Cowdale Quarry, Buxton Ancient Woodland Assessment Report

Cowdale Quarry, Buxton Ancient Woodland Assessment Report

January 2011

Final

ISSUING OFFICE:

3 Brunel House, Hathersage Park

Station Approach, Hathersage

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Web: www.bsg-ecology.com Email: [email protected] Offices in: Derbyshire, Oxford, Berwick-upon-Tweed & Monmouth Registered in: Cardiff No. OC328772 Registered address: Wyastone Business Park, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth NP25 3SR

Members: A list of members is available at the registered office.

Client Express Parks, Buxton

Job Name Cowdale Quarry, Buxton

Report title Ecological Assessment of Ashwood Dale Ancient Woodland

File reference 4500.03_002_rep_mw_rp.doc

Signed Name Position Date

Originated Mark Woods Senior Ecologist 27/01/11

Reviewed

Philippa Harvey Principal Ecologist 28/01/11

Express Parks, Buxton Cowdale –Ancient Woodland Assessment Report

4500.03_002_rep_mw_rp.doc i

Report Contents

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

2 Methods .......................................................................................... 1

3 Results ............................................................................................. 2

4 Data Analysis and Assessment......................................................... 4

5 Conclusions...................................................................................... 5

Appendix 1: Field Data ........................................................................ 7

Appendix 2: Plan showing extent of ancient woodland and limits of rock excavation................................................................................................. 9


4500.03_002_rep_mw_rp.doc Page 1

1 Introduction The proposed access route for the development leads from the A6 into the quarry, crossing an area defined as ancient woodland. The ancient woodland is also designated as the Ashwood Dale Local Wildlife Site (Ref No. HP027) and extends to 11.33 hectares. The feature of ecological interest is identified as Ancient semi-natural ash woodland. The two Local Wildlife Site Criteria that apply to the woodland 1 are as follows: • Wd1 Sites included on the Derbyshire Inventory of Ancient Woodland which support semi-natural woodland vegetation, and • Wd3 Areas of semi-natural woodland referable to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) type: W8 Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) – Field Maple (Acer campestre)– Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) woodland, Rodwell (1991)2 . However, the application of the criteria Wd1 applies to those sites, which have not been replanted and/or have become degraded and lost most of their characteristic features. In addition, W8 woodlands can change as a consequence of intervention such as clearance and planting or because of invasion by non-native species, which alters the overall composition of the botanical community. Therefore, in order to verify that the ancient woodland stand within the survey area remains eligible for inclusion within the Local Wildlife Site (LWS), the ecological condition and interest of the woodland was assessed by use of the Common Standards Monitoring (CSM) method, JNCC (1998). CSM is normally applied to statutory designated sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, in order to determine if the desired condition of the nature conservation feature (or features) of interest for which the site was designated is being achieved. However, CSM can also be adapted to non-statutory designated sites that support semi-natural habitats such as Local Wildlife Sites. CSM measures and records a specific set of parameters that contribute to the nature conservation interest of the site. For woodland habitats, the CSM measures the structure and age class of the stand and records the presence of botanical indicator species and ‘weeds’. The results of the CSM enable a decision to be made as to whether the woodland habitat is in a ‘favourable’ or ‘unfavourable’ condition, and in this case whether the woodland stand still fulfils criteria Wd1 and Wd3.

2 Methods Philippa Harvey MIEEM (Principal Ecologist) and Mark Woods MIEEM (Senior Ecologist) visited the area of the ancient woodland within the development site on the 26th January 2011, in order to carry out an ecological survey and assessment of the ecological value of the woodland. The section of surveyed woodland was located between ordnance survey grid references SK 076 726 and SK 077 725 and included a walkover of the accessible slopes and observation of the cliff-faces and outcrops within the survey area that were inaccessible. During the field survey three sampling points of approximately 100m2 were selected. Each sampling point was considered to be typical of the larger woodland stand in the locality. Sample plots 1 and 2 are within the area identified to be Ancient Woodland3, whilst sample plot 3 is 1 Derbyshire County Council (2003). Derbyshire Wildlife Site Selection Guidelines. Derbyshire County Council. 2 Rodwell, J. (ed.) (1991). British Plant Communities Volume 1: Woodlands and Scrub. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 3 Derbyshire Wildlife trust 21 July 2010. Results of ecological data search for SK079723 Cowdale



located in an area of woodland adjacent to the ancient woodland on the slope above the power station building.

3 Results The measurements from each sampling point are contained in Appendix 1, but a summary description of each sampling point is provided below: Sample Plot 1 (see Photograph 1) The woodland stand that overlooks a lay-by on the south side of the A6 Trunk Road is discontinuous because of the terrain, which consists of rocky outcrops and cliffs that support ledges of different sizes and heights. Recent work to stabilise the rocky outcrops and prevent rock falls onto the road below has resulted in the clearance of many of the trees and shrubs, presumably because of safety considerations. As a consequence of the above work, the woodland had an open and fairly uniform structure with a sparse canopy and a limited understorey. Regeneration of trees and shrubs was occasional and limited to patches on the larger ledges and there was a limited range of age classes for trees and shrubs. Most of the trees and shrubs in close proximity to the A6 Trunk Road lay-by were estimated to be less than 50 years old, with more mature trees located towards the top of the slopes. Fallen or standing deadwood was absent or was not visible from the observation points. Photograph 1: Sample Plot 1

The composition of trees and shrubs indicated the presence of W8 woodland with abundant ash Fraxinus excelsior, frequent regenerating wych elm Ulmus glabra, occasional sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and common lime Tilia x europaea, which was rare but was represented by the oldest tree within the sample plot Although January is not favourable for detecting the cover and diversity of field layer vegetation, some indication can be obtained from observing the decaying plant remains from the previous growing season. Apart from vertical cliff faces, the ground floor was carpeted by bryophytes such as Thuidium tamariscinum, Eurynchium praelongum and Plagiothecium undulatum. On the steeper slopes and cliff faces, herbs, grasses and ferns were confined to cracks in the rocks or on the ledges. The majority of the field layer species were typical of W8 woodland and water avens Geum rivale, hard shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum, wood brome Bromopsis ramosa, dog’s



mercury Mercurialis perennis, hart’s-tongue fern Phyllitis scolopendrium and polypody Polypodium vulgare are listed by Kirby4 as ancient woodland indicators in Derbyshire. However, the abundance of field layer vegetation was at most locally frequent. Alongside the lay-by, at the base of the slopes, the vegetation was characterised by a dense stand of butterbur Petasites hybridus, which is generally intolerant of shade and suggests that woodland cover has been absent from this area for a significant length of time. Sample Plot 2 (see Photograph 2) The sample plot was located approximately 50m above the level of the A6 Trunk Road on a slope of approximately 45 degrees gradient in an area with smaller and fewer rocky outcrops than the previous sample plot. Photograph 2: Sample Plot 2

The woodland stand was characterised by a more extensive canopy and understorey than sample plot 1 and there was no evidence of woodland management in recent years. The structure of the woodland was fairly complex, because of the presence of standard and coppice trees, part-fallen limbs, and standing and fallen deadwood. In addition, a variety of age-classes were present suggesting several phases of regeneration. However, the largest and oldest trees were confined to the top of the slopes and most of the trees within the sample plot were less than 70 years old with most being substantially younger. The presence of frequent sycamore was probably because of the decline of wych elm. The decline is associated with outbreaks of Dutch–elm disease, which caused breaks in the canopy, thus providing an opportunity for colonisation by sycamore. The development of sycamore has probably increased shade levels and influenced the composition of the field layer vegetation. As with sample plot 1, mosses form a continuous carpet across the ground and herbs, grasses and ferns are never more than locally frequent. Previous surveys (March 2010) carried out by Baker Shepherd Gillespie and this survey confirmed a patchy and sparse cover of ancient woodland indicators including wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, water avens, hard shield-fern, hairy brome, dog’s mercury, hart’s-tongue fern and polypody. Although there are several ancient woodland indicator species in the sample, it is perhaps worth noting that several of the species including hairy brome, hard shield fern and hart’s-tongue fern are also located in the sycamore-dominated secondary woodland stands that are located next to the ancient woodland stands.

4 4 http://www.derbyshirebiodiversity.org.uk/news/files/Ancient_Woodland.pdf



Sample Plot 3 (see Photograph 3) The sample plot was located to the east of Sample Plot 2 above the derelict power station building. The plot was located in woodland habitat that is outside of the boundary of the Local Wildlife Site and the area identified as Ancient Woodland. The canopy cover was less extensive than that of sample plot 2, but the trees were of greater maturity than those located in sample plots 1 and 2, and sycamore was the most abundant species. The understorey was much more extensive and in places was very dense, because of patches of abundant immature ash poles and blackthorn Prunus spinosa thickets. The deadwood resource was less extensive than that of sample plot 2, but regeneration of native trees and shrubs was more extensive than that of the other sample plots. With the exception of dog’s mercury and wood anemone, which was absent in the sample plot, the cover and diversity of bryophytes and higher plants were similar in composition to the areas of adjacent ancient woodland habitat (Sample Plot 2) and includes three of the ancient woodland indicators; hart’s-tongue fern, hairy brome and hard shield fern. Photograph 3: Sample Plot 3

4 Data Analysis and Assessment Sample Plot 1 In terms of the CSM features, the stand is considered to be in unfavourable condition (see Appendix 1 for the completed condition assessment recording form). This is because undisturbed mature/old growth stands are absent and there is a general lack of fallen or standing deadwood within the sample plot. In addition, the cover of non-native trees is greater than 5%. The lack of mature/old growth trees and deadwood could be caused by recent works to stabilise the cliffs and outcrops overlooking the A6 trunk road, which involved removal of such trees due to safety considerations. Given the age of most of the trees and shrubs in the sample plot it is considered that trees and shrubs are probably cleared on a regular basis so as to avoid potential hazards to road users. The extent of non-native trees could have been greater than 5% for some time, because regular clearance of woodland for safety reasons would promote opportunities for colonisation of cleared areas by non-native species such as common lime and sycamore. Once established, non-native trees would be no more or no less vulnerable to clearance than native



trees, because the criteria for clearance would be safety rather than nature conservation considerations. The plants and bryophytes that are present on the slopes and ledges above the trunk road are all generally associated with woodland habitat. However, the regular episodes of disturbance and changes to the composition of the canopy because of safety management may account for limited number of ancient woodland indicator plant species; only six of the 65+ species associated with ancient ash-woods were recorded. Although ancient woodland indicator plants can tolerate regular episodes of disturbance such as coppicing and thinning, any tree / shrub clearance works that cause excessive disturbance of substrates can have an adverse effect on such plants. Sample Plot 2 In terms of the CSM features, the stand is considered to be in unfavourable condition (see Appendix 1 for the completed condition assessment recording form). This is because of the absence of mature/old growth stands and the extent of non-native trees in the canopy, which is greater than 5%. The field layer vegetation is also limited in terms of the cover and diversity of plant species that are associated with ancient woodland; only seven indicator species were recorded. However, by itself the lack of indicator species would not be sufficient to classify the stand as being in unfavourable condition, unless there was a known loss of species between sampling events. As such the field layer Sample Plot 3 In terms of the CSM features, the stand is considered to be in unfavourable condition (see Appendix 1 for the completed condition assessment recording form). This is because of the absence of mature /old growth stands and the extent of non-native trees in the canopy, which is much greater than 5%. There is some difference in the overall composition of the field layer vegetation to that of sample plot 2. Only three of the ancient woodland species were recorded which is not unexpected given that this sample plot was not located in ancient woodland.

5 Conclusions The surveys of the sample plots confirm that the woodland stands are best classified as W8 woodlands. However, all of the sample plots support non-native tree species and whilst this is not unusual in many W8 woodlands in Derbyshire, the extent of sycamore cover is greater than is considered to be desirable. The abundance of non-native trees in the sample plots has an adverse impact on the ecological interest of the woodland, which is verified by the results of the condition assessment. The unfavourable condition of the sampled areas of ancient woodland is also due to a lack of mature/old aged woodland. The general immaturity of the woodland suggests that the stands may have been cleared of trees at some stage in the recent past, or that the cover of trees was significantly diminished, possibly as a consequence of Dutch-elm disease. The sampled areas of ancient woodland support a field layer plant community that is fairly species-poor in comparison to the best examples of ancient woodland in the local area and many of the typical ancient woodland indicators such as wood anemone, bluebell and yellow archangel are present in low quantities or are absent. As such the sampled stands are of lower botanical interest than would be expected for ancient woodland in the local area. Indeed the field layer vegetation in the ancient woodland areas is of a very similar composition to that of adjacent secondary woodland stands.



The loss of any ancient woodland stands is likely to have an adverse ecological impact, but given the unfavourable condition of the stands it is considered that the impact would be less significant than the loss of such woodland that was in favourable condition. Areas of secondary woodland within the study site that will not be affected by the proposed development already support some of the above mentioned ancient woodland indicator species and have some of the characteristics of the ancient woodland including the regeneration of native trees such as ash. With targeted management, the ecological interest of the secondary woodland stands could be significantly improved and in the long-term it is anticipated that number of ancient woodland species will increase through natural colonisation from the local area. In addition, translocation of ancient woodland indicator species from areas that will be affected by the proposed development could be used to accelerate the rates of colonisation into secondary woodland, which would have a beneficial impact on the ecological interest of secondary woodland.



Appendix 1: Field Data Area to be assessed Site name, subdivision, feature details.

Wye Valley Woodland: Along spouth side of A6 at Cowdale

Details of visit: Surveyor, date, time taken

Mark Woods / Philippa Harvey, 10am- 12am: 26th January 2011

1. Area attribute

No loss of semi-natural stands Not applicable

Overall assessment -area 2. Processes/structure Understorey (2-5m) present over at least 20% of total stand area Canopy cover present over 10% of stand area At least three age classes spread across the average life expectancy of the commonest trees Some areas of relatively undisturbed mature/old growth stands or a minimum of 10% of the woodland or 5-10 trees per ha allowed to grow to over maturity/death on site A minimum of 3 fallen/lying trees >20cm diameter per ha and 4 ha allowed to die standing

Understorey > 20% in all three sample plots

Canopy >10% in all three sample plots 3+ age classes in all sample plots No areas of undisturbed mature/old growth in any of the sample plots Sample plot 1 – no fallen trees or standing deadwood Sample plot 2 – estimate 10 fallen trees per ha / 1 standing dead tree per 4ha Sample plot 3 – estimate 5 fallen trees per ha / 1 standing dead tree per 4ha

Overall assessment - processes/structuref

Unfavourable because of lack of old growth

3. Regenerationd Signs of seedlings growing through to saplings to young trees at sufficient density to maintain canopy density over 10 yr period (or equivalent re-growth from coppice stumps). No planting.

Sample plot 1 – most regenerating material cleared for

safety reasons

Sample plot 2 – young trees are frequent

Sample plot 3 – vigorous and locally abundant young trees

No evidence of planting in any plots

Overall assessment - regeneration Favourable

4. Composition

At least 95% of cover in any one layer of site-native or acceptable naturalised species

Sample plot 1 – only 60% of canopy species are native

Sample plot 2 - - only 60% of canopy species are native



Death, destruction or replacement of native woodland species through effects of introduced fauna or other external unnatural factors not more than 10% by number or area in a four-year period

Sample plot 3 – only 20% of canopy species are native

No evidence of faunal influemnce or external unnatural

factors. Sycamore, common lime and beech hav probably

colonised due to loss of wych elm in canopy, because of

disease.

Overall assessment - composition Unfavourable – too many non-natives in canopy 5. Quality indicators 80% of ground flora referable to relevant NVC community Mercurialis perennis Rubus fruticosus agg. Glechoma hederacea Primula vulgaris Viola riviniana V. reichenbachiana Poa trivialis Hedera helix Urtica dioica Galium aparine Geranium robertianum Brachypodium sylvaticum Hyacinthoides non-scripta Circaea lutetiana Geum urbanum Arum maculatum Dryopteris filix-mas Lonicera periclymenum Polypodium vulgare Polystichum aculeatum

See field forms for details, but Mercurialis perennis, Rubus

fruticosus, Glechoma hederacea, Hedera helix, Urtica dioica,

Geranium robertianum, Geum urbanum, Dryopteris filix –

mas, Polypodium vulgare, Polystichum aculeatum, Bromopsis

ramosa, Silene dioica and Deschampsia cespitosa recorded

within the sample plots.

Near continuous bryophyte cover

Non-woodland species include Petasites hybridus, Epilobium

spp., Carex pendula – recorded on flat ground next to layby

Overall assessment - quality indicators

Favourable - W8 and Ancient Woodland indicators present

Supporting notes Management/other events that have taken place recently and their impact. Work that would be desirable.

Rock stabilisation works on cliffs and rocky outcrops – sample plot 1

Overall assessment Favourable Unfavourable Partially destroyed Destroyed

Notes to support overall assessment: All sample plots in unfavourable condition due to lack of mature growth & presence of non-native species at too high a percentage canopy cover – mandatory attributes.



Appendix 2: Plan showing extent of ancient woodland and limits of rock excavation

Appendix 2: Species Lists

COWDALE SPOIL TIPS - BOTANICAL SURVEYS 25/03/10 Spoil Tips

Species Vernacular 1 2 3 4 5 6 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore (seedling) R R Achillea millefolium Yarrow R Agrostis capillaris Common bent grass O O O O Bellis perennis Daisy R R R R Brachythecium rutabulum F A Carex flacca Glaucous sedge LF LF LF Cerastium fontanum Common mouse-ear R Cirsium vulgare Spear thistle R R R O R R Crataegus monogyna Common hawthorn (seedling) R Cynosurus cristatus Crested dog's-tail O Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot O O O O O F Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hair-grass R Epilobium sp. Willowherb R R Festuca ovina Sheep's fescue LF LA LA LA F LF Fraxinus excelsior Ash (seedling) R R Geranium robertianum Herb-robert R Leontodon hispidus Rough hawkbit R R Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye daisy LF O O O F O Linum catharticum Fairy flax LF R R Lolium perenne Perennial rye-grass LD LA LD LD LDLotus corniculatus Common bird's-foot trefoil R Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear hawkweed O O LF LF LF Plantago lanceolata Ribwort plantain O O O R Plantago media Hoary plantain R Plantago major Greater plantain R Prunella vulgaris Self-heal R R Ranunculus repens Creeping buttercup O R R R Rumex acetosa Common sorrel R R Salix cinerea Grey willow (seedling) LF Senecio jacobaea Common ragwort O R R R R R Sonchus sp. Sow-thistle R R Taraxacum agg. Dandelion O O O O O R Trifolium repens White clover O Tussilago farfara Colt's-foot R Urtica dioica Common nettle LF Veronica chamaedrys Germander speedwell R Rhytiadelphus squarrosus LA

Cowdale Outcrop (NW edge of the quarry) Gridref SK077725 Date 04-Jun-10 Taxon Vernacular DAFOR Comment Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore LF Achillea millefolium Yarrow R Agrostis capillaris Common Bent-grass R Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent-grass R Alchemilla filicaulis subsp. vestita Common Lady's mantle LA Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail F Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone R Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica O Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley F Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-Grass O Bellis perennis Daisy R Brachypodium sylvaticum False-brome LF Briza media Quaking-grass LF Cardamine pratensis Cuckooflower R Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge LF Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed O Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear O Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb O Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle R

Cirsium heterophyllum Melancholy Thistle LF *Derbys RDB

Conopodium majus Pignut O Corylus avellana Hazel F Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn F Cruciata laevipes Crosswort O Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's-tail O Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot LA Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair-grass O Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern O Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern O Epilobium montanum Broadleaved Willowherb R Fagus sylvatica Beech LA Planted Festuca ovina Sheep's-fescue LA Festuca rubra Red Fescue F Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet R Fraxinus excelsior Ash LA Galium aparine Cleavers O Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw O Geum rivale Water Avens R Geum x intermedium G. rivale x urbanum R Glechoma hederacea Ground Ivy R Helictotrichon pubescens Downy Oat-grass R Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed O Hieracium Section Vulgata A Hawkweed O Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell LF Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling R Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy R Persicaria bistorta Common Bistort LA Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear-hawkweed LA Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage R

Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain R Poa pratensis Smooth Meadow-grass R Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass R Prunus avium Wild cherry LA Planted Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup R Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup R Rosa canina Dog-rose R Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble LF Rubus idaeus Raspberry R Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel O Salix caprea Goat Willow R Sanguisorba minor subsp. minor Salad Burnet LF Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage R Silene dioica Red Campion O Taraxacum agg. Dandelion O Trifolium pratense Red Clover R Urtica dioica Common Nettle R Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian R Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell O Vicia sepium Bush Vetch R 69 taxa *Moyes, N.J. & Willmot, A. (2002). A Checklist of the Plants of Derbyshire. Derby Museum.

Cowdale Calcareous Grassland LWS (Part of the West Side of the Dale) Gridref SK086723 Date 04-Jun-10 Taxon Vernacular DAFOR Comment Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore LF Achillea millefolium Yarrow R Aegopodium podograria Ground Elder LD Agrostis capillaris Common Bent O Aira caryophyllea Silver Hair-grass R Alchemilla glabra Smooth Lady's-mantle R Alliaria petiolata Garlic Mustard LF Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail LF Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica R Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal-grass O Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley O Arabis hirsuta Hairy Rock-cress R Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass LF Arum maculatum Lords-and-Ladies R Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort R Bellis perennis Daisy R Brachypodium sylvaticum False-brome LF Briza media Quaking-grass O Campanula rotundifolia Harebell R Carex caryophyllea Spring-sedge O Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge F Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed R Centaurea scabiosa Greater Knapweed O Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear O Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle O Cirsium heterophyllum Melancholy Thistle LA *Derbys RDB Conopodium majus Pignut F Corylus avellana Hazel F Crataegus laevigata Cult. 'Paul's Scarlet' Paul's Scarlet R Self-sown Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn F Cruciata laevipes Crosswort R Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's-tail F Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot LA Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair-grass LF Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern R Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern R Erophila verna Common Whitlowgrass R Fagus sylvatica Common Beech R Festuca ovina Sheep's-fescue LA Festuca rubra Red Fescue F Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry R Fraxinus excelsior Ash LA Galium aparine Cleavers R Galium sterneri Limestone Bedstraw LF Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw O Geranium pyrenaicum Hedgerow Crane's-bill R Geranium robertianum Herb-Robert O Geum urbanum Wood Avens R Helianthemum nummularium Common Rock-rose LF

Helictotrichon pratense Meadow Oat-grass O Helictotrichon pubescens Downy Oat-grass F Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed LF Hieracium Section Vulgata A Hawkweed O Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog LF Knautia arvensis Field Scabious O Koeleria macrantha Crested Hair-grass R Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling R Leontodon hispidus Rough Hawkbit R Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy O

Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's-foot-trefoil O

Luzula campestris Field Wood-rush O Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury LF Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not R Petasites hybridus Butterbur LD Phyllitis scolopendrium Hart's-tongue R Pilosella officinarum Mouse-ear-hawkweed LF Pimpinella saxifraga Burnet-saxifrage O Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine R Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain R Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass R Poa pratensis Smooth Meadow-grass O Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass R Potentilla erecta Tormentil R Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry R Prunus spinosa Blackthorn R Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup O Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup O Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine LF Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup R

Rosa stylosa Short-styled Field-rose R Needs to be confirmed

Rubus caesius Dewberry LA Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble LA Rubus idaeus Raspberry R Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel O Sanguisorba minor subsp. minor Salad Burnet O Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage R Scabiosa columbaria Small Scabious LF Sedum acre Biting Stonecrop R Senecio jacobaea Common Ragwort R Silene dioica Red Campion O Sorbus aria Common Whitebeam R Sorbus aucuparia Rowan R Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort R Taraxacum agg. Dandelion R Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme LF Tilia x europaea Lime R Ulmus glabra Wych Elm R Urtica dioica Common Nettle O Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian R Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell O Viola hirta Hairy Violet R Viola riviniana Common Dog-violet R Needs to be

confirmed 101 taxa *Moyes, N.J. & Willmot, A. (2002). A Checklist of the Plants of Derbyshire. Derby Museum. Other species: Chimney Sweeper Moth Great Spotted Woodpecker Small Heath

Appendix 3: Built structures descriptions

Ruins of quarry buildings There are four derelict structures associated with the former quarry, all are collapsed and open and draughty with no potential to support roosting bats. No signs of bats were located in association with these structures. They are all considered to have low potential to support roosting bats.

Power house The power house is a large structure made of concrete located along the original access road to the quarry. It is built into the stone cliff behind. Externally there are features present to offer roosting opportunities to bats. Internally there is no roofspace and the building is open and light. The building internally is damp and cold with no features suitable for roosting bats. The building is considered to have low potential to support roosting bats and no signs of bats such as droppings were located during the daytime survey. This building will be lost as part of the development, it is situated on the line of the proposed new road.

Limekilns The old limekiln structure is on the lower level within the woodland. The brick lined kilns have some superficial gaps in the brickwork but the kilns are damp inside with water running down walls and are considered sub optimal for bats. No signs of bats, such as droppings or staining on the walls, were located. The kiln structure is considered to have low potential to support roosting bats. This structure is to be retained within the development.

Appendix 4: Figures

Figure 2: Badger Activity Plan

Figure 3: Bat Activity Plan

Key

Badger Sett

Offices in: Bakewell, Oxford, Berwick-upon-Tweed & Monmouth Tel: 01629 815544 Fax: 01629 815577 Web: www.bsg-ecology.com Email: [email protected]

Date

Drawn

JUN '10

RSC

Checked

Approved

Dwg No.

Job Ref

FIGURE 2

4500.02

Figure 2 Badger Activity Plan

Snuffle Hole

Badger Path

N

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W E

Scale NTS

OS Licence No: Crown copyright reserved

Limited Liability Partnership

Status DRAFT

COWDALE QUARRY

Office: BakewellTel: 01629 815544

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Transect Route and Direction 25th May 2010

Offices in: Bakewell, Oxford, Berwick-upon-Tweed & Monmouth Tel: 01629 815544 Fax: 01629 815577 Web: www.bsg-ecology.com Email: [email protected]

Date

Drawn

JUN'10

RSC

Checked

Approved

PH

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Dwg No.

Job Ref

FIGURE 3

4500.02

Bat Activity Plan

Transect Route and Direction 28th June 2010

Transect Route and Direction 23rd June 2010

Stop Point

Common Pipistrelle Pass and Time

N

S

W E

Scale NTS

OS Licence No: Crown copyright reserved

Limited Liability Partnership

Status FINAL

COWDALE QUARRY

Office: BakewellTel: 01629 815544

Appendix 5: Consultation with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Arden HouseDeepdale Business Park

Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1GT

Tel: 01629 815544 Fax: 01629 815577

Our ref: 4500.01_001_let_ph_dwt.doc Your ref: 12th February 2010 Dear Trevor, Re: Proposed further ecological survey work for Cowdale, Derbyshire Following our site meeting on the 5th February 2010, I am writing as agreed to provide you with details on the further survey work that we consider necessary to allow us to determine the likely impacts of the proposed development and to inform the production of the Environmental Impact Assessment. These are as follows:

• Breeding birds; • Bats; • Badgers; • Reptiles; • Phase 2 botanical surveys.

Breeding birds A breeding bird survey will be carried out to determine the breeding bird interest associated with the study site, this will entail three survey visits between April and June 2010. During each visit a predetermined transect route will be walked over in order to view all areas of the site. All bird species will be recorded along with details of their activities using standard annotation. Bats In order to understand how bats are using the study site, three evening transect walks will be carried out when bats are likely to be active, in order to comply with the current best practice guidance1. Two surveyors will be required for the evening transect walk. By starting these transect surveys adjacent to the quarry face which has potential to support roosting bats, it may be possible to determine if the rock crevices support roosting bats. In addition, we will inspect any trees that may be affected by the development of the proposed access road for signs of bat roosts.

1 Bat Conservation Trust 2007. Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines

Trevor Taylor Derbyshire Wildlife Trust East Mill, Bridge Foot, Belper, DE56 1XH

Trevor Taylor 12th February 2010

4500.01_001_let_ph_dwt.doc

Reptiles The recommended method2 for establishing the presence or absence of reptiles is to undertake at least five separate surveys during appropriate weather conditions during April and May 2010. Pieces of lightweight corrugated sheeting or roofing felt will be utilised as temporary reptile refuges, to assist in surveying. The refugia will be put out in March 2010 to ensure that they have had sufficient time to “bed in” prior to carrying out the reptile survey work in April and May 2010. The surveys will then involve walking a transect around the site and checking refugia for reptiles and, using binoculars, checking for reptiles along the base of the quarry rock face and spoil mounds. Phase 2 Botanical Survey A Phase 2 botanical survey will be carried out of the areas of unimproved calcareous grassland on the spoil heap slopes, quarry face (where access is possible) and cliff top vegetation, and in Cow Dale. This survey would record in detail the species found within these areas, and where possible determine the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) community. This data would then be used to firmly establish the ecological value of these habitats as well as providing advice on mitigation/compensation. This survey would be carried out over two days in mid-May and early June 2010. Badgers Further survey work will be undertaken to determine the location of badger setts in relation to the proposed works. This will be undertaken during March 2010 before vegetation develops but when signs of badger activity will be evident. I hope that our approach is acceptable. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely

Philippa Harvey MIEEM Principal Ecologist c.c. Roger Peters, Geoffrey Barnett Associates c.c. Ben Dean, Hallams Commercial

2 Gent and Gibson 2003. Herpetofauna Workers Manual

Cowdale Quarry, Buxton Ancient Woodland Assessment Report

Documents

Transcript of Cowdale Quarry, Buxton Ancient Woodland Assessment Report