ECOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION METHOD
STATEMENT
Focus Ecology Ltd
Unit 17H
Shrub Hill Industrial Estate
Worcester
WR4 9EL
Email: [email protected]
Tel. 01905 780084
© Focus Ecology Ltd / Pencroft Ltd / E J Planning
CHURCH FARM QUARRY, GRIMLEY,
WORCESTERSHIRE
for
PENCROFT LTD / E J PLANNING
Date: March 2015
Contract Ref: 0484
1 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry. Grimley
CONTROL SHEET
Pencroft Ltd / E J Planning
Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Construction Method Statement and Mitigation Strategy
Name Position
Author
Anna Parry
Ecologist
Checked by
Fern Fellowes-Day
Director
Contract
No. Project Contact Revision No. Date of Issue
0484
Anna Parry
01 24 March 2015
Disclaimer
Please Note that all reasonable care and attention is made by Focus Ecology to produce reports and advice to a
high, professional standard. However, no responsibility is accepted for any consequences howsoever caused, by
the release of this report to third parties. Our terms and conditions provide a detailed resume of quality standards
and procedures, to which the reader is referred for further information.
2 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTROL SHEET .................................................................................................................................. 1
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Scheme Background ..................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 General Site Description ............................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Existing Survey Information .......................................................................................................... 4
2. CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENT ........................................................................................ 5
2.1 Construction Method Statement ................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Ecological Enhancement Plan .................................................................................................... 10
3. REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................. 12
4. ANNEXES ......................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 Species Ecology & Legislation .................................................................................................... 16
5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE ................................................................................................ 20
3 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Scheme Background
The client (Pencroft Ltd.) is seeking planning permission from Worcester City Council
for a Sustainable Environmental Park at an existing 6ha gravel extraction site at
Church Farm Quarry, Grimley. Previous permission for an aggregates recycling
facility was obtained in 2002 by Tarmac Lafarge Ltd. but ceases with the existing
permission for sand and gravel extraction, which has recently expired. Proposals are
for a smaller development footprint centralised over the previous plant area so as to
retain the more ecologically valuable areas to the north and south (based on 14-232
Site Plan Final Draft provided by Green Lane Design on 04-03-15). The Sustainable
Environmental Park will include an aggregates crusher (Sandvik QJ340) and the
proposed site hours will be a maximum of 07:30 to 18:00.
Existing plans for the site are to restore it as broad-leaved woodland and species-rich
grassland as part of the larger Lafarge Tarmac Ltd. site. This will also involve the
removal of the washing pool (1) in the north of the site and woodland clearance within
Grimley Brook Local Wildlife Site, which was considered to have potential for
supporting hazel dormice. A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of the site was
carried out by Focus Ecology in 2014 and supplemented with a third-party records
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FAILURE BY THE CLIENT OR ANYONE WORKING UNDER
THE CLIENT’S DIRECTION TO FOLLOW THE METHOD STATEMENT MAY RESULT IN A
BREACH OF THE LAW AND LEAVE THE CLIENT OR OTHERS OPEN TO PROSECUTION.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS METHOD STATEMENT ARE
DESIGNED TO BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER PLANNING CONDITIONS AND MUST BE
IMPLEMENTED AS STATED. ALL RELEVANT CONTRACTORS COMMISSIONED TO
UNDERTAKE WORKS AFFECTED BY THIS METHOD STATEMENT MUST READ AND
UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS BEFORE STARTING ON SITE.
THIS DOCMENT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHURCH FARM
QUARRY PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL (FOCUS ECOLOGY, 2015).
4 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
search, daytime bat inspection (including tree-climbing) and mammal survey in 2015
(Focus Ecology, 2015).
Following the PEA, an enhanced Ecological Restoration Plan has been proposed in
conjunction with the aforementioned application to increase the wider sites’ inherent
biodiversity value. Full details of the restoration plan will be negotiated and agreed
with the Local Planning Authority once the application has been validated. The
Ecological Restoration Plan will be designed and implemented in such a way as to
minimise impacts upon protected species and/or valuable habitats.
1.2 General Site Description
The majority of the development footprint comprises bare, heavily disturbed ground.
Immediately west of the site is a stream and woodland, which has been designated by
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust as Grimley Brook ‘Local Wildlife Site’. The Preliminary
Ecological Appraisal (Focus Ecology, 2015) identified that the proposed development
footprint was of low ecological value, but that the surrounding ecological features (e.g.
ponds, woodland etc.) were of moderate-high value.
Access to the site is proposed via the existing access across a low bridge along the
west site boundary. The site is intersected by a public footpath, which has a
permissive route around the north site boundary.
1.3 Objectives
The objectives of this report are:
1. to identify a suitable method of work to ensure that development proposals
do not result in harm to protected species (e.g. great crested newts, reptiles,
dormice, bats etc.) and their resting places;
2. to demonstrate compliance with relevant wildlife legislation, government
guidance, best practice and local planning policy; and
3. to outline the mitigation strategy for great crested newts to ensure their long-
term survival at this site (if present).
1.4 Existing Survey Information
Please see Section 4 in Focus Ecology (2015) for full and detailed survey information.
5 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
2. CONSTRUCTION METHOD STATEMENT
2.1 Construction Method Statement
Table 1: Construction Method Statement for Church Farm Quarry, Grimley.
Activity Ecological
Receptor
Protection Measures
2.1.1 Pre-construction
Restoration Plan ALL A detailed Ecological Restoration Plan will be produced in collaboration with the
LPA.
Further Survey Work Great Crested
Newts
Further survey work for great crested newts will be carried out prior to any works
on site. The results of the survey will be used to direct an appropriate scheme of
mitigation and compensation (if required).
Bats No further survey work is required at this juncture. Should plans change, and
tree/hedgerow clearance is required or lighting of the woodland edge is deemed
unavoidable, then specialist survey for tree-roosting bats and bat foraging activity
may be required.
Hazel Dormice No further survey work is required at this juncture. A specialist survey for hazel
dormice may be required in the event that any areas of suitable hazel dormouse
habitat require clearance to facilitate development.
6 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Activity Ecological
Receptor
Protection Measures
Timing of Works Great Crested
Newts
To avoid the risk of encountering hibernating herpetofauna, construction works in
areas of potential habitat will be restricted to times of the year when amphibians
are fully active (April – September, inclusive). This period will be extended by
one month either end (March and October), only if overnight temperatures are
above 6°C.
Nocturnal Fauna Construction activities will be restricted to the normal working day (7am – 7pm) to
avoid any unnecessary disturbance to bats and other nocturnal animals. There
will be no site night lighting.
Site Visits & Reporting ALL An Ecological Clerk of Works will provide a ‘toolbox talk’ prior to the works within
the development footprint commencing. This talk will indicate an appropriate
procedure for working within this area to minimise disturbance on site and the
risk of inadvertently harming great crested newts, or other wildlife.
Site Preparation ALL Heras fencing (or similar) will be installed around the perimeter of the
construction zone to prevent any vehicle or construction encroachment onto
habitats of moderate – high ecological value.
Fauna Immediately prior to construction works, an Ecological Clerk of Works will carry
out a finger-tip search of the area for vulnerable species. This will include turning
over and removing any objects or debris within the area.
7 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Activity Ecological
Receptor
Protection Measures
Noise Levels ALL Acoustic fencing will be strategically placed along the site boundaries in proximity
to the crusher and planted with climbers (e.g. ivy).
2.1.2 During Construction
Site Visits & Reporting ALL The Ecological Clerk of Works will be present or ‘on call’ for the duration of the
works and regular site visits and reporting will occur to monitor progress and
resolve any new issues, as and when required.
Vegetation Clearance Birds Where areas of potential bird nesting habitat, such as scrub, require removal, site
clearance will be undertaken outside of the bird nesting season (March – August
inclusive) wherever feasible. If avoiding the bird nesting season is not possible,
areas of vegetation will be carefully checked by a suitably qualified ecologist on
site prior to removal. An Ecological Clerk of Works will be able to identify any
nesting birds and advise of appropriate safe working distances to ensure
compliance with wildlife legislation. Active nests will be left undisturbed until
young have fledged, as advised by an Ecological Clerk of Works.
Fauna A scheme of progressive vegetation clearance to ensure that future works areas
are clear of reptiles, amphibians and small mammals prior to ground excavations.
Invasive Species Grimley Brook LWS,
Woodland, Ponds &
Wetland Habitats
No works will take place within 10m of the stands of Indian balsam, Japanese
knotweed or variegated yellow-archangel. A scheme to eradicate these species
from the surrounding site will be detailed within the Ecological Restoration Plan.
8 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Activity Ecological
Receptor
Protection Measures
Tree Protection Grimley Brook LWS,
, Woodland, Bats,
Hazel Dormice
No tree clearance will be undertaken. Existing mature trees and hedgerows
should be retained within the development scheme. All retained trees and
hedgerows should be afforded adequate protection in line with ‘BS5837: 2012
Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction’.
Noise Fauna Working hours should be restricted to the normal working day (7am – 7pm).
Storage ALL Due to the inquisitive nature of otters and other wildlife, any machinery used
should be made safe or temporarily fenced off when not in use.
Great Crested
Newts
Storage of construction materials will be kept to a minimum. Where materials
must be stored, they will be restricted to inert objects and located on
hardstanding away from the pond(s). Materials will be stored on pallets to
discourage amphibians from using them as shelter. Skips or similar containers
may also be used in place of piles on the ground.
Excavations ALL Trenches or open excavations will be covered at the end of each working day, or
include a means of escape such as a sloping ramp for any badger, or other
wildlife (e.g. otter) that may fall in. Any temporarily-exposed open pipe systems
or ducts will be capped at the end of each working day in such a way as to
prevent badgers and other wildlife from gaining access.
Rabbits Works should comply with the Wild Mammals Act (2006), with particular
reference to the rabbits burrows below the central buildings.
9 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Activity Ecological
Receptor
Protection Measures
Potential Refugia Fauna A final pre-start finger-tip search will also be undertaken by an Ecological Clerk of
Works prior to work commencing. Logs and deadwood should be retained for
use by saproxylic invertebrates and as habitat for reptiles and amphibians, but
may be relocated by hand to more discrete locations as directed by an Ecological
Clerk of Works.
Environmental Run-Off Ponds & Wetland
Habitats, Grimley
Brook LWS, Grimley
Brick Pits SSSI,
GCN
Unnecessary soil disruption will be minimised and soil erosion measures
implemented during any site excavation works to prevent unwanted run-off of
sediment and nutrients into the ponds and stream. A detailed scheme is beyond
the scope and expertise of this report. However, suggested suitable measures
(see Environment Agency, 2009) may include:
Temporary sediment trap(s) and/or cut-off trenches to collect any run-off
during periods of heavy rainfall.
Contour bunding around the edge of excavated/cultivated areas.
Lighting ALL The final lighting strategy will be agreed with Worcestershire County Council
during the detailed design stage and confirmed as implemented by an Ecological
Clerk of Works.
Nocturnal Wildlife Any nocturnal lighting will be minimal and low level, and specifically avoid
illumination of Grimley Brook LWS, mature trees, riparian margins and
associated wildlife habitats.
10 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Activity Ecological
Receptor
Protection Measures
Brown Roof Fauna The brown roof will be installed onto the new workshop with species directly
transplanted from the site and then allowed to colonise naturally.
2.1.3 Post Construction
Green Walls Fauna As required.
Wildlife Boxes Birds 2 x bird boxes suitable for starlings will be installed on the north or east
elevations of the workshop or on placed on an existing building within the
development footprint.
Bats 1 x wall-mounted summer and winter roost bat box (such as the 1WQ Schwegler
Summer & Winter Bat Roost) will be installed on the south-west elevation of the
new workshop or placed onto an existing building within the development
footprint. The box will be installed at least 4m above ground level and not
directly over windows.
Site Visits & Reporting ALL The Ecological Clerk of Works will make a final site check and ‘sign-off’ once the
construction method statement works as completed. N.B. This does not include
works associated with the Ecological Restoration Plan.
Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Client: EJ Planning Ltd / Pencroft Ltd.
Site: Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Title: Ecological Enhancement Plan
Contract: 0484
Date: March 2015
NORTH
Based on Drawing No. 14-232-Loc-001 by Green Lane Design (February 2015). Please note: this plan is intended only to indicate the approximate location of features and should therefore, not be treated as an accurate scale plan.
2.2 Ecological Enhancement Plan
11
KEY:
Suggested Location of Brown Roof
Vivara Pro Woodstone Starling Nest Box
1WQ Schwegler Summer & Winter Bat Roost
Green Walls
‘Green’ Acoustic Fencing
Vivara Pro Woodstone Starling Nest Box
1WQ Schwegler Summer & Winter Bat Roost
Example of Green Acoustic Fencing
Example of Green Walls
Example of a Brown Roof
12 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2011 Former Cashes Green Hospital site
3. REFERENCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY
Altringham, J. D. (2003). British Bats. Harper Collins Publishers, Glasgow, UK.
Bat Conservation Trust (2009). Bats and lighting in the UK- Bats and the built environment series.
Bat Conservation Trust, London, UK
Battersby, J. (Ed) & Tracking Mammals Partnership (2005). UK Mammals: Species Status and
Population Trends. First Report by the Tracking Mammals Partnership. JNCC/Tracking Mammals
Partnership, Peterborough, UK.
Blamey, M., Fitter, R. & Fitter, A. (2003). Wild Flowers of Britain & Ireland. A&C Black, London, UK.
Bright, P., Morris, P., Mitchell-Jones, T. (2006). The Dormouse Conservation handbook (2nd Edition).
English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough, UK.
Burfield, I. (2004). Birds in Europe – Population Estimates, Trends & Conservation Status. BirdLife
Conservation Series 12. BirdLife International.
Byron, H. (2000). Biodiversity and Environmental Impact Assessment: A Good Practice Guide for Road
Schemes. The RSPB, WWF-UK, English Nature and the Wildlife Trusts, Sandy, UK.
Chanin, P. (2003) Ecology of the European Otter. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series
No.10 English Nature, Peterborough, UK.
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2007). Guidelines for Ecological
Impact Assessment in the United Kingdom. IEEM, Winchester, UK.
Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (2013). Guidelines for preliminary
Ecological Appraisal. CIEEM, Winchester, UK.
Cowan, A. (2003). Trees and Bats. Aboricultural Association Guidance Note 1 (Second Edition).
AborEcology Ltd, UK.
Cresswell, W J. et al. (Eds) (2012). UK BAP Mammals: Interim Guidance for Survey Methodologies,
Impact Assessment and Mitigation. The Mammal Society, Southampton, UK.
Eaton MA, Brown AF, Noble DG, Musgrove AJ, Hearn R, Aebischer NJ, Gibbons DW, Evans A
and Gregory RD (2009) Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population status of birds in the United
Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. British Birds 102, pp296–341.
13 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
English Nature (2002). Bats in roofs: a guide for surveyors. English Nature (now Natural England),
Peterborough, UK.
English Nature (2004). Reptiles: guidelines for developers. English Nature (now Natural England),
Peterborough, UK.
English Nature (2005). Organising survey to determine site quality for invertebrates: a framework guide
for ecologists. English Nature (now Natural England), Peterborough, UK.
Environment Agency (2009). Working at Construction and Demolition Sites: PPG6. Pollution
Prevention Guidelines. Environment Agency, Bristol, UK.
Environment Agency (2010). Managing Invasive Non-native Plants: Managing invasive non-native
plants in or near fresh water. Environment Agency, Bristol, UK.
Focus Ecology (2015). Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. Church Farm Quarry, Grimley. Focus
Ecology, Worcester, UK.
Froglife (1999). Reptile Survey – An introduction to planning, conducting and interpreting surveys for
snake and lizard conservation. Froglife Advice Sheet 10, Peterborough, UK.
Füreder, L., Gherardi, F., Holdich, D., Reynolds, J., Sibley, P. & Souty-Grosset, C. (2014).
Austropotamobius pallipes. In: IUCN 2014. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2.
www.iucnredlist.org (Downloaded on 29 October 2014)
Gent, A.H., and Gibson, S.D., eds. (1998). Herpetofauna Workers’ Manual. Peterborough, Joint
Nature Conservation Committee, UK.
Hawkswell, S. (Ed.) (1997). The Wildlife Sites Handbook - Version 2. Royal Society for Nature
Conservation, Lincoln, UK.
Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1981). The Wildlife and Countryside Act. Her Majesty’s Stationary
Office, London, UK.
Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1992). The Protection of Badgers Act. Her Majesty’s Stationary
Office, London, UK.
Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (1997). The Hedgerows Regulations. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office,
London, UK.
14 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (2000). The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act. Her
Majesty’s Stationary Office, London, UK.
Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (2006). The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC)
Act. Her Majesty’s Stationary Office, London, UK.
Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (2010). The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations. Her
Majesty’s Stationary Office, London, UK.
Holdich, D (2003). Ecology of the White-clawed Crayfish. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology
Series No. 1. Natural England, Peterborough, UK.
Hundt, L. (2012). Bat Surveys – Good Practice Guidelines 2nd Edition. Bat Conservation Trust,
London, UK.
Institution of Lighting Professionals (2011). Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Lighting.
GN01:2011. [online] Institution of Lighting Professionals. Available at
<https://www.theilp.org.uk/documents/obtrusive-light/> [Accessed 18 March 2015]
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2004). Bat Worker’s Manual (3rd Edition). Joint Nature
Conservation Committee, Peterborough, UK.
Joint Nature Conservancy Council (2010). Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey - a technique for
environmental audit. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK.
Mitchell-Jones, A.J. (2004). Bat Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough, UK.
Natural England (2009). Badgers and Development - A Guide to Best Practice and Licensing. Natural
England, Bristol, UK.
Natural England (2011). Natural England great crested newt mitigation (development) licence method
statement template. Natural England, Bristol, UK.
Nature Conservancy Council (1989 and updates). Guidelines for selection of biological SSSIs.
Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough, UK.
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005). Circular 06/2005: Biodiversity and Geological
Conservation – Statutory obligations and their impact within the planning system. Her Majesty’s
Stationary Office, London, UK.
15 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2012). National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Her
Majesty’s Stationary Office, London, UK.
Peay, S. (2002). Guidance on Habitat for White-clawed crayfish and its restoration. Environment
Agency Technical Report, UK
Woods, M. (1995). The Badger. The Mammal Society, London, UK.
16 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
4. ANNEXES
4.1 Species Ecology & Legislation
4.1.1 Bats
All British bats are “European Protected Species” (EPS) and listed on Annex II and
Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive. The Directive is transposed into UK law through
the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The following actions
affecting bats are prohibited under the legislation:
deliberate capture, injury or killing;
deliberate disturbance likely to significantly affect population survival, breeding,
rearing young, local distribution or abundance;
damage or destruction of a breeding site or resting place;
possessing, controlling, transporting, selling or exchanging, or offering for sale
or exchange, any bat or any part of a bat or anything derived from one.
Bats are also afforded protection from ‘reckless disturbance’ by the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
4.1.2 Badgers
Badgers and their setts are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 (as
amended). This makes it an offence to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger or interfere
with a badger sett through damaging the sett, destroying the sett, obstructing access
to a sett, causing a dog to enter the sett or disturbing a badger occupying a sett.
4.1.3 Birds
All wild birds in the UK are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981 (as amended). This protection includes killing, injuring or taking wild birds as
well as taking, damaging or destroying bird nests in use or being built, and taking or
destroying eggs. A small number of derogated bird species, principally members of
the genus Corvus (crows), Larus (gulls) and Columba (pigeons), may be killed by
authorised persons under a ‘general licence’. Birds listed under Schedule 1 of the Act
are afforded additional protection from disturbance during nesting and offences
relating to these birds are subject to special penalties.
17 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
4.1.4 Great Crested Newts
The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) (Laurenti, 1758), is a “European Protected
Species” (EPS) and listed on Annex II and Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive. The
Directive is transposed into UK law through the Conservation of Habitats and Species
Regulations 2010. Thus making it illegal to:
deliberately capture, injure or kill;
deliberately disturb with the significant likelihood to affect population survival,
breeding, local distribution or abundance;
deliberately take or destroy eggs;
Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place;
Possess, control, transport, sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange, any
great crested newt or any part of a great crested newt or anything derived from
one.
The above applies to all life stages.
Great crested newts are also afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
(as amended). This makes intentional or reckless damage of, disturbance to, or obstruction of
access to, their places of shelter specifically prohibited. This applies to both aquatic and
terrestrial habitat.
4.1.5 Hazel Dormouse
The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a “European Protected Species”
(EPS) and listed on Annex IV(a) of the EC Habitats Directive. The Directive is
transposed into UK law through the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations
2010 (as amended). The following actions affecting hazel dormice are prohibited
under the legislation:
deliberate capture, injury or killing;
deliberate disturbance likely to significantly affect population survival,
breeding, rearing young, hibernation, migration, local distribution or
abundance;
damage or destruction of a breeding site or resting place;
18 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
possessing, controlling, transporting, selling or exchanging, or offering
for sale or exchange, any bat or any part of a bat or anything derived
from one.
Hazel dormice are also afforded protection from ‘reckless disturbance’ by the Wildlife
and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
4.1.6 Otters
Otters receive protection under both the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as
amended) and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Otters
and their resting places are fully protected, it is an offence to
deliberately, capture, injure or kill them or to damage,
destroy or obstruct their breeding or resting places, or
disturb otters in their breeding or resting places.
4.1.7 Reptiles
All common reptile species (grass snake, adder, common lizard and slow-worm) native
to Britain are protected by Schedule 5 the Wildlife & Countryside Act,1981 (as
amended). It is illegal to:
deliberately kill, injure a reptile or
sale, barter, exchange, transport for sale and advertising to sell or to buy
a reptile.
In Northern Ireland they are fully protected against killing, injuring,
capturing, disturbance, possession or trade.
In addition sand lizard and smooth snake are protected under the Conservation
(Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 which makes it illegal to carry out the
following activities:
Deliberately or recklessly disturb, capture or kill these animals,
Deliberately or recklessly take or destroy eggs of these animals;
Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such a wild animal;
19 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
Keep, transport, sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange, any live
or dead animal, or any part of, or anything derived from such a wild
animal.
4.1.8 Water Voles
Water voles are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as
amended). This makes it an offence to intentionally kill, capture or injure a water vole.
They are also protected against intentional or reckless disturbance, obstruction,
damage or destruction of their burrows.
4.1.9 White-clawed Crayfish
White-clawed crayfish receive protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), making it an offence to take from the wild, offer
for sale, transport for sale, and advertise for the purpose of trading any live, dead, part,
or derivative of the white-clawed crayfish. The white-clawed crayfish is also listed
under Appendix III of the Bern Convention, is classified as ‘endangered’ on the IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species and is a Species of Principal Importance in England
under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006. Their inclusion in the EU Habitats Directive
Annexes II and V requires the designation of special areas of conservation (SACs) for
its protection and conservation.
Several non-native species of crayfish are present in the UK and it is an offence under
Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act to keep without licence or release any
of the introduced species of crayfish into the wild, as well as use white-clawed crayfish
as bait. Lastly, the Prohibition of Keeping of Live Fish (Crayfish) Order 1996 has
placed legal controls on the keeping of non-native crayfish to help prevent the spread
of non-native species.
20 Focus Ecology Ltd March 2015 Church Farm Quarry, Grimley
5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Focus Ecology was formed in 2010 and has the expertise to provide sure-fire
ecological solutions to a wide range of projects. The company ethos forges the highest
standards of professional scientific practice with a ‘best value’ approach for our clients.
Our core area of expertise is in the production of specialist ecological reports and
advice to support planning applications. However, our flexible approach, range of
skills and broad project experience allows us to adapt to your individual requirements.
The joint founders of the company, Fern Fellowes-Day and Graham Davison are both
Masters-qualified Ecologists. We have a wide range of practical experience from
major infrastructure contracts to smaller projects for private individuals across the UK.
Graham Davison BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM MSB
Graham is an ecologist with over twelve years of experience in the field of applied ecology. He holds a
BSc (Hons) degree in Zoology and an MSc with distinction in Law and Environmental Science. His
ecological experience includes surveys to identify nationally and locally important sites for wildlife,
ecological services to local planning authorities and provision of ecological reports to accompany major
infrastructure projects, housing schemes, industrial developments and mineral extraction. Graham is a
competent botanical surveyor and has considerable expertise in protected species surveys, holding
protected species licenses for bats, great crested newts, white-clawed crayfish, and barn owls as well
as competency in the survey of badgers, reptiles, otter, water vole, breeding and over-wintering birds.
Graham is skilled in the production of reports and Nature Conservation Management Plans providing
advice to ensure legal compliance and consistency with recognised best practice.
Fern Fellowes-Day BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM MSB
Fern has over ten years of professional experience in the ecological consultancy field. Prior to founding
Focus Ecology Ltd with joint Director Graham Davison, she worked in a senior position at a leading,
independent ecological consultancy managing numerous contracts countrywide. She holds BSc (Hons)
in Zoology from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and MSc in Habitat Creation and Management
from Staffordshire University. Fern is a skilled botanical surveyor, specialising in Baseline, Biodiversity
and Phase 1 Habitat Surveys. She is proficient with the BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes
schemes and meets the strict criteria for a ‘suitably qualified ecologist’. Fern’s particular expertise is
with protected species surveys, she has extensive knowledge in dealing with the badgers, with practical
experience in artificial sett design and creation and has held numerous Natural England licences to
close or disturb badger setts. In addition Fern holds survey licences (Natural England and Countryside
Council for Wales) for great crested newts, bats and white-clawed crayfish. Fern has held Natural
England Mitigation (development) licences for great crested newts and white-clawed crayfish
Conservation licence. She is particularly experienced in dealing with newt issues affecting the quarrying,
mineral extraction and landfill industry. Fern is also a competent surveyor of reptiles, water vole and
otters.
Anna Parry MBiolSci (Hons) ACIEEM
Anna has three years of experience in the field of Ecology and joined Focus Ecology in 2013. She holds
an integrated MBiolSci (Hons) Master’s degree in Zoology from the University of Sheffield and has
assisted on both large and small scale projects with a leading consultancy, as well as managing a two-
year project on species recording. Her ecological experience includes extended Phase 1 surveys,
NVC’s, breeding bird surveys, mitigation strategies, EPS licence applications and management plans.
Anna holds Natural England survey licences for bats, dormice, great crested newts and white-clawed
crayfish and is a competent surveyor of barn owls, reptiles and water voles. Anna has a valid CSCS
card and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management
(CIEEM).