Newbold Quarry Extension - apps2.staffordshire.gov.uk

Newbold Quarry Extension Ecological Impact Assessment Appendices. October 2011. Staffordshire Ecological services Ltd.

Newbold Quarry Extension: Appendices:


Appendix 1 – Impact Assessment Criteria UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Habitat and Species Action Plans. Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan: Habitats and Species Action Plans. Site of Biological Importance Selection Criteria for Hedgerows.

Appendix 2 – Site Location Map Aerial Photograph Survey Boundary Designated Sites within 1Km Radius. Proposed Extraction Phases Working Plan (proposed extraction and restoration phases). Newbold/Tucklesholme Restoration Scheme. Appendix 3 – Baseline Survey Data: Phase 1 Habitat Map Hedgerow Map Breeding Bird Survey Bat Transects Survey results. Appendix 4 – Invertebrate Report. Appendix 5 – Legal Considerations.


Appendix 1: Impact Assessment Criteria. Habitats and species that are important for maintaining biodiversity, including protected species are assessed in accordance with the proposed development. The impacts of the extension are judged on three criteria: Short term impact – where the proposed operation will have zero or negligible effect on species or habitats present. The species and habitat will recover to pre-development levels within a short period of time. Medium term impact – where the proposed operation will have a minor effect on existing species and habitats but the effects can be mitigated for through habitat management, restoration or creation. Long term impact – where the proposed operation will have a major detrimental effect on species and habitats including the loss of a local population or important habitats. Appendix 1: UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Habitat and Species Action Plans. (source: Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume II: Terrestrial and freshwater habitats (December 1998, Tranche 2, Vol II, p63) Lowland Wood Pasture and Parkland.

Biological status

Lowland wood-pastures and parkland are the products of historic land management systems, and represent a vegetation structure rather than being a particular plant community. Typically this structure consists of large, open-grown or high forest trees (often pollards) at various densities, in a matrix of grazed grassland, heathland and/or woodland floras. There are no reliable statistics on the extent of the overall resource, nor on historical and current rates of loss or degradation of this type of habitat. The figure of 10-20,000 ha 'currently in a working condition' given in the 'habitat statement' of the UK Biodiversity Steering Group report is the current best estimate. This habitat is most common in southern Britain, but scattered examples occur throughout the country for example Hamilton High Parks and Dalkeith Oakwood in Scotland. Outgrown wood-pasture and mature high forest remnants ('virgin forests') occur in northern and central Europe, but the number and continuity of ancient (veteran) trees with their associated distinctive saproxylic (wood-eating) fauna and epiphytic flora are more abundant in Britain than elsewhere. Parklands and wood-pasture may also be of interest for bats and birds and may preserve indigenous tree genotypes. These areas are outstanding at a European level.


These sites are frequently of national historic, cultural and landscape importance. Some, but not all, of the individual habitat components (lowland beech and yew woodland, lowland heathland, lowland dry acid grassland) are biodiversity action plan priority habitats in their own right. Requirements of these plans will need to be given due regard during implementation. Included in this plan are:

i. Lowland wood-pastures and parklands derived from medieval forests and emparkments, wooded commons, parks and pastures with trees in them. Some have subsequently had a designed landscape superimposed in the 16th to 19th centuries. A range of native species usually predominates amongst the old trees but there may be non-native species which have been planted or regenerated naturally.

ii. Parklands with their origins in the 19th century or later where they contain much older trees derived from an earlier landscape.

iii. Under-managed and unmanaged wood-pastures with veteran trees, in a matrix of secondary woodland or scrub that has developed by regeneration and/or planting.

iv. Parkland or wood-pasture that has been converted to other land uses such as arable fields, forestry and amenity land, but where surviving veteran trees are of nature conservation interest. Some of the characteristic wood-pasture and parkland species may have survived this change in state.

Not included in this plan are:

i. Upland sheep-grazed closed-canopy oak woodland or Caledonian pine forest (see the respective plans for these habitats).

ii. Parklands with 19th century origins or later with none of the above characteristics.

In terms of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) of plant communities lowland wood-pastures and parkland are most commonly associated with W10 Quercus robur - Pteridium aquilinum - Rubus fruticosus woodland, W14 Fagus sylvatica - Rubus fruticosus woodland, W15 Fagus sylvatica - Deschampsia flexuosa woodland and W16 Quercus spp. - Betula spp.- Deschampsia flexuosa woodland, although others may occur. In addition the more open wood-pastures and parkland may include various scrub, heathland, improved and unimproved grassland NVC communities.

Links with other action plans

Lowland wood-pasture and parkland is an important habitat for a number of priority species including violet click beetle Limoniscus violaceus, the stag beetle Lucanus cervus, a bark beetle Emoporus tiliae, a wood boring beetle Gastrallus immarginatus, orange-fruited elm lichen Caloplaca luteoalba, the lichens Bacidia incompata, Enterographa sorediata and Schismatomma graphidioides, the royal bolete fungi Boletus regius, oak polypore Buglossoporous pulvinus and the heart moth Dicycla oo. Their requirements should also be taken into account in the implementation of this


plan. Other rare species include Moccas beetle Hypebaeus flavipes, and the lichen the New Forest parmelia Parmelia minarium.

Current factors affecting the habitat Lack of younger generations of trees is producing a skewed age structure,

leading to breaks in continuity of dead wood habitat and loss of specialised dependent species.

Neglect, and loss of expertise of traditional tree management techniques (e.g. pollarding) leading to trees collapsing or being felled for safety reasons.

Loss of veteran trees through disease (e.g. Dutch elm disease, oak dieback), physiological stress, such as drought and storm damage, and competition for resources with surrounding younger trees.

Removal of veteran trees and dead wood through perceptions of safety and tidiness where sites have high amenity use, forest hygiene, the supply of firewood or vandalism.

Damage to trees and roots from soil compaction and erosion caused by trampling by livestock and people and car parking.

Changes to ground-water levels leading to water stress and tree death, resulting from abstraction, drainage, neighbouring development, roads, prolonged drought and climate change.

Isolation and fragmentation of the remaining parklands and wood-pasture sites in the landscape. (Many of the species dependent on old trees are unable to move between these sites due to their poor powers of dispersal and the increasing distances they need to travel).

Pasture loss through conversion to arable and other land-uses. Pasture improvement through reseeding, deep ploughing, fertiliser and other

chemical treatments, leading variously to tree root damage, loss of nectar-bearing plants, damage to the soil and epiphytes.

Inappropriate grazing levels: under-grazing leading to loss of habitat structure through bracken and scrub invasion; and over-grazing leading to bark browsing, soil compaction and loss of nectar plants.

Pollution derived either remotely from industry and traffic, or locally from agro-chemical application and nitrogen enrichment from pasture overstocking, causing damage to epiphyte communities and changes to soils.

Current Action

Legal status

For any woodland component of parkland and wood-pasture, national forestry policy includes a presumption against clearance of broad-leaved woodland for conversion to other land uses, and in particular seeks to maintain the special interest of ancient semi-natural woodland. Individual trees and groups may be afforded protection under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990 and the Forestry Act, 1967. Felling licences from the Forestry Authority (FA) are normally required but veteran trees may be particularly at risk because fellings for safety reasons are exempt.


Statutory site protection plays an important part in the conservation of this habitat type. Designation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), or as Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) (Northern Ireland), of most larger areas of wood-pasture and parkland and most of the better-known sites of significance for invertebrates and lichens, ensures compulsory consultation with the statutory nature conservation agencies over management operations and development proposals. Designation under the EC Habitats Directive as Special Areas for Conservation will give additional protection to some parkland and wood-pasture sites. Some sites, including Moccas Park, Duncombe Park, Burnham Beeches, Leigh Woods, Hatfield Forest, parts of Bredon Hill, and Ashstead Common are also protected by National Nature Reserve (NNR) agreements. Other sites receive some protection though initiatives such as the Inheritance Tax Exemption scheme or the declaration of National Trust and Corporation of London land properties as inalienable land. A few sites have specific legislation to protect them such as the Epping Forest Act of 1878. The Moccas beetle Hypebaeus flavipes, violet click beetle Limoniscus violaceus and the orange-fruited elm lichen Caloplaca luteoalba and New Forest parmelia Parmelia minarium (all confined to parkland or wood-pasture) are fully protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, as are all species of bat and most tree-hole nesting birds. This Act also offers some protection to their 'place of shelter'. There is recognition of the value of the habitat and individual old trees in various development plans, and landscape designations (e.g. by English Heritage, and CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments).

Management, research and guidance

There are a number of significant but currently uncoordinated inventories, datasets and registers of lowland wood-pasture and parkland. These include the Nature Conservancy Council's 1970s survey of parklands and wood-pastures of importance for the 'Mature Timber Habitat'; the Forestry Commission's National Inventory of Woodlands and Trees; The National Trust (NT) biological survey of NT-owned parkland and wood-pasture sites and English Nature's parkland inventory pilot study (1995) for Norfolk and Bedfordshire. English Heritage also has a register of parks and gardens which is being upgraded between 1997 and 2000, and similar data for Wales is held by CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments. Scottish Natural Heritage maintains an inventory of Gardens and designed landscapes in Scotland. There is also an Inventory of Historic Parks and Gardens, based at University of York, which contains information on historically important sites and County Historic Gardens Trust data. Surveys of saproxylic invertebrates and lichens have also been undertaken. These include the Countryside Council for Wales's strategic survey of Welsh parklands; K.N.A. Alexander's (National Trust) personal dataset on saproxylic beetle sites and the JNCC's Lower Plants and Invertebrate Site Registers. The British Lichen Society also maintains a database for parkland and wood-pasture. Grant aid may be available for the management and restoration of parkland. The key sources of this aid include agri-environment schemes such as MAFF's Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the Countryside Council for Wales- Tir Cymen (which will be incorporated into an all-Wales Agri-environment scheme known as Tir Gofal in 1999) includes a scheme for Historic Landscapes and old orchards. Both of these schemes assist in the production of management plans, tree and grassland management and restoration of arable land to parkland. Other agri-environment


schemes such as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and the Habitat Scheme (Wales) may subsidise the management or restoration of grassland and tree planting, and provide some protection for existing trees. The Forestry Authority's Woodland Grant Scheme is available for woodland with over 20% canopy cover. The Veteran trees Initiative, launched in 1996, aims to promote the value and importance of veteran trees and to conserve them wherever possible. This initiative is the result of a partnership between English Nature, English Heritage, the National Trust, Countryside Commission, Forest Authority, FRCA, Corporation of London and the Ancient Tree Forum. The initiative is developing a database for recording veteran trees, and provides advice on their management. It runs a national programme of demonstration and training days, and produces publications. English Heritage's Conservation Area Partnerships, Scheduled Monuments and outstanding registered parklands initiative may also provide grant-aid and some Local Authority schemes, such as the Essex County Council's historic landscapes designation may also provide funding for management. The Countryside Council for Wales- 'Orchards and Parklands Tree Scheme' grant aids management and restoration of parklands in Wales. EC Life funding has also been awarded for management of the New Forest. There is a wealth of information available from the Forestry Authority and other organisations and publications regarding all aspects of ancient woodland management. These include advice given locally through the statutory conservation agencies, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, ADAS, the Countryside Advice and Information Service (Wales). The Forestry Commission's Arboricultural Advisory Service and English Heritage`s Parks & Garden's Team of historians, landscape managers, ecologist and arboriculturalists can offer advice. The Ancient Tree Forum, an association of land managers, ecologists and arboriculturalists, provides advice, as do the voluntary and commercial sectors. The UK Forestry Standard and the Forestry Authority Guidelines for the management of semi-natural woodlands should be followed. The British Lichen Society have produced a habitat management guide for lichens, including parklands and wood-pastures.

Action plan objectives and targets Maintain the current extent and distribution of the total resource of wood-pasture and parkland Maintain the current extent, distribution and condition of wood-pasture and parkland that is in favourable ecological condition. Initiate in areas where examples of derelict wood-pasture and parkland occur a programme to restore 2,500ha to favourable ecological condition by 2010. By 2002 initiate the expansion of 500 ha of wood-pasture or parkland, in appropriate areas, to help reverse fragmentation and reduce the generation gap between veteran trees

Proposed actions with lead agencies

Policy and legislation


Implement the conclusions of the 1994 review of Tree Preservation Orders (TPO), including amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to offer appropriate protection to veteran/dead trees. (Action: DETR) Examine felling consent/licensing policy to consider whether additional protection for parkland, wood-pasture and individual veteran trees is needed. (Action: FA) Examine whether improvements should be made in safety legislation, with respect to liability on owners in the event of injury or damage resulting from old trees, and its interpretation to reduce any unnecessary felling of trees on safety grounds. (Action: DETR, FA) If Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive is revised ensure that it provides adequate coverage of UK parklands and wood-pasture habitats and species assemblages. (Action: DETR, JNCC) When reviewing existing incentive schemes (e.g. Countryside Stewardship, Woodland Grant Scheme/ Woodland Improvement Grants, ESAs, Coed Cymru) attempt to ensure they enable and encourage the most appropriate management of parklands and wood-pasture, with their ancient trees. (Action: CCW, NE, FA, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD) Promote modification of the Common Agricultural Policy to recognise and promote extensive pastoral systems, including wood-pasture. (Action: CCW, DETR, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD). Provide specific guidance about parklands, wood-pasture and individual veteran trees in Planning Policy Guidance notes (PPGs) by 2001. (Action: DETR, SNH, SOAEFD) Review policy and practice regarding fencing of registered commons to allow reinstatement or control of grazing in wood-pasture commons, but without impediment to access by 2001. (Action: CC, DETR, FA, FE)

Site safeguard and management

Ensure that SSSI coverage of important lowland wood-pasture and parkland sites is adequate through periodic review of the series. (Action: CCW, DETR, NE, SNH, SOAEFD, WO) By 2004 designate those lowland wood-pasture sites approved by the EC as SACs under the Habitats Directive. (Action: CCW, DETR, NE, JNCC, SNH, SOAEFD, WO) Encourage applications to buy and manage appropriate sites from potential funding sources. (Action: CC, CCW, EH, NE, SNH) Encourage the development and implementation by 2004 of long-term integrated management plans for conservation and use of parklands and wood-pastures through agreements with site owners and in partnership with statutory wildlife, landscape and heritage agencies. (Action: CC, CCW, NE, FA, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD) Promote re-establishment of grazing where appropriate in derelict wood-pasture and encourage the development of subsequent generations of veteran trees in all sites. (Action: CCW, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD) Promote the restoration of wood-pasture and parkland where old trees remain in former sites that are now arable fields or forestry plantations. (Action: CCW, FE, MAFF, WOAD) By 2002 initiate programmes to expand parklands and wood-pasture sites in targeted areas. (Action: CC, CCW, EH, NE, FA, SNH)


Contribute to the implementation of relevant priority species action plans, through the integration of management requirements and advice, in conjunction with relevant steering groups. (Action: CCW, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WO) Consider (re)establishment of key species dependent on veteran trees via translocation. (Action: CCW, NE, FA, FE, SNH)

Advisory

Develop a handbook(s) on best practice in management of parklands and wood-pasture in relation to wildlife, heritage and landscape conservation. (Action: CCW, DETR, NE, FA, SNH) Develop clear guidance on safety-related risk assessment and reasonable practice, in conjunction with relevant landowners and management groups. (Action: DETR, FA). Encourage training in best practice in park and wood-pasture management for site owners, site managers, land-agents, foresters, arboriculturalists and also for advisors and incentive scheme managers. (Action: CCW, NE, FA, MAFF, SNH)

International

Develop links with European organisations and programmes, such as the European Forestry Institute, the European Environment Agency and the European Centre for Nature Conservation to obtain estimates of the extent and distribution of comparable and related habitats, and exchange experience on research and management, by 2000. (Action: CCW, NE, FA, JNCC, SNH)

Research and monitoring

Produce a comprehensive list of all parkland and wood-pasture sites with pointers to other data sources and evaluations relating to both the natural and cultural heritage of each site, by 2002. Make this information available, through a data catalogue linked to the National Biodiversity Network. (Action: CC, CCW, EHS, NE, JNCC, SNH) Develop and implement methods to assess the condition of wood-pastures and parkland by 2000 and encourage standardised recording and monitoring of tree population age structure, survivorship and condition at key sites across the country in order to identify site specific and general trends. (Action: CCW, EHS, NE, FC, SNH) Undertake a programme of targeted surveys of the biological interest of sites where lack of information is impeding their appropriate management, by 2005. Ensure veteran tree recording is reflected in SSSI and Wildlife Site reporting and is input, as it becomes available, into local record centres as part of the National Biodiversity Network initiative. (Action: CCW, NE, FC, JNCC, SNH) Develop and implement appropriate surveillance and monitoring programmes to assess progress towards action plan targets. (Action: CCW, NE, JNCC, SNH) Encourage research into parkland and wood-pasture flora, including trees, and fauna in relation to tree and pasture management, including interactions and with invertebrates, fungi, soils, ground water levels and grazing animals and population dynamic studies. Ensure such research is co-ordinated with cultural heritage research. (Action: CCW, EH, NE, FC, SNH)


Communications and publicity

Increase awareness of the national and international importance and vulnerability of wood-pasture and parklands by promotional literature and events and encourage celebration of parkland and wood-pastures via the arts and media. (Action: CCW, EH, NE, SNH) Increase awareness of the value in protecting veteran trees where these may be threatened by felling, for safety reasons, and promote alternative solutions such as pollarding or tree surgery. (Action: CCW, EHS, NE, FA, LA, SNH) Hedgerows.

Current Status Ancient hedgerows, which tend to be those which support the greatest diversity of plants and animals, may be defined as those which were in existence before the Enclosure Acts, passed mainly between 1720 and 1840 in Britain and from the mid seventeenth century in Ireland. Species-rich hedgerows may be taken as those which contain 5 or more native woody species on average in a 30 metre length, or 4 or more in northern England, upland Wales and Scotland. Hedges which contain fewer woody species but a rich basal flora of herbaceous plants should also be included but practical criteria for identifying them have yet to be agreed. Many of the thin straight hawthorn hedges which characterise later parliamentary enclosures, as well as most hedges which consist mainly of beech, privet or yew or non-native trees, are excluded. Recently planted species-rich hedges are included. Hedges which consist only of an earth or stone bank or wall are not covered in this action plan, which is limited to boundary lines of trees or shrubs. Where such lines of trees of shrubs are associated with features such as banks, ditches, trees or verges, these features are considered to form part of the hedgerow. It is recognised that hedges are important not just for biodiversity, but also for farming, landscape, cultural and archaeological reasons. Hedgerows are important habitats in their own right. They are a primary habitat for at least 47 extant species of conservation concern in the UK, including 13 globally threatened or rapidly declining ones, more than for most other key habitats. They are especially important for butterflies and moths, farmland birds, bats and dormice. Indeed, hedgerows are the most significant wildlife habitat over large stretches of lowland UK and are essential refuge for a great many woodland and farmland plants and animals. Over 600 plant species (including some endemic species such as a whitebeam Sorbus devoniensis), 1500 insects, 65 birds and 20 mammals have been recorded at some time living or feeding in hedgerows. Hedgerows may also act as wildlife corridors for many species, including reptiles and amphibians, allowing dispersal and movement between other habitats, although this is difficult to prove conclusively. Elsewhere in Europe, ancient hedged landscapes are found only in parts of France (i.e. bocage), northern Italy, the Austrian Alps, Greece and the Republic of Ireland. In 1993 it was estimated that about 329,000 km of hedgerow remained in England and 49,000 km in Wales. In 1990, a similar estimate for Scotland was 33,000 km. Between 1986 and 1991 it was estimated that there were about 125,000 km of hedgerows in Northern Ireland. Thus the current UK total, assuming a continued


overall net rate of loss due to removal and neglect of about 5% pa in all four countries, may be estimated to be about 450,000 km. The proportion of this which is ancient and/or species-rich can only be guessed at. However, if we assume that most species-rich hedges are ancient, and vice versa, then some indication can be gained from an analysis, based on 1978 and 1990 data, which found that 26% of all hedges in Britain were blackthorn dominant, 5% mixed hazel, 5% mixed hawthorn and 4% elm dominant. In addition, beech dominant hedges (2%) were found to have an especially rich hedge bottom plant assemblage. From this it may be surmised that some 42% of British hedges, or about 154,000 km, are ancient and/or species-rich. Such hedges are concentrated in southern England , especially in the south-west, and in southern Wales, and are relatively scarce in Scotland. In Northern Ireland, where species-rich hedges are concentrated in Fermanagh, a sample survey in 1990/1 estimated that about 33% of hedges are species-rich, giving a length of about 41,000 km. Thus the total UK resource of ancient and/or species-rich hedges is in the order of 190,000 km. Hedgerows adjacent to roads, green lanes, tracks and wooded ground tend to be particularly species-rich.

Current factors affecting the habitat Since 1945 there has been a drastic loss of hedgerows through removal and neglect throughout the UK, especially in eastern counties of England, which continues even now. Between 1984 and 1990, the net loss of hedgerow length in England was estimated as 21%, in Scotland 27% and in Wales 25%. This loss was the result of a combination of outright removal (1.7% per annum) and neglect (3.5% pa). In England and Wales at least the loss continued between 1990 and 1993, with neglect becoming increasingly important and removal less so. No comparable figures are available for Northern Ireland.

Neglect (no cutting or laying) leading to hedgerows changing into lines of trees and the development of gaps. This reflects modern high labour costs and loss of traditional skills.

Too frequent and badly timed cutting leading to poor habitat conditions, the development of gaps and probable species changes.

Loss of hedgerow trees through senescence and felling, without encouraging replacements.

Use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers right up to the bases of hedgerows leading to nutrient enrichment and a decline in species diversity.

Increased stocking rates, particularly of sheep, leading to hedgerow damage and the need to fence fields. The presence of fences reduces the agricultural necessity for hedge maintenance and so hastens their decline. The modern practice of "ranching" (placing netting around several fields to form a grazing block) also contributes to the deterioration of internal hedges).

Removal for agricultural and development purposes.

Current Action

Legal status


The Environment Act 1995 introduces an enabling power to protect important hedgerows in Britain. Land managers will probably be required to consult local authorities before hedgerows can be removed. The Department of the Environment is currently drafting the criteria for determining whether a hedgerow is important or not. The hedgerow protection clauses in the Environment Act 1995 do not apply to Scotland where Government`s view is that there is no evidence that loss of ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows is a problem of sufficient dimension to merit legal protection. Article 10 of the EC Habitats Directive requires member states to encourage the management of hedges (and other linear features) in their land use planning and development policies and, in particular, with a view to improving the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network. This is reflected in The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations, 1994, which recognises that such linear features are essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species. PPG9 (Nature Conservation, 1994) further encourages the development of policies for the management of hedgerows.

Management, research and guidance

MAFF, SOAEFD and WOAD grant aid the restoration and planting of hedges in Britain under the Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme. However, in England and Wales this scheme is being phased out and is to end in its current form in February 1996: a similar decision has not yet been made for Scotland. It will be replaced by grants available under the Countryside Stewardship. During the period 1991/2 to 1994/5, 3,161 km of hedge restoration work was agreed in England under Countryside Stewardship agreements (which include the former Hedgerow Incentive Scheme). This represents an expenditure of £700,000 per annum. The sympathetic management of at least an equal length of hedgerow has been secured as a condition of these agreements. In Scotland, SNH provides discretionary grants for the improvement or creation of hedges and other landscape features. SNH has also recently produced a series of leaflets on the management of boundary habitats, including hedges. In Wales, the Hedgerow Renovation Scheme administered by CCW provides funding for the renovation of selected hedgerows. Between December 1992 and March 1995, 346 schemes were agreed, covering 185 km, with a further 728 km retained as a condition of agreements. An application for EU funding for this scheme has been made, under the EU 5b programme. Most ESAs offer payments for the restoration and creation of hedges and require the sympathetic management of all other hedges on holdings under agreement. No figures on current levels of expenditure are available. Many local schemes also exist which offer financial incentives, for example, in National Parks. In 1993 Plantlife launched the Great Hedge Project aiming to create a network of hedges across the country and to foster public interest in hedges. In 1994 the Devon Hedge Group was formed, aiming to promote the appreciation and management of hedges. Similar groups are now proposed in Shropshire, Norfolk and Cornwall. Further guidance is also available from ADAS and the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology who recently produced a range of reports for DoE and MAFF on the status, management and wildlife of hedgerows in Britain. MAFF are also currently commissioning further research on hedge management and establishment. The


Forestry Commission has published guidance on the establishment of trees in hedgerows. FWAG has produced a Hedge Pack to advise farmers on good hedge management practices. Because of the important role new woodlands can play in strengthening the ecological linkage provided by hedgerows, the Forestry Authority grant-aids new woodlands, in particular where they are placed next to ancient hedgerows and other features which act as relict woodland habitats.

Action plan objectives and targets Halt the net loss of species-rich hedgerows through neglect and removal by the year 2000. Halt all loss of hedgerows which are both ancient and species-rich by 2005. Achieve favourable condition for 25% (c.47,500 km) of species-rich and ancient hedges by 2000. Achieve favourable condition for 50% (c.95,000 km) of species-rich and ancient hedges by 2005. Maintain the overall national number of individual hedgerow trees (estimated by CS2000 to be 1.8 million in Great Britain in 1998), by maintaining the number of such trees within each county or district, through ensuring a balanced age structure.

Proposed actions with lead agencies

Policy and legislation

Ensure that grant aid for the management, restoration and establishment of hedgerows is available to farmers. As part of this process, consider a standard payments for all hedge works across land management schemes, to facilitate up-take and administration. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD) Promote the uptake of, and consider extending the scope of, ESA, Countryside Stewardship, Tir Cymen, etc., for the management and restoration of ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows, for the planting of new hedgerows and for the establishment of hedgerow trees. When promoting the management and restoration of hedgerows, emphasise the term important hedgerows (to be defined under the Environment Act 1995 Regulations). (ACTION: CCW, DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD) Explore the possibility of making the favourable management of ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows a condition of arable set aside payments. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD) Promote the use of practices that can protect hedges from fertilisers and pesticides, such as conservation headlands and set-aside strips. (ACTION: DANI, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD) Seek to extend the hedgerow protection clauses in the Environment Act to Scotland, then enforce the requirements of the Act with respect to important hedges once the necessary regulations have been passed. (ACTION: DoE, LAs, SOAEFD) Enforce the requirement for felling licences for hedgerow trees, as appropriate, and encourage the planting of replacements. (ACTION: FA) Ensure that development plans contain policies to promote the protection and management of hedges and seek to minimise adverse effects on hedges from planning proposals. (ACTION: DoE, DoE(NI), LAs, SO, WO)


Site safeguard and management

Encourage the retention and favourable management of ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows that form an integral part of, enhance, or link Natura 2000 sites. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NE, SNH) Encourage favourable management of ancient and/or species-rich roadside hedges, especially favourable cutting practices. (ACTION: DoE(NI), DoT, LAs, Highways Agency) Consider the practicality of establishing registers of ancient and of species-rich hedgerows. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, DOE(NI), NE, LAs, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)

Advisory

Consider the development of hedge management skills through training, especially for contractors. (ACTION: Agricultural Training Board, LAs)

International

Liaise with relevant authorities in France and Eire to exchange information and ideas on hedge conservation, and in particular to form partnerships to gain EC funding. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, DoE(NI), NE, LAs, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)

Research and monitoring

Define important hedgerows which should be afforded protection through the Environment Act 1995. Refine the definition of species-rich hedges, and identify priority areas for conservation action, through supporting further systematic UK-wide research into the types of hedges that occur, their biodiversity, and their regional distribution. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, DoE, DoE(NI), NE, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD) Carry out sample surveys at 10 year intervals in regions throughout the UK to enable trends in ancient and/or species-rich hedgerow status and in numbers of hedgerow trees to be accurately determined. (ACTION: DANI, DoE(NI), DoE, SOAEFD, WOAD) Consider the need for further research on economic outlets for the produce of hedge management such as biomass and fuel wood. (ACTION: CC, DANI, DoE, FA, SOAEFD, WOAD) Consider research on the effects on wildlife of different hedge management regimes. (ACTION: DANI, DoE, MAFF, SOAEFD, WOAD) Research into the colonisation of wildlife from hedges into new woodlands established next to old hedges. (ACTION: CCW, DoE(NI), NE, SNH, FA)

Communications and publicity

Continue to promote an awareness among the public and land managers of the importance of hedgerows and their associated features for wildlife, of the continuing loss of hedgerows, and of the need for management to maintain biodiversity. (ACTION: CCW, DANI, DoE(NI), NE, LAs, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)


Appendix 1: Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan: Habitats and Species.(Copyright © 2001-2011 Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan: http://www.sbap.org.uk/actionplan/eap The Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan is separated on Ecosystem Action Plan areas. The area covered by Newbold Quarry is the River Gravels.

The 'River Gravels' is an area characterised by extensive areas of cultivation with low, sparse hedgerows and a few hedgerow trees. The continuous extraction of sand and gravel alongside the rivers has resulted in local landscapes that are dominated by water bodies.

Found within the Trent Valley Washlands and Mease/Sence Lowlands National Character Areas, the open floodplains of the Washlands play a vital role in coping with the sheer volume of water contained in the Trent system and its ten-fold increase at times of flood. As a result it has heavily influenced the agricultural activity and settlement patterns in this area.

Agricultural intensification combined with development pressures has led to the loss or fragmentation of many semi-natural habitats, such as riparian scrub and meadows, and historic features such as ridge and furrow on permanent pastures.

Priority Habitat.

Wetland mosaics are the priority for this EAP with Open Water and Grasslands being the main focus. Coastal & Floodplain Grazing Marsh, Purple Moor Grass & Rush Pasture and Lowland Meadow are all important in creating this mosaic.

Other wetland features such as ponds and reedbeds need to be expanded, especially in networks of different successional ages.

River systems have an important influence on the ecology of this area. As a result this EAP should be read in conjunction with the Rivers, Streams and Canals Action Plan.

Key Threats.

Mineral Extraction - note that this can also provide a huge opportunity to create UK BAP priority habitats (see the 'Nature After Minerals' website)

Agricultural Intensification

Urban Development

Nutrient Intensification


Priority Species.

The following priority species will directly benefit from the protection and enhancement of wetland habitats:

Other priority species to benefit from the objectives of the River Gravels EAP:

Targets

Priority Habitat Open Habitat Woodland Habitat Wetland Habitat

Coastal & floodplain grazing marsh

Arable field margins Native

woodland Eutrophic standing water

Purple moor grass & rush pasture

Hedgerows Wood-pasture & parkland Ponds

Lowland meadows Lowland dry

acid grassland Reedbeds

Common scoter Bittern Greater scaup Harvest mouse

Curlew Freshwater white-clawed crayfish

Lapwing Otter

Grass snake Great crested newt Snipe Toad

Barn owl Brown hare

Cuckoo Farmland seed-eating birds

Grasshopper warbler Grey partridge

Hen harrier Lesser redpoll

Skylark Song thrush

Spotted flycatcher Yellow wagtail


Rivers

BAP Habitat Aim Date

2015 2026

Maintain the extent and condition of existing habitats 490 ha

Coastal & floodplain

grazing marsh Restoration of relict habitat 21 ha 60 ha

Creation of habitat from appropriate land sources (e.g. arable land) 2 ha 5 ha

Purple moor grass & rush

pasture

Maintain the extent and condition of existing habitat 9 ha

Creation of purple moor grass & rush pasture habitat 1 ha 1 ha


Lowland meadows

Restoration of lowland meadows from semi-improved or neglected grassland 1 ha

Creation of lowland meadows from arable or improved grassland (preferably > 2 ha) 2 ha 6 ha

Open Habitat

BAP Habitat Aim Date

2015 2026

Arable field margins

Expand the area of arable field margins to include cultivated low-input field margins, wild bird seed, flower-rich field margins and permanent grass margins. All work needs to specify what type of margin has been created

21 ha 60 ha

Hedgerows

Restoration of hedgerows – this includes increasing numbers of young trees (1-4 years) and increasing the diversity of the herbaceous hedgerow flora

5 km 14 km

Achieve a net increase in the length of hedgerows 2 km 6 km

Lowland dry acid grassland


Priority Habitat


Woodland Habitat BAP Habitat Aim Date

2015 2026

Maintain the extent and condition of ancient and non-ancient woodland (native woodland) 79 ha

Native woodland

Initiate the restoration of coniferous or mixed PAWS 4 ha 11 ha

Creation of broadleaved woodland 7 ha 20 ha

Wood-pasture & parkland

Maintain the extent and condition of known sites (Orgreave Mews, Stretton Hall and Wychnor Park)

3 site

Wetland Habitats BAP Habitat Aim Date

2015 2026

Eutrophic standing water

Maintain the condition of eutrophic standing waters of known conservation importance (Tier 2 sites - Old River Dove SSSI and Alvecote Pools SSSI)

13 sites

Creation of a site through appropriate management in order to enhance lakes of conservation value

1 site 4 sites

Maintain net number of high quality pond sites 145 sites

Ponds Restoration of pond sites 3 sites 8 sites

Creation of high quality sites 2 sites 6 sites

Reedbeds Maintain the extent and condition of known habitat 15 ha

Creation of reedbed habitats (> 2 ha where possible) from land of low nature conservation interest

5 ha 14 ha


There are opportunities to create and restore substantial areas of river and riparian habitat to ensure the area is able to function as a dynamic hydrosystem. This will include creating ponds, scrapes, backwaters and other floodplain features. Lateral connectivity of eutrophic standing waters and the floodplain will be made possible through quarry restoration. Tackling these issues at a landscape scale, or at a minimum, sub-catchment scale is critical to the robustness and long term future of the river gravels, particularly in view of the threat from climate change. The Central Rivers Initiative is just such a landscape approach that covers the rivers Tame and Trent from Tamworth to Burton and integrates biodiversity with other services including access, tourism, and landscape aesthetics.

Partnership Approach

Stone & Mineral Extraction

Actively engage with sand and gravel extraction works in order to achieve river, riparian and floodplain improvements in the area

Private Land

Actively engage and promote agri-environment schemes to landowners (e.g. Higher level stewardship schemes) as a source of funding for increasing, connecting and managing new and existing habitats and to reduce diffuse pollution impacts

Work needs to be carried out at a sub catchment scale with surrounding landowners to tackle water quantity and quality issues

Creation or expansion of buffer zones around all sites should also be encouraged to minimise the direct impact of pollution, enrichment and encroachment from site edges

Public Land Ensure that sustainable practices are adopted in order to enhance the biodiversity of the area while still maintaining it as a living, working environment

Planning

Where no other solution is viable, and development will have a negative impact on semi-natural habitats, mitigation can make a real and positive contribution to the creation of new sites and networks

Promote the creation and expansion of buffer zones around all sites to minimise the direct impact of pollution, enrichment and encroachment from site edges

Biodiversity, connectivity and climate change adaptation


measures could be secured through green infrastructure implementation and development mitigation

Utilise opportunity mapping work to expand priority BAP habitats, develop an ecological network, assist with climate change adaptation and in turn meet West Midlands and local targets

Extending use of Farming Floodplains toolkit for flood alleviation, biodiversity gains and further partnership work

Work with the Central Rivers Initiative to highlight issues with planners in SCC, ESBC, Tamworth and Lichfield


Appendix 1: Site of Biological Importance Selection Criteria. Hedgerows – Survey Forms:


Hedgerow Assessment (Grading).


SBI Grading Sheet.

Newbold Quarry Extension - apps2.staffordshire.gov.uk

Documents

Transcript of Newbold Quarry Extension - apps2.staffordshire.gov.uk