Reptiles on site - are we doing our duty?

Reptiles on site Are we doing our duty?

Dr Simone Bullion

Reptiles in East of England Slow worm Mike Ewart

Common lizard

Adder Š Seeing.org.uk Grass snake Mike Ewart

Basic habitat requirements Food Grass snake:

amphibians and small fish, earthworms when young Adder: small mammals, lizards, nestling birds, inverts when young Common lizard: invertebrates Slow worm: slugs and other inverts

Basking areas & hibernation sites

Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended): • Protected from intentional killing and injury • Sale

April, May, June, September

Mitigation Hierarchy • Avoid  • Mitigate  • Compensate 

Enhance….

Biodiversity and geological conservation: circular 06/2005 • The presence of a protected species is a material consideration • Consider attaching appropriate planning conditions or entering into planning obligations under which the developer would take steps to secure the long-term protection of the species.

• Advise developers that they must comply with any statutory species’ protection

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 • ‘Every public body must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity’.

UK priority species and habitats

All Suffolk reptiles added to list in 2007 Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership published revised lists of Priority Habitats and Species occurring in Suffolk in 2014

Receptor site criteria • • • • • • •

Close to donor site No existing reptile population Good structural diversity Abundant prey as a food source Good basking opportunities Suitable hibernation opportunities Connectivity or potential for connectivity to other sites • Long term security

Site management and monitoring post translocation?

Site allocations and reptiles • Waveney Site Specific Allocations 2011: 23 hectares with reptile potential • St Edmundsbury Vision 2031: 50 hectares? With reptile potential • Ipswich potential development sites 55 hectares (28 hectares likely to be medium-high populations)

Developing a strategy for reptiles • Translocation is a last resort, but if no alternative: • Use planning conditions to secure ‘long term protection’ • Consider identifying potential receptor sites ahead of planning applications and start enhancement process early • Use developer contributions?