Ltd / E J Planning

Church Farm Quarry, Grimley

Construction Method Statement and Mitigation Strategy

Name Position

Author

Anna Parry

Ecologist

Checked by

Fern Fellowes-Day

Director

Contract

No. Project Contact Revision No. Date of Issue

0484

Anna Parry

01 24 March 2015

Disclaimer

Please Note that all reasonable care and attention is made by Focus Ecology to produce reports and advice to a

high, professional standard. However, no responsibility is accepted for any consequences howsoever caused, by

the release of this report to third parties. Our terms and conditions provide a detailed resume of quality standards

and procedures, to which the reader is referred for further information.

2 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTROL SHEET .................................................................................................................................. 1

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Scheme Background ..................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 General Site Description ............................................................................................................... 4

1.3 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 4

1.4 Existing Survey Information .......................................................................................................... 4

2. CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENT ........................................................................................ 5

2.1 Construction Method Statement ................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Ecological Enhancement Plan .................................................................................................... 10

3. REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................. 12

4. ANNEXES ......................................................................................................................................... 16

4.1 Species Ecology & Legislation .................................................................................................... 16

5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE ................................................................................................ 20


1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Scheme Background

The client (Pencroft Ltd.) is seeking planning permission from Worcester City Council

for a Sustainable Environmental Park at an existing 6ha gravel extraction site at

Church Farm Quarry, Grimley. Previous permission for an aggregates recycling

facility was obtained in 2002 by Tarmac Lafarge Ltd. but ceases with the existing

permission for sand and gravel extraction, which has recently expired. Proposals are

for a smaller development footprint centralised over the previous plant area so as to

retain the more ecologically valuable areas to the north and south (based on 14-232

Site Plan Final Draft provided by Green Lane Design on 04-03-15). The Sustainable

Environmental Park will include an aggregates crusher (Sandvik QJ340) and the

proposed site hours will be a maximum of 07:30 to 18:00.

Existing plans for the site are to restore it as broad-leaved woodland and species-rich

grassland as part of the larger Lafarge Tarmac Ltd. site. This will also involve the

removal of the washing pool (1) in the north of the site and woodland clearance within

Grimley Brook Local Wildlife Site, which was considered to have potential for

supporting hazel dormice. A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of the site was

carried out by Focus Ecology in 2014 and supplemented with a third-party records

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FAILURE BY THE CLIENT OR ANYONE WORKING UNDER

THE CLIENT’S DIRECTION TO FOLLOW THE METHOD STATEMENT MAY RESULT IN A

BREACH OF THE LAW AND LEAVE THE CLIENT OR OTHERS OPEN TO PROSECUTION.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS METHOD STATEMENT ARE

DESIGNED TO BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER PLANNING CONDITIONS AND MUST BE

IMPLEMENTED AS STATED. ALL RELEVANT CONTRACTORS COMMISSIONED TO

UNDERTAKE WORKS AFFECTED BY THIS METHOD STATEMENT MUST READ AND

UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS BEFORE STARTING ON SITE.

THIS DOCMENT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHURCH FARM

QUARRY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL (FOCUS ECOLOGY, 2015).


search, daytime bat inspection (including tree-climbing) and mammal survey in 2015

(Focus Ecology, 2015).

Following the PEA, an enhanced Ecological Restoration Plan has been proposed in

conjunction with the aforementioned application to increase the wider sites’ inherent

biodiversity value. Full details of the restoration plan will be negotiated and agreed

with the Local Planning Authority once the application has been validated. The

Ecological Restoration Plan will be designed and implemented in such a way as to

minimise impacts upon protected species and/or valuable habitats.

1.2 General Site Description

The majority of the development footprint comprises bare, heavily disturbed ground.

Immediately west of the site is a stream and woodland, which has been designated by

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust as Grimley Brook ‘Local Wildlife Site’. The Preliminary

Ecological Appraisal (Focus Ecology, 2015) identified that the proposed development

footprint was of low ecological value, but that the surrounding ecological features (e.g.

ponds, woodland etc.) were of moderate-high value.

Access to the site is proposed via the existing access across a low bridge along the

west site boundary. The site is intersected by a public footpath, which has a

permissive route around the north site boundary.

1.3 Objectives

The objectives of this report are:

1. to identify a suitable method of work to ensure that development proposals

do not result in harm to protected species (e.g. great crested newts, reptiles,

dormice, bats etc.) and their resting places;

2. to demonstrate compliance with relevant wildlife legislation, government

guidance, best practice and local planning policy; and

3. to outline the mitigation strategy for great crested newts to ensure their long-

term survival at this site (if present).

1.4 Existing Survey Information

Please see Section 4 in Focus Ecology (2015) for full and detailed survey information.


2. CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENT

2.1 Construction Method Statement

Table 1: Construction Method Statement for Church Farm Quarry, Grimley.

Activity Ecological

Receptor

Protection Measures

2.1.1 Pre-construction

Restoration Plan ALL A detailed Ecological Restoration Plan will be produced in collaboration with the

LPA.

Further Survey Work Great Crested

Newts

Further survey work for great crested newts will be carried out prior to any works

on site. The results of the survey will be used to direct an appropriate scheme of

mitigation and compensation (if required).

Bats No further survey work is required at this juncture. Should plans change, and

tree/hedgerow clearance is required or lighting of the woodland edge is deemed

unavoidable, then specialist survey for tree-roosting bats and bat foraging activity

may be required.

Hazel Dormice No further survey work is required at this juncture. A specialist survey for hazel

dormice may be required in the event that any areas of suitable hazel dormouse

habitat require clearance to facilitate development.


Activity Ecological

Receptor

Protection Measures

Timing of Works Great Crested

Newts

To avoid the risk of encountering hibernating herpetofauna, construction works in

areas of potential habitat will be restricted to times of the year when amphibians

are fully active (April – September, inclusive). This period will be extended by

one month either end (March and October), only if overnight temperatures are

above 6°C.

Nocturnal Fauna Construction activities will be restricted to the normal working day (7am – 7pm) to

avoid any unnecessary disturbance to bats and other nocturnal animals. There

will be no site night lighting.

Site Visits & Reporting ALL An Ecological Clerk of Works will provide a ‘toolbox talk’ prior to the works within

the development footprint commencing. This talk will indicate an appropriate

procedure for working within this area to minimise disturbance on site and the

risk of inadvertently harming great crested newts, or other wildlife.

Site Preparation ALL Heras fencing (or similar) will be installed around the perimeter of the

construction zone to prevent any vehicle or construction encroachment onto

habitats of moderate – high ecological value.

Fauna Immediately prior to construction works, an Ecological Clerk of Works will carry

out a finger-tip search of the area for vulnerable species. This will include turning

over and removing any objects or debris within the area.


Activity Ecological

Receptor

Protection Measures

Noise Levels ALL Acoustic fencing will be strategically placed along the site boundaries in proximity

to the crusher and planted with climbers (e.g. ivy).

2.1.2 During Construction

Site Visits & Reporting ALL The Ecological Clerk of Works will be present or ‘on call’ for the duration of the

works and regular site visits and reporting will occur to monitor progress and

resolve any new issues, as and when required.

Vegetation Clearance Birds Where areas of potential bird nesting habitat, such as scrub, require removal, site

clearance will be undertaken outside of the bird nesting season (March – August

inclusive) wherever feasible. If avoiding the bird nesting season is not possible,

areas of vegetation will be carefully checked by a suitably qualified ecologist on

site prior to removal. An Ecological Clerk of Works will be able to identify any

nesting birds and advise of appropriate safe working distances to ensure

compliance with wildlife legislation. Active nests will be left undisturbed until

young have fledged, as advised by an Ecological Clerk of Works.

Fauna A scheme of progressive vegetation clearance to ensure that future works areas

are clear of reptiles, amphibians and small mammals prior to ground excavations.

Invasive Species Grimley Brook LWS,

Woodland, Ponds &

Wetland Habitats

No works will take place within 10m of the stands of Indian balsam, Japanese

knotweed or variegated yellow-archangel. A scheme to eradicate these species

from the surrounding site will be detailed within the Ecological Restoration Plan.


Activity Ecological

Receptor

Protection Measures

Tree Protection Grimley Brook LWS,

, Woodland, Bats,

Hazel Dormice

No tree clearance will be undertaken. Existing mature trees and hedgerows

should be retained within the development scheme. All retained trees and

hedgerows should be afforded adequate protection in line with ‘BS5837: 2012

Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction’.

Noise Fauna Working hours should be restricted to the normal working day (7am – 7pm).

Storage ALL Due to the inquisitive nature of otters and other wildlife, any machinery used

should be made safe or temporarily fenced off when not in use.

Great Crested

Newts

Storage of construction materials will be kept to a minimum. Where materials

must be stored, they will be restricted to inert objects and located on

hardstanding away from the pond(s). Materials will be stored on pallets to

discourage amphibians from using them as shelter. Skips or similar containers

may also be used in place of piles on the ground.

Excavations ALL Trenches or open excavations will be covered at the end of each working day, or

include a means of escape such as a sloping ramp for any badger, or other

wildlife (e.g. otter) that may fall in. Any temporarily-exposed open pipe systems

or ducts will be capped at the end of each working day in such a way as to

prevent badgers and other wildlife from gaining access.

Rabbits Works should comply with the Wild Mammals Act (2006), with particular

reference to the rabbits burrows below the central buildings.


Activity Ecological

Receptor

Protection Measures

Potential Refugia Fauna A final pre-start finger-tip search will also be undertaken by an Ecological Clerk of

Works prior to work commencing. Logs and deadwood should be retained for

use by saproxylic invertebrates and as habitat for reptiles and amphibians, but

may be relocated by hand to more discrete locations as directed by an Ecological

Clerk of Works.

Environmental Run-Off Ponds & Wetland

Habitats, Grimley

Brook LWS, Grimley

Brick Pits SSSI,

GCN

Unnecessary soil disruption will be minimised and soil erosion measures

implemented during any site excavation works to prevent unwanted run-off of

sediment and nutrients into the ponds and stream. A detailed scheme is beyond

the scope and expertise of this report. However, suggested suitable measures

(see Environment Agency, 2009) may include:

Temporary sediment trap(s) and/or cut-off trenches to collect any run-off

during periods of heavy rainfall.

Contour bunding around the edge of excavated/cultivated areas.

Lighting ALL The final lighting strategy will be agreed with Worcestershire County Council

during the detailed design stage and confirmed as implemented by an Ecological

Clerk of Works.

Nocturnal Wildlife Any nocturnal lighting will be minimal and low level, and specifically avoid

illumination of Grimley Brook LWS, mature trees, riparian margins and

associated wildlife habitats.


Activity Ecological

Receptor

Protection Measures

Brown Roof Fauna The brown roof will be installed onto the new workshop with species directly

transplanted from the site and then allowed to colonise naturally.

2.1.3 Post Construction

Green Walls Fauna As required.

Wildlife Boxes Birds 2 x bird boxes suitable for starlings will be installed on the north or east

elevations of the workshop or on placed on an existing building within the

development footprint.

Bats 1 x wall-mounted summer and winter roost bat box (such as the 1WQ Schwegler

Summer & Winter Bat Roost) will be installed on the south-west elevation of the

new workshop or placed onto an existing building within the development

footprint. The box will be installed at least 4m above ground level and not

directly over windows.

Site Visits & Reporting ALL The Ecological Clerk of Works will make a final site check and ‘sign-off’ once the

construction method statement works as completed. N.B. This does not include

works associated with the Ecological Restoration Plan.

Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley

Client: EJ Planning Ltd / Pencroft Ltd.

Site: Church Farm Quarry, Grimley

Title: Ecological Enhancement Plan

Contract: 0484

Date: March 2015

NORTH

Based on Drawing No. 14-232-Loc-001 by Green Lane Design (February 2015). Please note: this plan is intended only to indicate the approximate location of features and should therefore, not be treated as an accurate scale plan.

2.2 Ecological Enhancement Plan

11

KEY:

Suggested Location of Brown Roof

Vivara Pro Woodstone Starling Nest Box

1WQ Schwegler Summer & Winter Bat Roost

Green Walls

‘Green’ Acoustic Fencing

Vivara Pro Woodstone Starling Nest Box

1WQ Schwegler Summer & Winter Bat Roost

Example of Green Acoustic Fencing

Example of Green Walls

Example of a Brown Roof

12 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2011 Former Cashes Green Hospital site

3. REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY

Altringham, J. D. (2003). British Bats. Harper Collins Publishers, Glasgow, UK.

Bat Conservation Trust (2009). Bats and lighting in the UK- Bats and the built environment series.

Bat Conservation Trust, London, UK

Battersby, J. (Ed) & Tracking Mammals Partnership (2005). UK Mammals: Species Status and

Population Trends. First Report by the Tracking Mammals Partnership. JNCC/Tracking Mammals

Partnership, Peterborough, UK.

Blamey, M., Fitter, R. & Fitter, A. (2003). Wild Flowers of Britain & Ireland. A&C Black, London, UK.

Bright, P., Morris, P., Mitchell-Jones, T. (2006). The Dormouse Conservation handbook (2nd Edition).

English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough, UK.

Burfield, I. (2004). Birds in Europe – Population Estimates, Trends & Conservation Status. BirdLife

Conservation Series 12. BirdLife International.

Byron, H. (2000). Biodiversity and Environmental Impact Assessment: A Good Practice Guide for Road

Schemes. The RSPB, WWF-UK, English Nature and the Wildlife Trusts, Sandy, UK.

Chanin, P. (2003) Ecology of the European Otter. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series

No.10 English Nature, Peterborough, UK.

Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2007). Guidelines for Ecological

Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom. IEEM, Winchester, UK.

Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2013). Guidelines for preliminary

Ecological Appraisal. CIEEM, Winchester, UK.

Cowan, A. (2003). Trees and Bats. Aboricultural Association Guidance Note 1 (Second Edition).

AborEcology Ltd, UK.

Cresswell, W J. et al. (Eds) (2012). UK BAP Mammals: Interim Guidance for Survey Methodologies,

Impact Assessment and Mitigation. The Mammal Society, Southampton, UK.

Eaton MA, Brown AF, Noble DG, Musgrove AJ, Hearn R, Aebischer NJ, Gibbons DW, Evans A

and Gregory RD (2009) Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population status of birds in the United

Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. British Birds 102, pp296–341.


English Nature (2002). Bats in roofs: a guide for surveyors. English Nature (now Natural England),

Peterborough, UK.

English Nature (2004). Reptiles: guidelines for developers. English Nature (now Natural England),

Peterborough, UK.

English Nature (2005). Organising survey to determine site quality for invertebrates: a framework guide

for ecologists. English Nature (now Natural England), Peterborough, UK.

Environment Agency (2009). Working at Construction and Demolition Sites: PPG6. Pollution

Prevention Guidelines. Environment Agency, Bristol, UK.

Environment Agency (2010). Managing Invasive Non-native Plants: Managing invasive non-native

plants in or near fresh water. Environment Agency, Bristol, UK.

Focus Ecology (2015). Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. Church Farm Quarry, Grimley. Focus

Ecology, Worcester, UK.

Froglife (1999). Reptile Survey – An introduction to planning, conducting and interpreting surveys for

snake and lizard conservation. Froglife Advice Sheet 10, Peterborough, UK.

Füreder, L., Gherardi, F., Holdich, D., Reynolds, J., Sibley, P. & Souty-Grosset, C. (2014).

Austropotamobius pallipes. In: IUCN 2014. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2.

www.iucnredlist.org (Downloaded on 29 October 2014)

Gent, A.H., and Gibson, S.D., eds. (1998). Herpetofauna Workers’ Manual. Peterborough, Joint

Nature Conservation Committee, UK.

Hawkswell, S. (Ed.) (1997). The Wildlife Sites Handbook - Version 2. Royal Society for Nature

Conservation, Lincoln, UK.

Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1981). The Wildlife and Countryside Act. Her Majesty’s Stationary

Office, London, UK.

Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1992). The Protection of Badgers Act. Her Majesty’s Stationary

Office, London, UK.

Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1997). The Hedgerows Regulations. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office,

London, UK.


Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (2000). The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act. Her

Majesty’s Stationary Office, London, UK.

Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (2006). The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC)

Act. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, London, UK.

Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (2010). The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations. Her


Holdich, D (2003). Ecology of the White-clawed Crayfish. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology

Series No. 1. Natural England, Peterborough, UK.

Hundt, L. (2012). Bat Surveys – Good Practice Guidelines 2nd Edition. Bat Conservation Trust,

London, UK.

Institution of Lighting Professionals (2011). Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Lighting.

GN01:2011. [online] Institution of Lighting Professionals. Available at

<https://www.theilp.org.uk/documents/obtrusive-light/> [Accessed 18 March 2015]

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2004). Bat Worker’s Manual (3rd Edition). Joint Nature

Conservation Committee, Peterborough, UK.

Joint Nature Conservancy Council (2010). Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey - a technique for

environmental audit. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK.

Mitchell-Jones, A.J. (2004). Bat Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough, UK.

Natural England (2009). Badgers and Development - A Guide to Best Practice and Licensing. Natural

England, Bristol, UK.

Natural England (2011). Natural England great crested newt mitigation (development) licence method

statement template. Natural England, Bristol, UK.

Nature Conservancy Council (1989 and updates). Guidelines for selection of biological SSSIs.

Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005). Circular 06/2005: Biodiversity and Geological

Conservation – Statutory obligations and their impact within the planning system. Her Majesty’s

Stationary Office, London, UK.


Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2012). National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Her


Peay, S. (2002). Guidance on Habitat for White-clawed crayfish and its restoration. Environment

Agency Technical Report, UK

Woods, M. (1995). The Badger. The Mammal Society, London, UK.


4. ANNEXES

4.1 Species Ecology & Legislation

4.1.1 Bats

All British bats are “European Protected Species” (EPS) and listed on Annex II and

Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive. The Directive is transposed into UK law through

the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The following actions

affecting bats are prohibited under the legislation:

deliberate capture, injury or killing;

deliberate disturbance likely to significantly affect population survival, breeding,

rearing young, local distribution or abundance;

damage or destruction of a breeding site or resting place;

possessing, controlling, transporting, selling or exchanging, or offering for sale

or exchange, any bat or any part of a bat or anything derived from one.

Bats are also afforded protection from ‘reckless disturbance’ by the Wildlife and

Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

4.1.2 Badgers

Badgers and their setts are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as

amended). This makes it an offence to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger or interfere

with a badger sett through damaging the sett, destroying the sett, obstructing access

to a sett, causing a dog to enter the sett or disturbing a badger occupying a sett.

4.1.3 Birds

All wild birds in the UK are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act

1981 (as amended). This protection includes killing, injuring or taking wild birds as

well as taking, damaging or destroying bird nests in use or being built, and taking or

destroying eggs. A small number of derogated bird species, principally members of

the genus Corvus (crows), Larus (gulls) and Columba (pigeons), may be killed by

authorised persons under a ‘general licence’. Birds listed under Schedule 1 of the Act

are afforded additional protection from disturbance during nesting and offences

relating to these birds are subject to special penalties.


4.1.4 Great Crested Newts

The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) (Laurenti, 1758), is a “European Protected

Species” (EPS) and listed on Annex II and Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive. The

Directive is transposed into UK law through the Conservation of Habitats and Species

Regulations 2010. Thus making it illegal to:

deliberately capture, injure or kill;

deliberately disturb with the significant likelihood to affect population survival,

breeding, local distribution or abundance;

deliberately take or destroy eggs;

Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place;

Possess, control, transport, sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange, any

great crested newt or any part of a great crested newt or anything derived from

one.

The above applies to all life stages.

Great crested newts are also afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

(as amended). This makes intentional or reckless damage of, disturbance to, or obstruction of

access to, their places of shelter specifically prohibited. This applies to both aquatic and

terrestrial habitat.

4.1.5 Hazel Dormouse

The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a “European Protected Species”

(EPS) and listed on Annex IV(a) of the EC Habitats Directive. The Directive is

transposed into UK law through the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations

2010 (as amended). The following actions affecting hazel dormice are prohibited

under the legislation:

deliberate capture, injury or killing;

deliberate disturbance likely to significantly affect population survival,

breeding, rearing young, hibernation, migration, local distribution or

abundance;

damage or destruction of a breeding site or resting place;


possessing, controlling, transporting, selling or exchanging, or offering

for sale or exchange, any bat or any part of a bat or anything derived

from one.

Hazel dormice are also afforded protection from ‘reckless disturbance’ by the Wildlife

and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

4.1.6 Otters

Otters receive protection under both the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as

amended) and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Otters

and their resting places are fully protected, it is an offence to

deliberately, capture, injure or kill them or to damage,

destroy or obstruct their breeding or resting places, or

disturb otters in their breeding or resting places.

4.1.7 Reptiles

All common reptile species (grass snake, adder, common lizard and slow-worm) native

to Britain are protected by Schedule 5 the Wildlife & Countryside Act,1981 (as

amended). It is illegal to:

deliberately kill, injure a reptile or

sale, barter, exchange, transport for sale and advertising to sell or to buy

a reptile.

In Northern Ireland they are fully protected against killing, injuring,

capturing, disturbance, possession or trade.

In addition sand lizard and smooth snake are protected under the Conservation

(Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 which makes it illegal to carry out the

following activities:

Deliberately or recklessly disturb, capture or kill these animals,

Deliberately or recklessly take or destroy eggs of these animals;

Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such a wild animal;


Keep, transport, sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange, any live

or dead animal, or any part of, or anything derived from such a wild

animal.

4.1.8 Water Voles

Water voles are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as

amended). This makes it an offence to intentionally kill, capture or injure a water vole.

They are also protected against intentional or reckless disturbance, obstruction,

damage or destruction of their burrows.

4.1.9 White-clawed Crayfish

White-clawed crayfish receive protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and

Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), making it an offence to take from the wild, offer

for sale, transport for sale, and advertise for the purpose of trading any live, dead, part,

or derivative of the white-clawed crayfish. The white-clawed crayfish is also listed

under Appendix III of the Bern Convention, is classified as ‘endangered’ on the IUCN

Red List of Threatened Species and is a Species of Principal Importance in England

under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006. Their inclusion in the EU Habitats Directive

Annexes II and V requires the designation of special areas of conservation (SACs) for

its protection and conservation.

Several non-native species of crayfish are present in the UK and it is an offence under

Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act to keep without licence or release any

of the introduced species of crayfish into the wild, as well as use white-clawed crayfish

as bait. Lastly, the Prohibition of Keeping of Live Fish (Crayfish) Order 1996 has

placed legal controls on the keeping of non-native crayfish to help prevent the spread

of non-native species.


5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Focus Ecology was formed in 2010 and has the expertise to provide sure-fire

ecological solutions to a wide range of projects. The company ethos forges the highest

standards of professional scientific practice with a ‘best value’ approach for our clients.

Our core area of expertise is in the production of specialist ecological reports and

advice to support planning applications. However, our flexible approach, range of

skills and broad project experience allows us to adapt to your individual requirements.

The joint founders of the company, Fern Fellowes-Day and Graham Davison are both

Masters-qualified Ecologists. We have a wide range of practical experience from

major infrastructure contracts to smaller projects for private individuals across the UK.

Graham Davison BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM MSB

Graham is an ecologist with over twelve years of experience in the field of applied ecology. He holds a

BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology and an MSc with distinction in Law and Environmental Science. His

ecological experience includes surveys to identify nationally and locally important sites for wildlife,

ecological services to local planning authorities and provision of ecological reports to accompany major

infrastructure projects, housing schemes, industrial developments and mineral extraction. Graham is a

competent botanical surveyor and has considerable expertise in protected species surveys, holding

protected species licenses for bats, great crested newts, white-clawed crayfish, and barn owls as well

as competency in the survey of badgers, reptiles, otter, water vole, breeding and over-wintering birds.

Graham is skilled in the production of reports and Nature Conservation Management Plans providing

advice to ensure legal compliance and consistency with recognised best practice.

Fern Fellowes-Day BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM MSB

Fern has over ten years of professional experience in the ecological consultancy field. Prior to founding

Focus Ecology Ltd with joint Director Graham Davison, she worked in a senior position at a leading,

independent ecological consultancy managing numerous contracts countrywide. She holds BSc (Hons)

in Zoology from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and MSc in Habitat Creation and Management

from Staffordshire University. Fern is a skilled botanical surveyor, specialising in Baseline, Biodiversity

and Phase 1 Habitat Surveys. She is proficient with the BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes

schemes and meets the strict criteria for a ‘suitably qualified ecologist’. Fern’s particular expertise is

with protected species surveys, she has extensive knowledge in dealing with the badgers, with practical

experience in artificial sett design and creation and has held numerous Natural England licences to

close or disturb badger setts. In addition Fern holds survey licences (Natural England and Countryside

Council for Wales) for great crested newts, bats and white-clawed crayfish. Fern has held Natural

England Mitigation (development) licences for great crested newts and white-clawed crayfish

Conservation licence. She is particularly experienced in dealing with newt issues affecting the quarrying,

mineral extraction and landfill industry. Fern is also a competent surveyor of reptiles, water vole and

otters.

Anna Parry MBiolSci (Hons) ACIEEM

Anna has three years of experience in the field of Ecology and joined Focus Ecology in 2013. She holds

an integrated MBiolSci (Hons) Master’s degree in Zoology from the University of Sheffield and has

assisted on both large and small scale projects with a leading consultancy, as well as managing a two-

year project on species recording. Her ecological experience includes extended Phase 1 surveys,

NVC’s, breeding bird surveys, mitigation strategies, EPS licence applications and management plans.

Anna holds Natural England survey licences for bats, dormice, great crested newts and white-clawed

crayfish and is a competent surveyor of barn owls, reptiles and water voles. Anna has a valid CSCS

card and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management

(CIEEM).

ECOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENTe-planning.worcestershire.gov.uk/swift/apas/MediaTemp/...1...

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