Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment

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Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment
Wiltshire Cottage
                                                                                                                 Monks Alley
                                                                                                                      Binfield
                                                                                                                    Berkshire
                                                                                                                   RG42 5NY

                  Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment
                                                                                                                                      R2783/a

                                                                                                                     May 2021

            1 Diesel House, Honey Hill, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 3BL
Telephone: 0118 3271810 Mobile: 07979 403099 E-mail: info@wenman-ecology.co.uk
                          www.wenman-ecology.co.uk

John Wenman Ecological Consultancy LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC339057.
         Registered office: 100 New Wokingham Road, Crowthorne, RG45 6JP where you may look at a list of members’ names.
Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment
1         EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................... 3

2         INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 4

    2.1     Background .................................................................................................................................. 4
    2.2     Legislative Background – Great Crested Newts .......................................................................... 4
    2.3     Site Location and Context ............................................................................................................ 5

3         SURVEY METHOD – GREAT CRESTED NEWTS ........................................... 7

    3.1     Background Data Search ............................................................................................................. 7
    3.2     Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment .................................................................................... 7
    3.3     Survey Constraints....................................................................................................................... 8

4         GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT FINDINGS ..................... 9

    4.1     Background Data Search ............................................................................................................. 9
    4.2     Habitat Description....................................................................................................................... 9
    4.3     Natural England Rapid Risk Assessment Tool .......................................................................... 12

5         DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................... 13

    5.1     Assessment of Habitat Suitability ............................................................................................... 13
    5.2     Impact of Proposals ................................................................................................................... 14
    5.3     Precautionary Measures and Habitat Enhancement Opportunities ........................................... 14

6         REFERENCES ................................................................................................ 16

APPENDIX 1 – SITE PHOTOGRAPHS .................................................................. 17

APPENDIX 2 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT.................... 21

APPENDIX 3 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT RAPID RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL .... 22

APPENDIX 4 – PROPOSED PLAN ........................................................................ 23
Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment
1       EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1.1   John Wenman Ecological Consultancy LLP was commissioned by Mr Lyndon
        Hedderley and Mrs Sunita Shroff to undertake a Great Crested Newt Habitat
        Assessment at Wiltshire Cottage in Binfield, Berkshire. The survey was
        commissioned in connection with proposals seeking consent for the erection
        of a detached garden room/home office to the rear of Wiltshire Cottage.

1.1.2   The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) receives full protection under the
        Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and by the Conservation of
        Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (‘Habitat Regulations’). A survey to
        visually assess the site for its potential to support great crested newts was
        carried out on the 4th May 2021 by an ecologist registered under the Natural
        England great crested newt survey class licence (CL08) and an assistant
        ecologist.

1.1.3   The majority of the site comprised buildings, hardstanding and amenity
        grassland with introduced shrubs – habitats of negligible-low value to great
        crested newts. There were intact hedgerows and groups of scattered trees
        present on the site offering some opportunities for newts to forage or seek
        shelter. There was a pond present in the north of the site which has historic
        records of great crested newts being present. However, at present the pond is
        largely dry and heavily silted and as a result, in its current condition does not
        offer suitable aquatic habitat for breeding great crested newts.

1.1.4   The proposed development footprint will be small in size, covering an area of
        land less than 0.01 hectares and will only impact habitats of negligible
        ecological value to great crested newts, i.e. tightly fitted paving slabs and
        closely mown amenity grassland. The habitats of value to newts, i.e. the
        pond, dry ditch, hedgerows and scattered trees will all be retained and
        unaffected by the proposals and therefore the works will not result in
        disturbance or loss of suitable great crested newt habitat. Taking into account
        all factors, it is considered that a European Protected Species licence would
        not be required to allow the work to go ahead lawfully. Non-licensed
        avoidance measures have been recommended for indirect construction
        activities associated with the proposals, such as storage of materials and
        access of machinery, to ensure individual newts are not harmed during the
        works.

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2       INTRODUCTION

2.1     Background

2.1.1   John Wenman Ecological Consultancy LLP was commissioned by Mr Lyndon
        Hedderley and Mrs Sunita Shroff to undertake a Great Crested Newt Habitat
        Assessment at Wiltshire Cottage in Binfield, Berkshire.

2.1.2   The survey was commissioned in connection with planning proposals to be
        lodged with Wokingham Borough Council seeking consent for the erection of
        a garden room/home office in the garden to the rear of the cottage (refer to
        plans in Appendix 4).

2.2     Legislative Background – Great Crested Newts

2.2.1   Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) receives full protection under the
        Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and by the Conservation of
        Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (‘Habitat Regulations’). In summary,
        the legislation combined makes it an offence to:

         •     Intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take a great crested newt;

         •     Possess or control any live or dead specimen or anything derived from
               a great crested newt;

         •     Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any
               structure or place used for shelter or protection by a great crested
               newt;

         •     Intentionally or recklessly disturb great crested newts; in particular any
               disturbance which is likely to impair their ability to survive, breed or
               reproduce or nurture their young; or in the case of hibernating or
               migrating animals, to hibernate or migrate.

2.2.2   The government’s statutory conservation advisory organisation, Natural
        England, is responsible for issuing European Protected Species licences that
        would permit activities that would otherwise lead to an infringement of the
        Habitat Regulations. A licence can be issued if the following three tests have
        been met:

         •     Regulation 55(9)(a) - there is “no satisfactory alternative” to the
               derogation, and;

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•     Regulation 55(9)(b) - the derogation “will not be detrimental to the
               maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a
               favourable conservation status in their natural range” and;
         •     Regulation 55(2)(e) - the derogation is for the purposes of “preserving
               public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding
               public interest, including those of a social or economic nature and
               beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment”.

2.2.3   The great crested newt is listed as being of principal importance for the
        conservation of biodiversity in England, under Section 41 of the Natural
        Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, (commonly referred to as a
        UKBAP Priority species).

2.2.4   Local authorities have a statutory duty under Regulation 7(3e) of the Habitat
        Regulations to have regard to requirements of the Habitats Directive in the
        exercise of their functions. The Council must therefore consider and
        determine whether these three tests are likely to be satisfied by applications
        here survey findings show that European Protected Species licensing is
        necessary for great crested newts before granting planning permission.

2.2.5   European Protected Species licence applications for great crested newts can
        be submitted once all necessary planning consents have been granted and
        Natural England aim to issue a licence decision within 30 working days.

2.3     Site Location and Context

2.3.1   The cottage is situated on the southern side of Monks Alley (a no through
        road) in Binfield, Berkshire (OS grid reference: SU 83596 71117).

2.3.2   The cottage is set in a rural area and has multiple buildings within the site
        boundary, with a paddock to the rear of the garden, consisting of closely
        mown grassland. There is a pond present on the northern side of the site,
        with scattered mature trees around the edge of the pond and along the
        southern and eastern boundaries. There are neighbouring properties and
        their respective gardens on both sides of the site, with a pond present within
        the grounds of the property to the east, situated approximately 85 metres
        from the cottage. There is broadleaved woodland leading to an area of
        ancient and semi-natural woodland, starting approximately 125 metres to the

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southwest of the cottage. Further to the north and south lies open countryside
        with established hedgerows and tree-lines.

2.3.3   Overall, the terrestrial habitats in the local area provide cover and feeding
        opportunities for great crested newts, and the nearby ponds may provide
        suitable breeding habitat.

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3       SURVEY METHOD – GREAT CRESTED NEWTS

3.1     Background Data Search

3.1.1   The Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) was
        commissioned to undertake a search of great crested newt records for land
        within a 1 km radius of the site.

3.2     Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment

3.2.1   The site was visually assessed for its potential to support great crested newts
        on the 4th May 2021 by an ecologist registered under the Natural England
        great crested newt survey class licence (CL08) and assistant ecologist.

3.2.2   Great crested newts require standing water for breeding and favour small to
        medium sized ponds with surface areas ranging from 50m² to 250m². For
        larval development to take place and young newts to emerge from ponds,
        ponds must hold water until the end of August (Langton et.al. 2001).

3.2.3   A great crested newt rapid risk assessment was carried out using the Natural
        England Rapid Risk Assessment Tool. The Tool takes into account the
        impacts of the development on great crested newts and determines the
        likelihood of effects on populations without any mitigation (Appendix 5).

3.2.4   Great crested newts require terrestrial habitats for feeding, movement from
        pond to pond and for hibernation. Habitats of greatest value to great crested
        newts are those listed below that provide invertebrate prey and provide cover
        such as under logs or stones:

         •     Woodland;
         •     Rough grassland;
         •     Scrub;
         •     Hedgerows;
         •     Waste ground.

3.2.5   Terrestrial habitats of highest value to great crested newts are those rich in
        invertebrate prey, which provide cover during periods of cold and dry weather,
        such as under logs or stones for example. Open habitats such as closely
        mown grassland do not provide important habitats for feeding or shelter but

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can be traversed by newts moving between more preferable habitats (English
        Nature 2001; Langton et. al. 2001).

3.3     Survey Constraints

3.3.1   Full access was available to the grounds of the property and as such the
        survey had no significant constraints.

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4       GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT FINDINGS

4.1     Background Data Search

4.1.1   The data search revealed historic records of great crested newts within the
        pond on site, with four female and five male great crested newts recorded in
        2007. A further seven ponds within 500 metres of the site have pre-existing
        records of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus); with records dating from
        1996 to 2019.

4.1.2   The majority of these ponds appear to support low populations of great
        crested newts with one pond supporting numbers that reflect a moderate
        population. However, given the close proximity of these ponds to one another
        and the ecology of great crested newts, it is likely that these exist as a meta-
        population with animals moving between waterbodies. There are a number of
        ponds close to the site with no records of great crested newts but the closest
        pond with records is approximately 270 metres to the north-east of the site
        (2013).

4.2     Habitat Description

4.2.1   Photographs of the site are presented in Appendix 1 and a plan of the
        habitats with associated target notes is shown in Appendix 2. The findings of
        the visual inspection of the site are described as follows:

4.2.2   The following habitats were observed during the survey: buildings, amenity
        grassland, scattered trees, introduced shrub beds, species-poor intact
        hedgerow, standing water, dry ditch and other habitat.

        Buildings (B1-B4)

4.2.3   The site had multiple buildings, including the main cottage and attached
        garage (Photographs 1 & 2; B1). To the eastern side of the site there were
        three further buildings: a timber stable block with a plastic corrugated roof
        (Photograph 3; B2); a timber-clad potting shed with clay roof tiles;
        (Photograph 4; B3) and an open-sided horse trailer store with a corrugated
        metal sheet roof (Photograph 5; B4).

        Amenity Grassland (AM1 & AM2)

4.2.4   The majority of the site was amenity grassland in the form of managed lawn
        to the north, west and south of the cottage (B1) and a closely-mown paddock
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Great Crested Newt Habitat Assessment
covering the southern half of the site (Photographs 6 & 7; AM1 & AM2). The
        closely-mown amenity grassland composed largely of perennial ryegrass
        (Lolium perenne) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), with occasional areas of
        springy turf moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus). There were herb species
        present including; dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), meadow thistle (Cirsium
        dissectum), hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta), field woodrush (Luzula
        campestris), white clover (Trifolium repens), common mouse-ear (Cerastium
        fontanum), germander speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) and common daisy
        (Bellis perennis).

        Other Habitat (OH1-4)

4.2.5   A gravel driveway ran from the entrance on the northern boundary, up to the
        brick walled garden in front of the cottage and connected to the outbuildings
        on the eastern side of the site (Photograph 9; OH1). There was a paving
        slab walkway, that lead from the driveway up to the cottage which had a
        number of red tip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) bushes on either side of the
        pathway (Photograph 10; OH2 & TN3). The paving slabs continued around
        the side and rear of the cottage, to form a patio area, including a drained
        ornamental pond, surrounded by an introduced shrub bed (Photograph 11;
        TN4 & IS2).

4.2.6   A further area of tightly fitted paving slabs were situated on the eastern side
        of the site, adjacent to the fence separating the lawn from the grazed paddock
        (Photograph 12; OH3). A tarmacked tennis court was to the western side of
        the site, surrounded by a chain link fence (Photograph 13; OH4).

        Species-poor intact hedgerow (PH1-4)

4.2.7   Beside the gravel driveway to the north of the site was a short intact
        hedgerow (Photograph 14; PH1) consisting of hawthorn (Crataegus
        monogyna), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), ivy (Hedera helix) and yew
        (Taxus baccata). To the southeast of the cottage there was a short Leylandii
        hedgerow and a short holly (Ilex aquifolium) hedge, with occasional ivy
        (Hedera helix), herb-robert (Geranium robertianum) and lords-and-ladies
        (Arum alpinum), adjacent to the small paving area (OH3) on the eastern side
        of the site (Photograph 15 & 16; PH2 & PH3). Separating the tennis court
        from the western side of the garden was an intact hedgerow made up of yew

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(Taxus baccata) and holly species (Ilex sp.), with occasional bramble (Rubus
        fruticosus) and red dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) (Photograph 17; PH4).

        Introduced Shrubs (IS1-3)

4.2.8   An introduced shrub bed was present to the front of the cottage and included
        box (Buxus sempervirens) and cotoneaster (Cotoneaster sp.) bushes (IS1).
        There were further introduced shrub beds to the rear of the cottage, including:
        lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), sage (Salvia
        officinalis), roses (Rosa sp.), barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and hellebore
        (Helleborus sp.) (Photograph 11; IS2).

        Mesotrophic standing water (SWM1)

4.2.9   Adjacent to the intact hedgerow (PH1) at the northern end of the site there
        was a heavily silted pond (Photograph 18; SWM1). The pond covered an
        approximate area of 60 m2, with an approximate water surface area of 30 m2;
        the western side of the pond was full of leaf litter and silted. Surrounding the
        pond, there were scattered trees consisting of three poplar (Populus alba)
        trees and a hazel (Corylus avellana) (Photograph 19; TN5). Marginal and
        emergent vegetation present included: pond sedge (Carex sp.), hemlock
        water dropwort (Oenanthe crocata), soft rush (Juncus effusus), snake’s head
        fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris), vetch (Vicia sp.), primrose (Primula vulgaris),
        bramble (Rubus fruticosus), iris (Iris sp.), meadow buttercup
        (Ranunculus acris) and lords-and-ladies (Arum maculatum) (Photograph 20;
        SWM1).

        Scattered Trees (SBW1)

4.2.10 There was a mature oak (Quercus robur) tree in the amenity grassland
        adjacent to the gravel driveway and brick wall to the north of the cottage
        (TN1). A second mature oak (Quercus robur) tree was situated to the south of
        the cottage, beside the fenceline separating the garden lawn from the
        paddock (Photograph 8; TN2).

4.2.11 There were scattered trees along the eastern and western boundaries of the
        site (Photograph 21; SBW1) including oak (Quercus robur), beech (Fagus
        sylvatica) and hazel (Corylus avellana). There was a dry ditch along the
        southeastern side of the site with scattered broadleaved trees along the

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boundary and continuing into the neighbouring property to the east
        (Photograph 22; DD1).

4.3     Natural England Rapid Risk Assessment Tool

4.3.1   Information relating to the site was inputted into Natural England’s Great
        Crested Newt Rapid Assessment Tool. The output from this indicates that the
        proposed works are highly unlikely to have an adverse effect on great crested
        newts, i.e. a green result (Appendix 3). Although there is a pond on site 65
        metres to the north of the proposed development footprint (albeit currently
        almost dry), the nature and scale of the work (a development footprint of less
        than 0.01 hectares) and the incorporation of non-licensed avoidance
        measures (see Section 5), will result in the works having a negligible impact
        on great crested newts.

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5       DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1     Assessment of Habitat Suitability

5.1.1   There was a pond present in the north of the site. This pond also has historic
        records of great crested newts being present. However, during the survey the
        pond had very little water remaining; conversation with the property owners
        revealed that the waterbody also dries out annually (pers. comm). In light of
        these findings, the pond in its current condition does not offer suitable aquatic
        habitat for breeding great crested newts. However, in combination with the
        other suitable terrestrial habitat on site, this damp water feature could provide
        a possible foraging and sheltering resource for the local great crested newt
        metapopulation, in its current state.

5.1.2   The closely-mown amenity grassland that characterises the site and the
        scattered introduced shrub beds are both habitats typical of residential
        gardens. These habitats were well maintained/intensively managed and as a
        result offered limited opportunities for foraging or shelter for great crested
        newts. However, the dry ditch, hedgerows and scattered trees on site offer
        opportunities for newts to traverse across the site, to forage or to seek
        shelter.

5.1.3   All records of great crested newts in off-site ponds were over 250 metres from
        the site (and the building footprint for the proposed garden room). Great
        crested newts are capable of travelling significant distances (in excess of
        1km) between aquatic and terrestrial habitats (Jehle et al., 2011). However, it
        has been found that great crested newts are unlikely to typically move in
        excess of 50m from a breeding pond, where this is surrounded by high-quality
        terrestrial habitat (Cresswell and Whitworth, 2004). It is likely that newts
        present in these ponds act as a metapopulation with individuals utilising all
        local waterbodies and surrounding suitable terrestrial habitat e.g. woodland
        parcels etc. It is therefore possible that great crested newts pass through the
        site using the suitable habitats on the site peripheries, i.e. the scattered trees
        and dry ditch, when moving between breeding ponds and overwintering
        habitat and may periodically utilise the short hedgerow habitats as a foraging
        and sheltering resource.

5.1.4   In summary, the site offers habitat that is of low-moderate value to great
        crested newts, including the pond in the north of the site, with scattered trees
        present to the east and west of the site, connecting to other suitable terrestrial
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habitat habitats in neighbouring properties. However, the vast majority of the
        site (including the development footprint), i.e. the amenity grassland, hard
        standing and buildings, have negligible value to terrestrial great crested
        newts. Therefore, it is considered possible that great crested newts will be
        present on site but would be confined to the small areas of suitable habitat
        (mostly on the site peripheries) and only in low numbers.

5.2     Impact of Proposals

5.2.1   The proposed garden room (development footprint) will cover an area of land
        less than 0.01 hectares and as stated above will only impact habitats of
        negligible ecological value to great crested newts, i.e. tightly fitted paving
        slabs and closely mown amenity grassland (refer to Appendix 4 for proposed
        plan). The habitats of value to newts i.e. the pond, dry ditch, hedgerows and
        scattered trees will all be retained and unaffected by the proposals and
        therefore the works will not result in a loss of suitable great crested newt
        habitat. Moreover, the Natural England Risk Assessment Tool shows that a
        loss of less than 0.01 hectares of land within 100 metres of a breeding pond
        is unlikely to have an impact (green risk) on local great crested newt
        populations or individual newts regardless of the quality of habitat. In light of
        the survey findings and this assessment, it is considered that a European
        Protected Species licence would not be required to allow the work to go
        ahead lawfully.

5.2.2   Given the presence of ponds in the local area with records of great crested
        newts, it is recommended that non-licensed avoidance measures are
        employed during the construction work. This is to ensure that any indirect
        construction activities associated with the proposals, e.g. storage of materials
        and access by construction vehicles, do not impact individual/small numbers
        of newts that may move across the site on occasion. These are set out in
        Section 5.3 below.

5.3     Precautionary Measures and Habitat Enhancement Opportunities

5.3.1   There is a low residual risk that individual great crested newts could move
        through the site on an occasional basis and so be present in the area where
        construction activities are to take place. In order to minimise the small risk of
        harming great crested newts the following avoidance measures will be
        adopted:

        •   All machinery must be restricted to hard standing areas, i.e. the gravel,
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and habitats of negligible value to great crested newts, i.e. closely mown
            amenity grassland;
        •   Night work will be avoided;
        •   Any vegetation in the construction area will be kept closely mown during
            the course of the construction work;
        •   During the course of construction, any open excavations and trenches will
            be capped or backfilled before nightfall, or alternatively, escape ramps will
            be installed to allow newts to escape if they fall into the excavations;
        •   Any stored building materials such as bricks etc. that might offer shelter
            for newts will be kept raised off the ground on pallets.

5.3.2   In the highly unlikely event that a great crested newt is found during
        construction, works will stop immediately and a licensed ecologist will be
        called onto site to ensure the newt is not harmed and provide further advice
        on how to proceed; work will recommence only once further written advice
        has been received.

5.3.3   There is scope to improve the value of the site to great crested newts and
        other fauna post-development by adopting ecological enhancement
        measures tailored to this species. Measures could include:

    •   The removal of silt and leaf litter built up within the pond. This is best
        undertaken in autumn prior to the hibernation period. Silt and leaf litter should
        be left in dense vegetation close to the pond to allow any small fauna present
        to get back into the pond or surrounding vegetation and;
    •   Log piles/brash piles or rockeries could be constructed to provide suitable
        sheltering and hibernating features for great crested newts and other small
        fauna.

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6   REFERENCES

    Baker, J., Beebee T., Buckley, J., Gent, A. and Orchard, D. (2011).
    Amphibian Habitat Management Handbook. Amphibian and Reptile
    Conservation, Bournemouth.

    Cresswell W, Whitworth R (2004) An assessment of the efficiency of capture
    techniques and the value of different habitats for the great crested newt
    Triturus cristatus. English Nature Research Reports Number 576:1–75

    Edgar, P., Foster, J. and Baker, J. (2010). Reptile Habitat Management
    Handbook. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bournemouth.

    English Nature (2001). Great crested newt mitigation guidelines. English
    Nature, Peterborough.

    Jehle, R et al (2011) The Crested Newt. A Dwindling Pond Dweller. Laurenti-
    Verlag

    Langton, T.E.S, Beckett, C.L., and Foster, J.P. (2001). Great Crested Newt
    Conservation Handbook, Froglife, Halesworth.

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APPENDIX 1 – SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

1.   Cottage viewed from the north-west (B1).         2.   Attached garage viewed from the west
                                                           (B1).

3.   Stable block viewed from the south (B2).         4.   Potting shed (B3).

5.   Open sided horse trailer store (B4).             6.   Amenity grassland characterising the
                                                           northern side of the site (AM1).

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7.   Amenity grassland in grazed paddock to           8.   Mature oak tree to the rear of the garden
     the south of the site (AM2).                          (TN2).

9.   Gravel driveway to the north-eastern side        10. Stone paved path connecting gravel
     of the site (OH1).                                   driveway and the cottage (OH2).

11. Drained ornamental pond with introduced           12. Area of paving slabs to the eastern side of
    shrub beds (TN4 & IS2).                               the site (OH3).

                                                                       John Wenman Ecological Consultancy

                 Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review
                                                   - 18 -
13. Tarmacked tennis court to the western            14. Species-poor intact hedgerow to the west
    side of the site (OH4).                              of the gravel driveway (PH1).

15. Leylandii hedgerow to the south-east of          16. Intact hedgerow adjacent to the fenceline
    the house (PH2).                                     to the south of the cottage (PH3).

17. Intact hedgerow (PH4) separating the             18. Silted pond situated at the northern end of
    garden (AM1) from the tennis court (OH4).            the site (SWM1).

                                                                      John Wenman Ecological Consultancy

                Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review
                                                  - 19 -
19. Poplar and hazel trees surrounding pond          20. Marginal and emergent vegetation within
    at the northern side of the site (TN3).              and around the pond (SWM1).

21. Scattered trees along the eastern                22. Dry ditch along the south-eastern
    boundary of the site (SBW1).                         boundary of the site (DD1).

                                                                      John Wenman Ecological Consultancy

                Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review
                                                  - 20 -
APPENDIX 2 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT HABITAT ASSESSMENT

                                                                                      John Wenman Ecological Consultancy

                   Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review
                                                     - 21 -
APPENDIX 3 – GREAT CRESTED NEWT RAPID RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL
 Component                                             Likely effect (select one for each component;        Notional
                                                       select the most harmful option if more than one is   offence
                                                       likely; lists are in order of harm, top to bottom)   probability
                                                                                                            score
 Great crested newt breeding pond(s)                   No effect                                                 0
 Land within 100m of any breeding pond(s)              0.001 - 0.01 ha lost or damaged                         0.05
 Land 100-250m from any breeding pond(s)               No effect                                                 0
 Land >250m from any breeding pond(s)                  No effect                                                 0
 Individual great crested newts                        No effect                                                 0
                                                                                                 Maximum:      0.05
 Rapid risk assessment result:                                        GREEN: OFFENCE HIGHLY UNLIKELY

 Guidance on risk assessment result categories
 "Green: offence highly unlikely" indicates that the development activities are of such a type, scale and location
 that it is highly unlikely any offence would be committed should the development proceed. Therefore, no licence
 would be required. However, bearing in mind that this is a generic assessment, you should carefully examine your
 specific plans to ensure this is a sound conclusion, and take precautions (see Non-licensed avoidance measures
 tool) to avoid offences if appropriate. It is likely that any residual offences would have negligible impact on
 conservation status, and enforcement of such breaches is unlikely to be in the public interest.

                                                                       John Wenman Ecological Consultancy

                 Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review
                                                   - 22 -
APPENDIX 4 – PROPOSED PLAN

                                                                 John Wenman Ecological Consultancy

           Wiltshire Cottage Binfield - GCN Habitat Assessment (R2783a) SF review
                                             - 23 -
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