wauntysswg solar farm - dns.planninginspectorate.gov.uk · 3.1.10 in the southern part of the...

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Wauntysswg Solar Farm

Ecology: Executive Summary

On Behalf of

Elgin Energy EsCo

Date: July 2018

Our Ref: OXF9811

RPS

260 Park Avenue Aztec West, Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4SY Tel: 01454 853000 Email: [email protected]

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm Executive Summary ii July 2018

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Quality Management

Prepared by: Stephen Devereaux

Prepared by: Tim Oliver

Authorised by:

Tim Oliver

Date: July 2018

Revision:

Project Number: OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm

Document Reference: 180702 R OXF9811 TO Wauntysswg Solar Executive Summary.docx

Document File Path:

R:\Bristol Ecology Projects\B OXF9811 - Wauntysswg Solar

Park\Reports\Executive Summary and Appendices\180702 R

OXF9811 TO Wauntysswg Solar Ecology Executive Summary.docx

COPYRIGHT © RPS

The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Elgin Energy EsCo and

shall not be distributed or made available to any other company or person without the knowledge and written consent of Elgin

Energy EsCo or RPS.

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm Executive Summary iii July 2018

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Amendment Record

Revision No. Date Reason for Change Authors Initials

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm Executive Summary iv July 2018

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Contents

Quality Management .................................................................................................................................. ii Amendment Record .................................................................................................................................. iii Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... iv Tables, Drawings & Appendices ............................................................................................................... v 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Site Location and Context ......................................................................................................... 1 2 Baseline Ecology ....................................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Habitats ....................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Fauna ........................................................................................................................................... 2

3 Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement ................................................................................ 4 3.1 Habitats ....................................................................................................................................... 4 3.2 Species Protection ..................................................................................................................... 5

4 Habitat Management and Monitoring ....................................................................................... 7 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................. 1

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm Executive Summary v July 2018

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Tables, Drawings & Appendices

Appendices

Appendix 1 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 2016

Appendix 2 Upland Bird Survey 2017

Appendix 3 Ecological Management Plan

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm 1 July 2018

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1 Introduction

This document is an ecological executive summary for the 30 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) 1.1.1

development on land at Wauntysswg Farm, Abertysswg, located between Rhymney and

Tredegar prepared on behalf of Elgin Energy EsCo. It summarises the key findings of the

ecological baseline surveys and the mitigation proposals attached to development proposal.

The full reports are included as appendices to this executive summary: 1.1.2

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal;

Upland Bird Survey; and

Ecology Mitigation Plan

1.2 Site Location and Context

The application site comprises a series of fields of agricultural improved grassland on the 1.2.1

eastern side of an upland valley. The stream (Nant Tysswg) runs in the base of the valley to the

west of the solar park development. Three small watercourses within the development site flow

westwards into this upland stream. An extensive county designated nature conservation site,

Mynydd Bedwellte SINC, bounds the application site to the east.


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2 Baseline Ecology

2.1 Habitats

Detailed habitat descriptions for the wider survey area including the entire application site are 2.1.1

presented in the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal report (Appendix 1).

Within the application site, the larger fields are short grazed and species-poor, having been 2.1.2

subject to agricultural management and improvement over the long term. Wetter fields of semi-

improved rush pasture are also subject to significant agricultural management and are generally

species-poor. The ground conditions/soils are wet or waterlogged during the winter months.

Higher value habitats (unimproved acid grassland, acidic flush, and semi-improved acid 2.1.3

grassland) primarily occur outside of the development site, but a few localised areas of

unimproved acid grassland, acidic flush and semi-improved acid grassland occur within the

development footprint.

The semi-natural marshy grassland in the southern section of the application site with acidic 2.1.4

flush habitat and sphagnum mosses occurring on saturated ground with surface water flow.

Small blocks of conifer plantation adjoin the marshy grassland / acidic flush in the south-eastern 2.1.5

section of the application site.

On the opposite side of the valley, outside the application site, the flatter top of the hill is short 2.1.6

grazed pasture with a mosaic of marshy grassland, acid flushes, unimproved acid grassland

and bracken on the upper slopes of the valley. There are extensive areas of unimproved acid

grassland with bracken on the lower slopes down to the stream.

2.2 Fauna

Upland Birds

The upland bird survey was carried out for a survey area larger than the application site on the 2.2.1

eastern side of the valley in May and June 2017. The survey assessed the presence of the

breeding pairs of waders and other birds of conservation concern within the survey area

including the application site and assessed the status of each species recorded. The full survey

method and results are presented in the Upland Bird Survey Report (Appendix 2)

Eight bird species were considered to be breeding within the survey area; seven of these are 2.2.2

Species of Principle Importance in Wales or UKBAP priority species.

Three Species of Principle Importance in Wales were recorded as breeding within the solar 2.2.3

array development footprint (curlew 1 pair; skylark 5 pairs; meadow pipit 9 pairs; and linnet 2

pair). The other species of conservation concern recorded in streamside habitats adjacent to

the development were reed bunting, cuckoo, willow warbler and grey wagtail.


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The single breeding pair of curlew is considered to be important at a local level, and possibly up 2.2.4

to County level. The numbers of breeding pairs of other species were considered to be

important at the level of the site and immediate surroundings.

Bats

There are no features of bat roost potential within the development area. The farmhouse 2.2.5

outbuildings and adit adjacent to the stream all outside the application site boundary will remain

unaffected.

The fields in which solar arrays will be installed are considered to be of low value to foraging 2.2.6

bats. In the immediate locality the areas of highest value for foraging bats are the streamside

habitat beyond the western site boundary, and the grassland and within the SINC to the east of

the site. Connectivity between these habitats will remain intact alongside the development

maintaining the integrity of flight lines and foraging areas.

Reptiles

It is considered likely that populations of common lizard, and potentially adder occur within the 2.2.7

footprint of the development or the adjacent habitats. Areas of highest potential value for

reptiles include tussocky grassland along the field boundaries and within the streamside habitat,

marshy grassland/acid flush tothe south of the site, and the off-site grassland and waterbody to

the east. The varied topography and habitats outside of the grazed pasture fields provides

opportunities for shelter, foraging, basking and hibernation.

Other Fauna

The shallow, rocky-sided upland watercourse has very low suitability for both water vole and 2.2.8

otter and there were no records of either within 2km of the application site.

The pond outside the application site and the interconnecting drainage ditches provides a 2.2.9

network of habitats that likely supports common amphibians such as common frog, common

toad, and palmate and smooth newt. There are no records of great crested newt within 2km of

the site and it is very likely that this species is absent from habitats within and adjoining the

application site.

The assemblage of invertebrate species within the development footprint is likely to be limited to 2.2.10

those associated with semi-improved grassland and species-poor marshy grassland. The areas

of more species rich habitat in the southern section of the application site is likely support a

wider diversity of species and has the potential for species of high conservation importance to

occur.


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3 Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement

3.1 Habitats

Protection

The solar arrays have been specifically located in lower value pasture fields which have been 3.1.1

subject to significant agriculturally modification. The solar array layout has been amended to

avoid impacts on high value habitats to the north (outside the application site) and to the south

(within the application site).

Habitats buffers will be established between the constriction working area and the boundary of 3.1.2

the Mynydd Bedwellte SINC which is immediately adjacent to the solar park to the east. The

perimeter fence will create a protective barrier from the SINC and also other areas of

unimproved acid grassland adjoining the development, during both construction and operation.

The extensive area of marshy grassland and acid flush plant communities located on 3.1.3

waterlogged peat soils (south of the solar arrays) are species-rich semi-natural habitats fed by

springs, rivulets and surface water flow. The development proposal has been designed to

maintain the existing hydrological system and ensure that soils remain waterlogged for the

majority of the year to help maintain the value of habitat.

A Tree Protection Plan has been produced for the development ensuring Root Protection Areas 3.1.4

are not impacted by excavation or ground compaction during construction.

Mitigation

Good environmental working practices will be employed across the whole development site and 3.1.5

will be the means through which the features of the adjoining SINC will be protected on the

eastern boundary.

The hydrological scheme design will specifically maintain or replicate the natural patterns of 3.1.6

drainage and recharge, maintaining the water quality and the total volume of water entering the

stream and control the peak flows.

Small areas of purple moor-grass and acid flush overlap the solar arrays in the north-western 3.1.7

part of the solar park footprint. Consequently for compensation and biodiversity gain new areas

of marshy grassland/flush habitat will be established in the southern part of the application site.

All watercourse crossing points will have a low impact bridge design with the structures over the 3.1.8

channel being no more than 2m wide. Task specific ecological method statements will be

prepared for the all works adjacent to streams. These will define the working area, watercourse

protection measures, broader environmental protection procedures, and any localised post-

works habitat restoration.


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All tracks and access roads will be made out of permeable material (gravel or reinforced grass) 3.1.9

reducing any potential increase in runoff. Silt traps will be incorporated into the system so that

suspended sediments do not enter the streams. Construction soil compaction will be controlled

through restrictions on any vehicle access into marshy grassland.

Habitat Creation

In the southern part of the application site, approximately 1,750m2 of conifer plantation on peaty 3.1.10

soils will be felled and cleared in order to establish new marshy grassland adjacent to the

existing species-rich habitat.

Ground manipulation will be undertaken with the selective removal the surface layer of needles. 3.1.11

The final topography will be designed to maintain diffuse surface water flow over the new

marshy grassland from existing springs and channels and creating the conditions for the natural

colonisation of native marshy grassland species. In the short to medium term a semi-natural

habitat of high value for biodiversity in the context of the site should establish supported by

appropriate management.

Where the existing field drainage system is affected by construction activities it will be restored 3.1.12

during or immediately following construction. Field margins will be re-instated where there has

been damage through decompaction and natural colonisation/regeneration; supplemented by

the seeding of selected native plants occurring in marshy grassland in the local area.

3.2 Species Protection

Bats

The complex of farm buildings located beyond the eastern boundary of the application site and 3.2.1

will remain part of the operational farm with no change in structures or lighting as a result of the

development. The off-site adit/cave alongside the stream will remain accessible for use by bats

throughout the operational life while the perimeter fence will create separation from the

operational area.

The site layout will retain tussocky, marshy grassland field boundaries. The whole of the solar 3.2.2

park development will remain unlit at night to avoid any reduction in the value or use of existing

flight lines and foraging over the lifetime of the development.

Other Breeding Birds

The site layout has been designed to protect nesting habitats for many species with the 3.2.3

retention of patches of dense scrub, extensive gorse thicket and scattered larger trees. The

stream corridor will continue to provide many further opportunities for the local assemblage of

breeding species.


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Curlew and other ground nesting birds

An extensive area of short grazed pasture located on the top of the hill on the western side of 3.2.4

the valley is to be fenced and developed as a curlew habitat enhancement area. Breeding

curlew nest sites are typically located where there is wet flush habitat and variation in vegetation

height. The management of the heavily grazed pasture on the opposite side of the valley will be

significantly modified within the enclosed curlew habitat enhancement area. Agricultural

management will be less intensive to create rough pasture grassland with a variable medium

height sward of dry and marshy grassland. Localised modifications of ground levels will be

design to create localised pooling, and the decompaction of soils should encourage soil

invertebrate abundance.

Additional control measures will be implemented where issues are identified through monitoring. 3.2.5

This would include further deterrents in addition to fencing where there is recreational access

and the use electric fencing where there is significant nest predation.

Reptiles

Under the precautionary principle it is assumed that at least common lizard and potentially 3.2.6

adder will occur within or on land adjoining the application. Habitat of highest potential value

will be protected within the site design, including densely vegetated banks alongside the stream,

piles of stones, exposed rock adjoining rank vegetation and marshy grassland. The stand-off

between the solar panels and the field boundaries across the development will maintain an

interconnected network of habitat of potential value for reptiles.

Additional Enhancement Measures for Fauna

Two woodcrete bird nest boxes will be installed on the main trunks of a retained trees oak tree 3.2.7

(T6 on the Tree Protection Plan) and on trees in a group of larger birch (G7).

Eight woodcrete bat boxes will installed on larger trees within the stream corridor (Tree 3.2.8

Protection Plan References G8, T21, T6 and T22).

Three reptile hibernacula will be constructed in sheltered locations adjacent to the west facing 3.2.9

bank above the stream within the landholding and adjoining the application site.


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4 Habitat Management and Monitoring

Management

The pasture fields beneath the solar arrays will continue to be grazed by sheep over the lifetime 4.1.1

of the development. The surface water hydrology will be monitored and managed to maintain

the current system with the protection of springs and watercourses feeding into the Nant

Tysswg.

The off-site curlew habitat enhancement land on the western side of the valley will be enclosed 4.1.2

by post and wire fencing and managed through low intensive sheep grazing (if necessary

supplemented by cutting) with the objective of establishing and maintaining a patchy medium

height grassland, flushes, pools with patches of shorter vegetation.

The fence will ensure that the curlew habitat enhancement area will be separated from adjoining 4.1.3

short grazed improved pasture with higher stocking densities.

Monitoring

Monitoring will assess the success of the mitigation measures and management over the 4.1.4

lifetime of the scheme. The implementation of good working practice measures (including

exclusion fencing, working area stand offs/buffer zones, low impact bridge installation and

hydrological protection measures) will be documented and photographed by the site

construction team to keep a formal record.

Existing high value habitat within the development and the new areas of marshy grassland (in 4.1.5

southern part of the application site) will be regularly monitored to review their status and

botanical composition and continued potential value for faunal species.

The curlew habitat enhancement area will be subject to annual breeding bird surveys for the 4.1.6

first five years, reducing to repeat surveys every three years for the lifetime of the development.

Monitoring reports will prepared after each round of monitoring and issued to the LPA.

Monitoring will specifically identify where the ongoing management is adversely affecting the 4.1.7

biodiversity value, particularly stocking densities. In the event of adverse change, remedial

actions will be promptly implemented and proposed modifications to the management regime

will be agreed with NRW and the LPA.

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm July 2018

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Appendices


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Appendix 1

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

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Ecological Appraisal

Wauntysswg Farm, Tredegar

On Behalf of Elgin Energy Esco

Date: February 2018

Our Ref: OXF9811

RPS

260 Park Avenue Aztec West, Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4SY Tel: (0)1454 853000 Fax: (0)1454 205820 Email: [email protected]

OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar i February 2018

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Quality Management

Prepared by: Grace Harley

Reviewed by: Tim Oliver MCIEEM

Authorised by: Tim Oliver MCIEEM

Date: February 2018

Revision:

Project Number: OXF9811

Document Reference: 180206 R OXF9811 Ecological Appraisal_Wauntysswg Farm v2

Document File Path:

\\bris-aw-05\EnvPlanningProjects\Bristol Ecology Projects\B OXF9811 -

Wauntysswg Solar Park\Reports\Preliminary Ecological Appraisal\180206 R

OXF9811 Ecological Appraisal_Wauntysswg Farm v2.docx

COPYRIGHT © RPS

The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Elgin Energy Esco and


Energy Esco or RPS.

OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar ii February 2018

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Amendment Record


OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar iii February 2018

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Contents

Quality Management ................................................................................................................................... i

Amendment Record ................................................................................................................................... ii

Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... iii

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Scope of Work ............................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Site Description .......................................................................................................................... 1

2 Methods ...................................................................................................................................... 2

2.1 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal ............................................................................................. 2

2.2 Desk Study .................................................................................................................................. 2

2.3 Site Walkover Survey................................................................................................................. 2

2.4 Limitations .................................................................................................................................. 2

3 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 4

3.1 Desk Study .................................................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Statutory Designations .............................................................................................................. 4

3.3 Non-statutory Designations ...................................................................................................... 4

3.4 Species Records ........................................................................................................................ 5

3.5 Habitats ....................................................................................................................................... 7

3.6 On-site habitats .......................................................................................................................... 7

4 Discussion and Evaluation ..................................................................................................... 26

4.1 Designated Sites ...................................................................................................................... 26

4.2 Habitats ..................................................................................................................................... 26

4.3 Stream corridor (Cwm Tyswg) ................................................................................................ 28

4.4 Fauna ......................................................................................................................................... 28

5 Conclusions and Recommendations ..................................................................................... 32

5.1 Protected Sites ......................................................................................................................... 32

5.2 Habitats ..................................................................................................................................... 32

5.3 Fauna ......................................................................................................................................... 34

References ................................................................................................................................................ 37

Drawings.................................................................................................................................................... 38

OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar iv February 2018

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Tables

Table 3-1: Abbreviations of Species Legal and / or Conservation Status .................................................... 5

Table 5-1: Summary Table ......................................................................................................................... 36

Plates

Plate 3-1: Example of semi-improved grassland with high percentage of rush (Field J) ............................. 8

Plate 3-2: Example of short sward semi-improved grassland with perennial rye-grass bounded by rushes

(Field C) ........................................................................................................................................................ 9

Plate 3-3: Field U, west of the Nant Tysswg ............................................................................................... 9

Plate 3-4: Semi-improved acid grassland (with scattered gorse scrub) on slope above stream ............... 10

Plate 3-5: Unimproved acid grassland alongside the Nant Tyswg ............................................................. 10

Plate 3-6: Unimproved grassland around waterbody (TN11) ..................................................................... 11

Plate 3-7: Rush Dominated Drainage Ditch (Field B) ................................................................................. 12

Plate 3-8: Fields M and R subdivided by marshy grassland drainage ditches .......................................... 13

Plate 3-9: Rush dominated drainage ditch (Field R) looking south-west ................................................... 13

Plate 3-10: Drainage Ditch TN1 (Field P) ................................................................................................... 14

Plate 3-11: Drainage Ditch TN2 (Field P) ................................................................................................... 14

Plate 3-12: Purple-moor grass marshy grassland and acidic flush mosaic ............................................... 15

Plate 3-13: Acidic flush vegetation within purple-moor grass marshy grassland ....................................... 16

Plate 3-14: Tree Located Along the banks of Stream (TN7) ...................................................................... 16

Plate 3-15: Deep gully at western end of stream TN7 ............................................................................... 17

Plate 3-16: Upstream section of Stream TN7............................................................................................. 18

Plate 3-17: Streamside TN8 ....................................................................................................................... 18

Plate 3-18: Sessile oak trees on top of vertical cliff above Nant Tyswg on western site boundary ........... 19

Plate 3-19: Small Waterbody Located within the SINC .............................................................................. 20

Plate 3-20: Coniferous plantation woodland............................................................................................... 20

Plate 3-21: Small conifer block adjoining marshy grassland ...................................................................... 21

Plate 3-22: Man-made landform with patchy tall ruderal vegetation (south-west of the farm) ................... 21

Plate 3-23: Western elevation of main farmhouse buildings ...................................................................... 22

Plate 3-24: Agricultural buildings to the west and north of the farmhouse ................................................. 22

Plate 3-25: Southern section of Nant Tyswg .............................................................................................. 23

Plate 3-26: Northern section of Nant Tysswg, access road crossing point ................................................ 24

Plate 3-27: Small adit/cave located at base of slope alongside the Nant Tyswg (Field Q) ........................ 24

Plate 3-28: Rockface and scrub around adit/cave entrance ...................................................................... 25

Plate 4-1: Piled stone on the side of a shallow drainage gully Field E (TN9) ............................................ 30

OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar v February 2018

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Drawings

OXF9811-ECO-001 Habitat Plan

Appendices

Appendix 1 Habitat Summary Descriptions and Photographs

Appendix 2 Streamside Habitats and Photographs

OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar 1 February 2018 rpsgroup.com/uk

1 Introduction

1.1 Scope of Work

RPS was commissioned by Elgin Energy Esco to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 1.1.1

of land known as Wauntysswg Farm, located to the south of Tredegar (referred to hereafter as

‘the site’). The site is subject to a proposed solar farm development.

This report presents the findings of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and provides an 1.1.2

ecological baseline of the site and an assessment of the potential ecological considerations and

constraints on the development proposals relating to biodiversity resources, wildlife legislation

and planning obligations.

As a solar park the scheme is fully reversible, with an operational life of 25 years with the land 1.1.3

due to be returned to agricultural use after decommissioning.

1.2 Site Description

The site is situated to the south of Tredegar, (centred at Ordnance Survey grid reference SO 1.2.1

136 065) to the southwest of the B4256.

The site comprises approximately 58.7ha of agricultural grassland fields bounded by fence-lines 1.2.2

and dissected by drainage channels and small watercourses which flow into the Nant Tyswg

watercourse beyond the western site boundary. An additional strip of land, between the stream

and the B4256, lies within the site to accommodate an access road and cable route.

The agricultural fields are a mixture of semi-improved grassland, semi-improved rush pasture 1.2.3

and marshy grassland with localised areas of acidic flush. Within the large site, there are small

areas of semi-improved acid grassland and unimproved grassland. There are also and

occasional groups of mature/semi mature trees and scrub. Conifer plantation woodland is

located in the south-eastern corner and along the southern site boundary. A complex of farm

buildings and associated hardstanding and access road is located outside the site to the east.

An extensive (416 ha) county designated site, Mynydd Bedwellte SINC, bounds much of the site 1.2.4

boundary to the east and north. Within the SINC, a small waterbody and associated

unimproved acid grassland, adjoins the application site boundary to the north-east of the farm.

This waterbody feeds one of the two streams which dissect the site. Both streams flow westerly

across the centre of the site before feeding into the Nant Tyswg and ultimately the Rhymney

River over 1km south of the site, beyond the village of Abertysswg. A further county designated

site, Sheepfold Grassland SINC, lies approximately 375m north-east of the site.

The wider landscape comprises undulating upland topography with a mixture of grassland 1.2.5

habitats primarily used for stock grazing interspersed with waterbodies and watercourses.

Tredegar and Rhymney golf course is located further west, as is the village of Pontlottyn.

Extensive conifer plantation woodland extend to south of the site boundary.


2 Methods

2.1 Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

The ecological appraisal provides a baseline of the site and is carried out in three stages: 2.1.1

A desk study to collate records of designated sites, protected species and other species of

conservation interest within the local area around the proposed development site;

A site walkover survey to identify and map habitats on the site, to assess the extent and

broad floristic composition of these habitats; and

Assessment of the potential for habitats within the site to support protected species or

otherwise notable flora and fauna; and, collation and interpretation of the field survey results

and desk study data to assess the current status of the site and its ecological context in the

wider landscape.

The baseline survey information has also been used to determine whether there is a need for 2.1.2

additional survey of species or species groups to inform the development proposal.

2.2 Desk Study

A request was submitted to the local records centre for information on non-statutory designated 2.2.1

nature conservation sites within 2km of the survey site and for records of protected or otherwise

notable species (e.g. species listed under the local or UK BAP) within 2km of the survey site.

2.3 Site Walkover Survey

The site walkover survey, was undertaken on 2nd November 2016, was conducted in 2.3.1

accordance with The Handbook for Phase I Habitat Survey (JNCC, 2010) and Guidelines on

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (IEEM 2012). The western access road and cable route (west

of the Nant Tysswg) were subsequently surveyed in July 2017.

The habitats within the site were assessed and mapped. Notes were made on the structure and 2.3.2

floristic composition of the habitats and their potential to support legally protected or otherwise

notable flora and fauna. The survey also included searches for signs of protected species, as

described in Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment (Institute of Environmental

Assessment, 1995). Consideration was given to adjacent habitats and the wider ecological

context. Searches were made for invasive non-native plant species focussing on those species

currently listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended in 2010).

2.4 Limitations

The walkover survey of the main site was undertaken outside of the optimum habitat survey 2.4.1

period of May to September, but a wide diversity of species were identified from basal leaves

and dead flowerheads. The intensely grazed and agriculturally managed grassland with short


sward and minimal field margin habitat (primarily in the central and northern parts of the site)

had poor floristic diversity and it is unlikely that additional species would have been identified

during the optimum survey period. As such the timing of the survey is not considered to have

been a significant constraint for the assessment of these habitats.

The unimproved and marshy grassland habitats (in the southern section and on the periphery) 2.4.2

comprise areas of higher floral diversity and a mosaic of habitats. Despite the sub-optimal

timing, a large number of plants were identifiable from the vegetation and the species

assemblages recorded are considered represent the majority of the botanical composition.

Some sections of the site, primarily the steep valley to the west of the site could not be fully 2.4.3

assessed due to the presence of dense vegetation, fencing and localised sheer rock faces.

These areas were viewed, categorised and mapped from vantage points within the site.

Searches for signs of protected or otherwise notable species, and invasive plant species could 2.4.4

not be comprehensively made where access was restricted. Many faunal species are not

always active or conspicuous in winter; and consequently the lack of signs of a particular

species does not necessarily confirm absence.

The site survey offers a 'snapshot' of the site conditions and habitat potential for species. On-2.4.5

site habitats have been assessed with due consideration for seasonal changes in structure and

extent. Habitats will change over time and the ecological status of the site should not be seen

as static in the longer term.

A preliminary external inspection of the buildings in the farm complex was made during the 2.4.6

walkover survey. A detailed external inspection for cavity features was not part of the scope of

works and was therefore not undertaken.


3 Results

3.1 Desk Study

3.2 Statutory Designations

There are no statutory nature conservation designations (international, national or local) located 3.2.1

within 2km of the site. The closest statutory designation is Cefn y Brithdir SSSI located

approximately 2.6km to the south.

3.3 Non-statutory Designations

Mynydd Bedwellte SINC is located along the northern and eastern site boundaries and the site 3.3.1

encroaches into the designation at the location around the waterbody (TN11). The SINC

boundary is shown on the Habitat Map (Reference JER6854-ECO_001).

Mynydd Bedwellte comprises a large area of upland common land situated between the valleys 3.3.2

of Sirhowy and the Rhymney. Dry heath communities are represented on Mynydd Bedwellte at

the higher altitudes and steeper flanks with a small area of wet heath to the north. Mire

communities are found throughout especially to the north and include species that represent

mire and line the springs and flushed areas. Acid grassland occurs often in a mosaic with the

heathland. Overall the site is a rich mosaic of habitats of great value to a variety of wildlife.

A further thirteen SINC are located within 2km of the site: 3.3.3

Sheepfolds Grassland – 0.3 km to the east

Bedwellty Pits Field – 1.5 km to the east

Highlands Grassland – 1 km to the east

River Sirhowy – 0.9 km to the east

The Ducky/ The Small Ducky – 1.4 km to the east

The Fountain Inn Meadows – 1.6 km to the east

Tredegar Leisure Centre Grasslands – over 0.5 km to the northeast

Cefn y Brithdir, South of Pontlottyn – 1.6km to the south west

Coed Cefn-Rhychdir, North of New Tredegar – 0.7 km to the south

Cwm Syfiog Woodland, North of New Tredegar – 1.5 km to the south

Mile End Pond, Abertysswg – 1.1 km to the southwest

River Rhymney – 1.2 km to the south west

Troed-Rhiw'r-Fuwch, north west of New Tredegar – 1.5 km to the south

In addition one candidate SINC known as the Highway Verge Section 4 (Bedwellty Pits) is also 3.3.4

located approximately 1.2km to the east of the site.

The sites have all been designated for comprising habitats which are considered to be of 3.3.5

conservational interest and/or support rare flora.


3.4 Species Records

Records of protected species and other species of conservation interest within 2km of the site 3.4.1

are summarised below. Where a species group is not mentioned, no relevant records for that

species group were identified. For each species, an abbreviated reference is given to their legal

and conservation status described in Table 3.1.

Table 3-1: Abbreviations of Species Legal and / or Conservation Status

Bats

The desk study data returned records for common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus (EPS, 3.4.2

WCA5) and unidentified bats Chiroptera sp. roosting and foraging within 2km of the site. The

closest roost was located over 1,200m to the north of the site within a residential building.

Badger

There are no records of badger Meles meles (PBA) within the 2km search radius. 3.4.3

Other Mammals

The desk study returned a small number of records for European hedgehog Erinaceus 3.4.4

europaeus (S7, UKBAP) within the 2km search radius.

Birds

There are numerous records of birds from within the search radius, including several species 3.4.5

listed in the RSPB Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) Red and Amber lists. BoCC species

recorded within the local area and which could utilise habitats on-site are:

Abbreviation Legal/Conservation Status

EPS European Protected Species (listed on Annex II of the Habitats Directive)

WCA1 Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 1 – Birds afforded special protection

WCA5 Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 5 species – Fauna fully protected

WCA5 Part Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 5 species – Fauna partially protected

WCA8 Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 8 species – Plants

WCA9 Wildlife & Countryside Act Schedule 9 species – Invasive non-native plant species

S7 Section 7 Priority Species under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016

UKBAP UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

LBAP Biodiversity Action Plan priority species for Wales

WBRed RSPB Wales Red List - Birds of High Conservation Concern in Wales

WBAm RSPB Wales Amber List - Birds of Moderate Conservation Concern in Wales

PBA Protection of Badgers Act

RD1 Red data book species (based on IUCN criteria)


Red List species recorded within the 2km search radius: Skylark Alauda arvensis (S7,

UKBAP, WBAm, LBAP), song thrush Turdus philomelos (S7, UKBAP, WBAm, LBAP),

common linnet Carduelis cannabina (S7, UKBAP, WBRed, LBAP), house sparrow Passer

domesticus (UKBAP, WBAm), starling Sturnus vulgaris (S7, UKBAP, WBRed), fieldfare

Turdus pilaris (WBAm), curlew Numenius arquata (S7, UKBAP, WBRed), northern lapwing

Vanellus vanellus (S7, UKBAP, WBRed), yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella (UKBAP,

WBRed), common cuckoo Cuculus canorus (S7, UKBAP, WBRed), lesser redpoll Carduelis

cabaret (UKBAP, WBRed), tree pipit Anthus trivialis (UKBAP, WBAm), and nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeus (S7, UKBAP, WBAm).

Amber list species recorded within the 2km search radius: barn owl Tyto alba (WCA1,

WBAm), dunnock Prunella modularis (S7), common kestrel Falco tinnunculus (S7, WBRed),

common kingfisher Alcedo atthis (WCA1, WBAm), black-headed gull Chirocephalus

ridibundus (S7, WBAm), red kite Milvus milvus (WBAm), herring gull Larus argentatus

subsp. argenteus (UKBAP, WBRed), marsh harrier cicus aeruginosus (WCA1, WBAm),

common bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula (S7, UKBAP, WBRed, LBAP).

Records of other bird species that receive protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and 3.4.6

Countryside Act (1981) (as amended) are northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis and peregrine

falcon Falco peregrinus.

Reptiles

The desk study returned two slow-worm Anguis fragilis (WCA5 Part, S7) records within 2km of 3.4.7

the site. Both records were from 2009 and were recorded over 1.3km to the north east of the

application site.

Amphibians

The desk study returned the following amphibian records: 3.4.8

common frog Rana temporaria (WCA5 part)

common toad Bufo bufo (WCA5 part)

Great crested newts (GCN) Triturus cristatus have not been recorded within the 2km search 3.4.9

radius.

Flora

Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta (WCA8, LBAP) was recorded on a road verge approximately 3.4.10

1.2km from the site.

Invertebrates

There is a record of grayling butterfly Hipparchia semele (S7, UKBAP) within 2km of the site. 3.4.11


Invasive species

The desk based study also returned records for the following invasive non-native plant species 3.4.12

(WCA9) within 2km of the site:

Nuttall’s waterweed Elodea nuttallii

Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica

Hollyberry cotoneaster Cotoneaster bullatus

Himalayan cotoneaster Cotoneaster simonsii

Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera

Parrots feather Myriophyllum aquaticum

Montbretia Crocosmia crocosmiiflora

Japanese Rose Rosa rugosa

As well as the records of other invasive non-native plant species within 2km of the site: 3.4.13

New Zealand willowherb Epilobium brunnescens

Musk flower Mimulus moschatus – within the site boundary

Monkey flower Mimulus guttatus - 1.2km south-west

3.5 Habitats

The habitats on and adjacent to the site are illustrated on the Habitats Map (Drawing 3.5.1

JEROXF9811-ECO-001a, 001B and 001c).

3.6 On-site habitats

The site is divided into a number of fields. All the fields have been given references (Fields A – 3.6.1

U) which are included in the habitat descriptions below and are shown on the Habitat Map.

Photographs and summary descriptions of Fields A – U are provided in Appendix 1. All the

Target Note reference numbers (TNs) are located on the Habitat Plan.

Semi improved grassland and Semi-improved Rush Pasture

The majority of the fields within the centre and northern part of the site comprise semi-improved 3.6.2

grassland. These include the small fields surrounding the farm buildings and Fields A, B, C, D, I,

K, M and N.

Red fescue Festuca rubra, crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus, common bent Agrostis 3.6.3

capillaris, creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera were abundant with varying amounts of perennial

rye-grass. The wetter areas closer to the drainage ditches contained a higher abundance of

forbs with locally frequent Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus as well as creeping thistle Cirsium

arvense, creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, silverweed Potentilla anserina, meadow

buttercup Ranunculus acris, common sorrel Rumex acetosa, cuckooflower Cardamine

pratensis, smooth meadow-grass Poa pratensis and sedges Carex spp.


Fields E, G, J, O, P located in the western and south-eastern parts of the site comprised semi-3.6.4

improved pasture with a higher percentage of soft rush Juncus effusus, sharp-flowered rush

Juncus acutiflorus, and tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa. Yorkshire fog, cock’s-foot,

crested dog’s-tail, red fescue and bent grasses were also locally frequent as well as occasional

perennial rye-grass (Plate 3.1).

The fields surrounding the farm complex and large central fields (L and K) contained a higher 3.6.5

percentage of perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne in comparison to the other fields within the

site. The areas of semi-improved grassland in the northern sections of the site (Fields A, B, C)

also contained a low diversity of wildflowers and more frequent areas of disturbed ground in

comparison to the semi-improved grassland in the southern fields (Plate 3.2).

The fields varied in the level of grazing and percentage of rush cover principally soft rush but 3.6.6

with a few areas of sharp-flowered rush cover particularly in Field R.

Many of the fields were heavily grazed with a short sward with grazing by sheep, cattle and 3.6.7

horse. A few of the fields were also subject to rush cutting especially in the northern fields

(Fields B, C and G). The areas short sward semi-improved grassland (pasture) are each

bounded by dense rush cover associated with the drainage ditches and field margins.

Plate 3-1: Example of semi-improved grassland with high percentage of rush (Field J)


Plate 3-2: Example of short sward semi-improved grassland with perennial rye-grass

bounded by rushes (Field C)

Field U (Plate 3.3) is a sloping field on the western side of the valley dominated by soft rush 3.6.8

between the Nant Tywssyg and the B4256. The composition is dominated by soft rush

tussocks with the dry ground conditions across approximately half of the habitat at the time of

the walkover survey in October 2017. Common bent, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthenum

odoratum, Yorkshire fog and soft rush are the most abundant species on drier ground with

patches of bracken Pteridium aquilinum, marsh thistle Cirsium palustre, creeping bent and pill

sedge Carex pilulifera.

Localised wetter areas of grassland beneath the dense tussocks supported a few additional 3.6.9

marshy grassland species at low frequency including purple moor-grass , oval sedge Carex

ovalis, star sedge Carex echinata, velvet bent Agrostis canina canina, and tormentil Potentilla

erecta.

Plate 3-3: Field U, west of the Nant Tysswg


Semi improved acid grassland

The majority of the semi-improved acid grassland is associated with the sloping ground 3.6.10

adjoining the stream (Plate 3.4).

There are also a few small areas of semi-improved acid grassland within other areas of the site, 3.6.11

localised along the site fringes and in grassland around former stone walls and exposed rocks.

Species composition has a higher percentage of fescue sp. Festuca sp. than the semi-improved

grassland, including some sheep’s fescue, and the presence of indicator species sheep’s sorrel

Rumex acetosella, heath bedstraw Galium saxatile and tormentil.

Plate 3-4: Semi-improved acid grassland (with scattered gorse scrub) on slope above

stream

Unimproved acid grassland

Several small areas of localised unimproved grassland are located within the site, primarily 3.6.12

located on the western site boundary adjoining the stream (within Fields Q and S, Plate 3.5).

Plate 3-5: Unimproved acid grassland alongside the Nant Tyswg


A narrow strip of unimproved grassland is located along the eastern edge of Field P associated 3.6.13

with the stone wall and thin soil along the bank of the drainage ditch (TN2).

Species present included sheep’s sorrel, sheep’s fescue, heath bedstraw, locally frequent 3.6.14

tormentil, marsh thistle, foxglove Digitalis purpurea and bryophytes including frequent broom

forkmoss Dicraniumm scoparium. Wetter areas closer to the water channels also supported

sharp-flowered rush, cuckooflower, common sorrel, common yellow-sedge Carex viridula ssp

oedocarpa, green-ribbed sedge Carex binervis, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus, heath grass

Danthonia decumbens, lady fern, hard fern Blechnum spicant, bulbous rush, ragged robin

Lychnis flos-cuculi, compact rush Juncus conglomeratus and round-leaved crowfoot.

The western edge of Field T grades from marshy grassland into unimproved acid grassland had 3.6.15

has a very hummocky structure. Indicator plant species occurring in this area include mat grass

Nardus stricta, ling heather Calluna vulgaris, marsh lousewort Pedicularis palustris, heath

milkwort Polygala serpyllifolia, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus, heath bedstraw, cross-leaved heath

Erica tetralix and sheep’s fescue.

A further unimproved grassland is present around the waterbody to the north-east of the farm 3.6.16

(Plate 3.6). This grassland areas is associated with undulating ground and steep slopes on thin

soils with some exposed rock. The undulating ground supported a mosaic of dry and marshy

grassland species with frequently occurring purple moor-grass, tufted hair-grass, hard rush,

matt grass, bent grasses, and bracken.

Plate 3-6: Unimproved grassland around waterbody (TN11)

Marshy grassland dominated by soft rush

The fields within the site are bounded by fence lines and intersected with drainage ditches 3.6.17

where marshy grassland species dominated by soft rush tussocks.


Larger areas of species-poor soft rush dominated vegetation are also located within Field H,the 3.6.18

western half of Field P, the northern half of Field C, the north eastern corner of Field A and in

the centre of Field J. Sharp-flowered rush and tufted hair-grass are also present but at low

frequency. Other associate species include; lady fern Athyrium filix-femina, narrow-leaved

buckler fern Dryopteris carthusiana, marsh ragwort Senecio aquaticus, velvet bent Agrostis

canina, and spear-leaved willowherb Epilobium tetragonum as well as occasional common

figwort Scrophularia nodosa and rarely common nettle Urtica dioica and male fern Dryopteris

filix-mas.

Marshy grassland was associated with drainage ditches in Field P (TN1 and TN2) also 3.6.19

contained floating sweet-grass Glyceria fluitans, willowherb sp., and locally frequent blinks

montia fontana, marsh thistle Cirsium palustre, water pepperwort Persicaria hydropiper and

round-leaved crowfoot Ranunculus omiophyllus.

The soft rush marshy grassland in Field A (TN13) had a series of open short sward grassy 3.6.20

areas the within dense rush vegetation at locations where there are springs. Species

composition at the springs was typically a mix of floating sweet-grass, tormentil, cuckooflower,

creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens, lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula, greater bird’s-

foot trefoil Lotus pedunculatus and a water starwort Callitriche species.

All the linear strips of marshy grassland associated field boundaries were dominated by soft 3.6.21

rush, with less frequent sharp-flowered rush, tufted hair-grass, and willowherb sp., with

occasional patches of false oat-grass and common nettle (Plate 3.7 and Plate 3.8). This type of

vegetation was also associated with the drainage ditches along fence lines that were dry at the

time of the survey. The wetter drainage ditches also contained floating sweet-grass, common

sedge, common sorrel and occasional purple moor-grass.

Plate 3-7: Rush Dominated Drainage Ditch (Field B)


The wider and deeper channels between 3 and 5m across sub-divide Field R (TN5 and TN6, 3.6.22

Plate 3.8). The channels in the centre of the gully are approximately 1m wide with a slow flow.

The gullies supported more tussocky vegetation of longer sward and included several tall

ruderal species including occasional ragwort, common nettle and creeping thistle (Plate 3.9). A

higher number of species than the narrower drainage ditches with more frequent male fern,

common sorrel, and occasional willow and hawthorn

Plate 3-8: Fields M and R subdivided by marshy grassland drainage ditches

Plate 3-9: Rush dominated drainage ditch (Field R) looking south-west

The drainage ditches located within Field P supported a higher diversity of species (Plates 3.10 3.6.23

and 3.11) than the generally species-poor habitats with the composition including floating


sweet-grass, spear-leaved willowherb, soft rush, blinks, marsh thistle, water pepper and round-

leaved crowfoot.

Plate 3-10: Drainage Ditch TN1 (Field P)

Plate 3-11: Drainage Ditch TN2 (Field P)


Marshy grassland dominated by purple moor-grass/acidic flush

Within the northern fields (Fields A and E) there are areas of marshy grassland dominated by 3.6.24

purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea. The most extensive area located in Field A had a very

dense tussocky sward but with low species diversity (TN14).

In comparison the purple-moor grass habitat in Field T comprised a species-rich marshy 3.6.25

grassland with a mosaic of grassland and acidic flush (Plate 3.11). Purple moor-grass was the

most dominant species with abundant soft rush, sharp-flowered rush and tufted-hair grass

particularly in the more waterlogged substrate in the north-eastern part of the field.

Localised areas containing a higher coverage of bryophytes and Sphagnum were also present 3.6.26

(TN3 and TN4; Plates 3-12 and 3-13). Component herbaceous species were carnation sedge

Carex panicea, marsh violet Viola palustris marsh willowherb Epilobium palustre, velvet bent,

and marsh pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris (TN4). On drier hummocks within the generally

waterlogged soils, the species composition also included heath rush Juncus squarrosus, green

ribbed sedge and tormentil.

Bulbous rush Juncus bulbosus, toad rush Juncus bufonius, and water starwort were found 3.6.27

within disturbed waterlogged area between Fields P and R (TN3).

Smaller areas with acidic flush-like character were also present at the southern end of Field P 3.6.28

and as patch in Field E. These habitats supported Sphagnum mosses, tormentil, glaucous

sedge Carex flacca, green-ribbed sedge Carex binervis and star sedge Carex echinata. The

spring fed flush lies in the centre of a stand of purple-moor grass on the edge of agriculturally

improved grazed pasture; Field E (TN10).

Plate 3-12: Purple-moor grass marshy grassland and acidic flush mosaic


Plate 3-13: Acidic flush vegetation within purple-moor grass marshy grassland

Watercourses

A narrow tree-lined stream corridor (TN7), partly within a steep sided gully up to 4m, bisects the 3.6.29

centre of the site (Plates 3.14 and 3.15).

Plate 3-14: Tree Located Along the banks of Stream (TN7)


Plate 3-15: Deep gully at western end of stream TN7

Upstream is a gently sloping purple moor-grass dominated gully (Plate 3.16) and downstream 3.6.30

the stream flows within a rocky channel into the western boundary watercourse. Tree species

included grey willow and silver birch. Stream corridor was approximately 50cm wide with

shallow flow and stone substrate. Falls were also present along its length and ferns, bracken

and willowherb species were located within the grassy bank sections. Soft rush was the

dominant bankside vegetation although grasses and meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria were

also present.


Plate 3-16: Upstream section of Stream TN7

A second small stream (<1m wide) (TN8) is located partly within a gully (Plate 3.17) in the 3.6.31

northern part of the site. The upstream section is bounded by species-poor marshy grassland

with a stand of willow scrub and occasional silver birch and dense. The banks in the

downstream section also supported stands of bracken Pteridium aquilinum with scattered gorse

Ulex europaeus.

Plate 3-17: Streamside TN8

Trees and Scrub

A very small number of trees are located within the site. The majority of the mature trees are 3.6.32

located along the western site boundary along the banks of the stream.


A small group of mature sessile oaks Quercus petraea trees are growing at the top of a vertical 3.6.33

10m high bank directly above the stream (TN15, Plate 3.18).

A small number of semi-mature trees were also located along the two watercourses that bisect 3.6.34

the centre of the site. The frequently occurring species were silver birch Betula pendula, alder

Alnus glutinosa and grey willow Salix cinerea with occasional hawthorn Crataegus monogyna,

holly Ilex aquifolium and saplings. None of the trees within the site had a diameter of >50cm at

breast height.

Plate 3-18: Sessile oak trees on top of vertical cliff above Nant Tyswg on western site

boundary

Waterbody

A stream-fed horseshoe shaped pond (TN 11) is located to the north-east of the farm outside 3.6.35

the eastern site boundary. The pond lies in low lying depression within an area of undulating

unimproved acid grassland and is partly enclosed by steep grassland banks (Plate 3.19). The

open water is approximately 8m wide at its widest point with gently sloping margins supporting

small stands of bulrush Typha latifolia, soft rush and sharp-flowered rush. Broadleaved

pondweed Potamogeton natans was abundant in the open water. The surrounding undulating

ground supported a mosaic of tussocky unimproved grassland species.


Plate 3-19: Small Waterbody Located within the SINC

Conifer plantation

A conifer plantation is located in the south-eastern section of the site and the block extends off-3.6.36

site to the south. The conifers are densely planted with very little understorey vegetation the

ground flora was very limited (Plate 3.20). Two further small blocks of conifers are located to

the west of the main block adjoining the steep bank down to the stream (Plate 3.21).

Plate 3-20: Coniferous plantation woodland

Springs and ditches within the plantations are associated with boggy ground is boggy where 3.6.37

there are springs and drainage ditches within or adjoining them.


Plate 3-21: Small conifer block adjoining marshy grassland

Tall ruderals/regenerating vegetation

To the south of the farm is a steep bank and area of disturbed ground which has become 3.6.38

colonised by tall ruderal regenerating vegetation (Plate 3.22). Species present include:

willowherb sp., common ragwort Senecio jacobaea, broadleaved dock Rumex obtusifolius, false

oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, common nettle, and cock’s-foot.

Plate 3-22: Man-made landform with patchy tall ruderal vegetation (south-west of the

farm)


Buildings

A complex of farm buildings and hardstanding is located outside the site, beyond the eastern 3.6.39

boundary.

There is a two storey painted brick farmhouse (Plate 3.23) with tiled roofing and several 3.6.40

extensions and porch. An attached stone building with corrugated metal sheeting pitched roof is

located to the west of the farmhouse and a similarly constructed large agricultural barn is

located across a small yard. Several large metal framed agricultural buildings are also present

to the north and north-west and used for machinery storage and livestock (Plate 3.24). The

farmhouse is occupied and the other barns are frequently used and subject to fluctuating levels

of light with large open sections.

Plate 3-23: Western elevation of main farmhouse buildings

Plate 3-24: Agricultural buildings to the west and north of the farmhouse


Stream corridor (Cwm Tyswg)

Alongside the western site boundary is narrow valley Cwm Tyswg with a fast flowing stream 3.6.41

Nant Tyswg (Plate 3.25).

The habitats present along the stream corridor include unimproved acid grassland, semi-3.6.42

improved acid grassland, stands of bracken and gorse as well as steep banks/cliffs.

The northern section of the stream is slightly different in character to the southern section. In 3.6.43

the northern section the channel varies in width from 0.5m to 3m wide and is shallow. The

channel is largely unvegetated with many small meanders and associated areas of pebbles and

boulders on the channel margins. There are many sections of exposed rock alongside and

within the watercourse and several small falls on the line of the stream. In the central section

the stream flows through a small ravine with vertical rock exposures sides.

The southern section had a straighter course with few meanders and the valley was narrower 3.6.44

with higher and steeper slopes on both sides of the stream.

Plate 3-25: Southern section of Nant Tyswg

The crossing point for the proposed new access track required for the development is located at 3.6.45

the northern upstream section of the stream close to where small tributaries flows into main

watercourse on the northern site boundary.

The stream channel at this location (TN15, Plate 3.26) was approximately 1m wide with rock 3.6.46

outcropping in the channel and on the banks. There was a moderately fast flow and a water

depth up to 75cm in places. Semi-improved acid grassland grows on the banks down to the

stream. Common bent and red fescue are abundant with soft rush, crested dog’s-tail, Yorkshire

fog, hard fern and sheep’s sorrel along with white clover. Localised marshy areas supported

jointed rush, sharp flowered rush, tufted hair-grass, green ribbed sedge and lesser spearwort.


Plate 3-26: Northern section of Nant Tysswg, access road crossing point

A small adit/cave (TN12) is located in the base of the bank adjacent to western boundary 3.6.47

stream (Plate 3.26 and 3.27). The cave is located within the exposed rock and extends into the

hillside. The entrance is sheltered and partially obscured by bramble and gorse scrub. The

Coal Authority have erected fencing and sign posting to deter unauthorised access. The rock

face at the entrance to the cave was saturated with running surface water and the internal

humidity was high.

Plate 3-27: Small adit/cave located at base of slope alongside the Nant Tyswg (Field Q)


Plate 3-28: Rockface and scrub around adit/cave entrance

Outside the site, on the steep sloping western side of the valley supports a mosaic of habitats 3.6.48

including dense bracken, unimproved acid grassland, purple-moor grass dominated areas and

scattered scrub and trees.

Summary descriptions and photographs of the habitats along the streamside are presented in 3.6.49

Appendix 2.

OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar 26 February 2018

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4 Discussion and Evaluation

4.1 Designated Sites

Mynydd Bedwellte SINC is an extensive upland SINC adjoins the eastern and northern 4.1.1

boundaries of the site.

A small section of this SINC overlaps the eastern site boundary with a waterbody (TN11) and 4.1.2

adjoining unimproved grassland located within the site. A narrow, shallow drainage channel

beyond the northern boundary of the site also forms the SINC boundary. The site has been

designated due to comprising habitats of conservational interest including: acid grassland, dry

heath, wet heath, marshy grassland and mire.

Due to its close proximity of the designation, indirect impacts on features for which the SINC 4.1.3

have been considered in the site layout.

The working area and development footprint is located outside of the designated site, and all 4.1.4

the features of the SINC lie upslope of the development and should not be directly affected by

any of the development proposals.

A stand-off is being incorporated into the site layout to create a buffer between construction and 4.1.5

the designation. On the basis establishes working area exclusion areas between designation

and construction area at the outset of construction access and that the contractor continually

implements environmental best practice measures for the duration of construction (and

ultimately decommissioning) then the potential for damage to habitats should be avoided. A

plan of practical remedial measures should be in place prior to the start of construction and the

contractor should be in a position to implement these whenever needed to protect

environmental features and the integrity of the SINC. The details of this should be provided in a

site-specific Construction Environmental Management Plan

All the other non-statutory nature conservation designations in the vicinity of the site are located 4.1.6

over 300m from the site boundary.

4.2 Habitats

The site supports Habitats of Principal Importance (NERC Act) and UK BAP priority habitats 4.2.1

which are:

Acid grassland

Purple moor-grass and rush pastures (but excluding species-poor rush pasture)

Watercourses

The grassland habitats of high conservation value within the site are primarily located within 4.2.2

parts of Fields A, E and P and covering all of Field T at the southern end of the site. In addition


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the grasslands adjoining stream (parts of Fields E, F, J, Q and S) will also qualify as Habitats of

Principal Importance.

‘Purple moor-grass and rush pastures’ are a priority for nature conservation because they are 4.2.3

highly susceptible to agricultural modification and reclamation throughout their range. Acid

grassland has undergone substantial decline in the 20th century with the decline mostly due to

agricultural intensification. Qualifying habitats can be highly variable with regard to the number

of species they support, ranging from relatively species-poor (less than 5 species per 4m²) to

species-rich (in excess of 25 species per 4m²), and the rarity of these species. Species-poor

and species-rich habitats were both recorded in the site.

Although the habitat survey was undertaken outside of the optimum survey period, areas of acid 4.2.4

grassland could be distinguished from semi-improved grassland and purple-moor grass could

be identified as species-poor or species-rich. Both grassland types supported species

representative of good quality semi-natural habitat.

The narrow streams (TN7 and TN8) had defined channels and banks will have higher value for 4.2.5

biodiversity than the narrow drainage channels generally providing greater cover and higher

value foraging areas than the agriculturally improved fields.

In the contrast the species-poor soft rush dominated marshy grassland associated with the 4.2.6

drainage ditches (which bisect the site) are largely narrow and the majority supported little

aquatic vegetation and are considered to be of low ecological value.

The semi-improved grassland and soft rush dominated marshy grassland are ubiquitous 4.2.7

habitats comprising few species and are subject to intense agricultural management. These

habitats will be typical of low quality agriculturally improved habitats in the local area and region.

The other habitats also only have ecological value in the context of the site. The small number 4.2.8

of trees within the site and the areas of tall ruderals, bracken, scrub and coniferous woodland

will have value in terms of providing shelter and supporting fauna species as well as visually

enhancing the landscape. Although currently of relatively low ecological importance their

presence enhances the habitat diversity and value of the site.

The layout has been designed to avoid higher value grassland habitats, with the arrays primarily 4.2.9

located on semi-improved grassland and species-poor rush pasture. There will be only a small

localised loss of purple moor-grass marshy grassland in the north-western part of the site (part

of Field E) and in the southern part of Field P comprising a small percentage of the total extent

of this habitat type within the site.

The perimeter security fencing will be set back from the stream, with the fence mainly aligned to 4.2.10

the top of the steep bank above the watercourse.

The working area for the installation of the security fence and solar arrays will be separated 4.2.11

from watercourse and the implementation of appropriate environmental protection (including

pollution prevention) and good site management practices, for the duration of construction and


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over the operational life of the solar park, would avoid negative impacts on watercourses and

ditches the from the installation of the security fence and solar arrays.

The smaller watercourses feeding into the Nant Twyswg and smaller field boundary ditches 4.2.12

have been retained within the site design and will be protected by 5m stand offs. The access

road will be bridged over the three smaller watercourses. A low impact bridge design

construction method will be employed to minimise ground disturbance and specifically address

potential avoid indirect impacts. Contingency measures will be put in place to prevent

temporary changes in the quality of water flowing into the stream.

The local record centre holds records for a number of invasive non-native plant species within 4.2.13

and in close proximity to the site boundary but none were identified within the site during the

walkover survey.

The value of habitats by faunal species is discussed in Section 4.4. 4.2.14

4.3 Stream corridor (Cwm Tyswg)

The Cwm Tyswg stream corridor adjoins the western site boundary of the main construction 4.3.1

area for the solar park on fields above the stream with a stand off between the development and

this feature with the exception of a new access track towards the northern site boundary.

The access track into the site from the west will be bridged over the Nant Tyswg in one location 4.3.2

where the channel is between 1 and 2m wide. Bridge construction will also result in localised

disturbance in the habitats on either stream crossing with potential localised ground remodelling

to support the bridge. A detailed bridge design that protects the watercourse and results in only

localised changes in habitats in the bridge construction area would minimise the ecological

effect of the crossing.

The cable route will be directionally drilled beneath the stream and trenched through 4.3.3

agriculturally improved rush pasture and poor semi-improved grassland Field U.

The working area for the installation of the security fence and solar arrays will be set back from 4.3.4

the Nant Tyswg. The implementation of appropriate environmental protection (including

pollution prevention) and good site management practices, for the duration of construction and

over the operational life of the solar park, would avoid the potential for negative impacts from

the installation of the security fence and solar arrays.

4.4 Fauna

Bats - Roosts

Observations of the structure of the farmhouse and outbuildings suggests that they are very 4.4.1

likely contain cavities features which could be utilised by bats. The elevations of the buildings

were not surveyed in detail and individual potential roost features were not identified.


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None of the trees within the site are considered to have the potential for supporting roosting 4.4.2

bats and no primary roost features were observed in trees during the walkover survey.

Bats - Activity

The site lacks hedgerows and other areas of shelter and cover along which bats would be most 4.4.3

likely to commute/forage. The stream corridor to the west of the site, narrow streams (TN7 and

TN8) and the waterbody within the SINC are considered to have highest potential value for

foraging bats.

Use of the site would be likely to be restricted to the relatively few species that forage in open 4.4.4

landscapes (pipistrelle species and noctule bat). The stockproof fences and drainage channels

(marshy grassland) provide linear features, but in the exposed upland environment they which

would not be expected to be an important resource for bats.

Breeding Birds

The local area supports an assemblage of bird species some of which will nest on the site 4.4.5

boundaries and within the site.

One species of wader (Curlew) and an additional 12 species of conservation concern were 4.4.6

recorded during the upland breeding wader survey carried out in 2017.

Curlew and seven of the additional species of conservation concern were considered to be 4.4.7

breeding within the survey area.

Five species considered as breeding (curlew, cuckoo, skylark, linnet and reed bunting) are 4.4.8

Species of Principal Importance under Schedule 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

Additional breeding bird species of conservation concern recorded within the area were willow

warbler, meadow pipit, grey wagtail, and reed bunting. All but skylark and meadow pipit were

present as one or two breeding pairs with activity associated with scrub along the smaller

watercourses and in the base of the valley to the west of the proposed solar arrays where there

is a mosaic of bracken, tall ruderal, grassland and scrub.

The site offers extensive areas of habitat of potential value for ground nesting birds with a 4.4.9

minimum of 9 pairs of skylark and 11 pairs of meadow pipit and a single pair of curlew. No

lapwing were recorded during the survey.

The barns within the site could also be utilised by breeding birds such as swallow and use of the 4.4.10

site by hunting barn owl is also possible.

The small number of mature trees lacked cavities and nesting opportunities appeared limited. 4.4.11

There are a few areas where stones are piled (for example TN9, Plate 4.1) and if there are

cavities in these features they could be used by species such as robin, redstart or wren.

Conifers within the plantation woodland also provide nesting habitat for a few species including

goldcrest and coal tit.


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Plate 4-1: Piled stone on the side of a shallow drainage gully Field E (TN9)

The installation of the solar arrays will result in a change in the context of the pasture fields but 4.4.12

the field boundaries are to be retained and will continue to be available as nesting bird habitat

over the lifetime of the development. The dense gorse scrub, habitat of value for nesting birds

due to the cover from predators, will be retained and remain resource for nesting birds.

During construction, noise and the use of artificial light will be controlled to avoid indirect 4.4.13

impacts field boundary habitats and bird behaviour. Control measures including levels of dust

would be implemented to avoid a reduction in the suitability of potential nest sites adjacent to

the construction site.

Amphibians

The desk study confirmed that common toad and common frog are present in the local area and 4.4.14

other widespread species (palmate and smooth newt) would be expected to occur.

The grassland with tussocky structure and marshy grassland are terrestrial habitats providing 4.4.15

cover and would be expected to support soil invertebrates on which amphibians could feed.

There is one pond within the site and there are other ponds located within close proximity to the 4.4.16

site with a good connecting network of drainage ditches and water courses across the local

vicinity. The shortly grazed semi-improved grassland in the centre of the site is less likely to be

utilised by common amphibians in comparison with the higher quality terrestrial habitat along

the site perimeter.

Given the lack of records for great crested newt it is considered unlikely that they are present 4.4.17

within the site.


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Reptiles

The areas of tussocky grassland, scrub and tall ruderal vegetation create conditions of potential 4.4.18

value for slow-worm, common lizard, grass snake and adder.

The longer more tussocky grassland around the margins of the fields and in streamside corridor 4.4.19

to the west create extensive potential cover for reptile species. These habitats should also hold

populations of prey items on which reptile species would feed.

Overall, the undulating topography of the site, rubble piles, hummocks and exposed rock also 4.4.20

provide opportunities for both hibernating and basking reptiles (Plate 4.1). Site layout design

has taken into account the potential for reptile populations to be present with retention of field

boundaries where the cover created by coarse tussocky grassland has the highest likelihood of

supporting one or more of reptile species.

Otter and water vole

The narrow watercourses crossing site are not considered to be suitable for supporting otter or 4.4.21

water vole with neither species having been recorded within the 2km search radius.

The margins of upland stream on the western boundary have shallow soils and several sections 4.4.22

of exposed rock. No areas of high suitability for burrowing were noted and the absence of this

species is very likely.

Invertebrates

The assemblage of invertebrate species would include common species associated with semi-4.4.23

improved grassland. The blocks of species-rich marshy grassland, acidic flush, acid grasslands

would also be expected to support a wider diversity of species and potentially species with

restricted distributions of high conservation importance.

The sparsely vegetated parts of the site will have micro-habitats not found elsewhere within the 4.4.24

site. The retention of the more valuable mosaic of habitats on the periphery of the development

should maintain an additional resource for invertebrates.

The Nant Tyswg, upland waterbody (TN11) and to a lesser extent the watercourses crossing 4.4.25

the site will be associated with some invertebrate species not found elsewhere. The mature

sessile oaks will also be expected to contribute to the site’s invertebrate assemblage.


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5 Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Protected Sites

The site is located in proximity to the boundary of Mynydd Bedwellte SINC. The development 5.1.1

proposal should avoid the potential to impact on any features for which the SINC is designated.

A 5m stand-off will be created between the development working area and access routes and 5.1.2

the boundary of the SINC. Construction methods and site layout should be designed to ensure

that these areas remain as access exclusion areas for the duration of construction and site

operation.

In order to avoid impacts on the designated site, fencing (in accordance with BS: 5837) will be 5.1.3

required to protect habitats from ingress of people and machinery following best practice

measures.

Good environmental working practices should employed to protect features within designated 5.1.4

sites beyond the site boundary.

5.2 Habitats

Unimproved grassland and marshy grassland/acidic flush

The site design protects springs and surface water flow channels. 5.2.1

Purple moor grass marshy grassland with areas of acidic flush vegetation in the southern end of 5.2.2

the site (Field T) has high botanical diversity and high nature conservation value.

Species diverse areas of soft rush dominated marshy grassland in Field P and much of the 5.2.3

marshy grassland in Field A (TN13 and TN14) also have features representative of high value

habitat. All these areas classify as UK BAP priority habitats. The more species-diverse

grasslands also fulfil the Mid Valleys criteria for selection as SINC. This most species-rich area

at the southern end of the site (primarily outside of the development footprint) is c1.5ha in extent

and supports at least 10 indicator species. Smaller areas of this habitat types, with fewer

indicator species, are found in Field E crossed by the access road and at the southern end of

Field P.

Drier unimproved acid grassland is primarily restricted ground alongside the stream with a 5.2.4

narrow fringe on the eastern boundary. Semi-improved acidic grassland with indicator species

is limited in extent limited to sloping ground above the stream and localised areas associated

with collapsed stone walls and very thin soils.

The development has been designed to reduce the loss of the higher value and species-rich 5.2.5

grassland areas alongside the stream and throughout Field T. The solar arrays have been sited

on agriculturally improved grassland and species–poor marshy grassland; habitats present

across much of the site and in the wider landscape. This reduces the potential magnitude of the


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ecological impact. Retention and protection of the highest value habitats will also maintain

features of potential value for invertebrates and reptiles.

Changes in agricultural grassland will result from temporary disturbance during construction and 5.2.6

from long term shading beneath the panels.

New areas of marshy grassland should be established next to these areas through the selective 5.2.7

felling of part of the conifer plantation. Suitable ground conditions and targeted ground

manipulation should be used to promote the natural colonisation of marshy grassland species

and over time expand the size of a key ecological resource in the context of the site.

Management of the retained high value grassland and flush habitats should be implemented 5.2.8

from the start of construction and in the long term over the lifetime of the development.

Management actions should be straightforward and easily implementable by a landscape

contractor. Monitoring of the outcomes resulting from management will be essential. Where

mitigation and management is not delivering level of compensation needed to achieve no net

loss of biodiversity value then further enhancement remedial measures should be employed

over the lifetime of the development.

Watercourses and waterbodies

Watercourses and waterbodies are typically habitats of high conservation value. 5.2.9

Stand-offs have been created from watercourses and the drainage channels wherever possible. 5.2.10

The hydrological functioning of the drainage channels around the boundaries of the semi-

improved grasslands should be maintained by avoiding any severage or loss of channels, the

blocking of surface flows or diversion of flows from springs.

Designing and implementing good working practice should ensure that the development 5.2.11

protects the environment alongside the construction area and solar development during

operation. Measures should be fully implemented to ensure that water quality is not altered and

that robust pollution prevention is built into site operations to safeguard the value of biodiversity

features and associated faunal species.

Other Habitats

The bracken, conifer plantation and poor semi-improved grassland have low ecological value, 5.2.12

particularly in the context of the surrounding SINC designated habitats.

Retention of scrub, mature trees and some of the conifer plantation woodland will maintain a 5.2.13

habitat that provides opportunities for supporting a range of fauna and visually enhance the site.

Erection of protective fencing to prevent ingress from people and machinery during construction

whilst encouraging a stand-off into the site design will minimise any potential disturbance

impacts on these features.

Inclusion of enhancement of low value habitats, and the creation of new habitat in the 5.2.14

development proposal will help deliver benefits to offset the loss associated with the installation


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of solar panels and associated infrastructure. Areas of new tree and shrub planting should use

species native to the local area to enhance the site and strengthen habitat connectivity along

the boundaries.

The whole site should be brought into ecological management alongside the full implementation 5.2.15

of best practice environmental protection measures from the outset of construction and

throughout the operational life of the development. Properly implemented monitoring and

tailored ecological management should maintain the status of high value habitat adjoining the

development and ultimately provide for biodiversity alongside the solar park development.

5.3 Fauna

Bats

The proposed development should not result in impacts on the complex of farm buildings and 5.3.1

trees on the sides of watercourses should be retained in the layout design.

The adit/cave with the entrance at the base of the bank alongside the stream will run into the 5.3.2

site below either Fields O or R. During construction and operation there should be no access

into this confided space. The potential for any disturbance of this feature (including noise)

during works. Use by bats during the hibernation season should be assumed under the

precautionary principle. If the features could be indirectly impacted upon then checks for

hibernation activity should be made from a survey or use of remote recording.

If any of the farm buildings could be either directly or indirectly impacted, then detailed 5.3.3

inspection surveys (and potentially emergence surveys) should be undertaken in order to

assess their use by bats and to design appropriate mitigation, if required.

Although use of the site by foraging bats is likely to be limited as part of best practice site 5.3.4

design, the whole site should remain unlit at night. Artificial bat roost boxes should be installed

on larger retained trees as an enhancement measure.

Birds

The solar arrays are likely to result in the displacement some of the nesting pairs of skylark and 5.3.5

meadow pipit from the site and the single pair of curlew.

Retention of scrub habitat and trees will maintain bird breeding habitat within the site for the 5.3.6

majority of the assemblage of species including willow warbler, linnet, cuckoo and reed bunting.

In particular the extensive low scrub on the steep bank beyond the western boundary of the

development and in the wider Nant Tysswg corridor will maintain high value nesting habitat.

Off-site habitat enhancement for curlew and long term habitat management would help offset 5.3.7

impacts on the single breeding pair of curlew.


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In order protect active nests of ground nesting birds, the works will be timed to avoid the 5.3.8

breeding season or working areas would be surveyed for nests prior to works within a field to

comply with the provisions of the WCA 1981, (as amended).

Reptiles

Many of the habitats that will be affected by the development proposal have the potential to be 5.3.9

used by reptile species. Slow worm and/or common lizard could be resident within the site

while adder and grass snake, with larger territories, may utilise the site along with habitats

outside the site.

Reptile habitat is being protected within the site design through the retention of marshy and 5.3.10

tussocky grassland on the field boundaries and on the steeper banked ground to the east of the

Nant Tysswg. Areas of stones will be protected within the connected reptile habitat wherever

possible. In areas where impacts are unavoidable new partly buried reptile shelter structures

will be built in drier grassland habitats above the grassland/scrub/bracken bank to the east of

the stream, where the ground will not be waterlogged.

Additional features of value for reptiles will be incorporated into the site design, if possible. Long 5.3.11

term management commitments will maintain permanent reptile habitat within and around the

solar arrays and will promote sufficient food, cover and below ground hibernation opportunities

to sustain the existing populations or enable colonisation of the site from the surrounding area.

Invertebrates

Protection of the watercourses and retention of the more species-rich grassland habitats will 5.3.12

help retain an existing resource likely to support a diverse assemblage of invertebrates.

The installation of solar panels above short grazed species-poor pasture would be expected to 5.3.13

only affect a limited range of generally commonly occurring plant species.

It is recommended that the higher value unimproved and acid grassland areas and rush pasture 5.3.14

the western side and south of the site are retained to maintain a resource likely to be important

for invertebrates.


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Table 5-1: Summary Table

Feature/Species Proposed Action

Adjoining Designation

Mynydd Bedwellte SINC Protect from direct and indirect impacts Habitats

Unimproved acid grassland, Purple moor-grass marshy grassland

Protect from direct and indirect impacts Create new marshy grassland on areas of peaty soils currently

beneath conifer plantation

Semi-improved acid grassland

Avoidance loss wherever possible Create new grassland habitat to offset impacts form solar array

installation and operation Controlled grazing of retained field margins and more species-

diverse semi-improved grassland Localised dense scrub and trees

Minimisation of the loss of trees and shrubs through the site layout design.

New shrub and tree planting using species native to the local area Drainage ditches (species-poor marshy grassland)

Protect and maintain hydrological connectivity/function downslope of the channels and clean surface water flow into the Nant Tyswg

Nant Tyswg, small watercourses and waterbodies

Protect from direct and indirect impacts including stand-off from construction working areas and access tracks

Low impact design and construction of bridges over watercourses Species

Bats – Roosts Avoid indirect impacts on the complex of buildings in the farm Avoid disturbance of adit/cave Retain and protect mature trees Ideally install artificial roost boxes in sheltered locations

Bats - Activity Protect streams and streamside vegetation Avoid artificial lighting that could disrupt flight lines

Birds Retention and protection of scrub habitats associate with watercourses and the western boundary stream corridor.

Timing of ground preparation and installation of solar panels to avoid the active nesting season

Off-site habitat enhancement and management for curlew and other ground nesting birds

Install artificial nest boxes in the farm complex Avoidance of artificial lighting within the site

Amphibians Protection of SINC waterbody and adjoining tussocky grassland Reptiles Protection of key habitats from significant disturbance

Provision and management of habitats of value for reptiles alongside the solar arrays

Implementation of species protection measures during the creation of the access road, trenching of the cable route and installation of the solar panels and associated infrastructure

Invertebrates Retention of unimproved acid grassland and purple moor-grass marshy grassland

Protection of watercourses and adjoining habitats Retention mature trees, scrub and tussocky grassland field margins


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References

Atherton, Bosanqeut and Lawley [Eds]- (2010). Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland – a field

guide. British Bryological Society.

Bright P., Morris P. & Mitchell-Jones T. (2006). The Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook (2nd

Ed.).

DEFRA (2014). Technical Report WC1067 -Analytical and methodological development for improved

surveillance of the great Crested Newt and other pond vertebrates. .

English Nature 2001. Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines

Froglife (1999) Froglife Advice Sheet 10 - Reptile Survey An introduction to planning, conducting and

interpreting surveys for snake and lizard conservation

Gent & Gibson. (2003). Herpetofauna Worker’s Manual.Institute of Ecology and Environmental

Management (2012). Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.

Institute of Environmental Assessment (1995) Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment. IEA

Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2010). The Handbook for Phase I Habitat Survey. JNCC

RPS (2014). Bat Activity Survey Report. Hardwicke Court Stroud. RPS, Almondsbury, Bristol.

Stace C. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press

OXF9811 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar February 2018

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rpsgroup.com/uk

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Appendices


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Appendix 1

Habitat Summary Descriptions and Photographs

Table 3.1 Field Descriptions

Reference Description Photograph Field A Semi improved grassland with two soft rush dominated drainage ditches

connecting two areas of marshy grassland. The extensive area of marshy grassland was partly dominated by dense purple moor-grass and partly by dense soft rush with sharp-flowered rush. Short grassy areas within the dense rush tussocks indicated the locations of springs. Species composition included floating sweet-grass, tormentil, cuckooflower, creeping buttercup, lesser spearwort, greater birds-foot trefoil and water starwort species. The smaller area of marshy grassland on northern boundary contained a lower species diversity dominated by soft rush with tufted hair-grass. The marshy grassland boundaries grade into semi improved grassland.

Reference Description Photograph Field B Sheep grazed short sward semi-improved

grassland with a field drain along northern boundary. Soft rush dominates the field margins and the side of a central drainage channel within the field. The drainage ditches are associated with some marshy ground species including cuckooflower, lesser spearwort, and sedges.

Field C Species-poor semi-improved grassland with main area having less than 20% soft rush cover. There was also a large area of soft rush dominated marshy grassland in the northern half of the field and a smaller area of soft rush (with some tufted hair-grass) in the south western corner.

Reference Description Photograph Field D Small field of semi improved sheep grazed

pasture. Small section of species-poor soft rush dominated vegetation in north western corner.

Reference Description Photograph Streamside Field E

Semi improved pasture with stream valley running through centre and wide marshy grassland along its boundaries. The northern extensive area of marshy grassland was dominated by dense purple moor-grass and soft rush and an area of acidic flush (TN10) with sphagnum mosses, lady fern, Polytrichum mosses, narrow buckler fern, lesser spearwort, tormentil, star sedge and velvet bent. Acid grassland in the base of the valley had minimal evidence of agricultural improvement and had a lower percentage cover of rush. 1-2m wide water channel. Shallow with rocky substrate. Small rocky beach areas along meander and exposed rocks within watercourse. Steep easterly grassland bank of semi improved rush pasture. Short unimproved grassland on thin soil and flat profile western bank. Bracken and marshy grassland on gentle slope further west.

Reference Description Photograph Streamside Field F

Semi-improved acid grassland with central watercourse. Several areas of dense marshy grassland dominated by soft rush along western bank of watercourse and to the north and south of the field. Central section showed evidence of rush cutting. Wide 1-2m water channel. Shallow with rocky substrate. Gently sloping eastern and western banks dominated by bracken and soft rush dominated marshy grassland. Occasional hawthorn on banks.

Field G Short grazed semi-improved pasture with a high percentage cover of rush that is subject to cutting management. Dense soft rush occurs along its field perimeter and central drainage ditches.

Reference Description Photograph Field H Marshy grassland/soft rush dominated field with

small pockets of short grazed pasture (semi-improved grassland).

View looking east

Field I Small field supporting semi-improved grassland with soft rush dominated vegetation alongside the drainage ditches which cross the field.

View looking south-east

Reference Description Photograph Streamside Field J

Semi-improved pasture field with unimproved grassland to the west. The field contains a mosaic of habitats due to its varied topography and exposed rock sections. This field was horse grazed with evidence of recent muck spreading. To the west is an area of short grazed (mainly sheep) unimproved grassland on shallow soil and exposed rock including old walls. Occasional birch, gorse and bracken are also present. The rocky outcrops were more species rich will higher abundance of mosses and male fern. Wide 1-2m channel with exposed rocky substrate, with very shallow and narrow watercourse, slow flow. Gently sloping eastern and western banks dominated by bracken and soft rush dominated marshy grassland. Occasional hawthorn on banks.

Reference Description Photograph Field K Large field of short grazed semi-improved

grassland with low species diversity and a low frequency of rushes.

Field L Semi-improved pasture field bounded on two sides by tributaries of the Nant Tyswg (TN7 and TN8) with streamside trees, stands of bracken and Localised areas of semi-improved acid grassland on the field boundaries.

Reference Description Photograph Field M Large semi improved grassland field with sparsely

vegetated dry drainage ditches within the western half of the field. Vegetation along the watercourse on the northern boundary (TN7) comprised marshy grassland (soft rush with sharp flowered rush) and patches of bracken with occasional willowherb, and sphagnum. Purple-moor grass is located along northern boundary associated with stream (TN7). Occasional gorse, hawthorn and willow saplings were noted alongside the stream.

Field N A small area of coarse semi-improved grassland is also located in the north eastern corner of the field to the south of the farm. This contained a low diversity and frequency of forbs.

Reference Description Photograph Field O Semi-improved grassland pasture bisected with a

drainage ditch with dominant soft rush.

Reference Description Photograph Field P Westerly sloping field of semi improved rush

pasture grading into dense soft rush. The marshy grassland was locally species-rich particularly along drainage channels. Small areas of acidic flush with Sphagnum, tormentil, and carnation sedge were also present within the southern half of the field. Drainage channels (TN1 and TN2) was in part dominated by soft rush and sharp-flowered rush, locally abundant lady fern, tufted hair-grass. Associate species included floating sweet grass, willowherb sp., blinks Montia fontana, marsh thistle, tasteless water pepper, round-leaved crowfoot Ranunculus omiophyllus. Down slope substantial parts of the field were grazed rush pasture with Yorkshire fog and bent grass patches amongst the soft rush and subject to grazing. Willowherb species, creeping buttercup, cuckoo flower, and lady fern were all frequent. The sides of the western boundary drainage ditch (TN2) were associated with less improved acid grassland with tormentil, sheep’s sorrel, heath bedstraw and green-ribbed sedge all occuring.

Streamside Field Q

Sheep grazed unimproved acid grassland and semi-improved acid grassland on steep slope with extensive areas of bracken with gorse and bramble scrub located along the steep rocky outcrop on eastern field boundary. Grassland fungi were noted in the base of the valley. A cave/adit is present at the base of the steep slope close to the stream (TN12) Wide 2-3m water channel in steep almost cut looking banks with gently sloping unimproved acid grassland banks to east and west. Bracken and occasional willow, gorse and hawthorn scrub on banks. Water channel contained larger sections of exposed rock. Faster flow compared to other sections. Small falls also present.

Field R Large semi-improved grassland subdivided with drainage channels (TN5 ad TN6) with soft rush dominated marshy grassland. TN5 comprised a 3-5m wide drainage channel with thin soil and patches of exposed rock. The adjoining grassland was very tussocky.

Streamside Field S

Linear steep bank with extensive dense bracken with areas of unimproved grassland, marshy grassland, and hawthorn and willow scrub along the Nant Tyswg. The topography was varied and included steep sections with exposed rock and flatter areas of shallow soil along the banks of the watercourse. Narrow water course 50cm – 1m. Bracken and unimproved grassland dominated banks with occasional scrub. Occasional silver birch on western bank. Exposed rock in watercourse.

11

Field T Mosaic marshy grassland acidic flush. 70% rush and purple moor grass and 30% more diverse species composition to include sphagnum and sedges. The field transitions from the flatter waterlogged substrate in the north east, across a central drainage channel (soft rush marshy grassland) into the more freely draining shallower soil to the west. The flatter waterlogged areas contained abundant purple moor-grass, soft rush, heath rush, and tormentil with localised areas containing a higher coverage of bryophytes including Sphagnum (TN3 and 4) and carnation sedge. Towards the very south the substrate became drier with a high density of tussocks and more frequent mat grass, ling heather, marsh lousewort Pedicularis palustris, heath milkwort, bilberry, heath bedstraw, cross-leaved heath and sheep’s fescue. Gorse bushes and bracken also encroached into the field from the bank down to the river.


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Appendix 2

Streamside Habitats and Photographs

JER6854 Wauntysswg Farm Tredegar 1 January 2017

Table 3.1 Habitats Located Along the Cwm Ty Swg Stream Corridor

Adjacent Field Ref. Principal Habitats Photograph Description

A

SI

MG

Narrow water channel approximately 1m width. Clear water with

slow flow. Stone substrate with exposed rock along bankside.

Shallow sloping banks. Un-grazed grassland habitat on banks to

include SI and marshy grassland. Some sandy substrate areas

present where substrate has subsided. Small amount of gorse,

bracken and very small silver birches present on eastern bank.



E

SIRP

UI

Bracken

Wider 1-2m water channel. Shallow with rocky substrate. Small

rocky beach areas along meander and exposed rocks within

watercourse. Steep easterly grassland bank of semi improved

rush pasture. Short unimproved grassland on thin soil and flat

profile western bank. Bracken and marshy grassland on gentle

slope further west.



F

SIRP

MG/SR

Bracken

Wide 1-2m water channel. Shallow with rocky substrate. Gently

sloping eastern and western banks dominated by bracken and

soft rush dominated marshy grassland. Occasional hawthorn on

banks.



J – northern half

SIRP

MG/SR

Bracken

Wide 1-2m channel with exposed rocky substrate, with very

shallow and narrow watercourse, slow flow. Gently sloping

eastern and western banks dominated by bracken and soft rush

dominated marshy grassland. Occasional hawthorn on banks.

J – southern half

SIRP

Bracken

MG

Narrow water channel approximately 50cm within deep ravine.

Mature small sessile oaks located along top of gully. Very steep

(sheer) sides. Semi-improved rush pasture on eastern banks.

Bracken and marshy grassland on the western bank.



N

UI

Bracken

Scrub

Wide 2-3m water channel in steep almost cut looking banks with

gently sloping UI grassland banks to east and west. Bracken and

occasional willow, gorse and hawthorn scrub on banks. Water

channel contained larger sections of exposed rock. Faster flow

compared to other sections. Small falls also present.

Q – northern half

UI

Bracken

Gently sloping valley. Narrow water course 50cm – 1m. Bracken

and unimproved grassland dominated banks with occasional

scrub. Occasional silver birch on western bank. Exposed rock in

watercourse.



Q – southern half

SI

Bracken

Engineered channel. Vertical concrete banks. Deeper water.

Concrete bridge structure present and gravel footpath along

eastern bank. Steep bracken and grassland on eastern and

western banks with occasional willow and silver birch. Some

gorse also present.


Table 3.2 Habitats Located Along the Cwm Ty Swg Stream Corridor

Adjacent Field Ref. Principle Habitats Photograph Description

A

SI

MG

Narrow water channel approximately 1m width. Clear water with

slow flow. Stone substrate with exposed rock along bankside.

Shallow sloping banks. Un-grazed grassland habitat on banks to

include SI and marshy grassland. Some sandy substrate areas

present where substrate has subsided. Small amount of gorse,

bracken and very small silver birches present on eastern bank



E

SIRP

UI

Bracken

Wider 1-2m water channel. Shallow with rocky substrate. Small

rocky beach areas along meander and exposed rocks within

water course. Steep easterly grassland bank of semi improved

rush pasture. Short unimproved grassland on thin soil and flat

profile western bank. Bracken and marshy grassland on gentle

slope further west.



F

SIRP

MG/SR

Bracken

Wide 1-2m water channel. Shallow with rocky substrate. Gently

sloping eastern and western banks dominated by bracken and

soft rush dominated marshy grassland. Occasional hawthorn on

banks.



J – northern half

SIRP

MG/SR

Bracken

Wide 1-2m channel with exposed rocky substrate, with very

shallow and narrow watercourse, slow flow. Gently sloping

eastern and western banks dominated by bracken and soft rush

dominated marshy grassland. Occasional hawthorn on banks.

J – southern half

SIRP

Bracken

MG

Narrow water channel approximately 50cm within deep ravine.

Mature small sessile oaks located along top of gully. Very steep

(sheer) sides. Semi-improved rush pasture on eastern banks.

Bracken and marshy grassland on the western bank.



N

UI

Bracken

Scrub

Wide 2-3m water channel in steep almost cut looking banks with

gently sloping UI grassland banks to east and west. Bracken and

occasional willow, gorse and hawthorn scrub on banks. Water

channel contained larger sections of exposed rock. Faster flow

compared to other sections. Small falls also present.

Q – northern half

UI

Bracken

Gently sloping valley. Narrow water course 50cm – 1m. Bracken

and unimproved grassland dominated banks with occasional

scrub. Occasional silver birch on western bank. Exposed rock in

watercourse.



Q – southern half

SI

Bracken

Engineered channel. Vertical concrete banks. Deeper water.

Concrete bridge structure present and gravel footpath along

eastern bank. Steep bracken and grassland on eastern and

western banks with occasional willow and silver birch. Some

gorse also present.

Between Fields E

and U

SAG

The stream channel at this location (TN15, Plate 3.26) was

approximately 1m wide stream channel with localised rock

outcropping both in the channel and on the banks. . Semi-

improved acid grassland grows on the banks down to the

stream. Steep bank on the eastern side of the stream created

over time by the watercourse cutting into the base of the bank.


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Appendix 2

Upland Bird Surveys

TITLE WAUNTYSSWG FARM: UPLAND BIRD SURVEY 2017

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November 2017

WAUNTYSSWG FARM: UPLAND BIRD SURVEY 2017

Our Ref: OXF9811 RPS Willow Mere House Compass Point Business Park Stocks Bridge Way St Ives Cambridgeshire PE27 5JL Tel: +44(0)1480 466335 Email: [email protected]

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QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Prepared by: Alan Bull

Surveyors: Andrew Seth and Alan Bull

Reviewed by: Matt Fasham & Julia Ferguson

Authorised by: Tim Oliver

Date: 12/01/18

Project Number/Document Reference:

OXF9811-R-001c

Client: Elgin Energy Esco

COPYRIGHT © RPS

The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Elgin Energy Esco and shall not be distributed or made available to any other company or person without the knowledge and written consent of Elgin Energy Esco or RPS.

To achieve the study objectives stated in this report, we were required to base our conclusions on the best information available during the period of the investigation and within the limits prescribed by our client in the agreement.

No investigative method can completely eliminate the possibility of obtaining partially imprecise or incomplete information. Thus, we cannot guarantee that the investigations completely defined the degree or extent of e.g. species abundances or habitat management efficacy described in the report.

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CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 1

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

Background to the study ......................................................................................................................... 3 Aims and objectives .............................................................................................................................. 4

Survey area ............................................................................................................................................... 4

2 METHODS .................................................................................................................................................. 5

Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Limitations ................................................................................................................................................ 7

3 RESULTS ................................................................................................................................................... 8

4 EVALUATION .......................................................................................................................................... 10

Specially Protected Species .................................................................................................................. 10 Species of Conservation Importance ................................................................................................... 10 Species Abundance and Diversity ........................................................................................................ 11

5 IMPLICATIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ..................................................................... 12

Impacts of habitat loss on breeding bird assemblage ....................................................................... 12 Ground nesting birds ........................................................................................................................... 12 Scrub / tree nesting birds .................................................................................................................... 12

Impacts of construction on breeding bird assemblage ..................................................................... 13

6 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 14

7 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 15

FIGURES ......................................................................................................................................................... 16

APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................. 18

Appendix A. Full list of bird species recorded during the upland bird survey at Wauntywsswg Farm ............................................................................................................................... 18

TABLES

Table 3.1. Waders and additional species of conservation interest recorded during the survey ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Table 3.2. Status of breeding species of conservation interest recorded during the survey .......... 9

FIGURES

Figure 1.1. Surveyed area for upland birds ......................................................................................... 16 Figure 3.1. Locations of territories of birds of conservation concern .............................................. 17

Wauntysswg Farm: Upland bird survey 2017 OXF9811-R-001e 12/01/18 rpsgroup.com/uk 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

RPS was commissioned by Elgin Energy Esco to carry out a breeding wader survey to inform the planning application for a proposed Solar Park at Wauntysswg Farm, near Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent.

The aims of the survey were to provide baseline information on the current status of the survey area in respect of breeding waders and other birds of conservation concern; and to provide information for use in the design and development of any ecological mitigation and enhancement measures.

The survey area encompassed the proposed development site and adjacent habitats. The habitat types within the proposed development area included sheep-grazed semi-improved grassland, marshy grassland, scrub and trees. The land was wet, with multiple drainage ditches running east-west across the site down towards the Nant Tysswg river valley, to the west of the site.

The upland breeding wader survey was undertaken using the Brown & Shepherd (1993) upland breeding waders method. The method was adapted by undertaking three survey visits in order to survey all species of open uplands or scrubby habitats in addition to waders. Survey visits were carried out on 2nd May, 17th May and 12th June 2017.

All breeding waders and species of conservation concern were surveyed. Wherever possible fieldwork was completed on days with light winds, little precipitation and good visibility.

One species of wader (Curlew) and an additional 12 species of conservation concern were recorded during the upland breeding wader survey. Curlew and seven of the additional species of conservation concern were considered to be breeding within the survey area.

No Lapwing or any other species of wader were recorded during the survey.

None of the species considered as breeding are included on Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive or on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. One species recorded flying over the site (Peregrine) is included on both the Annex 1 list and Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, but was not breeding on site.

Five species considered as breeding (Curlew, Cuckoo, Skylark, Linnet and Reed Bunting) are included on the list of Species of Principal Importance prepared under Section 42 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

Six species considered as breeding are included on the UK and/or Welsh BoCC Red Lists. Five species considered as breeding are included on the UK and/or Welsh BoCC Amber Lists. Six species considered as breeding (Curlew, Cuckoo, Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Linnet and Reed Bunting) are priority species listed within the UK BAP and/or on the Biodiversity Action Plan for Blaenau Gwent County Borough.

No species was present in numbers approaching national significance (i.e. 1% of the UK population [Musgrove et al. 2013]).


Accurate Welsh or local population estimates are unavailable for many of the species of conservation importance recorded during the survey. However, whilst all these species are declining, with the exception of Curlew, all remain widespread in Wales and therefore are unlikely to be present on this site in numbers important at a Welsh scale.

Recent Welsh and local population figures are unavailable for Curlew. While estimates derived from Green (2002) suggest a Welsh population not exceeding 2,000 pairs, the species is still thought to be in decline and therefore the population in 2017 is likely to be below this estimate.

The estimate of one pair of Curlew present within the survey area is considered likely to be important at a local scale, possibly up to County level.

The construction of the solar farm will require development over suitable breeding habitat for ground nesting birds including Curlew, Skylark and Meadow Pipit. The layout retains field boundary scrub and the proposed development will maintain bird breeding habitat utilised by a range of breeding birds dependent on scrub habitats.

The installation of the solar panels will change the context of the agricultural fields. The potential displacement of one pair of Curlew would be considered significant at a County level. To minimise impacts on Curlew and other ground-nesting birds it is recommended that, as a minimum, suitable habitat to maintain one pair of breeding Curlew is provided off-site via appropriate habitat management, or through contribution to wider curlew conservation initiatives. The retention and management of habitat for breeding Curlew would help meet with any objectives and targets within the Blaenau Gwent Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

The development is also likely to displace a proportion of the total number of breeding pairs of skylark and meadow pipit.

The retention of the existing field boundary scrub and extensive scrub habitat alongside the Nant Tyswg stream corridor will maintain a habitat utilised by breeding pairs other species of conservation concern: Cuckoo, Grey Wagtail and Willow Warbler.

All wild birds, their nests, eggs and nestlings are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981). It is therefore a requirement that the development proposals avoid disturbance or harm to any birds breeding on the site during construction. Therefore, it is recommended that any pre-construction enabling works, including vegetation removal and soil stripping, are undertaken in the winter months (September to February inclusive) to avoid risks to breeding birds. Any vegetation clearance undertaken between March – August inclusive should be preceded by a survey for breeding birds and any nests found must be left undisturbed until the chicks have fledged.


1 INTRODUCTION

Background to the study

1.1 RPS was commissioned by Elgin Energy Esco to carry out a breeding wader survey to inform the planning application for a proposed Solar Park at Wauntysswg Farm, near Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent.

1.2 In addition to breeding waders, protected species and species of conservation interest were also recorded, including:

species listed on Annex 1 of the EC Birds Directive or species listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;

species included in the list of Species of Principal Importance prepared under Section 42 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006;

species of national or local conservation interest, for example those included in the UK or Welsh Red and Amber Lists or for which UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plans have been written; and

those occurring at a site in nationally, regionally or locally important numbers.

Legislation

1.3 The legislative provisions for the protection of wild birds in the UK are contained primarily in Section 1- 7 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended). Under the WCA, a wild bird is defined as any bird of a species that is resident in or is a visitor to the European Territory of any member state in a wild state.

1.4 All birds, their nests and eggs are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as updated by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It is an offence to:

intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird;

intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built; and

intentionally take or destroy the eggs of any wild bird.

1.5 Schedule 1 birds cannot be intentionally or recklessly disturbed when nesting and there are increased penalties for doing so. Licences can be issued to visit the nests of such birds for conservation, scientific or photographic purposes but not to allow disturbance during a development even in circumstances where that development is fully authorised by consents such as a valid planning permission.


Aims and objectives

1.6 The aims of the survey were as follows:

to provide baseline information on the current status of the survey area in respect of breeding waders and other birds of conservation concern; and

to provide information for use in the design and development of any ecological mitigation and enhancement measures.

Survey area

1.7 The survey area encompassed the proposed development site and adjacent habitats. The habitat types within the proposed development area included sheep-grazed semi-improved grassland, marshy grassland, scrub and trees. The land was wet, with multiple drainage ditches running east-west across the site down towards the Nant Tysswg river valley, to the west of the site.

1.8 A map of the development area and site location is provided in Figure 1.1.


2 METHODS

2.1 The upland breeding wader survey was undertaken using the Brown & Shepherd (1993) upland breeding waders method as described in Gilbert et al. (1998). The method was adapted by undertaking three survey visits in order to survey all species of open uplands or scrubby habitats in addition to waders.

2.2 Survey visits were carried out on 2nd May, 17th May and 12th June 2017.

2.3 All breeding waders and species of conservation concern were surveyed. Wherever possible fieldwork was completed on days with light winds, little precipitation and good visibility.

2.4 The survey area was walked in a systematic fashion during which a constant search effort was maintained. All points within the survey area were approached to within 100m. Survey routes were varied but were aimed at maximising visibility and ensuring patches of scrub, isolated trees, rocky outcrops and waterbodies were approached closely.

2.5 Special consideration was taken to minimise disturbance to parts of the survey area holding any wader territories. Whilst the survey area was walked to within approximately 100m of all points, the observer was careful to minimise the time spent near known wader territories and no effort was made to locate nests or chicks. As a result the estimate for territories of breeding birds is largely based on the numbers of singing males present and displaying behaviour indicative of breeding.

2.6 On each visit, registrations were recorded directly into ESRI Arcpad GIS software loaded onto handheld PDA devices, with a 1:10,000 scale Ordnance Survey base map of the survey area (and adjacent land). Registrations of birds were recorded using standard British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) two letter species codes (BTO 2009). Specific codes were also used to denote singing, calling, movement between areas, flight, carrying food, nest building, aggressive encounters and other behaviour.

2.7 Using the data from the four surveys, a summary map for each target species was compiled allowing the distribution of territories or breeding pairs to be identified. Where it was not possible to determine the exact limits of breeding territories, registrations of passerines showing behaviour indicative of breeding were deemed to represent discrete breeding territories / pairs if the distance between them was greater than 200m (this arbitrary distance reflects the distance birds could move between survey dates, as described in Brown & Shepherd [1993]).

2.8 A population estimate was derived by comparing summary maps for the three survey visits.

Analysis

2.9 An assessment of the ornithological importance of the survey area was made by evaluating the species recorded as breeding against the following criteria:

Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC);

Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended);


species on the list of Species of Principal Importance prepared under Section 42 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006;

Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) Red and Amber Lists for the UK (Eaton et al., 2015) and Wales (Anon., 2016);

UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) priority species (Anon, 2008);

Biodiversity Action Plan for Blaenau Gwent Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) priority species (Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, 2015); and

those occurring in nationally, regionally or locally important numbers.

2.10 Annex 1 species are those for which the UK Government are required to take special measures, including the designation of Special Protection Areas, to ensure the survival and reproduction of these species throughout their area of distribution.

2.11 The NERC list of Species of Principal Importance is used to guide decision-makers such as public bodies, including local and regional authorities, in implementing their duty under section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006; under section 40 every public authority (e.g. a local authority or local planning authority) 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. In addition, with regard to those species on the list of Species of Principal Importance prepared under section 42, the National Assembly for Wales must:

“(a) take such steps as appear to the Assembly to be reasonably practicable to further the conservation of the living organisms and types of habitat included in any list published under this section, or

(b) promote the taking by others of such steps.”

2.12 Species listed on the UK and Welsh BoCC Red Lists (of which there are currently 67 and 54 respectively) are those that have: declined in numbers by 50% over the last 25 years; shown an historical population decline between 1800 and 1995; and species that are of global conservation concern. Those species included on the Red List are of the most urgent conservation concern.

2.13 Species listed on the UK and Welsh BoCC Amber List (of which there are currently 96 and 90 respectively) include those that have shown a moderate decline in numbers (25%-49%) over the last 25 years and those with total populations of less than 300 breeding pairs. Also included are those species which represent a significant proportion (greater than 20%) of the European breeding or wintering population, those for which at least 50% of the British population is limited to 10 sites or less, and those of unfavourable conservation status in Europe.

2.14 The remaining species are placed on the Green List, indicating that they are of low conservation priority. These species still receive full protection through the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended.

2.15 The UKBAP was launched in 1994 and established a framework and criteria for identifying species and habitat types of conservation concern. From this list, action plans for priority


species of conservation concern were published, and have subsequently been amended and updated.

2.16 Species listed as priority bird species on the Blaenau Gwent LBAP have also been considered for assessment.

Limitations

2.17 There were no significant limitations encountered during the survey.


3 RESULTS

3.1 One species of wader (Curlew) and an additional 12 species of conservation concern were recorded during the upland breeding wader survey. Curlew and seven of the additional species of conservation concern were considered to be breeding within the survey area.

3.2 No Lapwing or any other species of wader were recorded during the survey.

3.3 A summary of the breeding status of the species of conservation concern recorded, with the numbers of territories identified is provided in Table 3.1. A full list of all bird species recorded during the survey is included as Appendix A.

Table 3.1. Waders and additional species of conservation interest recorded during the survey

Species Number of pairs/territories Notes Waders Curlew 1 In large field to the north-west of

Wauntysswg Farm Additional species of conservation concern Mallard Non-breeding Flyover Cuckoo Probable breeding In trees along Nant Tysswg Peregrine Non-breeding Flying over site and considered

breeding outside of the survey area

Skylark Minimum of 9 Mostly in the northern half Willow Warbler 1 In trees along Nant Tysswg Grasshopper Warbler Non-breeding Passage bird heard singing Whinchat Non-breeding Male on 2nd May Grey Wagtail 1 Observed in Nant Tysswg Tree Pipit Non-breeding Meadow Pipit Minimum of 11 Widespread Linnet 2 In gorse and scrub Reed Bunting 1 Northern half

3.4 One species (Peregrine) afforded special statutory protection under Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC) and afforded special statutory protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981, as amended) was recorded during the survey. No suitable breeding habitat is present within the survey area and the birds recorded flying over the site were presumed to be from a local population.

3.5 Table 3.2 summarises the species considered as breeding on site and included on one, or more, of the lists of species of conservation importance together with their conservation status. The location of territories of birds of conservation concern is shown in Figure 3.1.


Table 3.2. Status of breeding species of conservation interest recorded during the survey

Species Species of Principal

Importance1

Birds of Conservation

Concern Red List2

Birds of Conservation

Concern Amber List2

BAP Priority Species3

Waders Curlew ■ UK & Wales UK & LBAP Additional species of conservation concern Cuckoo ■ UK & Wales UK & LBAP Skylark ■ UK Wales UK & LBAP Willow Warbler Wales UK Grey Wagtail UK Wales LBAP Meadow Pipit UK & Wales Linnet ■ UK & Wales UK & LBAP Reed Bunting ■ UK & Wales UK & LBAP Notes on Table 3.2: 1. Species on the list of Species of Principal Importance prepared under Section 42 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006; 2. Species on the Birds of Conservation Concern Red or Amber UK and Welsh lists (Eaton et al., 2015; Anon. 2016); and 3. Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (Anon. 2008) and Blaenau Gwent LBAP (Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, 2015).


4 EVALUATION

Specially Protected Species

4.1 None of the species considered as breeding within the survey area are included on Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive or on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

4.2 One species (Peregrine) is included on both the Annex 1 list and Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, but was not breeding on site.

Species of Conservation Importance

4.3 Five species considered as breeding (Curlew, Cuckoo, Skylark, Linnet and Reed Bunting) are included on the list of Species of Principal Importance prepared under Section 42 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.

4.4 Six species considered as breeding are included on the UK and/or Welsh BoCC Red Lists. Each species and the reasons for its placement on the Red List is listed below:

Curlew (UK and Wales) - moderate decline in the UK breeding population of more than 25% but less than 50% in the last 25 years; and severe decline of more than 50% over the longer term. Severe decline in the Welsh breeding population of more than 50% in the last 25 years; and moderate decline of more than 25% but less than 50% over the longer term. Categorised as vulnerable in Europe.

Cuckoo (UK and Wales) - severe decline in the UK breeding population of more than 50% in the last 25 years and over the entire period used for assessments since the first BoCC review in 1969. Moderate decline in the Welsh breeding population of more than 25% but less than 50% in the last 25 years; and severe decline of more than 50% over the longer term.

Skylark (UK only) - severe decline in the UK breeding population, of more than 50%, over the entire period used for assessments since over the longer term; and moderate decline in the UK breeding population, of more than 25% but less than 50%, in the last 25 years.

Willow Warbler (Wales only) – severe decline in the Welsh breeding population of more than 50% over the longer term.

Grey Wagtail (UK only) - severe decline in the UK breeding population, of more than 50%, over the entire period used for assessments over the longer term; and moderate decline in the UK breeding population, of more than 25% but less than 50%, in the last 25 years.

Linnet (UK and Wales) - severe decline in the UK and Welsh breeding population, of more than 50%, over the entire period used for assessments; and moderate decline in the Welsh breeding population, of more than 25% but less than 50%, in the last 25 years.

4.5 Five species considered as breeding are included on the UK and/or Welsh BoCC Amber Lists. Each species and the reasons for its placement on the Amber List is listed below:


Skylark (Wales only) – no supporting values included within the assessment criteria.

Willow Warbler (UK only) – moderate decline in the UK breeding population of more than 25% but less than 50% in the last 25 years and over the longer term.

Grey Wagtail (Wales only) - moderate decline in the Welsh breeding population of more than 25% but less than 50% in the last 25 years

Meadow Pipit (UK and Wales) - Moderate decline in the UK breeding population, of more than 25% but less than 50% over the longer term.

Reed Bunting (UK and Wales) - Moderate decline in the UK and Welsh breeding population, of more than 25% but less than 50%, over the longer term.

4.6 Six species considered as breeding (Curlew, Cuckoo, Skylark, Grey Wagtail, Linnet and Reed Bunting) are priority species listed within the UK BAP and/or on the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Blaenau Gwent.

4.7 Inclusion on the BoCC lists or priority list in the UK BAP does not confer any statutory protection. However, the species concerned are all of conservation importance and considered to be under varying levels of threat in a UK context.

Species Abundance and Diversity

4.8 No species was present in numbers approaching national significance (i.e. 1% of the UK population [Musgrove et al. 2013]).

4.9 Accurate Welsh or local population estimates are unavailable for many of the species of conservation importance recorded during the survey. Whilst all these species are declining, with the exception of Curlew, all remain widespread in Wales and therefore are unlikely to be present on this site in numbers important at a Welsh scale.

4.10 Recent Welsh and local population figures are unavailable for Curlew. While estimates derived from Green (2002) suggest a Welsh population not exceeding 2,000 pairs, the species is still thought to be in decline and therefore the population in 2017 is likely to be below this estimate.

4.11 The estimate of one pair present within the survey area is considered likely to be important at a local scale, possibly up to County level.


5 IMPLICATIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS

Impacts of habitat loss on breeding bird assemblage

Ground nesting birds

5.1 The construction of the solar farm will require development over suitable breeding habitat for ground nesting birds.

5.2 As a result, it is considered that there may be a long-term impact, of at least local importance, on the breeding bird assemblage at Wauntysswg Farm if the current habitat on site is lost and in the absence of suitable mitigation. The impact on Curlew, if prevented from breeding by the development, may be significant at County level.

5.3 To minimise impacts on Curlew (and other ground-nesting birds) it is recommended that, as a minimum, suitable habitat to maintain at least one breeding pair of breeding Curlew is provided through contributions to wider curlew conservation initiatives (commuted sum) or through the enhancement/management of off-site land within the same ownership to deliver new potential breeding habitat for Curlew.

5.4 This will ensure that any habitat loss during construction is mitigated for and will have the objective of conserving the assemblage of ground-nesting breeding birds dependent on these habitats within the local area.

Scrub / tree nesting birds

5.5 If it is necessary to remove any scrub habitat or trees, the proposed development is likely to cause a loss of bird breeding habitat utilised by a wide range of breeding birds dependent on such habitats, including Willow Warbler and Linnet.

5.6 As a result, it is considered that there may be a long-term impact, of local importance, on the breeding bird assemblage at Wauntysswg Farm if the loss of habitat on site is significant and in the absence of suitable mitigation.

5.7 Three species of conservation concern (Willow Warbler, Linnet and Reed Bunting), considered as scrub dependent, were considered to be breeding within the Wauntysswg survey area in 2017, therefore the development proposals should seek to retain as much of the existing scrubland habitat on site as possible. This should include, but not be limited to, the boundary scrub along the western edge of the survey area, along the Nant Tysswg river corridor.

5.8 It is recommended that on-site habitat creation of similar ecological value to that currently present should be included within any landscaping plan. This will ensure that any habitat loss during construction is mitigated for and will have the objective of conserving the assemblage of breeding birds dependent on these habitats within the survey area.


Impacts of construction on breeding bird assemblage

5.9 All wild birds, their nests, eggs and nestlings are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981). It is therefore a requirement that the development proposals avoid disturbance or harm to any birds breeding on the site. Therefore, it is recommended that any pre-construction enabling works, including vegetation removal and soil stripping, are undertaken in the winter months (September to February) to avoid breeding birds.

5.10 If it is not possible to clear vegetation outside of the bird breeding season, then it will be necessary for a suitably qualified ornithologist, acting as an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to conduct a survey for nesting birds in advance of vegetation clearance. Typically, this survey will be undertaken 24 hours ahead of planned site clearance.

5.11 Should active bird nests be discovered by the ECoW, appropriate measures will be put in place to ensure that any nest found is not damaged or disturbed. There is no licence available to damage or destroy an active nest of a breeding bird at any time of year.

5.12 Protective measures, on discovery of an active nest, will involve marking a buffer around the nest within which no works will be undertaken until the nest has been judged, by a suitably qualified ornithologist, to no longer be in use (i.e. fledged young have left the nest or the nesting attempt has failed).

5.13 The radius of the protective buffer and duration it is imposed will be dependent on the species present and stage of breeding (i.e. with eggs, chicks, etc.). For the majority of birds, this buffer could be in place for up to 30 days (on the assumption of a ‘new’ nest with recently laid eggs).

5.14 Where no active nests are located, vegetation clearance must proceed immediately and should be completed within 24 hours of the inspection.


6 CONCLUSIONS

6.1 No Lapwing were recorded during the three upland wader surveys. One species of wader, (Curlew) and an additional seven species of birds of conservation concern were considered as breeding within the survey area.

6.2 With the exception of Curlew, which are potentially present in numbers of County importance, all other species were found at levels of abundance considered locally important.

6.3 The construction of the solar farm will require development over suitable breeding habitat for ground nesting birds including Curlew, Skylark and Meadow Pipit. If it is necessary to remove any scrub habitat or trees, the proposed development is also likely to cause a loss of bird breeding habitat utilised by a wide range of breeding birds dependent on such habitats, including Willow Warbler and Linnet.

6.4 As a result, it is considered that there may be a long-term impact, of local importance, on the breeding bird assemblage at Wauntysswg Farm if the current habitat on site is lost and in the absence of suitable mitigation.

6.5 To minimise impacts on Curlew off-site habitat enhancement and long term management should be proposed to offset impacts within the site. This should also maintain suitable breeding habitat for other ground nesting birds.

6.6 The development proposals should also seek to retain as much of the existing scrubland habitat on site as possible. This should include, but not be limited to, the boundary scrub along the western edge of the survey area, along the Nant Tysswg river corridor.

6.7 It is recommended that any pre-construction enabling works, including vegetation removal and soil stripping, are undertaken in the winter months (September to February) to avoid disturbance or harm to breeding birds.


7 REFERENCES

Anon. (2006). The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. HMSO, London.

Anon. (2008). UK Biodiversity Action Plan. HMSO, London.

Anon. (1981). The Wildlife & Countryside Act. HMSO, London.

Brown, A.F., & Shepherd K.B., (1993) A method for censusing upland breeding waders, Bird Study, 40:3, 189-195

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (2015). Blaenau Gwent Local Biodiversity Action Plan http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/fileadmin/documents/Resident/Countryside/LBAP_2015.pdf accessed on 4th July 2017.

Eaton, M., Aebischer, N., Brown, A., Hearn, R., Lock, L., Musgrove A., Noble D., Stroud, D. and Gregory, R. (2015). Birds of Conservation Concern 4. The population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108: 708-746

EC (2009) Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (codified version). EC, Brussels.

Gilbert, G., Gibbons, D.W. and Evans, J. (1998). Bird Monitoring Methods: A manual of techniques for key species. RSPB/BTO/JNCC/WWT/ITE/The Seabird Group. RSPB/BTO, Sandy, Beds.

Green, J. (2002). Birds in Wales 1992-2000. Welsh Ornithological Society, Cardigan.

Johnstone, I., Bladwell, S. (2016). Birds of Conservation Concern in Wales 3: the population status of birds in Wales. Birds in Wales Vol 13: No. 1

Musgrove, A., Aebischer, N., Eaton, M., Hearn, R., Newson, S., Noble, D., Parsons, M., Risely, K. & Stroud, D. (2013). Population estimates of birds in Great Britain and the United Kingdom. British Birds 106: 64-100.


FIGURES

Figure 1.1. Surveyed area for upland birds

Willow Mere House, Compass Point Business ParkStocks bridge Way, St. Ives, Cambs, PE27 5JLT: 01480 466 335 E: [email protected] F: 01480 466 911

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© 2017 RPS GroupNotes1. This drawing has been prepared in accordance with the scope ofRPS's appointment with its client and is subject to the terms andconditions of that appointment. RPS accepts no liability for any use ofthis document other than by its client and only for the purposes for whichit was prepared and provided.2. If received electronically it is the recipients responsibility to print tocorrect scale. Only written dimensions should be used.±Legend

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Figure 3.1. Locations of territories of birds of conservation concern

Willow Mere House, Compass Point Business ParkStocks bridge Way, St. Ives, Cambs, PE27 5JLT: 01480 466 335 E: [email protected] F: 01480 466 911

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Site boundary and survey boundary

Breeding bird teritoiresCuckoo (CK)

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APPENDICES

Appendix A. Full list of bird species recorded during the upland bird survey at Wauntywsswg Farm

Species Latin name Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Buzzard Buteo buteo Curlew Numenius arquata Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Peregrine Falco peregrinus Magpie Pica pica Jackdaw Corvus monedula Carrion Crow Corvus corone Raven Corvus corax Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Great Tit Parus major Coal Tit Periparus ater Skylark Alauda arvensis Swallow Hirundo rustica Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Blackbird Turdus merula Robin Erithacus rubecula Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Linnet Linaria cannabina Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus


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Appendix 3

Ecological Management Plan

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Wauntysswg Solar Farm

Ecological Mitigation Plan

On Behalf of

Elgin Energy EsCo

Date: July 2018

Our Ref: OXF9811

RPS 260 Park Avenue Aztec West, Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4SY Tel: 01454 853000 Email: [email protected]

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm ii July 2018

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Quality Management

Prepared by: Tim Oliver

Reviewed by: Nick Betson

Authorised by:

Tim Oliver

Date: March 2018

Revision:

Project Number: OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm

Document Reference: 180321 R OXF9811 TO Wauntysswg Solar Ecology Mitigation

Strategy.docx

Document File Path:

R:\Bristol Ecology Projects\B OXF9811 - Wauntysswg Solar

Park\Reports\Executive Summary and

Appendices\Appendices\Ecological Mitigation Plan\180321 R

OXF9811 TO Wauntysswg Solar Ecology Mitigation Strategy.docx

COPYRIGHT © RPS

The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Elgin Energy EsCo and


Energy EsCo or RPS.

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm iii July 2018

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Amendment Record


1 4th July 2018 Updates to incorporate

advice from NRW TO

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm iv July 2018

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Contents

Quality Management .................................................................................................................................. ii Amendment Record .................................................................................................................................. iii Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... iv Tables, Drawings & Appendices ............................................................................................................... v 1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Proposed Development ............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Site Location and Context ......................................................................................................... 1

2 Summary of Ecological Implications ....................................................................................... 3 2.1 Summary of Key Potential Impacts .......................................................................................... 3 2.2 Changes in Grassland Composition ........................................................................................ 3 2.3 Potential Hydrological Effects .................................................................................................. 4

3 Habitat Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement ................................................................... 5 3.1 Hydrological Management ........................................................................................................ 5 3.2 Habitat Protection ...................................................................................................................... 5 3.3 Impact Avoidance through Site Design ................................................................................... 6 3.4 Habitat Creation ......................................................................................................................... 8 3.5 Post Construction - Habitat Restoration ................................................................................. 8 3.6 Species Protection ..................................................................................................................... 9

4 Habitat Management and Monitoring ..................................................................................... 13 4.1 Habitat Management ................................................................................................................ 13 4.2 Monitoring ................................................................................................................................. 14

5 Summary of Management and Mitigation .............................................................................. 16 Drawings...................................................................................................................................................... 2 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................. 3

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm v July 2018

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Table

Table 5-1: Biodiversity Features and Habitat Management Objectives ..................................................... 16 Table 5-2: Habitat Management and Monitoring Commitments................................................................. 18

Drawings

JPW0622 WAU002 RevH Site Layout Plan

OXF9811-ECO-002 Curlew Habitat Assessment Plan

Appendices

Appendix 1 Curlew Habitat Assessment

OXF9811 – Wauntysswg Solar Farm 1 March 2018

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1 Background

RPS was commissioned by Elgin Energy EsCo to prepare an Ecological Mitigation Plan (EMP)

for the proposed 30 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) development on land at Wauntysswg Farm,

Abertysswg, located between Rhymney and Tredegar.

The EMP sets out the impact avoidance that will be achieved through incorporated scheme

design, and the mitigation measures that will be implemented to minimise potential adverse

ecological impacts associated with the proposed scheme. Opportunities to provide biodiversity

enhancement as part of the PV development have been reviewed and measures are included in

the actions that will increase the value biodiversity features above their current value in line with

Planning Policy Wales and the Environment Act (Wales) 2016.

The plan also references the best practice working methods that safeguard the environment

from site activities. These are due to be adopted during construction, installation and operation

and would ultimately be covered in a detailed Construction Environment Management Plan.

1.2 Proposed Development

The application includes for the installation of free-standing, static solar photovoltaic (PV)

panels anticipated to generate 30,000 kW of electricity per annum. It is anticipated that the solar

park will generate electricity every day of the year for a project lifespan of 30 years.

The solar farm comprises three main elements with supporting assets:

Solar Panel Modules (2m x 1m x 0.05 m);

Inverters;

Substation;

CCTV; and

2.54 m Security fencing.

The proposed cable route and site access road is located within an additional strip of land,

running from a crossing point of the stream to the B4256.

The development is temporary and fully reversible with the land due to be returned to

agricultural use following decommissioning works.

1.3 Site Location and Context

The proposed PV site is situated to the south of Tredegar, (centred at Ordnance Survey grid

reference SO 136 065).

The site comprises agricultural grassland fields bounded by fence-lines and bisected with

drainage channels. The application area slopes in a generally west / southwest direction, from

approximately 379 mAOD within the north eastern corner to approximately 284 mAOD along the

western extent.


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Three small watercourses flow westwards across the proposed development site into the Nant

Tysswg watercourse, in the base of the narrow valley (Cwm Tysswg) to the west of the solar

arrays. The Nant Tysswg flows south joining the Rhymney River over 1km south of the site

beyond the village of Abertysswg.

Designations

An extensive county designated site Mynydd Bedwellte SINC, bounds much of the application

site to the east. A small waterbody bounded by unimproved grassland within the SINC is

located beyond the eastern site boundary. A second county designated site, Sheepfold

Grassland SINC, lies beyond the northern site boundary separated from the site by a drainage

channel.

Habitats

Within the application site, the larger fields are short grazed and species-poor, having been

subject to agricultural management and improvement over the long term. Wetter fields of semi-

improved rush pasture are also subject to significant agricultural management and are generally

species-poor.

The ground conditions/soils are wet or waterlogged during the winter months. Localised areas

of semi-natural marshy grassland occur towards the site boundaries with localised areas of

purple moor-grass on peat soils. Some acidic flush habitat with Sphagnum mosses occurring

on saturated ground with surface water flow. These flushes create a habitat mosaic as part of

the marshy grassland.

There are also localised areas of unimproved acid grassland and semi-improved acid

grassland, primarily associated with the base of the valley beyond the western site boundary.

Conifer plantation woodland is located in the southern part of the site, with a larger block in the

south-eastern corner.

Detailed habitat descriptions are provided in the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal report

prepared by RPS. The site survey was undertaken in November 2016, but detailed species lists

were compiled with the majority of the species composition identifiable from the visible

vegetation. The habitats crossed by western access road and cable route were subsequently

surveyed in July 2017.

Landscape Context

The wider landscape comprises undulating upland topography with a mixture of grassland

habitats primarily used for stock grazing interspersed with waterbodies and watercourses.

Tredegar and Rhymney golf course is located further west, as is the village of Pontlottyn.

Extensive conifer plantation woodland extends southwards beyond the site boundary.


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2 Summary of Ecological Implications

2.1 Summary of Key Potential Impacts

The Mitigation Plan addresses the potential for habitats, species and features to be affected by

the installation of the solar park and associated infrastructure. The potential impacts that could

arise are listed below.

Construction – Potential Direct impacts

Temporary disturbance of habitats during installation of solar panels

Localised loss associated with the access road and infrastructure

Construction of single access road bridge over the Nant Tysswg

Bridging smaller watercourses, ditches and field boundaries with water flow

Temporary impacts from cable route trenching

Construction – Potential Indirect impacts

Construction activities adjacent to designated site (SINC) and ecologically valuable habitat

Displacement of ground nesting birds of active nest sites

Construction adjacent to and within habitats with the potential to support reptiles

Dust deposition of vegetation

Noise impacts on faunal species

Operation – Potential Direct and Indirect Impacts

Changes in vegetation composition of pasture fields from shading

Changes to hydrology, channelling of rainwater run off from panels and the functioning of

field boundaries, small ditch channels and watercourses (see Section 3.2)

2.2 Changes in Grassland Composition

Much of the solar array footprint is located in improved pasture / poor semi-improved pasture of

very low ecological value. A small proportion of the footprint of the solar arrays will be located

in or directly adjacent to (species-poor) rush pasture, which although not of intrinsically high

value has greater ecological value than the short grazed improved swards and contributes to

the site’s overall biodiversity value.

The avoidance of the extensive areas of higher value grassland/wetland habitat limits negative

impacts. The main effects will be on lower value pasture habitats where the impact on

biodiversity will be very low and easily mitigated through enhancement of boundary grassland.

There will be temporary disturbance of localised areas of more species-diverse marshy

grassland on the north-western and south-eastern edges of the solar array. Shading within

these more diverse areas of grassland would be expected to lead to some change in the


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species assemblage and would be likely to favour species not tolerant of partial shade and drier

ground conditions.

2.3 Potential Hydrological Effects

Mitigation for biodiversity is built into site design to prevent any significant alteration to the

current hydrological characteristics of site, including springs, diffuse surface water flow, small

seasonally wet channels and watercourses. The protection of the hydrological system will

safeguard the status of the more diverse marshy grassland and flush habitats that are

maintained by waterlogging and diffuse surface water movement.


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3 Habitat Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement

3.1 Hydrological Management

The features of many of the higher value habitats adjacent to the proposed solar arrays are

maintained by the existing hydrological system.

The surface water flow pathways in the completed development at the application site will

continue to follow the natural land contours and remain broadly downslope in a westerly or

south-westerly direction.

The detailed design of the scheme will be designed to:

Replicate natural drainage patterns, including the recharge of groundwater so that base

flows are maintained.

Reduce the peak flow to the Nant Twysswg and watercourses following into it

Reduce the total volume of water flowing directly into watercourses

Waterlogged peat soils to the south and to the north support semi-natural vegetation fed by

springs, rivulets and surface water flow. Parts of the ground are waterlogged for the majority of

the year and the development is being designed to maintain this functionality to protect the

biodiversity value of species-diverse marshy grassland and acid flush.

The new SuDS scheme would work in conjunction with existing field drainage to manage the

discharge of water from the site and maintain surface water flows through areas of marshy

grassland on the field margins and in more extensive marshy grassland beyond the footprint of

the solar arrays to the north and south.

The implementation of best practice environmental protection will also importantly protect the

flow and quality of water in the smaller watercourses and ditch channels and in turn, the status

of the Nant Tysswg downstream of the site.

3.2 Habitat Protection

Mynydd Bedwellte SINC

All off-site habitats will be protected from adverse impacts as a result of site activities. A

minimum stand-off will be created between the development working area and the boundary of

the SINC adjoining the development boundary to the east.

The stand offs will be created by Heras fencing installed in accordance with BS: 5837. No

contractors or machinery will be permitted into the exclusion zone for the duration of the

construction works.


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Good environmental working practices will be employed across the whole development site and

will be the means through which the features of the adjoining SINC will be protected on the

eastern boundary.

3.3 Impact Avoidance through Site Design

The solar arrays have been located within improved pasture / poor semi-improved pasture

wherever practical. These agriculturally modified and managed habitats have very low

ecological value and the ecological impact of the development in these areas will be very

limited. Some sections of the solar arrays unavoidably overlap agriculturally managed rush

pasture, but these habitats are also subject to agricultural management and are species-poor.

Marshy Grassland / Acid Flush

The extensive areas of purple moor-grass marshy grassland and acid flush plant communities

are located outside the footprint of the solar arrays to the south and beyond the application site

boundary to the north.

The northern marshy grassland habitat will remain unaffected by the development. Springs

within the area will continue to function and maintain waterlogged conditions within this habitat.

The site layout has been modified to avoid any direct impacts on the southern area of marshy

grassland/acid flush.

The hydrological management (SuDS) will maintain water flow, and water quality to prevent any

adverse changes as a result of the solar park development.

A small area of purple moor-grass and acid flush lies beneath the solar panels in the north-

western part of the solar park and small scale loss will result from the construction of the access

road in this location. As compensation, new areas of marshy grassland habitat will be

established in the southern part of the landholding beyond the southern boundary of the solar

arrays (see Section 3.4).

Unimproved acid grassland and semi-improved acid grassland

The unimproved and semi-improved acid grassland alongside the stream lies beyond the

perimeter fence of the solar park outside of the development. The perimeter fence will be

installed on this boundary prior to construction to maintain a barrier between the site and the

high value adjoining habitat into which site contractors cannot access.

A very narrow strip of relatively lower diversity unimproved acid grassland is present on the

banks of the south-eastern boundary drainage channel. This feature will lie within the stand off

between the perimeter fence and SINC boundary.


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Nant Tysswg Bridge Crossing

A single access road will need to be constructed over the stream at the northern end of

application site. A low impact bridge design will be employed to span the 1-2m section of

watercourse. The ground alongside the eastern side of the stream is banked up and there will

be localised ground remodelling and temporary disturbance across the working area needed for

construction.

Once the bridge design and construction methods have been defined and task specific

ecological method statements should be prepared for the works adjacent to streams defining

the working area, watercourse protection measures, broader environmental protection

procedures, and post-works habitat restoration for remodelled ground and areas that have been

temporarily disturbed.

Smaller Watercourses and Drainage Channel Crossings

The site layout has specifically incorporated stand-offs from watercourses and the drainage

channels wherever possible. The hydrological functioning of the drainage channels around the

boundaries of the semi-improved grasslands should be maintained by avoiding any severage or

loss of channels, the blocking of surface flows or diversion of flows from springs.

Designing and implementing good working practice should ensure that the development

protects the environment alongside the construction area and solar development during

operation. Measures should be fully implemented to ensure that water quality is not altered and

that robust pollution prevention is built into site operations to safeguard the value of biodiversity

features and associated faunal species.

The access road will bridge three smaller watercourses and as with the bridge over the Nant

Tysswg, a low impact design will be used, equivalent to simple bridging structure used on golf

courses.

Smaller field boundary crossings will be crossed or bridged. Detailed road design will

incorporate features that will maintain seasonal surface water flow along the field boundaries

prevent surface water pooling for long periods, upslope side of the road and the drying out of

habitats downslope of the access road.

Scrub and Trees

A Tree Protection Plan has been produced for the development with all the larger trees

associated with the stream and feeder channels to be retained within the scheme design along

with the block of mature willow scrub. Root Protection Areas will be used during construction to

avoid damage to root systems through excavation or ground compaction.


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Ponds

There are no ponds within the application site and a single pond outside of the application site

to the east (within the SINC designation). The pond lies in the base of a depression and is

largely enclosed by steep banked unimproved grassland banks.

The stand off to be created from the boundary of the SINC designation and undulating ground

surrounding the pond create a substantial buffer between the perimeter of the working area and

the open water. No additional protection measures are required beyond the implementation of

environmental best practice at all times.

3.4 Habitat Creation

New marshy grassland habitat is to be established in the southern part of the application site

(outside of the footprint of the solar arrays) on ground that is currently conifer plantation.

The new habitat will be approximately 1,750m2 in extent, and will offset the localised impacts on

purple moor-grass marshy grassland and acid flush plant communities, temporary disturbance

during construction.

Conifers will be felled in the south-eastern conifer block located alongside the established high

value marshy grassland habitat. The exact location of felling will be defined on the ground,

selecting optimal waterlogged ground conditions on soils with a peat component.

Ground manipulation where conifers have been felled will be designed to promote diffuse

surface water flow and the development of marshy grassland where there are existing springs

and surface water flow. Decomposing conifer needles (and up to 50mm of topsoil) will be

selectively stripped to expose the soils and promote natural colonisation. Where machinery is

required it will be low load bearing to avoid damage to habitats and compaction.

The size of stripped areas will be limited to specifically avoid leaving ground that would be

prone to soil erosion and gullying.

The proposed location for the creation of new habitat adjoins the existing species-rich grassland

will have similar soils and waterlogging and should maximise the natural colonisation of marshy

grassland species.

In the short to medium term a semi-natural habitat of high value for biodiversity in the context of

the site should establish supported by appropriate management.

3.5 Post Construction - Habitat Restoration

Where the existing field drainage system is affected by construction activities it will be restored

during or immediately following construction.

All tracks and access roads will be made out of permeable material (gravel or reinforced grass)

reducing any potential increase in runoff. Additional measures (silt traps) will be incorporated

into the system so that suspended sediments within site drains do not enter the streams.


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The potential for soil compaction will be controlled through restrictions on vehicle access during

construction and decommissioning. Only light machinery will be used to install the solar panels

and machinery with low ground pressure vehicles will be used in all areas of waterlogged

ground and across the whole site during and after extreme rainfall events.

Remedial measures will be employed in any areas where construction has resulted in soil

compaction. These areas between panel rows would be tilled / scarified to a depth of at least

250mm and then re-seeded or allowed to naturally revegetate. An agricultural species mix

would be used for reinstatement of pasture fields.

Reinstatement of field margins would be undertaken where there has been damage. This will

be through decompaction of ground where it has been tracked over and subsequent ground

preparation for the re-establishment of a vegetation cover. This will be achieved through

encouraging natural colonisation/regeneration; supplemented by the seeding of a skeletal

marshy grassland seed mix comprising species native to the local area. mix or where a

vegetation cover is required more quickly. The mix must comprising locally native species such

as sweet vernal grass, common bent, tufted hair-grass, greater bird’s-foot trefoil, common

fleabane and devil’s bit scabious.

During operation, maintenance of infrastructure will be limited and only require light machinery,

therefore no change in the existing permeability of the soil would be caused.

The drains and SuDS will be maintained by the client for the life of the project who will be

responsible for delivering the commitments, assessing ground conditions and implementing

remedial measures.

3.6 Species Protection

Bats

Bat Roost Potential

The complex of farm buildings located beyond the eastern boundary of the application site and

will remain part of the operational farm with no change in structures or lighting as a result of the

development. There will be no direct or indirect impacts and their potential value for roosting

bats will remain at its current levels.

An adit/cave with the entrance alongside the stream at the base of the bank will be within the

contractor exclusion area with no permitted access. The adit will remain accessible for use by

bats throughout the operational life. The perimeter fence will create full separation between the

adit and the operational site and there is no public access in this location.

Long lasting woodcrete bat boxes will installed on larger trees within the stream corridor (Tree

Ref G8, T21, T6 and T22). Two bat boxes will be installed above 3m on the main trunk of each

tree with boxes orientated with south-east and south west facing aspects.


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Bats – Foraging Resources

The site layout and protection of wide field boundaries with an associated tussocky and marshy

grassland cover will maintain the value of the landholding for bats alongside the solar arrays.

The fields on which the panels will be installed are of generally low value would not be expected

to be areas over which bats frequently feed. The perimeter fencing will maintain separation

between the streamside habitats and both construction and operation. Consequently, the

streamside habitats trees will remain unaffected.

There will be direct connectivity between the stream and the marshy field boundaries which will

both remain available to bats as a flight line and foraging area. In addition, the retention and

creation of additional marshy grassland in the southern part of the application site will develop

further habitats of value for foraging bats. The adjoining retained parts of the conifer plantation

will provide sheltered conditions in which bat prey species would be expected to occur in high

abundance. Long term low intensive management will be designed to maintain dense, tussocky

marshy vegetation on the field boundaries and in turn an abundance of airborne invertebrates.

In addition, as part of best practice site design, the whole solar park site will remain unlit at night

with decrease in the value of the valley for light sensitive bat species that typically avoid areas

that are artificially lit.

Overall the scheme will retain flight lines and high value foraging areas and over the lifetime of

the development should maintain at least equivalent value for foraging bats supplemented by

additional artificial roost opportunities close to potential flight lines.

Breeding Birds

The site layout has been designed to protect nesting habitats for many species with the

retention of patches of dense scrub, extensive gorse thicket and scattered larger trees. Much of

these habitats occur within the stream corridor on the steep bank beyond the western boundary

of the solar park development. The wider Nant Tysswg corridor downstream of the site will

provides many further opportunities for the local assemblage of breeding species. These high

value breeding habitats are separated from the application site by perimeter fencing and

breeding habitat used by the majority of the assemblage of species including willow warbler,

linnet, and reed bunting will remain undisturbed.

Ground Nesting Birds – Commuted Land

As part of the development proposal, off-site habitat enhancement is being proposed to

enhance habitats for curlew on the western side of the valley through the ground manipulation

to create localised pooling and adapting management techniques to maintain a medium height

sward height favoured by breeding curlew.

The compensation area includes extensive areas of currently short grazed pasture located on

the top of the hill on the western side of the Nant Tysswg and areas of steeper sloping land with

dense soft rush, purple moor-grass and bracken. The features would be managed to enhance


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their value as nesting and foraging habitat for curlew during the breeding season. There are

flushes on the hillside with variable cover of soft rush. Curlew abundance has also been

positively related to wet flush habitat and variation in vegetation height. The presence of good

quality foraging habitat close by will increase the likelihood of use. Overall, the transitions

between habitats create a mosaic of cover increasing the potential suitability of the hillside for

ground nesting birds based on a changed management regime. The extent of the

compensation land is illustrated on the Curlew Habitat Assessment Plan (Ref OXF9811-ECO-

002). Management of the more improved pasture (previously subject to high grazing pressure)

should target reducing compaction of the soil and enhancing soil invertebrate abundance.

Additional Control Measures

Additional land use controls would need to be implemented to increase the quality of the habitat

for curlew.

Measures will need to be employed to deter recreational access and prevent access by users of

scrambler motorbikes.

There will be no tree planting on the western side of the valley which could reduce the quality of

the designated enhancement area for curlew.

Provision of Additional Nest Features

Cavities in buildings outside the application site also provide additional nesting opportunities.

Additional woodcrete nest boxes could be installed on the main trunks of retained trees over 3m

above ground level (oak tree, T6 and larger birch trees within the tree group, G7).

Nest Avoidance and Protection Procedures

Species protection measures will be employed during the installation of solar arrays and the

construction of infrastructure to avoid/reduce impacts on ground nesting birds. Where the

ground needs to be stripped, this will be undertaken outside of the nesting season, wherever

practical. For areas subject to waterlogging each winter the ground stripping should be

undertaken in September/October.

During the breeding season (generally considered to run from 1st March to 31st August) the

presence of ground nesting birds will be checked in fields immediately prior to installation. All

active nests and dependent young will need to be protected from any damage or injury to

comply with the provisions of the WCA 1981, (as amended).

Reptiles

Under the precautionary principle it is assumed that common lizard will be present within or on

land adjoining the application. The steep ground densely vegetated ground along the eastern

side of the stream is the area most likely to support common lizard and the presence of adder is

also possible. The marshy grassland south of the solar array footprint and the unimproved


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grassland and pond to the east of the application site also have the potential to support adder

as well as common lizard. The presence of slow-worm is also possible but much less likely.

Grass snake is very unlikely occur with sparse records in this region of Wales from more

lowland locations.

Reptile habitat is being protected within the site design through the retention of higher value

habitat; marshy grassland, tussocky grassland, bracken, and gorse on the field boundaries and

on the steeper banked ground to the east of the Nant Tysswg.

The stand off between the solar panels and the field boundaries creates a connected network of

habitat with cover, along which reptile species could move without being easily visible to

predators. Where there is currently heavily grazed vegetation on the field boundaries, they will

be oversown with a tussocky grassland seed mix comprising native species to enhance the

level of cover.

Areas of stones and exposed rock close to longer vegetation primarily occur close to field

boundaries and will be incorporated into unshaded linear habitats.

Three above ground reptile hibernacula will be constructed in sheltered locations that will not be

waterlogged in winter on or adjacent to the west facing bank above the stream within the

landholding and adjoining the application site. Each hibernaculum will constructed with a core

of stone and wood into which cavities will be created for use by reptiles. The core material will

be covered in a 0.5m thick layer of soil to provide insulation in winter. The structure will leave

only narrow access points into the core to prevent colonisation by rats or access by other

mammal species that will prey on reptiles.

In any locations where rocks or stones (piles or part buried) fall within areas of solar panel

installation, these stones will be lifted and used to create new basking and cover in relatively

sheltered locations on the field boundaries

Permanent reptile habitat around the solar arrays and adjoining the application will provide

sufficient food, cover and hibernation opportunities to sustain any populations currently present

at the site and would enable future colonisation. Long term management will be to maintain the

value of these features for reptile species over the lifetime of the development to ensure that

there is no adverse effect on reptile populations from the changed context of the constructed

solar park.


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4 Habitat Management and Monitoring

4.1 Habitat Management

The pasture fields will continue to be grazed by sheep to manage the sward. The field

boundaries will remain unshaded with a stand off from the perimeter fence built into the layout

of the solar arrays. Other management actions will be designed to be straightforward and

easily implementable by a landscape contractor.

Monitoring of the outcomes resulting from management will be undertaken during construction

and over the operational life. Where mitigation and management is not delivering level of

compensation needed to achieve no net loss of biodiversity value then further enhancement

and/or remedial measures will be employed.

The surface water hydrology will be managed to maintain its current functionality with the

protection of springs and watercourses feeding into the Nant Tysswg. Areas of diffuse surface

water flow over peaty soils (south of the solar arrays) will be maintained to safeguard the flush

habitats from the outset of construction and over the lifetime of the development.

Commuted Land

Part of the land on the opposite side of the valley is being proposed as compensation land for

ground nesting birds including curlew. It will be subject to an amended management regime to

promote its value for ground nesting birds and develop high quality nesting habitat for breeding

curlew comprising a mosaic of shorter sward height foraging areas and taller nesting areas,

close to pools/flushes.

A rough pasture grazing regime with a low stocking density of sheep will be used to create an

extensive sward of a height and structure preferred by nesting curlew. Initial ground

manipulation may be required to locally modify the ground to allow localised pooling.

Existing and new post and wire fencing will be used to define the boundary of the enhancement

land and create full separation with parts of the hillside where the stocking density will remain

high. Management of more improved pasture should target reducing

Heavily grazed pasture at the top of the hill would be subject to decompaction to break up the

soil and enhancing soil invertebrate abundance, particularly earthworms.

Management Options

Management would promote variation in vegetation height including areas of cover for nesting

sites and shorter grazed pasture (including areas with wet flushes) for foraging. The vegetation

management would be designed to create a mosaic of shorter foraging areas and taller nesting

areas with flushes and potentially small pools. Areas of flush would be managed to reduce the


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rush cover and promote more open vegetation and potentially establish small pools. Chicks

feed on cranefly larvae which are usually associated with flush habitats and shallow open water.

Existing habitats on the top of the hillside would need to be modified to become rough grassy

pasture adjoining short vegetation flush and marshy grassland. The short grazed pasture would

be modified to become extensive rough grassy pasture through reducing stocking densities,

lowering the grazing pressure and allowing a longer patchy grassland sward to develop.

Selected areas of grassland could also be subject to hay meadow type management where

needed. Any cutting would always be outside of the nesting season after chicks will have fully

fledged. Selected flush habitats, located close to rough pasture/hay meadow, should be

specifically managed to maintain a short vegetation cover.

The mixture of rough low tussocky pasture and flush habitat and wet grassland should increase

the value of existing habitats and develop features of much higher potential value for curlew and

other ground nesting birds.

4.2 Monitoring

The objectives with regard to retaining the biodiversity status of the application site during

construction and over the lifetime of the development will be assessed through a targeted

programme of monitoring.

Protection Measures - Construction

The implementation of mitigation measures (including exclusion fencing, working area stand

offs/buffer zones, low impact bridge installation and hydrological protection measures) should

be simply documented and photographed by the site construction team to keep a formal record

of the implementation of these measures. An ecologist will be instructed to complete periodic

inspections to input into the record of compliance.

Provision of Biodiversity – Operational Phase

The development proposal has been designed to safeguard biodiversity alongside the

development. The extent to which this is being achieved should be monitored at intervals over

the lifespan of the solar park. Habitat monitoring will specifically cover the following elements.

Status and botanical composition of existing high value habitats downslope of the solar park

(marshy grassland, unimproved grassland, semi-improved acid grassland)

Establishment of new marshy grassland and sphagnum moss in areas of cleared conifer

plantation

Overview of the extent and structure of field boundary marshy grassland

Review continued potential value for faunal species; bats, reptiles, breeding birds

Where monitoring identifies that grazing pressure is too high and adversely affecting the

biodiversity value of the site then the stocking densities and the grazing regime will be modified.


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The frequency of monitoring of the created habitats will be annual for at least the first three

years following installation and completion of the habitat creation and the results reported

annually. After the initial three year post-construction monitoring period, following new habitat

establishment, if the annual monitoring confirms that the status of habitats is stable and that

there are no adverse changes or factors which require remedial action, the frequency of full

habitat monitoring surveys would be reduced to once every three years throughout the

operational life of the scheme.

The monitoring results will feedback into the biodiversity management practices. In the event of

unforeseen adverse impacts, remedial actions will be promptly implemented to avoid further

adverse change to the biodiversity value of the site.

Commuted Land

Commuted land habitat assessment and breeding bird monitoring will be undertaken on an

annual basis for the first 5 years.

The monitoring will assess the use of the enhancement area by ground nesting birds and review

the overall nesting habitat potential on an annual basis for the first 5 years as the habitat is

modified.

Each year sufficient breeding bird survey visits will be undertaken during the key breeding

season March – June) to confirm presence absence of pairs of key species and their breeding

status/success. Where possible the broad location of nest sites will also be identified. This will

typically involve six survey visits between March and July. The curlew enhancement land

habitat assessment would be undertaken in June alongside the breeding bird monitoring.

The results of the monitoring of the curlew habitat enhancement land will be fully presented in

an annual report. Where monitoring identifies that conditions of the enhancement area are sub-

optimal, recommendations will be made for modification to management practices, stocking

densities, enclosures, or the need for additional control measures such as electric fencing to

reduce predation.

The proposed amendments to the management regime would be agreed with the LPA and

NRW and would be formally incorporated into an updated management plan.


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5 Summary of Management and Mitigation

Table 5-1: Biodiversity Features and Habitat Management Objectives

Feature / Species Proposed Mitigation/Management

Nature Conservation Designations

Mynydd Bedwellte SINC • Protect from direct and indirect impacts through contractor exclusion

areas delineated by perimeter fencing and signage and enforced

through site inductions and good construction site management

Habitats

Improved pasture/species-

poor rush pasture • Maintain ground cover vegetation in good condition in those areas

receiving runoff from the solar panels

• Implement a controlled regime of sheep grazing beneath the panels

• Maintain rush dominated field margins and more species-diverse semi-

improved grassland

• Design in unshaded grassland receiving runoff from each row of solar

panels

• Maintain surface water run off into field boundaries and ditches feeding

watercourses

Unimproved acid

grassland,

Purple moor-grass marshy

grassland

• Maintain diffuse surface water flow over acid flush plant communities

• Create new marshy grassland on areas on peaty soils currently

beneath conifer plantations adjacent to existing high value

grassland/flush habitat

• Periodically monitoring composition of high value habitat and

implement remedial measures where there are unforeseen impacts

Semi-improved acid

grassland • Minimise loss through layout design

• Create new marshy grassland habitat

• Controlled stocking density grazing or mechanical cutting of more

species-diverse semi-improved grassland

Dense scrub and trees • Retention of mature and semi-mature native trees

• Retention of willow block and extensive gorse


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• Minimisation of the loss of scrub (isolated individual shrubs)

• New shrub and tree planting using species native to the local area

Nant Tyswg, small

watercourses and

waterbodies

• Protect from direct and indirect impacts including stand-off from

construction working areas and access tracks

• Low impact design and construction of bridges over watercourses

Drainage ditches (species-

poor marshy grassland) • Protect and maintain hydrological connectivity/function downslope of

the channels and clean surface water flow into the Nant Tyswg

Species

Bats – Roosts • Avoid indirect impacts on the complex of farm buildings

• Retain and protect mature trees

• Install artificial bat boxes in sheltered locations

Bats - Activity • Protect streams and streamside vegetation

• Avoid the use of artificial lighting that could disrupt flight lines

Birds – On-site • Retention and protection of scrub habitats associated with

watercourses and the western boundary stream corridor.

• Timing of ground preparation and installation of solar panels to avoid

the active nesting season

• Working outside bird breeding season may be not possible in some

area of the site due to waterlogging. Where ground nesting birds are

likely to be present construction/soil stripping will be programmed in

Sept / Oct.

• Install artificial bird nest boxes

• Avoidance of artificial lighting within the site

Birds – Curlew Habitat

Enhancement Area • Off-site habitat enhancement, and management for curlew and other

ground nesting birds

• Modification of short grazed pasture to develop rough grassy structure

with variation in vegetation height (long and short vegetation, flushes

and marshy grassland)

• Ground manipulation to promote localised pooling

• Decompaction of the ground surface across heavily grazed pasture


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Amphibians • Protection of off-site pond and adjoining tussocky grassland

Reptiles • Retention and protection of key habitats of potential value for reptiles

• Implementation of species protection measures during the creation of

the access road, trenching of the cable route and installation of the

solar panels and associated infrastructure Management of habitats to

control grazing pressure on the field boundaries to retain extensive

tussocky grassland

• Monitoring of the potential value for reptiles (habitat structure)

Invertebrates • Retention of unimproved acid grassland and purple moor-grass

marshy grassland

• Protection of watercourses and adjoining habitats

• Retention mature trees, scrub and tussocky grassland field margins

Table 5-2: Habitat Management and Monitoring Commitments

Habitat Type Management Monitoring

Existing Marshy

Grassland/Acid Flush

Low stock density sheep grazing -

seasonal

Implement remedial measures if there

are negative changes in

Sphagnum moss cover or reduction

in value of the grassland

Assess hydrological function

Assess sphagnum cover

Assess botanical composition

New Marshy Grassland Low stock density sheep grazing -

seasonal

Implement remedial measures if there

are negative changes in

Sphagnum moss cover or reduction

in value of the grassland

Assess hydrological function

Assess botanical composition

Assess development of

Sphagnum

Pasture and Rush Pasture Sheep grazing

Review effects of shading and

surface water run off on species

composition and vegetation

cover


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Field boundaries and Small

Streams

Sheep grazing

(potentially supplemented by rush

cutting)

Establishment of tussocky grassland

Hydrological function –

maintenance of existing marshy

grassland habitats along all field

boundaries

Reptile habitat suitability

Nant Tysswg Streamside grassland

Trees

Good environmental best practice

Artificial Structures Replace any lost or damaged boxes Continued presence of bat boxes

and bird boxes on trees

Inspections of bat boxes by NRW

bat survey licence holder

Curlew Habitat

Enhancement Area

Low intensity grazing / targeted

cutting / post and wire fencing

Annual breeding bird surveys for

the first 5 years

Annual Habitat Assessment for

the first 5 years

Post 5 year period Breeding bird

monitoring surveys every three

years over the lifetime of the

scheme


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Drawings


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Appendices


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Appendix 1

Curlew Habitat Assessment

TITLE

WAUNTYSSWG FARM

CURLEW HABITAT ASSESSMENT

rpsgroup.com/uk

October 2017

WAUNTYSSWG FARM: CURLEW HABITAT ASSESSMENT

Our Ref: OXF9811 RPS Willow Mere House Compass Point Business Park Stocks Bridge Way St Ives Cambridgeshire PE27 5JL Tel: +44(0)1480 466335 Email: [email protected]

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QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Prepared by: Helen Riley

Surveyors: Helen Riley and Tim Oliver

Reviewed by: Tim Oliver

Authorised by: Tim Oliver

Date: 10/10/17

Project Number/Document Reference:

OXF9811-R-002c

Client: Elgin Energy Esco

COPYRIGHT © RPS

The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Elgin Energy Esco and shall not be distributed or made available to any other company or person without the knowledge and written consent of Elgin Energy Esco or RPS.

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CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1

Scope of Work .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Background to the Study ......................................................................................................................... 1 Walkover Survey........................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Aims and objectives .............................................................................................................................. 1

2 CURLEW BREEDING HABITAT REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................. 2

Nesting Habitat ......................................................................................................................................... 2 Breeding Behaviour ................................................................................................................................. 2 Factors Affecting Conservation Status .................................................................................................. 2 Breeding Success Studies ...................................................................................................................... 3 Optimal Nesting and Foraging Habitat ................................................................................................... 3

3 HABITAT ASSESSMENT .......................................................................................................................... 4

Land West of the Nant Twysswg - Habitat Assessment....................................................................... 4

4 OFF-SITE COMPENSATION ..................................................................................................................... 8

Potential for Off-site Compensation ....................................................................................................... 8

5 CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 10

6 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 11

APPENDICES ...................................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

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PLATES

Plate 3.1 Mosaic of pasture, marshy grassland, bracken and unimproved grassland on the hillside west side of the Nant Tywsswg ............................................................................................................... 4

TABLES

Table 3.1 Habitat Review......................................................................................................................... 5

Wauntysswg Farm: Curlew Habitat Assessment 2017 OXF9811-R-002 09/10/17 rpsgroup.com/uk 1

1 INTRODUCTION

Scope of Work

1.1 RPS was commissioned by Elgin Energy Esco to carry out a curlew habitat assessment of land to the west of the planning application for a proposed Solar Park at Wauntysswg Farm, near Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent.

1.2 The survey covered a 72ha area of upland habitat on the western side of the valley, separated from the proposed Solar Park by an upland stream, the Nant Tywsswg. The survey area and proposed development area are shown in Figure 1. The survey was undertaken on 25 September 2017 by Helen Riley and Tim Oliver.

1.3 The walkover specifically assessed the potential of the habitats to support nesting curlew (and other ground-nesting birds) outside the proposed Solar Park but within the same land ownership. Consideration was given to habitat type, current structure and the scope for management to enhance the potential value for curlew and other birds.

Aims and objectives

1.4 The aims of the assessment are as follows:

Describe the breeding biology of curlew;

Describe habitat management required to benefit breeding curlew;

Review the off-site habitats and their current suitability for breeding curlew; and

Assess the potential for habitat enhancement for curlew through habitat creation/change in management practice.

Background to the Study

1.5 A breeding bird survey carried out at the site in 2017 recorded a single curlew territory in a short grazed pasture field within the footprint of the proposed Solar Park, to the north-west of Wauntysswg Farm (RPS 2017a). This survey did not include the area which is the subject of this report (to the west of the proposed solar park development).

1.6 The layout of the solar panel arrays (proposed solar farm proposed development area) overlaps the area in which the curlew territory was recorded and it is almost certain that the fields utilised by curlew in 2017 would no longer be suitable for nesting by curlew following the development.

1.7 Thus there is the potential loss of a breeding pair of curlew as a result of the development. This impact may be significant at County level, as curlew is a red-listed species of conservation concern in the UK and Wales (Eaton et al. 2015).

1.8 The successful management of off-site habitats and their use by breeding curlew would help meet with any objectives and targets within the Blaenau Gwent Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Management should also benefit the conservation of the assemblage of ground-nesting breeding birds.


2 CURLEW BREEDING HABITAT REQUIREMENTS

2.1 The curlew is a large wading bird (length 55cm, wingspan 90cm (BTO 2017), about the same height as a female pheasant) which is widespread in upland areas of the UK during the breeding season. The Welsh breeding curlew population in 2006 was estimated to be 1,099 pairs (Fisher and Walker 2015) and will have declined further over the last 10 years.

Nesting Habitat

2.2 Curlews typically require damp grassland, rough pasture and heath where there is abundant invertebrate prey. Nesting pairs favour land kept under low intensity cattle grazing regimes which promote a mosaic of tall and short vegetation to be created.

2.3 In Wales, breeding curlews are found only on land subject to farm management. Optimum habitat is reported to be increasingly scarce. Pairs recorded nesting on improved rush pastures and silage fields are selecting sub-optimal habitat and the breeding success in these habitats is often poor.

Breeding Behaviour

2.4 Curlews return to breeding areas between late February and mid-April. They nest on the ground, laying clutches (typically 4 eggs) between mid-April and the end of May, which are incubated for 27-29 days. Curlew chicks leave the nest within a day of hatching (they are precocial) and forage for themselves rather than being fed by the adult birds. Chicks are flightless until the flight feathers are fully developed and fledge at 32-38 days (timing of breeding taken from BTO 2017). Adults and juveniles depart nesting areas from mid-July and move to wintering grounds in coastal areas (RSPB undated). Therefore curlews occupy breeding areas for up to six months between late February and mid to late July in a given year.

2.5 Curlew is a territorial species during the breeding season, with adults defending the territory against other curlews and foraging mainly within the territory (Cramp & Simmonds 1983 as cited in Valkama et al. 1998). Mean breeding territory sizes reported for curlew from a farmland study in Finland were approximately 0.11-0.22 km2 (Valhalla et al. 1998). Densities of curlew in moorland areas of upland Britain were reported as (approximately) 3-6 pairs per 2 km2 (Pearce-Higgins & Grant, 2006) and in Northern Ireland as 5-7 pairs per km2 (Grant et al. 1999).

Factors Affecting Conservation Status

2.6 In south Wales there has been a widespread loss of invertebrate-rich breeding habitat for curlew primarily through the intensification of agriculture and changing land management practices – including land drainage, conversion of semi-natural grassland to high fertilizer input pasture and silage production, and harvesting of hay meadows during the nesting season. Changes in air quality may also have adversely affected the abundance of invertebrate prey species.

2.7 Intensive sheep farming and high densities of stock result in the trampling of eggs and chicks. Sheep pastures also attract corvids, buzzards, foxes and other predators of curlews and increase the susceptibility of curlew to predation.


2.8 Recreational activities including frequent use of footpaths and motorbike scrambling would also result in disturbance and could deter nesting. Frequent use of quad bikes to round up sheep in sensitive areas could also have a negative effect.

Breeding Success Studies

2.9 A study in Northern Ireland (Grant et al. 1999) found that curlew breeding success was low: only 3.6-19% of nests hatched each year, and 85-97% of nest failures were due to predation. Predation also accounted for 74% of chick mortality. The main predators were birds (including crows and gulls) and foxes. Predation is considered to be a factor in the ongoing decline of curlew in the UK, driven by changes in land use which influence the risk of predation (RSPB, undated).

2.10 The height of vegetation around nests may affect the ability of adult curlews to detect approaching predators during incubation. The height of vegetation around curlew nests averaged 16cm in Northern Ireland; on grouse moors in the UK they tend to nest in areas of recent heather burning (< 2 years), and on Orkney they can nest in heather 60-70cm tall (Grant & Pearce-Higgins, 2012).

Optimal Nesting and Foraging Habitat

2.11 RSPB advice (RSPB, undated) indicates that they favour flat or gently sloping ground with good visibility of the ground surrounding the nest site, with an open aspect.

2.12 Grant & Pearce-Higgins (2012) found that there is little evidence that vegetation height and cover around nests affects nest survival (for example in northern Ireland nest failure rates were not related to vegetation height around nests, Grant et al 1999), although the extent of camouflage (which is difficult to measure) may be important.

2.13 Enclosed pasture and hay fields are optimal foraging areas for adult curlew (including birds nesting on moorland), particularly during the pre-laying and laying periods, with earthworms and cranefly larvae being important prey species. Adult curlews will usually use fields closest to their nesting territories and short vegetation is an important determinant of field use (Grant & Pearce-Higgins, 2012).

2.14 Chicks of breeding curlew in uplands may also select flushes for foraging (Grant & Pearce-Higgins 2012). Various studies (Grant & Pearce-Higgins, 2012) indicate that curlew abundance is positively related to the occurrence of wet flushes and variability in vegetation height. RSPB land management advice for curlew (RSPB undated) reports that they like areas with a mix of vegetation heights including wetter habitats with sedges and rush. In contrast very dense stands of vegetation such as rush tend to be avoided.


3 HABITAT ASSESSMENT

Land West of the Nant Twysswg - Habitat Assessment

3.1 The survey area comprises the east-facing hillside sloping down to the Nant Twysswg in the bottom of the valley. It is bounded by Rhymney and Tredegar Golf Course to west beyond the summit of the hill. The survey area adjoins residential properties in the village of Abertysswg beyond the southern boundary.

3.2 The survey area broadly comprises short grazed pasture on the flatter top of the hill and at the top of the sloping hillside (Plate 3.1). The side of the hill is a mosaic of marshy grassland, acid flushes and unimproved acid grassland with extensive areas of bracken growing over semi-improved grassland. There are extensive areas of unimproved acid grassland with bracken on the lower slopes down to the stream.

Plate 3.1 Mosaic of pasture, marshy grassland, bracken and unimproved grassland on the hillside west side of the Nant Tywsswg

3.3 A summary of the main habitat types, photographs and notes on their structure is presented in Table 3.1. The broad extent of the different main habitat types is illustrated on Drawing OXF9811-ECO-001.


Table 3.1 Habitat Review

Habitat Type

Current Habitat Structure

Photograph

Semi-improved grassland /

semi-improved acid grassland

Very short vegetation with localised areas of rush and thistles. Relatively species-poor with few indicators of acid grassland on steeper sloping ground and patches of agriculturally improved grassland on the lower slopes

Rush Pasture

Soft rush on drier ground with short grazed pasture

Soft rush stands typically over 1m throughout with patches of short grazed pasture throughout


Marshy Grassland (Soft rush)

Dense tussocky structure throughout

Soft rush stands typically over 1m throughout

Ungrazed / uncut with old rush growth increasing the dense vegetation structure

Marshy Grassland (Purple moor-grass)

Purple moor grass creates large tussocks with narrow gaps between. Tussocks are c50cm high with higher grass growth

Unimproved acid grassland

Mainly a low tussocky sward generally occurring towards the base of the hill

Suitable habitat for ground nesting birds with low tussocks but not located close to grazed pasture.

Variable species composition with localised areas with higher botanical diversity


3.4 The hillside comprises extensive areas of short grazed pasture grading into drier areas of soft rush pasture. Management of the hillside as a whole for curlew and other ground-nesting birds including lapwing. Based on the available research the denser rush vegetation and bracken habitats on the steeper slopes are currently of lower value for curlew, but changes in the management of the habitat could alter the current structure and develop higher value for ground nesting birds.


4 GROUND NESTING BIRDS COMPENSATION

Potential for Off-site Compensation

4.1 The surveyed landholding has features that could be managed to enhance their value as nesting and foraging habitat for curlew during the breeding season.

4.2 There is potential to promote the establishment of breeding territory/territories to compensate for the predicted loss of a territory within the proposed solar park development area.

4.3 The potential compensation area includes extensive areas of short grazed pasture located on the top of the hill on the western side of the Nant Twysswg and areas of steeper sloping land very dense soft rush, purple moor-grass and bracken.

4.4 There are flushes on the hillside with variable cover of soft rush. Curlew abundance has also been positively related to wet flush habitat and variation in vegetation height. The presence of good quality foraging habitat close by will increase the likelihood of nesting territories being established.

4.5 Overall, the transitions between habitats create a mosaic of cover increasing the potential suitability of the hillside for ground nesting birds based on a changed management regime.

Management Options

4.6 Management should promote variation in vegetation height including areas of cover for nesting sites and shorter grazed pasture (including areas with wet flushes) for foraging. The vegetation management should create a mosaic of shorter foraging areas and taller nesting areas with flushes and potentially small pools. Areas of flush could be managed to reduce the rush cover and promote more open vegetation and potentially establish small pools. Chicks feed on cranefly larvae which are usually associated with flush habitats and shallow open water.

4.7 Existing habitats on the top of the hillside should be modified to become rough grassy pasture adjoining short vegetation flush and marshy grassland.

4.8 The short grazed pasture should be modified to become extensive rough grassy pasture through reducing stocking densities, lowering grazing pressure and allowing a longer patchy grassland sward to develop. Selected areas of grassland could also be subject to hay meadow management where all vegetation is cut outside of the nesting season after chicks will have fully fledged. Selected flush habitats, located close to rough pasture/hay meadow, should be specifically managed to maintain a short vegetation cover.

4.9 The mixture of rough low tussocky pasture and flush habitat and wet grassland should increase the value of existing habitats and develop features of much higher potential value for curlew and other ground nesting birds.


Management Practices

4.10 Appropriate management prescriptions should be implemented for curlew and other grassland waders to establish and maintain a mosaic of shorter foraging areas and taller nesting areas, close to pools/flushes.

4.11 The implementation of the following habitat management measures would significantly increase the potential value of habitats for curlew.

4.12 Rough pasture managed for curlew should be subject to a low stocking density grazing regime with sheep Fencing would be required to create separation with parts of the hillside where the stocking density remains high.

4.13 Management of more improved pasture should target reducing compaction of the soil and enhancing soil invertebrate abundance, particularly earthworms.

Additional Control Measures

4.14 Additional land use controls would need to be implemented to increase the quality of the habitat for curlew. Measures will need to be employed to deter recreational access and prevent access by users of scrambler motorbikes. There would need to be no tree planting in locations close to potential nesting areas.

Monitoring

4.15 The breeding bird assemblage and effects of habitat management and additional controls should be subject to a monitoring regime.

4.16 The presence/absence of ground nesting bird populations on the landholding should be undertaken in spring 2018 to review the breeding bird assemblage, use of habitats and estimate the number of pairs of key species.

4.17 Where curlew or other wading bird species are nesting within the landholding, monitoring visits will assess the behaviour, recording approximate nesting locations (where possible) and foraging areas.

4.18 Management should be designed to achieve the aim of developing good quality nesting habitat used by breeding curlew. Habitat monitoring to review nest site suitability should be undertaken at least annually for the first 3 years. The findings of the monitoring would inform the extent to which the ongoing management practices are achieving this aim.

4.19 Where monitoring identifies that modifications management practices, stocking densities, enclosures, then changes to the regime would be proposed to the LPA and NRW and subject to agreement, formally incorporated into the future management regime.


5 CONCLUSIONS

5.1 RPS was commissioned by Elgin Energy Esco to carry out an assessment of the landholding at Wauntysswg Farm, near Tredegar in Blaenau Gwent.

5.2 A single curlew breeding territory was recorded within the proposed Solar Park development at Wauntysswg Farm and it is assumed that these areas would become unsuitable following development.

5.3 The aim of the assessment was to review the suitability and feasibility of enhancing other upland habitats within the same landholding for breeding waders, specifically curlew.

5.4 The survey area covered the extensive landholding on the western side of the valley which comprised a mixture of sheep-grazed pasture, rush pasture, marshy grassland, bracken and unimproved grassland.

5.5 Extensive areas of short grazed pasture and rush pasture are located on the upper slopes with more dense structured soft rush marshy grassland, purple moor-grass and bracken. Unimproved grassland occurs on the lower slopes closer to the Nant Twysswg watercourse.

5.6 There is potential to manage the area to enhance the habitat for breeding curlew by creating a mosaic of shorter vegetation (including wet flushes) for foraging and taller vegetation for nesting.

5.7 It is considered that a package of upland habitat management on part of the pasture land to the west of the proposed Solar Park, targeted at creating value for birds could compensate for the loss of the breeding territory currently located in improved pasture within the proposed Solar Park, north of Wauntysswg Farm.


6 REFERENCES

BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) (2017). Birdfacts: curlew. https://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob5410.htm

Eaton, M., Aebischer, N., Brown, A., Hearn, R., Lock, L., Musgrove A., Noble D., Stroud, D. and Gregory, R. (2015). Birds of Conservation Concern 4. The population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108: 708-746.

Fisher G. & Walker, M. (2015). Habitat restoration for curlew Numenius arquata at the Lake Vyrnwy reserve, Wales. Conservation Evidence 12, 48-52.

Grant, M.C. & Pearce-Higgins, J.W. (2012). Spatial variation and habitat relationships in moorland bird assemblages: a British perspective. In, Birds and Habitat: Relationships in Changing Landscapes, ed. Robert J. Fuller. Cambridge University Press.

Grant, M. C., Orsman, C., Easton, J., et al. (1999). Breeding success and causes of breeding failure of curlew Numenius arquata in Northern Ireland. J. Appl. Ecol., 36, 59–74.

Pearce-Higgins, J. & Grant, M.C. (2006). Relationships between bird abundance and the composition and structure of moorland vegetation. Bird Study 53, 112–125.

RPS (2017a). Wauntysswg Farm: Upland Bird Survey 2017. Report to Elgin Energy Esco, 21 July 2017.

Valkama, J., Robertson, P & Currie, D. (1998). Habitat selection by breeding curlews (Numenius arquata) on farmland: the importance of grassland. Ann. Zool. Fennici 35, 141–148.

RSPB (undated). Land management for wildlife: Curlew. https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/documents/conservation--sustainability/land-management-for-wildlife/land-management-for-wildlife---curlew.pdf

Welsh Government (2017a). Glastir. http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/schemes/glastir/?lang=en

Welsh Government (2017b). Glastir Advanced. http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/schemes/glastir/glastir-advanced/?lang=en

Welsh Government (2017c). Glastir Advanced: target checker [spreadsheet]. http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/farming/schemes/glastir/glastir-advanced/target-checker-how-to-use-it/?lang=en

wauntysswg solar farm - dns.planninginspectorate.gov.uk · 3.1.10 in the southern part of the...

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