The Applicant claims that the: “existing grass ley fields are of low intrinsic ecological value”. They also claim that replacing them with their ‘improved grassland’, then forever shading it with about 114 acres of impervious PV panels, will suddenly bring about a ‘net increase’ in the biodiversity of the area of 53.69 %. Now that is going to take some doing as the proposed development Site is already wonderfully biodiverse.
The existing high levels of biodiversity are, in part, because the area is surrounded by ancient hedgerows, waterways and fields that have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages. The hedgerows are a ‘Priority Habitat’ which form species rich bio-motorways (the only sort in Dorset!) for wildlife to thrive in the area.
The Applicants Breeding bird surveys identified the likely presence of at least 26 breeding bird species, 9 of which appear on one or more schedules or lists of species of conservation importance. Most of these species were associated with the hedgerows at the Site, except for skylark and corn bunting (which uses arable fields for both breeding and foraging). Territorial displays by skylark were observed throughout the breeding bird surveys indicating nesting. Corn bunting breeding is assumed to occur.
Wintering bird surveys identified at least 36 species using the Site, 17 which appear on one or more schedules or lists of species of conservation importance. Small flocks of corn bunting and linnet were recorded over the arable fields. Both species are Red Listed.
The Proposed Development and removal of the arable fields would impact on notable/protected bird species though the disruption of breeding, and a reduction in foraging and nesting opportunities.
DEATH OF LEVERETS, LOSS OF HABITAT
Local Brown Hare is present on Site including arable farmland which will be lost during construction of the Proposed development. Brown Hare is a Species of Principal Importance (SPI). Development at the Site has the potential to cause significant direct effects on brown Hare (e.g., injury/death of leverets, loss of habitat supporting this species, and habitat fragmentation). These effects could lead to reductions in populations of this species at the Site.
The Great crested newt receives substantial protection under wildlife legislation and is also a SPI. Development at the Site has the potential to cause direct effects on Great crested newts (e.g., injury/death, loss of habitat supporting this species, and habitat fragmentation). These effects could lead to reductions in populations of this species at the Site and outside of the Site.
THE APPLICANT’S ECOLOGY ASSESSMENT – SOME KEY POINTS.
● The Applicant’s Assessment notes that 36. species of birds were recorded during the visits to the Site, including 13 Red and 4 Amber listed. Almost all were associated with the existing field boundaries and mature trees.
● Nine species of bats were recorded in the Assessment. Great crested newts are certainly present in the pond on Site, and the four (unsurveyed) ponds within 500 metres of the boundaries are known to support a local population. The pond on Site is described as dry “for most of the year” but shown in Fig 5. To be full of water!
● Fifty-two species of Moths and butterflies are recorded. Many are rare and associated with the national and international designated sites close by. (Within their zones if influence)
● There are Records of Brown Hare, Badger, Otter, Water Vole, Harvest Mouse, Roe Deer, Squirrel, Hedgehog and Mole.
● Key ‘Interest Features’ include River, brook streams and ditches, an avenue of oak trees. Wide linear features, the pond and ancient hedgerows are a Priority Habitat.
● There is a risk of mortality of Hares during construction and dismantling phases of the development.
● Harvest mice would be impacted by the loss of arable seed production. As would seed eating birds including Skylark, linnet, Yellowhammer and Corn bunting.
● Ground nesting birds would potentially be harmed.
● Six ‘Potential breaches of wildlife legislation’ during construction and dismantling stages of development are identified.
● Fifteen ‘Minor adverse (environmental) effects at site level’ identified in the Applicants Assessment.
● The ‘Internationally Designated’ Rocksmoor Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is 1900 metres from the proposed Site. And the Nationally Designated ‘Blackmoor Vale Commons and Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is 1300 metres northwest of the Site. The ‘Alners Gorse Conservation Reserve is just 1100 meters away northeast.
● There is a Plantation on Ancient Woodland (Humber Wood to the west of the site.
● With six ‘Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) within 2000 metres of the proposed development.
● Mitigation is offered for the identified harms– but it is simply an attempt to ‘gild a Lilly’. The area and proposed Site are already exceptionally biodiverse. The mitigation proposals, while welcome is little more than a land owner would be expected to aim for under the Government’s policy. Government to pay more to farmers who protect and enhance the environment.
Table 3. Species records.
Aardvark EM Ltd 16 SWE Project Ref No: 176 North Dairy Farm August 2020
South West Ecology Ltd. Ecology Assessment E: steve@swecology.co.uk T: 07931 332925 Web: http://www.swecology.co.uk
Mammals
Brown Hare Lepus europaeus
Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus auratus
Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Eurasian Badger Meles meles
European Otter Lutra lutra HR (2010), W&C
European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius
Harvest Mouse Micromys minutus
Nathusius’ Pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii
Serotine Eptesicus serotinus
Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus EPS, Hab (1992),
West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus NERC (2006)
Birds
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Dunnock Prunella modularis
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Hobby Falco subbuteo
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Marsh Tit Poecile palustris
Merlin Falco columbarius
Red Kite Milvus milvus
Redwing Turdus iliacus)
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
Skylark Alauda arvensis
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Amphibians
Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus
Invertebrates
August Thorn Ennomos quercinaria
Autumnal Rustic Eugnorisma glareosa
Beaded Chestnut Agrochola lychnidis
Blood-Vein Timandra comae
Brindled Beauty Lycia hirtaria
Brown Hairstreak Thecla betulae
Buff Ermine Spilosoma lutea
Centre-barred Sallow Atethmia centrago
Cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae
Deep-brown Dart Aporophyla lutulenta
Dingy Mocha Cyclophora pendularia
Dingy Skipper Erynnis tages
Dot Moth Melanchra persicariae
Dusky Brocade Apamea remissa
Dusky Thorn Ennomos fuscantaria
Ear Moth Amphipoea oculea
Figure of Eight Diloba caeruleocephala
Forester Adscita statices
Garden Tiger Arctia caja
Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli
Grass Rivulet
Perizoma albulata subsp. albulata
Green-brindled Crescent Allophyes oxyacanthae
Grey Dagger Acronicta psi
Grizzled Skipper Pyrgus malvae
Heath Rustic Xestia agathina
Knot Grass Acronicta rumicis
Large Nutmeg Apamea anceps
Large Wainscot Rhizedra lutosa
Marsh Fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Minor Shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis
Mottled Rustic Caradrina morpheus
Mouse Moth Amphipyra tragopoginis
Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria
Oak Lutestring Cymatophorina diluta
Pale Eggar Trichiura crataegi
Powdered Quaker Orthosia gracilis
Rosy Minor Litoligia literosa
Rosy Rustic Hydraecia micacea
Rustic Hoplodrina blanda
Sallow Cirrhia icteritia
September Thorn Ennomos erosaria
Shaded Broad-bar Scotopteryx chenopodiata
Shoulder-striped Wainscot Leucania comma
Small Blue Cupido minimus
Small Emerald Hemistola chrysoprasaria
Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus
Small Phoenix Ecliptopera silaceata
Small Square-spot Diarsia rubi
Sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx
Wall Lasiommata megera
White Admiral Limenitis camilla
White Ermine Spilosoma lubricipeda
Protection levels
EPS European Protected Species includes species from Bird (1979), Hab(1992)
and HR(2010)
W&C (1981) or WCA species included in the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) Schedules
1(birds), 5(animals) and 8(plants)
Hab (1992) European Protected Species from Habitats and Species Directive II and IV
HR (2010) or Hab 2/4 Habitats Regulations (1994) includes those now covered by Conservation of
Habitats and Species Regulations (2010)
PBA (1992) species protected by the Protection of Badgers Act (1992) S41
NERC (2006) Species of Principle Importance in England, NERC Act (2006), Section 41 list
Government to pay more to farmers who protect and enhance the environment
Save Hardy's Vale 