Protected Species Survey Part 1 by Penllergare Valley Woods

D DA AV VIID DC CL LE EM ME EN NT TSS E EC CO OL LO OG GY YL LT TD D

PENLLERGARE VALLEY WOODS, SWANSEA STAGE 2 SURVEYS FOR PROTECTED SPECIES

February 2011

David Clements Ecology Ltd Carlton House, 5 Herbert Terrace, Penarth, Glamorgan, CF64 2AH Tel 029 20 350120 Fax 029 20 711997 info@dce.org.uk

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD

Contents Summary 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0

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Introduction Approach & Methods Survey Results Summary of Impacts to Protected Species Recommendations for Mitigation References

Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5

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Photographs of the Works Areas Birds Recorded from the Site Advice on the Installation of Bird & Bat Boxes Treatment of Trees in Relation to Bats Control & Eradication of Japanese Knotweed

Plan 1 Plan 2 Plan 3 Plan 4 Plan 5 Plan 6 Plan 7 Plan 8 Plan 9 Plan 10 Plan 11

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Site Location Site Works Locations Designated Sites Dormouse Nest-Tubes (Approximate Locations) Nesting Bird Survey (1) Nesting Bird Survey (2) Nesting Bird Survey (3) Reptile Refugia (Approximate Locations) Amphibian Bottle-Traps (Approximate Locations) Trees of Moderate (2B) Potential for Roosting Bats Observatory & Lboratory: Survey for Bat Potential

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD SUMMARY The Penllergare Valley Woods are part of an important former country estate lying in the Afon Llan valley to the north of Swansea. During its heyday in the nineteenth century, the picturesque-style landscaped grounds occupied a large area between the Melin-llan woollen mill at the northern end and the small hamlet and mill of Cadle at the southern end. Now the M4 motorway slices off the northern tip of the grounds and the estate house is gone, replaced by the modern offices of the Swansea Unitary Authority. A range of repair and reconstruction works are proposed in the upper valley of Penllergare Valley Woods, comprising: 1. De-silting of the Upper Lake to reinstate its historic form and prevent total reversion to marshland, repair of the eastern end of the Upper Lake Waterfall dam structures and installation of a micro-hydropower scheme. 2. Reinstatement of the Old Bridge. 3. Conservation work to the former Lower Lake Cascades. 4. Tree thinning in the woods adjacent to the entrance road for a new visitor car park. 5. Repairs to the Garden Terrace dry-stone walls and rockeries. 6. Repair and stabilisation of the Walled Garden walls and bothies, including two dry ornamental ponds. 7. Repair of the Observatory. This report sets out the results of a series of Stage 2 (ie detailed) protected species surveys which were undertaken in the spring, summer and autumn of 2010, covering a range of species which had previously been identified as possibly being affected by the above works. On the basis of the present surveys, it is not anticipated that any European Protected Species (ie bats, dormouse, otter or great crested newt) are likely to be encountered or affected by any of the proposed works, and therefore no derogation licences are required with respect to any these species. On the basis of the present surveys, it is not anticipated that any Schedule 1 birds (eg kingfisher) or fully-protected Schedule 5 animals (ie water vole) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), or any other licensably protected species (ie badger) are likely to be encountered or affected by any of the proposed works, and therefore no licences are required with respect to any of these species. Some potential for adverse impact has been identified with respect to common nesting birds and common reptiles, both of which are afforded protection against death or injury under the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, and also common amphibians. However, no licences are required for works affecting any of these species. Recommendations are made with regard to appropriate mitigation measures.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 1.0

INTRODUCTION

1.1

This report has been prepared by David Clements Ecology Ltd (DCE) on the instructions of Nicholas Pearson Associates (NPA), acting on behalf of the Penllergare Trust. It refers to an area of land known as the Penllergare Valley Woods. The site boundary and context is shown at Plan 1.

1.2

The Penllergare Valley Woods (sometimes also spelled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Penllergaerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) are part of an important former country estate lying in the Afon Llan valley to the north of Swansea. During its heyday in the nineteenth century, the picturesque-style landscaped grounds occupied a large area between the Melin-llan woollen mill at the northern end and the small hamlet and mill of Cadle at the southern end. Now the M4 motorway slices off the northern tip of the grounds and the estate house is gone, replaced by the modern offices of the Swansea Unitary Authority (information from Cadw).

1.3

A range of repair and reconstruction works are proposed in the upper valley of Penllergare Valley Woods, comprising: 8. De-silting of the Upper Lake to reinstate its historic form and prevent total reversion to marshland, repair of the eastern end of the Upper Lake Waterfall dam structures and installation of a micro-hydropower scheme. 9. Reinstatement of the Old Bridge. 10. Conservation work to the former Lower Lake Cascades. 11. Tree thinning in the woods adjacent to the entrance road for a new visitor car park. 12. Repairs to the Garden Terrace dry-stone walls and rockeries. 13. Repair and stabilisation of the Walled Garden walls and bothies, including two dry ornamental ponds. 14. Repair of the Observatory. These locations are indicated on Plan 2. Detailed plans of the proposed works areas are provided by Nicholas Pearson Associates, Plans NPA PEN 060.01, .03 & .05-.10 2010, as amended). Representative photographs of the various works locations are set out at Appendix 1.

1.4

The remainder of this report sets out the results of a series of Stage 2 (ie detailed) protected species surveys which were undertaken in the spring, summer and autumn of 2010, covering a range of species which had previously been identified as possibly being affected by the above works (see Scoping Report: DCE 2010). The present report assesses the risk of impact to the various species concerned, together with appropriate mitigation strategies and methodologies aimed at avoiding or minimising such impacts. The relevant statutory obligations are addressed.

1.5

The 2010 Scoping Report set out details of the existing data and species information relating to the site, as well as the results of a consultation exercise which was carried out with the relevant statutory bodies, the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and the Environment Agency Wales (EAW). The scope of the surveys which were undertaken under the present phase of the project was informed by the information and comment received from these other sources, as well as by the results of baseline walkover surveys which were undertaken in the winter of 2009/2010.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 1.6

Recommendations Arising from the Scoping Report

1.6.1

The Scoping Report (DCE 2010) made the following recommendations with regard to protected species surveys. These recommendations also took into account those of the CCW and the EAW. i) Reinstatement of the Old Bridge, repair of the eastern end of the Upper Lake Waterfall dam structures and installation of a micro-hydropower scheme.

1.6.2

Stage 2 surveys were recommended with respect to roosting and active bats, otter, common reptiles, nesting kingfisher and other nesting birds. ii) Conservation work to the former Lower Lake Cascades

1.6.3

Stage 2 surveys were recommended with respect to amphibians, with emphasis on the possibility of great crested newt. iii) Repairs to the Garden Terrace dry-stone walls and rockeries.

1.6.4

No specific Stage 2 surveys were recommended, although the CCW recommended that bats, amphibians and reptiles should be considered. iv) Tree thinning in the proposed new car park area

1.6.5

Stage 2 surveys were recommended with respect to bats, nesting birds, dormouse and badger. v) Repair and stabilisation of the Walled Garden walls and bothies, including two dry ornamental ponds

1.6.6

Stage 2 surveys were recommended with respect to roosting and active bats, nesting birds, badger, common reptiles and Japanese knotweed, the latter being a noxious weed, the spread of which is prohibited under the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

1.6.7

The CCW advised that surveys for amphibians should be considered if there was water in the two former ornamental ponds, but both of the ponds were dry at the time of the present surveys. vi) Repair of the Observatory

1.6.8

Stage 2 surveys were recommended with respect to roosting bats, as should any of the semi-mature trees around the Observatory which are scheduled for felling. It was also recommended that the associated Laboratory be included in the bat surveys. vii) De-silting of the Upper Lake

1.6.9

Stage 2 surveys were recommended with respect to otter, water vole, amphibians (including great crested newt), aquatic invertebrates, kingfisher and other nesting birds.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 1.7

Statutory Position Bats

1.7.1

Bats are flying insectivorous mammals. There are about 16 species resident in Britain which vary from comparatively common and widespread species (eg the pipistrelles 1 , brown long-eared bat) to internationally rare and endangered species (eg the horseshoe bats). Bats do not make nests but have ‘roosts’, which may be solitary or gregarious. Individual bats require a range of different roosting sites for differing purposes: in the summer, for example, daytime roosts in buildings and trees may be used, whilst for winter hibernation roosts in locations such as humid caves, basements or deep within the fabric of stonebuilt structures are preferred. Other roosts may be used at various times for the rearing of young, mating and as temporary feeding perches etc.

1.7.2

All bats and their roosts require strict protection under the EU Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna (92/43/EEC; the ‘Habitats Directive’), which is implemented in the UK via the Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulations 2010 (the ‘Habitats Regulations’). Some additional protection against disturbance is also conferred under the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. Bats are listed under the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats and also under the Agreement on the Conservation of European Bats 1992 (the ‘Eurobats Agreement’), signed within the framework of the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 1979.

1.7.3

All bats are listed in Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive, and the British species are listed on Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations, and are therefore designated ‘European Protected Species’ by the latter. Such species are subject to enhanced protection and more stringent licensing provisions than those which are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act alone.

1.7.4

Both the animals themselves and any structures or places used for breeding or shelter are fully protected against deliberate disturbance or harm, the latter irrespective of whether or not bats are present in them at the time. Where works are allowed to affect such places there is a legal requirement to obtain a licence (or ‘derogation’) in advance and to ensure that the works do not result in any avoidable harm to bats. The bats should also enjoy continued ‘favourable conservation status’ once the works are completed, through the incorporation of suitable mitigation and enhancement measures.

1.7.5

The issuing of licences which allow the disturbance of European Protected Species by development, or for any other reason, is the direct responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). The licensing restrictions are considerably more onerous than those of the Wildlife & Countryside Act and could potentially have significant impact on the viability of a given development proposal, irrespective or whether or not a valid planning consent has been obtained. Further details on the procedures are set out in TAN 5 (WAG 2009).

Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) is now known to comprise an aggregate of two distinct species distinguished primarily by their echolocation calls, which are grouped at 45kH and 55kH respectively. The second species is now identified as the ‘soprano pipistrelle’ (P. pygmaeus). Both species are comparatively common and widespread in the UK. DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 1.7.6

All species of bat in Britain are believed to be declining in range and numbers, with about half of the resident species classed as ‘rare’, three classed as ‘endangered’ and one ‘extinct’ (but recently rediscovered in Britain) (Morris 1993; Richardson 2000). Several common bats are listed as ‘Priority Species’ in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP: BRIG 2007) and its Welsh equivalent (WBP 2007). Five species of bat, including common pipistrelle, are subject to a ‘Woodland Mammals Species Action Plan (SAP) in the Swansea Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP: SBP 2005).

1.7.7

Some of the rarest bat species in Europe, including the horseshoe bats, barbastelle, Bechstein’s bat and greater mouse-eared bat, are additionally listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. This requires the EU nation states to designate key areas of habitat used by these species as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and to implement policies to conserve and enhance their populations through appropriate management etc. These species are accorded enhanced conservation significance in the UK, although they are not subject to any additional protection measures. Derogations

1.7.8

Amongst other things, the Habitats Regulations make it an offence to:    

capture or kill; disturb; take or destroy eggs or young, or; damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of;

a European Protected Species, except under certain narrowly defined circumstances. New developments which would contravene the protection afforded to such species require derogation, in the form of a licence, from the Habitats Directive which must be issued by the WAG. 1.7.9

Before such a licence can be issued, the WAG must be satisfied that: -

the derogation would not be detrimental to the ‘favourable conservation status’ of populations of the species concerned within its natural range. the derogation is in the interests of public health and public safety, or for other imperative reasons of over-riding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature, or will have beneficial consequences of primary importance to the environment. there is no satisfactory alternative to the derogation which would allow the development to proceed but which would avoid, or reduce, the need for adverse impact to the species.

1.7.10

Failure to obtain a derogation would render any actions which cause harm or disturbance to bats illegal, including any activities which might be undertaken under a valid planning consent. The possession of planning consent in no way alleviates or over-rides the requirements of the Habitats Regulations, and neither does it automatically ensure that a derogation may be obtained.

1.7.11

Current planning guidance in Wales requires that local planning authorities are in possession of all of the survey information which is necessary in order to determine the

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD probability of impact to European Protected Species, and the likely viability and success of any required mitigation measures, before determining any given planning application. Surveys are not normally conditioned as part of a planning consent, although this does appear to have happened in the case of the present site. As of 1 October 2008, planning authorities cannot register a new planning application until all of the necessary survey information has been made available. The WAG will not consider any application for licences in relation to a proposed development until after it has received notice of the planning consent. Dormouse 1.7.12

Dormouse is a small arboreal rodent which is strongly associated with species-diverse ancient woodland over much of its British range, typically containing a high percentage of hazel. It also occurs in species-rich hedgerows and scrub habitats, and was formerly strongly associated with coppice management (Bright et al 2006). Less frequently it occurs in other types of habitat including conifer plantations, garden hedges, bramble scrub, gorse scrub, reed beds and Japanese knotweed stands. These latter habitats appear to be occupied more frequently towards the western edges of its range in Britain, and are assumed to be sub-optimal for the species, as they typically support very low population numbers which can be very hard to detect (see Eden 2009). It was formerly widespread and common in suitable habitats throughout most of England and Wales, but is now much scarcer and more restricted to southern England and Wales, with a few outposts in northern England.

1.7.13

Dormouse is a ‘European Protected Species’ afforded full statutory protection under both European and UK legislation which is similar to that which applies to bats (see above), and which extends to the habitats which support the species. Dormouse is a ‘Priority Species’ of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and its Welsh equivalent, and is subject to a ‘Woodland Mammals’ SAP in the Swansea LBAP. Otter

1.7.14

Otter is a semi-aquatic, mainly carnivorous mustelid mammal which was formerly widespread and common on waterways and waterbodies throughout Britain, occupying nests (‘holts’) on waterside banks which are often located under the roots of overhanging trees, logs and rocks etc. It feeds mainly on fish although it will also take a wide range of other species, including invertebrates, amphibians, small mammals and birds. Populations declined hugely as a result of aquatic pollution, particularly by organochlorine insecticides, in the 1950s and 60s, and the species all but disappeared over much of its former range. Improving water quality and conservation management in recent decades has seen a recovery over much of its former range in Wales, although population levels remain comparatively low in many areas and the species remains threatened both regionally and nationally (EA 1999).

1.7.15

Otter is also a ‘European Protected Species’ afforded the highest level of statutory protection available in the UK under both British domestic and European legislation, being of similar in status to bats and dormouse (see above). Statutory protection also extends to the habitats which support this species. Otter is also a ‘Priority Species’ of the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent, and is subject to ‘Wetland Mammals & Amphibians’ SAP in the Swansea LBAP.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Badger 1.7.16

Badger is a large omnivorous mustelid mammal which lives socially in family groups which occupy subterranean nests (‘setts’) which may be very extensive and complex. Family groups typically defend a territory which may range over several square kilometres, depending on the availability of food. The favoured prey item is earthworms, which are sought in a wide range of habitats including pasture grasslands and woodlands. Badgers remain comparatively widespread and common throughout the UK and are increasing in numbers in many parts of Wales, although they remain scarce and under threat in some areas, particularly close to large urban populations. The species is particularly prone to persecution and abuse (Harris et al 1994).

1.7.17

Badgers are fully protected in the UK under the terms of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Protection applies both to the animal itself and to setts, and current interpretation of the Act also confers some protection to key foraging areas. Protection is afforded primarily on welfare grounds. Badger is not listed as a ‘Priority Species’ in the UK BAP or its Welsh equivalent, but is subject to a ‘Woodland Mammals’ SAP in the Swansea LBAP. Water Vole

1.7.18

Water vole is a small, herbivorous, semi-aquatic rodent which is associated with a wide range of watercourses and waterbodies, where it occupies nesting tunnels on the banks. Formerly widespread and common throughout Britain, it is now one of our most rapidly declining mammals, having disappeared over much of its former range, and has become extremely rare in most of the southern half of Wales (Strachan & Moorehouse 2006). The reasons for its decline are not well understood, but are believed to include predation by introduced mink and changes in riparian management.

1.7.19

Water vole is listed on Schedule 5 of the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, and is afforded full protection against killing, injury or disturbance. Protection also extends to its nests and the habitats which support it. Water vole is a ‘Priority Species’ of the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent, and is subject to a ‘Wetland Mammals & Amphibians’ SAP in the Swansea LBAP. Birds

1.7.20

Almost all species of birds native to the British Isles are afforded at least some level of statutory protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, the only exceptions being a handful of pest and game species which may be killed under certain specified and/or licensed conditions. In the great majority of cases, British birds are protected against intentional harm, injury or killing, and this protection extends to their nests, eggs and young. Certain rare species, including kingfisher, are listed on Schedule 1 of the Act, and these may not be disturbed whilst nesting except under certain authorised circumstances.

1.7.21

The statutory protection of birds typically applies to the animals themselves at all times, but to their nests only whilst they are in use. The nesting site per se is not protected once nesting has ceased, and the nest itself is no longer protected once occupation by either adults, eggs or young has ceased. However, best practice indicates that the

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD nesting sites of Schedule 1 species such as kingfisher which are likely to be adversely affected by development should either be retained in a usable condition, or replaced outside the nesting season with a suitably designed alternative, and the nests of certain raptor species which are re-used annually are protected at all times. 1.7.22

A number of bird species are listed as ‘Priority Species’ in the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent, and in the various SAPs of the Swansea LBAP. In addition, birds in the UK and Wales are accorded various conservation statuses in the RSPB’s Birds of Conservation Concern lists (RSPB 2009/2010). The various statuses of the species recorded in Penllergare Valley Woods by the present survey are set out at Appendix 2.

1.7.23

Kingfisher is primarily associated with watercourses and waterbodies, where it mainly feeds on fish and aquatic invertebrates, and usually nests in tunnels excavated on steep banks. It is declining nationally and has become rare over much of its former range in Britain. Kingfisher is listed on Annex 1 species of the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, 1979 (No. 79/409/EEC – the ‘Birds Directive’), the provisions of which are mainly dealt with in the UK under the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. It is also on the Amber List of ‘Birds of Conservation Concern’ (BOCC) for both the UK (RSPB 2009a) and Wales (RSPB 2009b). Reptiles

1.7.24

Four native reptile species occur in South Wales, comprising common lizard, slowworm, adder and grass snake, all four of which remain comparatively common and widespread in a wide range of suitable habitats. These four species are all afforded socalled ‘partial protection’ under the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, which prohibits the deliberate killing or injury of individuals. However, there is no direct protection extended to the habitats which support these species. All four are listed as ‘Priority Species’ in the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent. Amphibians

1.7.25

Five native amphibian species occur in South Wales, comprising common frog, common toad, smooth newt, palmate newt and great crested newt. The latter is a nationally rare and declining species afforded full protection under both UK and European legislation, being a ‘European Protected Species’ with respect to the latter and therefore of similar status to bats, otter and dormouse (see above). Protection also extends to the habitats which support this species, which occurs in a wide range of waterbodies but most typically in unpolluted, still waters with an absence of predatory fish. The other four species are not afforded any direct statutory protection, other than with respect to trade.

1.7.26

Great crested newt and common toad are ‘Priority Species’ of the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent, and the former is also subject to a ‘Wetland Mammals & Amphibians’ SAP in the Swansea LBAP. Other Species

1.7.27

Surveys of aquatic invertebrates are reported elsewhere and do not form part of the present report.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 1.7.28

The CCW and EAW consultation responses received in 2010 recommended further survey with respect to fish. However, in subsequent correspondence the requirement for further survey was removed by EAW, subject to the implementation of mitigation measures which are suitable for the general protection of fish and of lamprey ammocoetes in particular. These matters area dealt with elsewhere and do not form part of the present report.

1.8

Existing Records of Protected Species

1.8.1

A number of the protected species which were the target of the present surveys have previously been recorded within about 1km of the site in the recent past, including pipistrelle bats, otter, badger and various nesting birds, including kingfisher.

1.8.2

Existing records from the site itself are rather fewer, but include recent records of otter, badger, barn owl (a Schedule 1 species) and other notable birds such as buzzard, lesser redpoll, willow tit, dunnock, bullfinch, song thrush and spotted flycatcher. There do not appear to be any previous records of bats from the site itself, however, and there are no recent records of either dormouse, water vole or great crested newt from anywhere within about 2km of the site (SEWBReC data; EAW data).

1.9

Designated Sites of Biodiversity Interest Statutory Sites

1.9.1

Statutorily protected sites in the vicinity are shown on Plan 3. The site lies near to the Penplas Grasslands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the boundary of which lies almost adjacent to the south-eastern boundary of the site. In addition, the Penllergare Railway Cutting SSSI, which is designated primarily on geological grounds, lies approximately 200m from the northern boundary of the site and is separated from it by the course of the M4 motorway. The Nant y Crimp SSSI lies approximately 2km away to the north of the site. Non-Statutory Sites

1.9.2

The whole of the site lies within the ‘Valley Wood Site of Importance for Nature Conservation’ (SINC No. 205).

1.9.3

The majority of the woodlands within the site are shown as ‘plantations on ancient semi-natural woodland’ in the Provisional Ancient Woodland Inventory of Glamorgan (Sothern 1986, as amended). Other Interests

1.9.4

The site is listed in the Cadw/ICOMOS register of landscapes, parks and gardens of special historic interest in Wales. In addition, the [Equatorial] Observatory is a Listed Building (II*), and is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) as is the Orchid House in the Walled Garden.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 2.0

APPROACH & METHODS

2.1

A series of detailed surveys for the protected species referred to in Section 1.0 were carried out in the spring, summer and autumn of 2010, using a range of appropriate methods. These were as follows: Bats

2.2

Surveys for bats were carried out in general accordance with the guidance given by BCT (2007). The Observatory and adjacent Laboratory were initially inspected in daylight by experienced surveyors on 12 May 2010. The Upper Lake Waterfall, Old Bridge and Lower Lake Cascade were inspected on 21 May 2010, and the Garden Terrace walls and Walled Garden walls on 27 May 2010. The accessible exterior and any interior voids were all searched carefully for evidence of use by bats, the latter using a high-powered lantern (Clulite CB1). Other equipment which was available as required included an endoscope (ProVision 300), which was used to examine voids in the fill of stone walls etc, various inspection mirrors and a ladder to inspect high areas. Searches were made especially for evidence such as bat droppings and feeding remains, as well as for sightings of actual bats (in cracks and crevices etc) and secondary signs such as fur-oil and urine stains, scratch marks around crevice entrances etc.

2.3

The ground plan and construction of any buildings was recorded and the internal voids were briefly described and characterised, with an estimate being made of their potential attractiveness and suitability for bats with reference to factors such as human disturbance, daytime illumination, air movement/exposure and cobwebbing of access points etc.

2.4

In addition, the exterior aspects of the Observatory & Laboratory were monitored by observers in warm, dry and still weather conditions at dawn on 22 June and 30 July 2010 to watch for evidence of bats entering the buildings. The walls of the Garden Terrace, Walled Garden and the Upper Lake Waterfall were also observed at dawn on 5 August 2010. The dawn surveys commenced from about 1.5hrs before sunrise and continued until an hour after daybreak. The buildings were subject to visual observation as the light allowed, and were also monitored using various bat detection equipment including Pettersson D200 heterodyne detectors and Anabat SD1 frequency division detectors. Any signals from the latter were recorded to flashcards for subsequent study using AnalookW bat-sound analysis software (Corben 2006). Night-vision equipment (Night Owl, generation 1) was also available as required.

2.5

The larger trees of the site which are likely to be affected by the works were also inspected at close range from ground-level using close-focusing binoculars for any signs of use by bats (and also other protected species such as nesting birds). The main areas inspected included the Upper Lake Waterfall area, the Old Bridge site, the Lower lake Cascade, the proposed new visitors’ car-park area, the Walled Garden and the Observatory & Laboratory area. The mature trees in these areas were each surveyed for the presence of features likely to be attractive to roosting bats, such as cavities or rot holes in the trunk or branches, splits in the timber, delaminating bark, deep bark crevices and dense ivy cover etc. Where such features were found they were recorded and assessed individually for factors such as exposure and the extent of ‘clear airspace’ giving access to the feature.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 2.6

Suitable features were searched as far as possible for actual signs of use by bats, such as droppings, feeding remains, urine stains, fur-oil stains and scratches around entrance holes etc, as well as for signs which might indicate lack of use, such as unbroken mossgrowth, blockage by leaves and cobwebbing etc. An endoscope was used where access was possible. The trees were then each assigned to the following categories: 1A 1B

Category Confirmed use by bats Probable use by bats

High potential for use by bats

Moderate potential for use by bats

2.7

Low potential for use by bats

Description Direct evidence of use by bats found. Old or third-party evidence of use by bats, but current use not confirmed by present survey. Tree has features which are very suitable for use by roosting bats. Tree has features which are very suitable for use by roosting bats, such as large internal cavities, splits and/or woodpecker holes etc, but there is no evidence of such use to date. Usually these are large, old trees, and such features are numerous or very well-developed. Trees with some features which are potentially suitable for use by bats, but such features usually low in number or only of marginal suitability. This would include dense ivy cover. Usually medium-mature trees of moderate age. Young trees, or trees below 300mm dbh, lacking any features which are suitable for use by bats.

Trees below 30cm diameter at breast-height (dbh) are generally unlikely to support features suitable for roosting bats, and therefore any such trees were not surveyed or recorded in detail unless they had other features present which could potentially offer roosting opportunities for bats. The BCT (2007) advice indicates that trees falling in Category 2B or below need not be subject to any additional survey prior to felling or arboricultural works. Dormouse

2.8

Surveys for dormouse were carried out in accordance with the advice provided by Bright et al (2006). Searches were made during October and November 2010 in woodland areas throughout the site for hazelnuts and other potential food items (eg cherry stones) showing the characteristic signs of gnawing by dormouse.

2.9

In addition, the woodland in the proposed new visitors’ car-park area was subject to a ‘nest-tube survey’, whereby specially-constructed artificial nesting or roosting tubes were fastened using garden wire underneath horizontal branches in areas of suitable wooded habitat, and left in place over a period of several months (Chanin & Woods 2003, Bright et al 2006). When present, dormice often shelter or make nests in these tubes, and their presence can be detected by means of periodic monitoring to find actual animals, nest remains, feeding remains, droppings or hairs, all of which are distinctive. Some 20 tubes were set out in various parts of the area in May 2009 and left to ‘bed-in’ for two weeks, allowing any dormice in the vicinity time to find them, and were then subsequently checked at approximately fortnightly intervals from the end of June until the end of September, with monthly checks also being carried out in mid-October and mid-November. The nest-tubes were left in place until mid-January 2011, when a final check was performed upon removal in case of any late-season use. The location of the nest-tubes is shown at Plan 4.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Otter 2.2.10

Surveys for otter followed the advice provided by Strachan & Jefferies (1996). Searches were made for evidence of otter activity along the banks of the Afon Llan where it runs into and through the Upper Lake, around the Upper Lake itself and downstream as far as the site of the Old Bridge for signs such as spraints (droppings), recent and old sprainting sites, footprints, otter runs (eg pathways leading from holts), holts (nests), temporary resting areas and feeding signs etc.

2.2.11

Surveys for otter were undertaken on several occasions between June and October 2009. Otter can be surveyed for at all times of the year, although they are also typically most active during the summer months. Badger

2.2.12

Surveys for badgers was carried out in accordance with guidance given by Harris et al (1994) and Harris et al (1988) throughout the site but particularly in the proposed new visitors’ car-park area and the Walled Garden. These areas were searched systematically with particular attention being paid to areas where the vegetation and/or the topography offer suitable sites for badger setts (nesting burrows). Any signs of badger (eg setts, latrines, dung-pits, foraging signs and trails etc) were recorded. Water Vole

2.2.13

Survey for water vole were carried out in accordance with the advice provided by Strachan and Moorehouse (2006) along the banks of the Afon Llan where it runs into and through the Upper Lake, around the Upper Lake itself and downstream as far as the site of the Old Bridge. Searches were made for signs of water vole activity such as burrows in the river bank, droppings and latrine-sites, pathways along and away from banks, feeding stations with fragments of partially eaten vegetation, and the grazed ‘lawns’ which water voles create around their burrow entrances etc. Nesting Birds

2.2.14

The site was visited by an experienced ornithologist in good weather on 11 & 26 May and 9 June 2010, between 06:00 and 09:30. The main land areas affected by the proposals were walked on each occasion, and all signs of birds were recorded on a suitable base plan. Records of breeding birds were made using the notation developed for the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) ‘Common Bird Census’ (CBC) technique (see Bibby et al 2000). This method records the species and numbers of birds present in an area of habitat, as well as features indicative of nesting behaviour such as territorial singing, alarm calling, distraction displays, the presence of adult birds with food and the observed presence of nests, eggs, chicks or families of birds etc. Plans 5-7 show the areas which were subject to CBC.

2.2.15

Additional searches were made for the presence of kingfisher along the Afon Llan, around the Upper Lake Waterfall and Upper Lake, as there have been sightings of this species in the nearby Penllergaer Forest within the last five years (SEWBReC data).

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Reptiles 2.2.16

Reptile surveys were undertaken in the Walled Gardens during the period 20 May to 17 September 2010, in accordance with the advice provided by Gent & Gibson (1998). The survey comprised the placing-out of approximately 55 ‘artificial refugia’, comprising 60 x 60cm squares of roofing felt and carpet tile, to act as roosting and basking sites. The refugia were placed-out in areas of the site which were assessed as being most likely to be attractive to reptiles, particularly in the longer grass at scrub margins. After being allowed to ‘bed-in’ for a period of about two weeks, the refugia were then revisited at regular intervals in suitable weather conditions over the following weeks in order to record the species and numbers of any reptiles found underneath or on the refugia. The locations of the refugia are shown on Plan 8.

2.2.17

In addition, the stonework around the Upper Lake Waterfall was inspected for its potential to support reptiles, as was the stonework adjacent to the Old Bridge and the drystone walls of the Garden Terrace and the Walled Gardens. Amphibians

2.2.18

Bottle-trapping was the main technique used to investigate the site for amphibian species, particularly the rare and protected great crested newt. Specially constructed traps were placed in the water for a period of several nights during the peak period of adult mating and breeding activity (see eg Griffiths & Langton 1998). Newts and other amphibians enter these traps voluntarily and are detained until the traps are checked, whereupon all captives are released unharmed.

2.2.19

Bottle-traps were set along the banks of the Upper Lake during the period 19 to 27 May 2010. About 40 traps were staked at approximately 2-3m intervals along the bank sides, or ‘long-lined’ in areas where the water’s edge could not be safely reached. The traps were all set with an air-reservoir and were checked each morning before 11.00am, as amphibians are most likely to enter the traps at night when they are more active. It was not possible to place bottle-traps along the north bank of the Upper Lake as the water was too shallow for bottle-traps to be used. Bottle-trapping locations are shown on Plan 9.

2.2.20

Searches for active amphibians at night using powerful lanterns (‘lamping’) was attempted in the Upper Lake but was not successful as the water was too turbid for this technique to be effective. However, nocturnal searches along the banks and under stones etc were carried out on 22 June 2010. The site was also considered to be unsuitable for egg-searches on floating and emergent vegetation for great crested newt, as deep silt layers where the main areas of vegetation occurred meant that the lake was too hazardous to enter.

2.2.21

The former ornamental ponds in the Walled Garden have been dry for some time and remained dry throughout the survey period, therefore no bottle-trap surveys were possible. However, the refugia laid down for the reptile survey of this area (see above) are also potentially utilised by newts and other amphibians, and any amphibians found under these were therefore recorded as ‘additional species’ when the reptile checks were made.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 3.0

SURVEY RESULTS

3.1

De-silting of the Upper Lake, repair to the Upper Lake Waterfall & installation of a micro-hydropower scheme

3.1.1

The Upper Lake is an on-line waterbody which lies on the course of the Afon Llan. The river has a weir at its northern entrance to the lake and a dam at its southern exit. At the time of the present surveys, however, the Afon Llan was flowing in a channel along the eastern margin the lake and was separated from the impounded waters of the rest of the lake by a bank of silt (a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bermâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) covered with Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandifera) and common nettle (Urtica dioica) (see Plan 9). This berm is wide enough to be used by visitors and dog-walkers. The upper and lower islands of the lake were joined to the berm by large areas of damp ground or silt-banks which are also vegetated with Himalayan balsam and stinging nettles, together with a large swathe of bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) under some downy birch trees (Betula pubescens) on the lower island. The Upper Lake Waterfall lies at the southern end of the lake and was only flowing with water from the river on its eastern side at the time of survey, the lake waters being cut-off and quite still.

3.1.2

The northernmost exposed bank of the Upper Lake is relatively bare, due to the low water levels, with very shallow water over a soft bed of silt. There are large areas of deep silt along the eastern side of the berm which are encroaching extensively into the open water. As a result of the siltation there is abundant emergent and marginal vegetation, mainly comprising great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum) and soft rush (Juncus effusus) with pond sedge (Carex sp). The western bank of the lake supports a variable cover of bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg) and other scrub, while the exposed southern bank is relatively bare as it is often periodically submerged due to flows over the dam formed by the rock wall of the waterfall. The water here is relatively clear and deep. Some young trees overhang the Upper Falls, including wild cherry (Prunus avium), common alder (Alnus glutinosa) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior). At times of spate, the Afon Llan evidently overtops the berm and the cut-off waters of the Upper Lake temporarily join with those of the river. Bats

3.1.3

No signs of bats (such as droppings, feeding remains and fur-oil stains etc) were found in the rocks and stonework which extends on either side of the Upper Lake Waterfall. Bat roosting potential was assessed as low in this area, as the cavities between the stones are either shallow, wet internally with water penetration from behind the stone face, or comparatively low to the ground, with some being submerged when the river is in spate. Dawn survey on 5 August 2010 found no evidence of bats roosting in any of these structures.

3.1.4

No trees in this area will be affected by the proposed works.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Otter 3.1.5

Although there are records of otter using the Afon Llan, and being present on the Penllergare Valley site (Jones & Jones 2002; EAW, Feb 2010: pers comm), no otters or signs of otter were observed around either the banks of the Upper Lake or along the river upstream or downstream during the present surveys. There were a number of ‘push-throughs’ in the dense vegetation at various points along the east bank of the lake, but the only footprints associated with these were of dogs. It may be that the frequent dog-walking in this area is a deterrent to otters. Water Vole

3.1.6

The banks of the Upper Lake and the sections of the Afon Llan upstream and downstream were inspected for signs of water vole. The north, south and west banks of the lake support relatively little vegetation which is suitable for water vole (such as, for example, tall reeds and tussocky grasses) and there were no signs of suitable burrows, droppings or latrines etc. The eastern bank of the Upper Lake/Afon Llan channel are covered in ruderal vegetation, with common reed mainly on the soft silt banks which are unsuitable for vole burrows. There were no signs of water vole activity, such as pathways, feeding stations or grazed ‘lawns’ that indicate burrow entrances in the bankside foliage, in any of the areas which were inspected. Nesting Birds

3.1.7

All the bird species recorded in the 2010 surveys are listed at Appendix 2, alongside their known or assumed breeding status within the combined surveyed areas of the site. The statutory and conservation designations that apply in each case are also set out. Bird survey results are given on Plans 5-7.

3.1.8

The results of the 2010 nesting bird survey in the Upper Lake area were as follows: Species Blackbird Blackcap Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coal Tit Dipper Goldcrest Great Spotted Woodpecker Grey Wagtail Herring Gull Heron Jay Mallard Robin Song Thrush Wood Pigeon Wren

Code B BC BT C CH CT DI GC GS GL HG H J MA R ST WP WR

11 May 2010   

 

26 May 2010        



09 June 2010           

     

 



DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

Nesting Status in this area Possible Possible Possible Possible Possible Possible Confirmed Possible Possible Confirmed Fly-over Fly-over Possible Confirmed Possible Possible Possible Possible

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 3.1.9

The bird species recorded in the table above are those that were seen or heard relatively close to the banks of the Upper Lake and the adjacent sections Afon Llan, and which could potentially be disturbed by the proposed works, for example by heavy machinery working in the lake.

3.1.10

The main species of interest recorded on the water were grey wagtail, which is on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC) Amber List (RSPB 2009a), and mallard and dipper, which are both on the equivalent Amber List for Wales (2009b) Grey wagtail and mallard are both proven breeders around the Upper Lake, with a mallard family on the lake near the north-east bank in 2010, and grey wagtails attending an occupied nest just below the Upper Lake Waterfall. Dipper was seen with an occupied nest on the river just below the Upper Lake Waterfall.

3.1.11

The main species of interest recorded close to the riverbank was song thrush, a ‘Priority Species’ in the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent. Wood warbler, a Red List species in Wales, was recorded probably nesting in woodland upstream of the Upper Lake.

3.1.12

There was a kingfisher sighting in the nearby Penllergaer Forest in 2005 (SEWBReC data), but this site lies north of the survey area and is separated from it by the line of the M4 motorway. No kingfishers were observed in the Upper Lake/Afon Llan area during the present surveys and no suitable nesting burrows were seen. Reptiles

3.1.13

Inspection of the rocks and stonework around the Upper Lake Waterfall and in the surrounding area found no evidence of reptiles, and these areas were assessed as being of low suitability and attractiveness to these species. Amphibians

3.1.14

It was not possible to bottle-trap along the northernmost bank of the Upper Lake as the water was too shallow for this method to be used with due regard to the welfare of captured amphibians. Where the water deepened slightly, the lake often became too vegetated for deployment of long-line bottle-traps or for the alternative lamping method to be successful (Photo 1). However, this section of bank is relatively short, and both the east and west banks were surveyed right to their northern ends. Bottle-trapping locations are shown on Plan 9, and the trapping results were as follows:

North–east Bank Species Date Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

20 May -

South–east Bank Species Date Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

20 May 5♂ 1♀ -

North–West Bank Species Date Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

20 May -

21 May 21 May 8♂ 5♀ 21 May -

Number of bottle-traps = 8 26 May 27 May -

24 May -

25 May -

24 May 12♂ 8♀ -

Number of bottle-traps = 8 25 May 26 May 27 May 8♂ 4♀ 7♂ 4♀ 6♂ 3♀ -

24 May -

25 May -

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

Number of bottle-traps = 8 26 May 27 May -

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD South–west Bank Species Date Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) Common Toad (Bufo bufo) South Bank Species Date Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

20 May 

20 May 4♂ 1♀ -

21 May 

21 May 5♂ 3♀ -

24 May 

24 May 9♂ 6♀ -

25 May 

25 May 6♂ 4♀ -

Number of bottle-traps = 8 26 May 27 May   Number of bottle-traps = 8 26 May 27 May 5♂ 5♀ 5♂ 3♀ -

Key: ♂ male ♀ female  tadpoles

3.1.15

The present survey did not find any great crested newt in the Upper Lake. Palmate newt was found in good numbers in the deeper water along the south bank, and also amongst the silted reed-beds of the south-east bank. A large aggregation of toad tadpoles was found along the south-west bank, where it narrows due to the silted reedbank on the opposite side.

3.1.16

Weather conditions were very warm during the survey period, ranging from 16-24°C during the day, and all of the traps were therefore removed by mid-morning, well before the daytime maximum temperatures were reached. Minimum overnight air temperatures did not fall below 10°C.

3.1.17

Inspection of the rocks and stonework around the Upper Lake Waterfall and in the surrounding area found no evidence of amphibians, and these areas were assessed as being of fairly low suitability and attractiveness to these species although some use of crevices by amphibians for sheltering or roosting could not be ruled out.

3.2

Reinstatement of the Old Bridge

3.2.1

The Old Bridge was situated downstream of the Upper Lake, within view of the Upper Lake Waterfall, although all that now remains of the original bridge are the footings. There are also two stone revetment walls on the top of either bank from a pre-existing stone bridge (Photo 2). The river is now spanned at this point by a sewage pipe and two metal girders, which are all that remains of a more recent metal and timber bridge. Adjacent to the bridge at the water’s edge on both sides are some young and slender sycamore trees (Acer pseudoplatanus), with a young twin-stemmed ash also on the upstream side. The banks are heavily eroded and support little vegetation. Otter

3.2.2

Although there are historical records of otters at Penllergare Valley Woods (Cadw) and recent records from the Afon Llan (Jones & Jones 2002; SEWBReC 2009; EAW pers comm), no otters or signs of otters were observed anywhere on the banks of the river in the vicinity of the Old Bridge. It is considered extremely unlikely that they would attempt to utilise the footings of the Old Bridge as holting sites as there are no gaps large enough to admit an otter between or behind the stones.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Water Vole 3.2.3

The riverbanks in the vicinity of the Old Bridge have no suitable vegetation cover for water vole (such as, for example, tall reeds and tussocky grasses) and there were no signs of suitable burrows, droppings or latrines. There were no signs of water vole activity, such as pathways, feeding stations or grazed ‘lawns’ that would indicate burrow entrances anywhere in the vicinity. Nesting Birds

3.2.4

The results of the 2010 nesting bird surveys in the vicinity of the Old Bridge are as follows (see Plans 5-7): Species Blackbird Carrion Crow Coal Tit Dipper Dunnock Mallard Robin Siskin Song Thrush

Code B C CT DI D MA R SK ST

11 May 2010

26 May 2010 

 

09 June 2010    

    

 

Nesting Status in this area Possible Unlikely Probable Possible Possible Possible Possible Unlikely Possible

3.2.5

The main species of interest in this area were mallard and dipper, both on the Wales Amber List (RSPB 2009b), and dunnock and song thrush, both of which are ‘Priority Species’ of the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent, and also on the UK Amber and Red Lists respectively (RSPB 2009a).

3.2.6

A coal tit was seen carrying food at a point roughly equidistant from the Upper Lake Waterfall and the Old Bridge on the second survey date, a sign of probable nesting. Siskin, a local species, was also recorded but is presumably a visitor to the site as it is not considered likely to be nesting here.

3.2.7

The trees adjacent to the Old Bridge are all relatively young, with slender trunks and limbs. Whilst they could potentially support nesting birds, they were not considered to be especially attractive in this regard, and no nests were seen in any of these trees during the present surveys. The birds in the list above were all recorded from the woodland in the immediate surroundings of the Old Bridge area.

3.2.8

No kingfishers were observed in the Old Bridge area during the present surveys and no suitable nesting burrows were seen. Reptiles

3.2.9

Inspection of the rocks and stonework in the Old Bridge area found no evidence of reptiles, and these areas were assessed as being of low suitability and attractiveness to these species. There are four stone revetment walls on the top of the banks which may have some potential for sheltering or roosting reptiles, although they are not considered to be especially attractive in this regard.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Amphibians 3.2.10

The Old Bridge is situated on a relatively fast-flowing section of river below the Upper Lake. Great crested newt does not typically occur in areas of moving water, and there is no emergent or marginal vegetation suitable for egg-laying by any newt species. No bottle-trapping was carried out in this section, and lamping on 22 June 2010 did not yield any records of other amphibian species.

3.2.11

Inspection of the rocks and stonework in the Old Bridge area found no evidence of amphibians, and these areas were assessed as being of fairly low suitability and attractiveness to these species. There are four stone revetment walls on the top of the banks which may have some potential for sheltering or roosting amphibians, although they are not considered to be especially attractive in this regard.

3.3

Conservation of the Lower Lake Cascade

3.3.1

The Lower Lake Cascade comprises a steep stone-faced bank of the Afon Llan, surrounded by young trees, and is situated below the Lower Lake, close to the stepping stones (Photos 3 and 4). It was apparently an active waterfall in the 1950s but since that time the stream has changed course. There is a heavily shaded and stagnant pool at the foot of the former cascades, with a soft mud bed and very little emergent or marginal vegetation. The conservation work proposes felling the trees growing on top of the cascade to prevent further damage to the stonework by tree roots. This work should not affect the pool at the foot of the cascade, or disturb the stonework itself (NPA information, pers comm). Bats

3.3.2

The trees on top of the cascade which will be affected by the works mainly comprise young ash and sycamore with slender trunks and limbs, and smooth, undamaged bark. There is very little ivy cover on the trees, and none dense enough to shelter roosting bats. The very few small areas of dead or split wood which are present would not provide any more than opportunistic roosting opportunities for individual bats, and the canopy is very cluttered due to the close proximity of the trees, leaving relatively little clear flight-space. The bat roosting potential of these trees is considered to be negligible (Category 3). Nesting Birds

3.3.3

The results of the 2010 nesting bird surveys in the Lower Lake Cascades area are as follows (see Plans 5-7): Species Blackbird Robin Wood Pigeon Wren

Code B R WP W

11 May 2010   

26 May 2010  

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

09 June 2010   

Nesting Status in this area Possible Possible Unlikely Possible

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 3.3.4

There were no signs of nesting behaviour, or evidence of occupied nests, found in any of the trees on top of the cascades during the present surveys. Some of the trees which will be affected by the works could potentially support nesting birds, although the probability of this is assessed as being low and there are many older and larger trees in the near vicinity which would be much better suited for nesting use.

3.4

Tree-thinning at the entrance road for new visitors car-park

3.4.1

The woodland in this area comprises a mixed plantation. The majority of the trees are small to medium in size, with the largest having a diameter at breast-height (dbh) up to about 50cm. The tree and shrub canopy of the woodland is quite open throughout much of the area (Photo 5). Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), silver birch (Betula pendula), occasional beech (Fagus sylvatica) and various unidentified conifers are the most common canopy species. There is a very sparse understorey of rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) saplings, with occasional hazel, hawthorn and bramble. The ground flora below the trees and shrubs is generally very sparse, but includes ivy (Hedera helix), soft shield-fern (Polystichum setiferum) and some wood sedge (Carex sylvatica), as well as yew (Taxus baccata) and holly (Ilex aquifolium) saplings. ‘Habitat piles’ (or ‘eco-piles’) of cut brash are scattered throughout the area. Bats

3.4.2

The trees in the area which will be affected by the proposed works (see NPA Plan PEN 060.06) were all assessed as having negligible – low potential for bats (ie Category 3). Most of these trees have slender trunks and limbs with few features suitable for roosting bats such as split limbs, flaking bark, deep cavities and dense ivy growth etc. There are several larger trees within the area which were assessed as having moderate potential for roosting bats (Category 2B - see Plan 10) but it is understood that these are all to be retained within the proposed car-park development.

3.4.3

Two nocturnal flight surveys were carried out in this area before dawn on 22 June and 20 July 2010, just prior to the surveys which were carried out at the Observatory & Laboratory (see below). These did not detect any evidence of bat activity in this area, although there were occasional calls of common pipistrelle elsewhere in the vicinity. Dormouse

3.4.4

The woodland within the proposed car-park site contains only very small amounts of hazel, hawthorn and bramble (favoured dormouse foodplants), and has quite an open canopy which does not appear to be especially suitable for occupation by dormouse. There is little connectivity between the individual shrubs and trees, and there are few side branches which might be suitable for dormouse nesting. The results of the 2010 dormouse nest-tube survey were as follows. Nest-tube locations are shown on Plan 4. Date

22 Jun

07 Jul

Dormouse Nest-Tubes Installed 26 May 2010 19 Jul 02 Aug 18 Aug 03 Sep 17 Sep 30 Sep

No signs

15 Oct

12 Nov

No signs

Tube D1 –D20

No signs

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

No signs

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 3.4.5

No dormice, or signs of dormouse, were found anywhere within the survey area during the 2010 survey. Badger

3.4.6

The proposed car-park area was searched for signs of badger such as setts, latrines and foraging paths etc. Special attention was paid to topographical features such as the sloping banks within the area that badger could potentially utilise for their burrow systems (setts). No evidence of current or abandoned badger setts were found in this area, or any signs of badgers passing through the area. Nesting Birds

3.4.7

The results of the 2010 nesting bird surveys in the proposed car-park area are as follows (see Plans 5-7): Species Blackbird Blackcap Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Goldcrest Great Tit Mistle Thrush Nuthatch Robin Song Thrush Wood Pigeon Wren

Code B BC C CH CC GC GT M NH R ST WP WR

11 May 2010  

26 May 2010   

 

09 June 2010   

     

  



Nesting Status in this area Probable Possible Unlikely Possible Possible Possible Probable Possible Possible Possible Possible Unlikely Possible

3.4.8

The main species of interest was in this area was song thrush, a ‘Priority Species’ of the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent, and on the UK Red and Welsh Amber Lists respectively (RSPB 2009a/b).

3.4.9

Blackbird and great tit were recorded carrying food on the first and second survey dates respectively, a sign of probable breeding behaviour.

3.4.10

During inspections of the dormouse nest-tubes in August 2010, blue tits were seen investigating one of the bird boxes that are attached to trees in this area, and is considered to be a probable breeder.

3.5

Repairs to the Garden Terrace walls & rockeries

3.5.1

The dry-stone walls in the Garden Terrace area are in relatively good condition, although the stonework has failed locally. A few old furnace structures are also present in this area. The stone walls generally lack higher plants, although hart’s-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium) and ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) are both present occasionally. The walls also have a dense covering of lichens and mosses.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Reptiles 3.5.2

Inspection of the stonework in the Garden Terrace area found no evidence of reptiles (or amphibians) and these areas were assessed as being of relatively low suitability and attractiveness for these species. There is probably some small potential for reptiles (or amphibians) to be present roosting or sheltering within the stonework, but the positioning and aspect of these structures is not considered likely to be especially attractive to basking reptiles.

3.6

Repair of the Walled Garden walls & bothies, and two ornamental ponds

3.6.1

There are several components to the Walled Gardens, the main one of which is a large trapezoidal walled garden. This is bounded by high rubble walls mostly still standing to their full height, which varies between about 1.5 to 4.5m, and which are generally free from vegetation except for some ivy and maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes).

3.6.2

The interior of the walled gardens are heavily overgrown with bramble and nettle, together with young to semi-mature trees, the majority of which are sycamore and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus). One standard hornbeam and one oak are to be retained within the northern section of the development (NPA information, pers comm). There are also some areas of semi-improved grassland dominated by coarse species such as Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) and broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius). A few stands of an introduced bamboo occur locally, but these are being controlled. Bats

3.6.3

The trees in this area which would be affected by the proposed works were all assessed as having negligible â&#x20AC;&#x201C; low potential for use by roosting bats (ie Category 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2B). The trees generally have slender trunks and limbs, with few features suitable for roosting bats such as splits, bark fissures, deep cavities and dense ivy growth etc.

3.6.4

The sections of the walls which could be inspected by ladder and close-focus binoculars did not reveal any signs of bat occupation. However, some of the wall sections were heavily shaded or could not be adequately approached, and therefore a dawn flight survey was carried out on 5 August 2010 to confirm the results of the visual inspection.

3.6.5

The dawn flight survey took place in warm and dry weather conditions, with high relative humidity, and the interior of the walled gardens was sheltered with very little wind evident. Several calls from commuting noctule bats were detected in the distance to the east, and common pipistrelle bats were detected over the neighbouring housing estate to the west, but there was almost no activity in the Walled Garden itself and no evidence whatsoever of roosting activity.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Badger 3.6.6

The area was searched in detail for signs of badger, such as setts, latrines and foraging paths etc. Special attention was paid to topographical features such as damaged masonry which creates cavities at ground level which badger could potentially utilise as entrances to setts.

3.6.7

No evidence of current or abandoned badger setts were found anywhere in this area, and there were no signs of badger foraging or passing through the area. Nesting Birds

3.6.8

The results of the 2010 nesting bird surveys of the Walled Gardens are as follows (see Plans 5-7): Species Blackbird Blackcap Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Dunnock Great Tit Magpie Robin Siskin Song Thrush Wood Pigeon Wren

Code B BC BT C CH CC D GT MG R SK ST WP WR

11 May 2010 

26 May 2010  

         



09 June 2010       



 

Nesting Status in this area Possible Possible Possible Unlikely Possible Probable Possible Confirmed Fly-over Possible Unlikely Possible Unlikely Possible

3.6.9

The main species of interest recorded in this area were song thrush, a ‘Priority Species’ on the UK BAP and its Welsh equivalent, and on the UK Red and Wales Amber Lists respectively (RSPB 2009a/b), and dunnock, also a ‘Priority Species’ of the UK and Wales BAPs, and a UK Amber List species (RSPB 2009a).

3.6.10

An occupied great tit nest was recorded on the second survey date, and a chiffchaff seen carrying food on the third survey date. Siskin, a local species, was also recorded but is presumably a visitor to the site as it is not considered likely to be nesting here. Reptiles

3.6.11

The site was initially assessed as being superficially suitable for common lizard due to the basking potential on the faces of the stone walls, and possibly also for slow-worm, although this species generally prefers more tussocky grassland.

3.6.12

The results of the 2010 reptile refugium survey in this area were as follows (see Plan 8):

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD

Reptile Refugia Installed 20 May 2010 19 Jul 02 Aug 05 Aug 10 Aug 18 Aug

Date Refugia R1 –R50

04 Jun

22 Jun

07 Jul

Nil

Weather

16°C warm dry sunny

17°C warm damp sunny

19°C hot dry sunny

18°C warm damp sunny

18°C warm dry sunny

19°C hot dry sunny

3.6.13

03 Sep

17 Sep

Nil

17°C warm dry sunny

15°C warm dry sunny

No reptiles were found in the Walled Gardens during the 2010 refugium survey. Inspection of the south-facing stone walls on warm sunny mornings also found no evidence of common lizard. Amphibians

3.6.14

The two former ornamental ponds in the Walled Gardens remained dry throughout the 2010 survey season. No amphibians were found in or near to these features during the reptile refugium survey. Japanese Knotweed

3.6.15

A small stand of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), a noxious weed, was found along the south boundary wall of the Walled Gardens. No other stands were found within this area. The location of the Japanese knotweed stand is shown on Plan 8.

3.7

Repair of the Observatory

3.7.1

The Observatory comprises a cylindrical stone-block tower on a squared rubble plinth, with a flat-roofed metal drum at the top which sits behind a stone cornice. The stone tower was constructed in the mid 18th century, with the metal drum being fitted in 1981 as a replacement to the wooden original. There is no access into the Observatory from outside, but there are four small openings near ground level which extend right through the stone wall, possibly for the purpose of equalising the internal and external atmospheric conditions when the observatory was in use. There is lime leaching from the mortar on the north side of the tower near the join with the laboratory, but otherwise there is little deterioration to the stonework.

3.7.2

The adjoining Laboratory is a single-storey hollow-brick structure on a two-tiered brick plinth. The walls are finished with a cordon and refurbished ornamental parapet. The roof exterior cannot be seen from the ground, although it is reported to be of slate (Swansea Listed Buildings Record No 26500), and internally there is a vaulted brick ceiling. The Laboratory consists of a single room with an open fireplace on the east wall, and the raised Observatory is accessed through a large opening in the west wall via a ladder. There is a four-paned timber-framed window in the northern wall, and a timber stable door and timber-framed window in the southern wall, all three of which have chamfered voussoir surrounds. The building sits close to a large hedge on the west side, and has semi-mature trees adjacent to the east and south (Photos 6 and 7). The layout of the buildings is shown on Plan 11.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Bats 3.7.3

The exterior face-blocks and mortaring of the Observatory are generally in very good condition, with no cracks or crevices suitable for roosting bats. There is considerable damage to the cornice, but it is highly unlikely that bats would use these spaces due to exposure to the elements (Photo 8). There are four openings just above the plinth, two each on the north and south sides of the tower, which measure approximately 15cm high by 10cm wide and extend approximately 90cm through to the other side of the wall (Photos 9 and 10). There is an estimated 50cm gap between the outer stone wall and an inner brick lattice wall. There were no droppings or other signs of bats within any of the openings, and it is thought unlikely that bats would use these as an access route to the interior due to their relatively close proximity to the ground.

3.7.4

The top drum of the observatory tower consists of a metal frame which is externally clad with metal sheeting. There is a vertical side segment which can be opened (Photo 11), and this section extends across the centre of the flat roof with one half containing a wire-reinforced glass skylight (Photo 12). There are some small gaps around both the side and top moveable sections which could potentially give bats access to the interior of the building, and some cracks between the roof and sides of the drum.

3.7.5

The north wall of the Laboratory shows a lot of surface damage to the bricks, which are flaking and show water-staining. At the left edge of the wall and 14 courses from the ground (all numbering includes the brick plinth) there is a large cavity which extends horizontally behind the wall face, due to the hollow construction of the bricks (Photos 13 to15). There were no bat droppings or feeding remains evident inside these, however, and no stains etc around the entrance. Directly below the cordon (course 32), to the right of the window, is a cavity large enough for bats or birds to enter, but this had no signs of either at the time of survey (Photo 16 and 17). A second cavity on course 14, near the join of the Laboratory with the Observatory, has been partly repaired with cement but still opens into a void extending horizontally behind the wall face (Photo 18). There were no bat droppings or feeding remains evident inside these cavities, however, and no stains etc around the entrances. There is a crack between the window frame and brickwork along the top and right hand side, but most of the crack is cobwebbed, indicating that there has probably been no recent use of this by bats.

3.7.6

The east wall of the Laboratory also shows a lot of surface damage to the bricks, which are flaking. There are no cracks or crevices to the cordon or parapet that could be utilised by bats, however. To the right hand side of the wall, at 19 courses from the ground there is a cavity in the brick face which opens out into the dry and sheltered void of the hollow brick behind (Photo 13). This contained an old and unoccupied birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nest at the time of survey, and several downy feathers, but there were no signs of any bats (Photos 19 and 20).

3.7.7

The south wall of the Laboratory is in better condition than the north and east walls, and is sheltered by several large conifers. There is some flaking to the brickwork, and a large section of repair work is evident, but there are no cracks or cavities suitable for use by bats. There are cracks between the brickwork and the timber door and window frames, but these were heavily cobwebbed at the time of survey, indicating that there has probably been no recent use by bats.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 3.7.8

It was not possible to make a close visual inspection of the interior of the Observatory, because the Laboratory floor is not safe at the western end where the two structures adjoin. However, it was possible to record the general features of the Observatory interior from the safe section of the Laboratory, and to assess the likelihood of bats entering and/or utilising the interior voids. The eastern end of the Laboratory could be safely accessed, and the rest of the small room was inspected with close-focus binoculars.

3.7.9

The Laboratory is well-illuminated due to the frosted windows on either side of the room. There is a marked smell of damp, with water-marks on the unplastered walls and on the underside of the vaulted brick roof (Photos 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 24). The fireplace on the eastern wall is unblocked and gives a potential access route for birds and bats. The visible Observatory interior is also well illuminated by the skylight panel in the roof, and from the large opening in the wall with the Laboratory. The wooden ladder up to the Observatory has fallen through the floor where the wooden planks have rotted (Photo 25) and the Observatory wall that intersects with the Laboratory is very damp, as are parts of the inner brick lattice wall. There are ferns growing in the latticework of the inner brick wall and on the central pedestal (Photo 26).

3.7.10

There were no signs of bat droppings or urine stains on the Laboratory floor or walls, although any of the latter might conceivably have been masked by the water-staining. It was not possible to check for signs of bats inside the Observatory, although large accumulations of droppings would have been visible using close-focus binoculars. No free-hanging bats were seen, and there was no wall furniture for crevice-occupying bats to use. It is possible that bats could roost inside the chimney, although there were no signs of this at the time of survey.

3.7.11

Due to the high illumination levels inside the Laboratory and Observatory, the damp, draughts, and general lack of roosting opportunities, these buildings were assessed as being of limited attractiveness to roosting bats, either for summer roosting or winter hibernation.

3.7.12

Two dawn flight surveys were undertaken in warm and dry weather conditions on 22 June and 30 July 2010, with high relative humidity and little or no wind. The surveys commenced from about 90 minutes before dawn until an hour after sunrise, from approximately 03:30am until 06:00am on 22 June, and from approximately 04:00am until 06:30am on 30 July.

3.7.13

No bats were recorded either around or within the buildings, and no calls detected in the near vicinity. Several calls of common pipistrelle bats were detected in the distance to the north-east of the Observatory site, however it was noted that the building is illuminated by exterior floodlights at night, which penetrate into the interior of the building through the north window. This is also considered likely to deter use of the building by bats.

3.7.14

The trees adjacent to the buildings were assessed as being of low potential for use by roosting bats (category 3-2B).

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Other Species 3.7.15

Although not specifically assessed for other species, it is possible that repairs to these buildings could potentially affect common synanthropic birds, such as house sparrow, robin or blackbird, which habitually nest on buildings, although no signs of such species were seen during the present surveys. It is also possible that common reptiles and/or common amphibians could be encountered under fallen slates, stone slabs, deteriorated brickwork etc, although again no evidence of these species was encountered during the present surveys and the probability of their occurrence is assessed as being low.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 4.0

SUMMARY OF IMPACTS TO PROTECTED SPECIES

4.1

The following table sets out a summary of the potential adverse impacts which are anticipated with respect to the species which were surveyed for, for all of the proposed works at each of the main works locations, based on the survey results obtained to date. The magnitude of the impacts in each case has been assessed on a scale of Nil – Low – Moderate – High.

4.2

None of the impacts are assessed as being of greater than Low magnitude, with the majority being assessed as Nil effects. Low magnitude impacts are considered to equate to Low significance.

4.3

The impacts are all assessed in the absence of mitigation. It is considered likely that both the magnitude and significance of impacts would be amenable to mitigation measures which would render any potential impacts to Nil magnitude/Negligible significance in all cases.

4.4

Requirement for Licences

4.4.1

On the basis of the present surveys, it is not anticipated that any European Protected Species (ie bats, dormouse, otter or great crested newt) are likely to be encountered or affected by any of the proposed works, and therefore no derogation licences are required with respect to any these species.

4.4.2

On the basis of the present surveys, it is not anticipated that any Schedule 1 birds (eg kingfisher) or fully-protected Schedule 5 animals (ie water vole) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), or any other licensably protected species (ie badger) are likely to be encountered or affected by any of the proposed works, and therefore no licences are required with respect to any of these species.

4.4.3

Some potential for adverse impact has been identified with respect to common nesting birds and common reptiles, both of which are afforded protection against death or injury under the amended Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, and also common amphibians. However, no licences are required for works affecting any of these species.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD

POTENTIAL FOR IMPACTS TO PROTECTED SPECIES

1) Upper Lake De-silting Upper Lake Repair Upper Lake Waterfall stonework Install micro-hydropower scheme Tree-clearance (nb: none anticipated at time of writing) 2) Old Bridge Reinstate Old Bridge 3) Lower Lake Cascade Tree and scrub clearance 4) New Visitor Car-Park Tree and scrub clearance 5) Garden Terrace Repair Garden Terrace walls 6) Walled Gardens Repair Walled Garden walls and bothies (stonework) Repair and reinstate Walled Garden ponds 7) Observatory (& Laboratory) Repair walls and roofs

Bats

Dormouse

Otter

Badger

Water Vole

Nesting Birds

Common Reptiles

Amphibians

Nil Low Low Nil

Nil Nil Nil Nil

Low Nil Nil Low

Nil Low Nil Nil

Low Low Low Nil

Nil

Low

Nil

Low

Nil

Low

Nil

Low

Nil

Low

Nil

Low

Low Nil

Nil Nil

Low Low

Low

Nil

Low

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 5.0

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MITIGATION

5.1

On the basis of the present surveys there is considered potentially to be a requirement for statutory mitigation measures with respect to nesting birds.

5.2

There is not considered to be any statutory requirement for mitigation measures with respect to either: -

Bats Dormouse Otter Badger Water vole Kingfisher Great crested newt Common amphibians Common reptiles

However, it is recommended that precautionary and best-practice measures are implemented with respect to these species. 5.3

Statutorily Required Mitigation Measures for Nesting Birds

5.3.1

Building works, demolition, tree-felling or scrub-clearance and other such works must not cause harm or disturbance to any birds which are nesting in the affected area at the time. In the event that nesting birds are discovered immediately prior to or at any time during such works, all works in the affected area must cease and appropriate expert advice sought. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;affected areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; should be taken to comprise an area of minimum 5m radius around the nest site. This is a mandatory requirement. Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to allow the birds to complete their present nesting cycle before the works can recommence.

5.3.2

As a general principle, any works affecting trees and scrub (eg felling, lopping, clearance etc) should avoid the main bird nesting season, which runs approximately from March to August inclusive. Clearance in the winter period (ie November to February inclusive) should be preferred. Alternatively, any works which must necessarily be carried out during the nesting period must be preceded by a survey to ensure that no nesting birds are present, and any which are present must be allowed to complete their nesting cycle unmolested within a buffer zone of at least 5m radius around the nesting site.

5.3.3

This restriction also applies to any other habitats which are found to support nesting birds, including any buildings or stonework. As a general rule it may be assumed that once work has commenced on a built structure, the disturbance is likely to deter any nesting by birds but it would be advisable to commence any demolition or building works before the start of the nesting season, or otherwise to cover any potential nesting structures with polythene sheet or tarpaulin etc.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 5.3.4

All contractors carrying out tree and scrub clearance works should be warned of the possible presence of nesting birds and their protected status. It should be clearly understood that in the event of any being found during works, all works should cease in the affected area until appropriate expert advice has been sought.

5.4

Precautionary & Best-Practice Measures for Other Species All Species

5.4.1

In the unlikely event that any of the species listed at 5.1 above are encountered immediately prior to or at any time during works, all works in the affected area must cease and appropriate expert advice sought. The ‘affected area’ should be taken to comprise an area of minimum 5m radius around the find site. This is a mandatory requirement.

5.4.2

All contractors carrying out works should be warned of the possible presence of these species and their protected status. It should be clearly understood that in the event of any evidence of these species being found, all works should cease in the affected area until appropriate expert advice has been sought.

5.4.3

The services of an appropriately qualified and licensed ecologist should be available on an ‘on-call’ basis throughout the construction period in order to deal promptly with any protected species which may be encountered during the works.

5.4.4

Consideration should be given to the installation of bird boxes on large trees in suitable locations around the site, particularly in areas such as the proposed visitors car-park where existing boxes may be affected. Boxes should be sited in such a manner that unauthorised persons and predators such as cats cannot reach them, and be at least 4m (preferably 5m) above ground level. Boxes should ideally be of ‘woodcrete’ construction (such as those manufactured by Schwegler Ltd), since these are much more robust and longer-lived than traditional wooden boxes and require less aftermaintenance. Generic advice on the installation of bird boxes is given at Appendix 3. Bats

5.4.5

Demolition or building works (eg re-roofing) affecting buildings or other stonework structures should ideally be carried out in the winter period (ie November to February inclusive) when there is least likelihood of encountering roosting bats. The affected buildings should ideally be resurveyed for bats immediately prior to the commencement of works, and in the unlikely event that any are found, appropriate measures taken either to remove any bats which may be present or to reschedule works in the affected area for a more appropriate time.

5.4.6

It is currently anticipated that no trees which have any greater than low-moderate potential for bats (ie 3-2B) will be affected by the works. However, in the event that the works should require the felling or lopping of large trees, this should also be carried out in the winter months. This timeframe also reduces the risk of encountering nesting birds. General advice on the felling or treatment of trees which might contain roosting bats is provided at Appendix 4.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 5.4.7

Once begun, it is considered likely that the disturbance arising from the works would deter bats from entering the affected buildings. However, this assumes that the works will continue uninterrupted to completion once started. Any substantial pauses in the works (ie or more than about two weeks) may allow bats (and/or nesting birds) an opportunity to reoccupy the site, and this may require additional assessment and/or mitigation measures.

5.4.8

Contractors should check for the possible presence of bats on the undersides of roofing slates, ridge tiles and roof timbers etc as they are lifted off, before they are smashed or dumped.

5.4.9

Consideration should be given to the installation of bat boxes on suitable large trees on the site. Boxes should be installed in groups of up to three, at least 4m (preferably 5m) above ground level, and sited in such a manner that predators such as cats cannot reach them (cats are a major predator of bats, most often taking them as they crawl or fly from roost access points). Bat boxes should not be illuminated at night (eg by security lighting). Bat boxes should preferably be of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;woodcreteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; construction (such as those manufactured by Schwegler Ltd) since these are much more robust and longer-lived than traditional wooden boxes and require minimal after-maintenance. Advice on the installation of bat boxes is provided at Appendix 3. Common Reptiles

5.4.10

On the basis of the present survey information is it not anticipated that any reptiles will be encountered in the areas which are proposed for works. However, there remains a small chance that common reptiles (and/or common amphibians) may be encountered when rebuilding stonework or repairing drystone walls etc.

5.4.11

As a general principle, the clearance or dismantling of ground-level or low-level stonework should avoid the main reptile hibernation period, which runs from approximately October to February inclusive, so as to avoid encountering any hibernating individuals.

5.4.12

When clearing such stonework, contractors should ideally check beneath the slabs or stones as they are lifted, and any sheltering reptiles either allowed to disperse from beneath them voluntarily or be lifted carefully using gloved hands and removed to a sheltered location outside of the area affected by works.

5.4.13

In the unlikely event that more than a few such reptiles (eg >3), or any snakes, are found the supervising ecologist should be contacted to attend the site for the remainder of the operation as necessary. The reptile species considered most likely to occur are slow-worm and common lizard, neither of which pose a hazard to humans. In the event that any snakes are encountered, however, contractors should not attempt to handle these as they may potentially include the venomous adder. Instead, the supervising ecologist should be contacted immediately and will attend the site with appropriate snake-handling equipment.

5.4.14

The receptor site for the silt from the Upper Lake (see Plan 2) was not investigated by the presenbt surveys. At minimum, this area should be cleared of vegetation in advance to deter the presence of any common reptiles or other fauna which may be present.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Ideally this would be by means of two-staged clearance of the surface vegetation in the period before de-silting (ie between April-September). All standing vegetation in the affected area (ie grassland, ruderal vegetation, bracken etc) should be cut by hand to a height of approximately 150mm, and the arisings collected and removed from the site immediately. Cutting should commence at the centre of the receptor area and work outwards towards the boundaries in an enlarging spiral. 5.4.15

Any reptiles or other fauna which are present should either be allowed to disperse into adjacent areas of habitat which lie outside of the works area, or be carefully collected and removed by the contractors using the methodology outlined above. Mechanical clearance methods (eg gang-mowing, flail-cutting etc) should not be used. Ground disturbance should be kept to a minimum during this operation, in order to reduce the risk of causing injury to any slow-worms and common lizards etc which may still be present in the topsoil layer and/or deep leaf-litter etc. Vehicle movements on the site should be avoided as far as possible, although the use of a light vehicle (eg Land Rover with trailer) would be permitted for the collection of arisings. In the latter case, vehicle movements should be confined to the fewest possible necessary movements along pre-determined routes which are appropriately marked on the ground (eg with bunting).

5.4.16

Any obvious refugia (eg planks of wood, large stones, metal sheets, plywood panels, old mattresses and carpets etc) should be lifted by hand and checked underneath for reptiles, and any which are present carefully collected and removed by the contractors. The cleared refugia should be removed from the site immediately.

5.4.17

24 hours later, the receptor areas should be strimmed again using hand-tools only, with the remaining vegetation being cut to ground level and any significant arisings being removed from the site immediately. Once cleared of vegetation, the receptor areas should be maintained in a cleared state until the commencement of construction by means either of repeated strimming or treatment with an appropriate herbicide, such as Glyphosate Biactive. Common Amphibians

5.4.18

It is anticipated that common amphibians such as palmate newt and common toad could be encountered in significant numbers during the de-silting of the Upper Lake. Whilst not afforded any statutory protection against killing and injury, it would nevertheless be appropriate to attempt to minimise the harm caused to these species as far as possible.

5.4.19

Although no additional surveys have been required with respect to fish, EAW has requested that mitigation measures are provided with respect to possible lamprey ammocoetes (larvae) which may be present in silt beds in the Upper Lake. Lampreys of unknown species have been found downstream of the site in the Afon Llan, and the EAW has requested that a plan to protect these and other fish species be implemented at the time of de-silting. A plan for the protection of fish species has been set out elsewhere, and it is considered likely that any plan to protect lamprey ammocoetes will also be suitable as mitigation for common amphibian species such as palmate newt.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 5.5

Japanese Knotweed

5.5.1

At the time of writing, one small stand of Japanese knotweed has been identified at the southern end of the Walled Gardens. It is important that this infestation, and any others which may become apparent during the works, are eliminated and that the species is not allowed to spread from the site, for example in spoil, silt or soil arisings. The spread of Japanese knotweed is prohibited under the Wildlife & Countryside act 1981 (as amended).

5.5.2

Several techniques are available for the elimination of Japanese knotweed, and the method to be used at the Penllergare site will depend on the season and circumstances which apply at the time of treatment. Generic advice on the removal of Japanese knotweed is given at Appendix 5.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD 6.0

REFERENCES Bat Conservation Trust (BCT 2007) Bat Surveys – Good Practice Guidelines. Bat Conservation Trust, London. Bibby, C J, Burgess, N D. Hill, D A & Mustoe, S H (2000) Bird Census Techniques, 2nd Edition. Academic Press, London. Biodiversity Reporting & Information Group (BRIG 2007) Report on the Habitats & Species Review: A Report to the UK Biodiversity Partnership. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Bright, P, Morris, P & Mitchell-Jones, A (2006) The Dormouse Conservation Handbook (2nd Edition). English Nature, Peterborough. Chanin, P & Woods, M (2003) Surveying dormice using nest tubes. Results and experiences from the South West Dormouse Project. English Nature Research Report 524. English Nature, Peterborough. Corben, C (2006) AnalookW for Bat Call Analysis Using ZCA. Version 3.3q, Oct 2006. Titley Electronics Ltd. David Clements Ecology Ltd (DCE 2010) Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Ecological Scoping Report. Unpublished report to the Penllergare Trust, Mar 2010. Eden, S (2009) Living with Dormice: The Common Dormouse: Real Rodent or Phantom of the Ancient Wood? Papadakis, Winterbourne, Berks. Environment Agency (EA 1999) Otters & River Habitat Management (2nd Edition). Environment Agency, Bristol. Gent, T & Gibson, S (Eds) (1998) Herpetofauna Workers’ Manual. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Griffiths, R A & Langton, T (1998) Catching & Handling In: Gent, A & Gibson, S (Eds.) Herpetofauna Workers’ Manual. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Harris, S, Cresswell, P & Jefferies, D J (1988) Surveying Badgers. Mammal Society Occasional Publication 9. Harris, S, Jefferies, D J, Cheeseman, C & Booty, C (1994) Problems with Badgers? (3rd edition). Royal Society for the Protection of Animals. Jones, T & Jones, A (2002) Otter Survey of Wales, 2002. The Environment Agency, Bristol. Morris, P A (1993) A Red Data Book for British Mammals. The Mammal Society.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Richardson, P (2000) Distribution Atlas of Bats in Britain & Ireland 1980-1999. Bat Conservation Trust, London. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB 2009a): Birds of Conservation Concern, 3: The Population Status of Birds in the United Kingdon, Channel Islands & the Isle of Man. RSPB, Sandy. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB 2009b): Birds of Conservation Concern: The Population Status of Birds in Wales, 2. RSPB, Sandy. Sothern, E (1986) Glamorgan Inventory of Ancient Woodlands (Provisional). Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough. Strachan, R & Jefferies, D J (1996) Otter Survey of England, 1991-1994. Vincent Wildlife Trust, London.

The

Strachan, R. & Moorhouse, T (2006) Water Vole Conservation Handbook. 2nd Edition. Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford. Swansea Biodiversity Partnership (SBP 2005) A Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Draft for Consultation. Swansea City Council. Wales Biodiversity Partnership (WBP 2007) List of Species & Habitats of Principle Importance for Conservation of Biological Diversity in Wales, December 2007. Wales Biodiversity Partnership/Welsh Assembly Government. Welsh Assembly Government (2009) Planning Policy Wales: Technical Advice Note 5: Nature Conservation & Planning.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD APPENDIX 1: PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE WORKS AREAS 2010

1. Vegetation encroachment of Upper Lake (north end)

2. Site of the Old Bridge

3. Former Lower Lake Cascade, left side

4. Former Lower Lake Cascade, right side

5. Woodland in proposed car park area

6. Observatory & Laboratory building, with adjacent trees

7. North side of Laboratory & Observatory tower

8. Damage to cornice of Observatory tower

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD

9. Openings above brick plinth of Observatory tower

10. Internal view of opening

11. Opening section of Observatory tower

12. Internal view of roof showing opening section and skylight

13. North-East corner of Laboratory, cavities arrowed

14. North wall cavity (course 14)

15. Extent of north wall cavity (course 14)

16. Damage below cordon of north wall (course 32)

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD

17. Cavity below cordon of north wall (course 32)

18. Cavity at right side of north wall (course 14)

19. Cavity at course 19 of east wall (see Photo 13)

20. Nest inside east wall cavity

21. Water staining to inner wall

22. Water staining on north wall

24. Water damage to vaulted brick ceiling

23. Water staining on fireplace wall

25. Damp damage to floor

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

26. Observatory section

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD APPENDIX 2: BIRDS RECORDED ON THE SITE

Approx No. of territories on site

Status on Site

Status in Glamorgan

G G

6 5

P3 P3

Chaffinch

G V G

2 1 3

P2 P2 P2

Phylloscopus collybita

Chiffchaff

Parus ater

Coal tit

Cinclus cinclus

Dipper

G G

2 1

P3 P3

Prunella modularis

Dunnock

Regulus regulus

Goldcrest

2 1

P2 P2

Dendrocopus major

Parus major

Great spotted woodpecker Great tit

Picus viridis

Green woodpecker

Motacilla cinerea

Grey wagtail

G G G

4 1 1

P3 P1 P3

Larus argentatus

Herring Gull

F/O

Ardea cinerea

Heron

F/O

Garrulus glandarius

Jay

Aegithalos caudatus

Long-tailed tit

Pica pica

Magpie

Anas platyrhynchos

Mallard

G V S

0 0 1

F/O F/O P3

Turdus viscivorous

Mistle thrush

Sitta europaea

Nuthatch

Erithacus rubecula

Robin

Carduelis spinus

Siskin

1 1 9 1

P1 P2 P2 P1

Turdus merula

Blackbird

Sylvia atricapilla

Blackcap

Parus caeruleus

Blue tit

Corvus corone

Carrion Crow

Fringilla coelebs

G G

G G G G

A P

A A P

A R

A A

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

Swansea LBAP

SINC Status (Wintering)

SINC Status (Breeding )

Wales BOCC

UK BOCC

Wales BAP

UK BAP

Wildlife & Countryside Act

EU Birds Directive

Birds

Common resident breeder Common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant; locally common winter visitor, especially to suburban parks and gardens Common resident breeder Common resident breeder Common resident breeder, winter visitor and passage migrant Common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant; locally common winter visitor Common resident breeder Locally common resident breeder on suitable fast-flowing stretches of upland rivers and streams Common resident breeder Locally common breeding summer visitor and passage migrant , though numbers can be depleted in harsh winters Common resident breeder Common resident breeder Common resident breeder Common resident breeder and passage migrant Common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds on Flat Holm, roof tops of coastal towns and on suitable cliffs Common resident breeder, the only known heronries being at Hensol, Treorchy and the Gower Common resident breeder and occasional passage migrant Common resident breeder Common resident breeder Common resident breeder whose population is augmented by local hand reared releases Common resident breeder Common resident breeder Common resident breeder Locally common resident breeder, passage migrant and winter visitor

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD

Wren

Swansea LBAP

Status on Site

Troglodytes troglodytes

SINC Status (Wintering)

Wood warbler

SINC Status (Breeding )

Wood Pigeon

Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Wales BOCC

Columba palumbus

G V G

UK BOCC

Song thrush

Wales BAP

Turdus philomelos

UK BAP

Wildlife & Countryside Act

EU Birds Directive

Birds

Approx No. of territories on site

Status in Glamorgan

2 2 1

P2 P1 P2

Common resident breeder Common resident breeder Common breeding summer visitor, though rarely seen at coastal sites on passage Common resident breeder

Key EU Birds Directive 1979: 1 : Annex 1 species: special conservation measures apply : Selected subspecies only 11 Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981: confers protection in UK context G : Species protected under general provisions of WCA against killing, injury, capture and disturbance while nesting: protection extends to nests, eggs and young S : Special cases: identified ‘game’ species which may be killed under licence in certain circumstances V : ‘Pest’ species: may be killed or taken under licence in special circumstances 1 : Schedule 1: additionally protected against disturbance while nesting UK BAP (BRIG 2007) P : Priority Species Wales BAP (WBP 2007) W : List of Species & Habitats of Principle Importance for the Conservation of Biological Diversity (2003) UK BOCC (Birds of Conservation Concern): lists compiled by the bird conservation agencies (2009) R : Red List: species of greatest concern A : Amber List: birds of moderate concern Wales BOCC (Birds of Conservation Concern): lists compiled by the bird conservation agencies (2009) R : Red List: species of greatest concern A : Amber List: birds of moderate concern SINC Status: lists compiled in Guidelines for the Selection of Wildlife Sites in South Wales (2004) A : Qualifying species B : Contributory species LBAP S Species listed in the Swansea City Council Local Biodiversity Action Plan Glamorgan Birds Glamorgan County List compiled on Glamorgan Bird clubs Website (2002) Status on site P1 - Possible Breeder ; P2 - Probable Breeder; P3 - Proven Breeder; P4 - Probable / proven breeder just off site; F/O – Fly-over / bird on passage

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD APPENDIX 3: BAT & BIRD BOX INSTALLATION PROCEEDURE Selection of Trees Selected trees should be a minimum of 300mm diameter at the height of fixing. Trees should not be obviously unstable or badly rotted. The timber and bark at the point of fixing should be sound. Species of tree is not important, although broadleaved trees should be favoured. If not enough trees of suitable size are available on the site it will be necessary to attach boxes onto the top of railway sleepers or wooden posts. These should be a minimum of 200mm diameter, and project at least 5m above ground level after piling. Location of Selected Trees Trees immediately adjacent to highways should generally be avoided, so as to avoid drawing bats and birds into the carriageway where they may be killed by traffic. Selected trees should ideally be set back from the highway edge by at least 5m, preferably more. Bat boxes are more effective when mounted in clusters of, say, 4-5 in an area of about 50m square, but this is not essential. Otherwise, boxes can be scattered fairly randomly throughout the scheme, wherever there are suitable trees available. Position of Boxes on Trees Boxes should be mounted on tree trunks, rather than on boughs or branches. The mounting location should not be heavily shaded. Boxes should be mounted vertically on the tree. Boxes should be mounted a minimum of 4m from the ground, prefereably 5m, and as far as possible placed on the SE or SW-facing surfaces of the tree trunk. Bat boxes should ideally be mounted in groups of 2-3 around the Se, S and SW faces of the same tree, so as to provide a wide range of microclimatic conditions. The entrance to the box should be clear of obstructions and obstacles in the flight-path towards it. An â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;open airspaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of about 3m square should be preserved in front of and below the entrance, and elsewhere any overhanging branches should be at least 1m away. The entrances of bat boxes should not be directly illuminated at night. The mounting location should be readily and safely accessible by ladder, but not accessible by someone climbing up the trunk or onto an adjacent tree or wall etc; some lower branches may need to be trimmed below the box to remove ready handholds or footholds for would-be treeclimbers (as well as any small branches crowding the entrance). As far as possible, boxes should be placed in locations which are not conspicuous from the ground, so as not to attract unwanted attention from passer-by. This objective is obviously assisted by selecting locations which are on private land, or which are not visible/accessible from public footpaths, byways etc. Fixings Schwegler 1B, 2H and 2F boxes come with a single point-of-attachment wire which benefits from modification. The wire should be cut through at centre top of the loop, and opened-out to provide two separate fixing straps, one on either side of the box (see graphic). A new fixing loop DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD should be twisted at the end of each strap, and these used to nail up the box using two nails, one on either side of the box, rather than just the one nail as provided for. The two-nail fixing gives greater stability, allows the box to be fitted more closely to the tree trunk, and gives a second point of fixture in the event that one should fail in the future. Fixing nails should be galvanised, or similar non-rusting type; a minimum of 85mm long by 5mm in diameter. Aluminium nails are preferred as they will present less of a chainsaw hazard in the future. Fixing nails should be passed through a non-rusting metal washer of about 20mm diameter, and then through the loop of the fixing wire; nails should be driven into the tree trunk at an angle of about 45-50o from vertical. Some â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;slackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; should be allowed in the fixing wires when mounting the box, to allow the tree continue to grow. Recording of Box Locations The location of each individual box should be carefully recorded on a suitable plan at a scale which is sufficient to indicate individual trees. A GPS position should be taken wherever possible.

2F general bat box

1B general bird box

2H robin box

Examples of Schwegler Bat & Bird Boxes

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

3S starling box

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD APPENDIX 4: GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TREES IN RELATION TO BATS Where bats are known to be roosting in a tree, a full method statement should be prepared and a licence obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government, in accordance with current legislation. In situations where the presence of bats is only deemed a possibility, but is not known for certain, the following best practice guidelines should be followed. These are based on the advice given by the Bat Conservation Trust (1997) Bats and trees: A guide to the management of trees. Carry out works in the period September to November inclusive (or less suitably during March to May, although this may interfere with nesting birds - see below). This time-frame reduces the probability of encountering summerroosting bats, and any transitional-roosting bats which are present should still be active enough to fly out and escape. Cutting in winter also reduces the probability of encountering bats, but may mean that any bats which are encountered will be torpid and hence more likely to suffer death and injury; Carry out the minimum necessary cutting work, and where felling leave as much as possible of the trunk standing; where trunks must be removed, fell these in sections; Make cuts as far as possible above any suspected cavities (ie cut through solid timber rather than through cavities which may contain bats); Lower any timber suspected of containing bats gently to the ground; leave any such timber on the ground for 24 hours before disposal to allow any bats time to leave; Check any weight-bearing timber tears or splits for roosting bats before cutting, otherwise the split may close when weight is released, crushing any bats which may be present; Where roosting bats are found during tree works, all work must cease until suitable expert advice has been sought; consultation with the relevant statutory agencies may also be required and mitigation measures set in place to ensure that the works proceed without causing further avoidable harm to bats. Bear in mind that all species of bats in Britain are afforded the highest level of statutory protection against harm or disturbance which is available under UK law. Works affecting trees, and more especially the clearance of scrub, should avoid the main bird nesting period (ie approximately March to August), as almost all species of British birds, and their nests, eggs and young, are also afforded full statutory protection against harm or disturbance whilst nesting. Where works have to take place during the nesting period they should be subject to prior survey to ensure that no nesting birds are present in the areas to be cleared, and kept to the minimum necessary.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD APPENDIX 5: CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF JAPANESE KNOTWEED Introduction Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is a vigorously-growing non-native perennial plant which suppresses other vegetation and can damage riverbank protection works, tarmac surfaces and paving etc. Knotweed infestation can easily be spread by the accidental distribution of soils containing root fragments or rhizomes during earthworks for developments. Under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is illegal to deliberately allow the spread of Japanese knotweed. Excavated soil from areas where Japanese knotweed is established must either be disposed of on site, in accordance with the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) or the Environment Agency (EA) codes of practice, or taken off the site to a licensed landfill site and not re-used in further construction or landscaping. Measures for Containment & Eradication Access to an infested site should be via a single designated point, where a hygiene facility for personnel and a wheel-washing facility for vehicles should be provided. Areas of knotweed should be securely fenced-off, preferably with high visibility Netlon fencing, prior to treatment. Effective control measures must be implemented before there is any gross disturbance to the soils of the site. There are a number of options available for the on-site control of Japanese knotweed. These are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Chemical Control – Early Season Chemical Control – Late Season Mechanical Control Combined Control

These are described in greater detail below. 1) Chemical Control – Early Season This method usually takes a minimum of 3 years to fully control the growth of Japanese knotweed, and may not result in total eradication. Prior to treatment, stands of the plant should be cut and cleared, and an appropriate and approved herbicide (eg Glyphosate Bioactive) applied to the resulting new growth. All cuttings should be collected and burned 2 . Herbicide treatment should take place from May onwards. A non-persistent herbicide should be used to avoid contaminating any watercourses within or near the site, and the EA consulted over work in close proximity to the watercourse. Stems must not be pulled, which tends to remove the highly infectious crown material with the stem. Where it is the intention to treat regrowth with a herbicide, cut material should be removed from the treatment area to allow effective spray contact with the emergent growth. It should be policy to chemically treat knotweed, rather than continuously cut the regrowth. Cut stems should be left in a situation that will encourage drying. This can be achieved by laying the cut stem on the cut stumps of the knotweed (cut at about 200mm), thus preventing contact between the stems and the soil. Once the stems have dried to a deep brown colour, they are dead. This is not the case with crown or rhizome material. Once the vegetation has died back, all above-ground stems of the plant should be cut and/or collected and burnt. Herbicide should be re-applied when the regrowing shoots reach 0.5m in height. Japanese knotweed flowers between August and October and is attractive to bees. Herbicide spraying should therefore take place in early morning or evening in the summer months, in order to avoid causing bee mortality. Herbicides can only to be handled and applied by persons holding a current certificate of competence from the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC). 2) Chemical Control – Late Season Recent trials have shown that better results can be achieved by applying a systemic herbicide (eg Glyphosate Bioactive) to uncut foliage and stems at the end of the growing season (eg August to September). The foliage should be comprehensively wetted with herbicide during a period of dry weather, before the first frosts have begun to wilt the foliage, for example using a knapsack sprayer. The herbicide is then translocated down into the rhizomes

The EA require 2 weeks notice prior to burning, and the EA and/or the local planning authority may refuse permission for on-site burning.

DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD in large quantities as the plant withdraws nutrients from the above-ground growth, prior to winter die-back, thus killing the rhizome as well. Trials have shown that when properly applied, this technique can achieve up to 100% kill within the first year, although follow-up monitoring and subsequent treatment of regrowth is advised for at least two years following the initial treatment. There may, however, be problems in achieving adequate access and herbicide application in large stands of knotweed, which may be better treated using one or more of the other options available. Precautions regarding watercourses and herbicide handling are as per Option (1) above. 3) Mechanical Control To reduce the risk of transferring infestations on vehicles, excavators with caterpillar tracks should be avoided in infested areas. The entire root and stem system should be excavated up to 7m laterally and 2m deep in areas of infestation. On-site burial should be performed to a depth of at least 5m. The contaminated soil material should be laid in layers less than 1m in depth and covered with a geotextile layer (eg LowTrak) or a heavy gauge polythene sheet, prior to infilling. Site managers should check the periphery of the excavation for rhizome, to ensure that an adequate volume of material has been removed to account for all of the infective material. The on-site disposal area will require a Landfill Tax Exemption for contaminated soil from Customs & Excise, and a registered exemption of the Waste Management Regulations 1994, as it is considered to be a soil contaminant. The local Environment Agency office will require one weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notification prior to burial being carried out. The location of the burial point should be recorded, as further chemical treatment may be required in the future. All machinery involved with the excavation, transporting and disposing of the Japanese Knotweed should be cleaned thoroughly at the disposal site. Alternatively, contaminated soil material may be taken off-site to a licensed landfill facility utilising vehicles licensed to carry contaminated waste. 4) Combined Control Combined mechanical and herbicide treatment can be an effective method in reducing the need for subsequent chemical control. Should burial of infested soils not be practical, another option is to create an in-situ disposal area. Using an excavator, the plant material should be scraped from an infested area into a pile, together with the upper 50cm of topsoil containing the crowns and rhizomes, and stockpiled separately from other materials. The majority of Japanese knotweed rhizome exists in the upper layers of topsoil. An excavator may be used to scrape surface crowns and rhizomes into a pile. The exposed ground can then cultivated to a depth of 50cm, and the piled material re-spread over the cultivated area. This process stimulates the rhizome to produce a higher density of stems, which renders it more vulnerable to herbicide treatment. Subsequent herbicide treatment has been observed to eradicate knotweed after only two applications, which may be performed within the same growing season. Digging can be carried out during the winter months, and regrowth treated during the spring and summer. Extreme care must be taken to ensure that all equipment used on site is free of Japanese knotweed material before leaving the site, to avoid contravention of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981. To reduce the risk of contaminating vehicles, excavators with caterpillar tracks should be avoided. The infested material should be chemically treated and/or burned in accordance with a registered exemption from the Waste Management Regulations 1994. The Environment Agency require 2 weeks notification prior to the burial/burning activity. Great care must be taken with this method to avoid the accidental spreading of contaminated soils away from the disposal area. Soil contaminated with knotweed may also be stockpiled on an area of the site that will remain undisturbed. Knotweed regrowth should be regularly treated with herbicide to avoid re-infestation. The upper 50cm of topsoil, which will contain all the crowns and the majority of the rhizome should be stockpiled separately from the other, less infested material. This will avoid burial of the bulk of the rhizome at the bottom of a large stockpile, where it may remain dormant and escape treatment. Regrowth, which will predominantly arise from the stockpile of topsoil, can then be treated until the knotweed is killed. Larger pieces of rhizome and crowns can be isolated and burned where appropriate. Herbicide Use Wherever there is a risk of contamination to a watercourse, choice is limited to formulations of Glyphosate and 2,4D Amine that are approved for use in or near water. Not all herbicides containing these active ingredients are suitable for use in or near water. Use of a herbicide in or near water requires consultation with the Environment DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

DAVID CLEMENTS ECOLOGY LTD Agency. If the site poses no risk to a watercourse, there is a greater choice of herbicide. Where soil is intended for continued use, or immediate reuse, for landscaping purposes, a non-residual herbicide, such as Glyphosate or 2,4-D Amine would be appropriate. In the event that replanting is likely to be delayed for a period of at least six weeks, a formulation containing triclopyr may be considered. If it is the intention to cover the area in a hard surface, or delay replanting for at least two years, persistent chemicals such as picloram and imazapyr would be appropriate. Developers are advised to seek the advice of a qualified landscape gardener or BASIS-registered 3 pesticides advisor, prior to commencing a spraying programme. When using a herbicide, always adhere to the advice given on the label. Herbicide

Affects grasses?

Glyphosate 2,4-D Amine Triclopyr Imazapyr Picloram

Yes No No Yes No

Approved for use in or near water? Yes Yes No No No

Persistency Non-persistent 1 month 6 weeks 9 months 2 years

Under the Duty of Care 4 , persistent chemicals must be included within the description of the waste if the material is being disposed of within the period of activity of that particular chemical. If it is intended to bury knotweed on site, it is essential that non-persistent herbicides, such as glyphosate, be used. Summary The best economic control option on any given site will be dependent upon the amount and the location of the Japanese knotweed on site, together with constraints imposed by the construction programme and any implications in relation to areas potentially identified as control or burial sites. Experience has shown that dealing with the Japanese knotweed on site tends to be more cost-effective than off-site removal. The cost of disposal of contaminated soils to a licensed landfill site at the present time is approximately ÂŁ30-35/m3 (2005 costs). On-site disposal is, however, dependent upon the identification of a suitable disposal location within the footprint of the scheme.

BASIS is an organisation committed to ensuring individuals involved in the handling and use of pesticides are competent. BASIS maintain a register of trained advisors, who need to demonstrate an annual programme of continual professional development to maintain their qualification. Details on the BASIS Professional Register are available from 34, St John Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1GH. Tel: 01335 343945. 4 Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA90) imposes a duty of care on persons concerned with controlled waste. The duty applies to any person who produces, imports, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste, or as a broker has control of such wastes. Breach of the duty of care is an offence, with a penalty of an unlimited fine if convicted on indictment. DCE 535: Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea: Stage 2 Surveys for Protected Species: v1.0: Feb 2011

Main Area of Surveys

Lower Lake Cascade Area

Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea Protected Species Surveys Plan 1: Site Location DCE 535

NTS

Feb 2011

New Visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Car Park

Upper Lake

Micro Hydropower Installation

Observatory & Laboratory Upper Lake Waterfall Upper Garden Terraces

Old Bridge site

Afon Llan Walled Gardens

Silt receptor site

Lower Lake Cascade

Penllergare Valley Woods, Swansea Protected Species Surveys Plan 2: Site Works Locations DCE 535

NTS

Feb 2011