1864 dormouse mitigation strategy adams drive · Introduction Kite Ecology has been employed by RLH Architectural Ltd on behalf of Hale Construction to produce a dormouse mitigation

kitekitekitekite ecologyecologyecologyecology

Mitigation strategy in relation to dormice Mitigation strategy in relation to dormice Mitigation strategy in relation to dormice Mitigation strategy in relation to dormice

onononon land off Adam’s Drive� Narberth� land off Adam’s Drive� Narberth� land off Adam’s Drive� Narberth� land off Adam’s Drive� Narberth�

PembrokeshirePembrokeshirePembrokeshirePembrokeshire

DraftDraftDraftDraft ReportReportReportReport

AugustAugustAugustAugust � !"� !"� !"� !"

kite kite kite kite ecology ecology ecology ecology

Chelston Narberth Road Tenby Pembrokeshire SA& 'JDChelston Narberth Road Tenby Pembrokeshire SA& 'JDChelston Narberth Road Tenby Pembrokeshire SA& 'JDChelston Narberth Road Tenby Pembrokeshire SA& 'JD

!')* '*�'+! &',& !')* '*�'+! &',& !')* '*�'+! &',& !')* '*�'+! &',& ' + ++' + ++' + ++' + ++

enquiriesenquiriesenquiriesenquiries.kiteecology/co/uk.kiteecology/co/uk.kiteecology/co/uk.kiteecology/co/uk

Land off Adam’s Drive� Narberth� Pembrokeshire kite kite kite kite ecologyecologyecologyecology

Mitigation strategy for dormice August � !"

1864 2

ContentsContentsContentsContents

!!!! Introduction and site descriptionIntroduction and site descriptionIntroduction and site descriptionIntroduction and site description ))))

�� Previous Previous Previous Previous AssessmentsAssessmentsAssessmentsAssessments ))))

)))) Summary of developmentSummary of developmentSummary of developmentSummary of development ****

**** Summary of dormice on siteSummary of dormice on siteSummary of dormice on siteSummary of dormice on site """"

++++ LegislationLegislationLegislationLegislation """"

,,,, Proposed mitigation strategyProposed mitigation strategyProposed mitigation strategyProposed mitigation strategy ! ! ! !

&&&& ReferencesReferencesReferencesReferences !*!*!*!*

Copyright Copyright Copyright Copyright kitekitekitekite ecologyecologyecologyecology/ All rights reserved// All rights reserved// All rights reserved// All rights reserved/

No part of the report may be altered or extracted without the prior written consent of No part of the report may be altered or extracted without the prior written consent of No part of the report may be altered or extracted without the prior written consent of No part of the report may be altered or extracted without the prior written consent of kitekitekitekite ecologyecologyecologyecology as to the form and context as to the form and context as to the form and context as to the form and context

in which it may appearin which it may appearin which it may appearin which it may appear/ Ownership of the report remains with Ownership of the report remains with Ownership of the report remains with Ownership of the report remains with kitekitekitekite eeeecologycologycologycology until full payment has been received/until full payment has been received/until full payment has been received/until full payment has been received/

kitekitekitekite ecologyecologyecologyecology have prepared this report for the sole use of client and no other party may use or copy 5either in part or have prepared this report for the sole use of client and no other party may use or copy 5either in part or have prepared this report for the sole use of client and no other party may use or copy 5either in part or have prepared this report for the sole use of client and no other party may use or copy 5either in part or

whole6 any part of the report without the written confirmation of whole6 any part of the report without the written confirmation of whole6 any part of the report without the written confirmation of whole6 any part of the report without the written confirmation of kitekitekitekite ecologyecologyecologyecology/ Any par/ Any par/ Any par/ Any part of the report cannot be altered or t of the report cannot be altered or t of the report cannot be altered or t of the report cannot be altered or

extracted without the prior written consent of extracted without the prior written consent of extracted without the prior written consent of extracted without the prior written consent of kitekitekitekite ecologyecologyecologyecology as to the form and context in which it may appear/ as to the form and context in which it may appear/ as to the form and context in which it may appear/ as to the form and context in which it may appear/ kitekitekitekite ecologyecologyecologyecology

accepts no responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any thiraccepts no responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any thiraccepts no responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any thiraccepts no responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any third party/d party/d party/d party/

This report� and the information contained in it� is intended to be valid for a maximum of !� months from the date of the This report� and the information contained in it� is intended to be valid for a maximum of !� months from the date of the This report� and the information contained in it� is intended to be valid for a maximum of !� months from the date of the This report� and the information contained in it� is intended to be valid for a maximum of !� months from the date of the

survey� providing no significant baseline changes have occurred/survey� providing no significant baseline changes have occurred/survey� providing no significant baseline changes have occurred/survey� providing no significant baseline changes have occurred/

Project numberProject numberProject numberProject number Report numberReport numberReport numberReport number Revision numberRevision numberRevision numberRevision number Date of issuDate of issuDate of issuDate of issueeee

!',!',!',!',**** ! ! ! ! DraftDraftDraftDraft !)!)!)!) '!" '!" '!" '!"

!',*!',*!',*!',* ! ! ! ! AmendedAmendedAmendedAmended �& '�"�& '�"�& '�"�& '�"



1864 3

!!!! Introduction and site descriptionIntroduction and site descriptionIntroduction and site descriptionIntroduction and site description

!/! Introduction

Kite Ecology has been employed by RLH Architectural Ltd on behalf of Hale Construction

to produce a dormouse mitigation strategy for land off Adam’s Drive� Narberth as part of a

planning application/

!/� Background and site description

An ecological appraisal report was produced by RDS Landscaping Solutions in June � !"/

The report describes the site as being ‘)/+ ha and currently consists of improved grassland

surrounded by mature hedgerows/ To the south and east of the potential development site

are areas of residential housing at Adams Drive and Bloomfield Gardens respectively/

These are on the outskirts of Narberth town/ Adams Drive joins onto the main road B*)!*

which leads to Narberth to the east and the A* by Robeston Wathen to the west/ To the

north and west of the proposed development is arable land with corridors of mature

hedgerows/ These networks of hedgerows connect to patches of semi?natural woodland to

the north west/’

!/) Important noteImportant noteImportant noteImportant note

This mitigation strategy only relates to dormice and is intended to be read in conjunction

with the RDS Landscaping Solutions ecological appraisal report and Tree and Hedgerow

survey and is not intended to replace these documents/

!/* Important noteImportant noteImportant noteImportant note

Dormice are a protected species/ Prior to any works which would impact on the dormouse

habitat it will be necessary to obtain a dormouse development licence from Natural

Resources Wales/ Such licenses can only be applied for once full planning permission has

been granted and all conditions relating to bats have been discharged/

!/+ As part of any licence application� a mitigation strategy must be designed which ensures

the favourable conservation status of dormice on site is retained post development/ This

mitigation strategy sets out how this status will be retained/

�� Previous Previous Previous Previous AssessmentsAssessmentsAssessmentsAssessments

�/! RDS Landscaping SolutionsRDS Landscaping SolutionsRDS Landscaping SolutionsRDS Landscaping Solutions

�/!/! An initial site inspection was completed by RDS Landscaping Solutions in May � !"/ This

identified ‘All the hedgerows contain mature shrubs and trees and suitable habitat for

protected species including bats� dormice and birds/ The plant species present in the

hedgerows include@ Ash Fraxinus excelsior� Beech Fagus sylvatica� Hazel Corylus

avellana� Downy Birch Betula pubescens� Blackthorn Prunus spinosa� Sycamore Acer

pseudoplatanus� English Elm Ulmus procera� Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna� Elderflower



1864 4

Sambucus nigra� Holly Ilex aquifolium� Sessile Oak Quercus petraea� Goat Willow Salix

caprea� Buddleja Buddleja davidii� Bramble Rubus fruticosus� Ivy Hedera helix� Dog rose

Rosa canina� Bluebell Hyacinthoides non?scripta� Daisy Bellis perrenis� Red campion

Silene dioica� Forget?me?not Myosotis sylvatica� Foxglove Digitalis purpurea� Cow parsley

Anthriscus sylvestris� Herb Robert Geranium robertianum� Dock Leaf Rumex obtusifolius�

Nettle Urtica dioica and Goosegrass Galium aparine/’

�/!/� Summary of Summary of Summary of Summary of dormicedormicedormicedormice in the areain the areain the areain the area

�/)/! While the data search from the West Wales Biodiversity Records Centre did not

identify any dormouse records within a �km radius� there are more recent surveys that

have identified dormice in the area/

�/!/� FieldFieldFieldField surveyssurveyssurveyssurveys

�/!/�/! Walkover by Kite Ecology

On &th August � !"� a walkover survey of the site was completed/ The weather on the day

of the survey was clear and warm 5� ˚C6� with westerly winds of Force �/ The layout of

the hedgerows is shown in Figure ! with photographs included in Figures � E &/

Figure !/ igure !/ igure !/ igure !/ Hedge numbers and survey area/Hedge numbers and survey area/Hedge numbers and survey area/Hedge numbers and survey area/

H4

H1

H2

H6

H5

H3



1864 5

Figure �/ Figure �/ Figure �/ Figure �/ Western aspect of Western aspect of Western aspect of Western aspect of Hedgerow !Hedgerow !Hedgerow !Hedgerow ! facing southwardsfacing southwardsfacing southwardsfacing southwards////

Figure )Figure )Figure )Figure )/ / / / Southern side of Southern side of Southern side of Southern side of Hedgerow �/Hedgerow �/Hedgerow �/Hedgerow �/



1864 6

Figure */ Figure */ Figure */ Figure */ Eastern side of Eastern side of Eastern side of Eastern side of Hedgerow )Hedgerow )Hedgerow )Hedgerow ) facing southwardsfacing southwardsfacing southwardsfacing southwards////

Figure +/ Western aspect of the southern half of Hedgerow ) facing northwards/Figure +/ Western aspect of the southern half of Hedgerow ) facing northwards/Figure +/ Western aspect of the southern half of Hedgerow ) facing northwards/Figure +/ Western aspect of the southern half of Hedgerow ) facing northwards/



1864 7

Figure Figure Figure Figure ,,,,/ / / / Northern aspect of Northern aspect of Northern aspect of Northern aspect of Hedgerow *Hedgerow *Hedgerow *Hedgerow * facing westwardsfacing westwardsfacing westwardsfacing westwards////

Figure Figure Figure Figure &&&&/ / / / SoutherSoutherSoutherSouthern aspect of n aspect of n aspect of n aspect of Hedgerow +Hedgerow +Hedgerow +Hedgerow + facing eastwardsfacing eastwardsfacing eastwardsfacing eastwards////



1864 8

Figure Figure Figure Figure ''''/ / / / Eastern aspect of Eastern aspect of Eastern aspect of Eastern aspect of Hedgerow ,Hedgerow ,Hedgerow ,Hedgerow , facing northwardsfacing northwardsfacing northwardsfacing northwards////

�/!/�/� All surveys were undertaken by� or under the supervision of a suitably qualified ecologist

who holds the relevant personal dormouse survey licenses from Natural Resources Wales�

is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management and

a Chartered Environmentalist/

) Summary of developmentSummary of developmentSummary of developmentSummary of development

)/! Under the proposals� the site is to be developed for housing/ There is existing housing to

the south and east of the proposed development and access on to site would be through

the existing housing estates of Adams Drive to the east and Bloomfield Gardens to the

south/ The proposed development is shown on Figure "/



1864 9

Figure "/Figure "/Figure "/Figure "/ Summary of proposed development/Summary of proposed development/Summary of proposed development/Summary of proposed development/

**** Summary of dormice on siteSummary of dormice on siteSummary of dormice on siteSummary of dormice on site

To date� no evidence of dormice has been found on site/ However this is only based on

nest and nut search/ A nest tube survey has not been conducted/ Due to the presence of

existing records in the area� the fact that the hedgerows are high quality dormouse habitat

5based on the presence of a suitable mixture of hedgerow species6 and the hedgerows

connect to additional habitat in the surrounding area� their presence on site has been

assumed and this mitigation strategy designed accordingly/

++++ LegislationLegislationLegislationLegislation

The dormouse is strictly protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act !"'! 5as

amended6 and the Conservation and Habitats and Species Regulations � ! / The

deliberate and reckless capturing� disturbing� injuring and killing of dormice is prohibited� as

is damaging or destroying their breeding site or resting places/ Licences are available from

Natural Resources Wales to allow actions that would otherwise be unlawful/



1864 10

,,,, Proposed Proposed Proposed Proposed mitigationmitigationmitigationmitigation

,/! Note to clientNote to clientNote to clientNote to client

,/!/! Dormice are a protected species/ Prior to any works which would impact on the dormouse

habitat it will be necessary to obtain a dormouse development licence from Natural

Resources Wales/ Such licenses can only be applied for once full planning permission has

been granted and all conditions relating to bats have been discharged/

6.1.2 Note to client

As part of a Natural Resources Wales development licence� a method statement must be

written which sets out how the scheme will proceed� while allowing the dormice to continue

to utilise the site post development/ This mitigation is discussed further in Sections &/� E

&/&� but in summary work to remove any hedgerows will be time constrained and buffer

zones are to be incorporated around the development/

,/� Hedgerow !Hedgerow !Hedgerow !Hedgerow !

,/�/! Description

A gappy� but species rich hedgerow that backs onto existing housing to the east along

Adams Drive/

,/�/� Proposed work

As it backs on to existing housing and will have new housing along its western side� long

term the hedgerow is likely to deteriorate and be subject to management pressures from

the surrounding housing/ It will also be necessary to remove a small section to allow

access/

,/�/) Mitigation

To minimise pressure on the hedgerow� a close boarded fence of !/'m high will be

installed !m to the west of the existing hedgerow/ Based on the current width of the

hedgerow� this would be approximately )m from the central line of the hedgerow/ A new

hedgerow will be planted immediately to the east of the new fence� so creating a new

hedgerow which will run parallel to the existing� so enhancing the amount of available

habitat/ Species planted will include hazel� hawthorn� blackthorn� holly� honeysuckle and

oak/ All will be locally sourced/

,/) Hedgerow �Hedgerow �Hedgerow �Hedgerow �

,/)/! Description

A species rich hedgerow that follows the route of the watercourse along the northern

boundary/ There is an existing livestock fence to the south of the hedgerow/

,/)/� Proposed work

This hedgerow lies immediately adjacent to the stream and will have new housing

constructed to the south/



1864 11

,/)/) Mitigation

To minimise pressure on the hedgerow and protect the stream� a close boarded fence of

!/'m high will be installed +m to the south of the existing livestock fence/ A new hedgerow

will be planted immediately to the north of the new fence� so creating a new hedgerow

which will run parallel to the existing� so enhancing the amount of available habitat/

Species planted will include hazel� hawthorn� blackthorn� holly� honeysuckle and oak/ All

will be locally sourced/

,/* Hedgerow )Hedgerow )Hedgerow )Hedgerow )

,/*/! Description

A species rich hedgerow that runs centrally through the proposed development from north

to south/ The hedgerow is over *m wide and over *m in height/ There are existing

livestock fences to the east and west of the hedgerow/

,/*/� Proposed work

This hedgerow will be located centrally within the development/ It will be necessary to

remove large sections to allow the development to proceed and long term the pressures

exerted on the hedgerow by the development are likely to make it unsuitable for use by

dormice/

,/*/) Mitigation

The loss of this section of hedgerow is being mitigated for by the planting of new habitat

along the northern boundary/

,/+ Hedgerow *Hedgerow *Hedgerow *Hedgerow *

,/+/! Description

A gappy� but species rich hedgerow that backs onto existing housing to the south on

Bloomfield Gardens/

,/+/� Proposed work

As it backs on to existing housing and will have new housing along its northern side� long

term the hedgerow is likely to deteriorate and be subject to management pressures from

the surrounding housing/ It will also be necessary to remove a small section to allow

access/

,/+/) Mitigation


installed !m to the west of the existing hedgerow/ Based on the current width of the

hedgerow� this would be approximately )m from the central line of the hedgerow/ A new

hedgerow will be planted immediately to the south of the new fence� so creating a new

hedgerow which will run parallel to the existing� so enhancing the amount of available



1864 12

habitat/ Species planted will include hazel� hawthorn� blackthorn� holly� honeysuckle and

oak/ All will be locally sourced/

,/, Hedgerow +Hedgerow +Hedgerow +Hedgerow +

,/,/! Description

A species rich hedgerow that runs from Hedgerow , in the west and Hedgerow ) in the

east/ The hedgerow is over )m wide and over )m in height/ There are existing livestock

fences to the north and south of the hedgerow/

,/,/� Proposed work

This hedgerow will be located centrally within the development/ It will be necessary to

remove large sections to allow the development to proceed and long term the pressures

exerted on the hedgerow by the development are likely to make it unsuitable for use by

dormice/

,/,/) Mitigation

The loss of this section of hedgerow is being mitigated for by the planting of new habitat

along the northern boundary/

,/& Hedgerow ,Hedgerow ,Hedgerow ,Hedgerow ,

,/&/! Description

A species rich hedgerow that runs along the western boundary/ There is an existing

livestock fence to the east of the hedgerow/

,/&/� Proposed work

New housing will be constructed to the east of the hedgerow

,/&/) Mitigation


installed )m to the east of the existing livestock fence/ A new hedgerow will be planted

immediately to the west of the new fence� so creating a new hedgerow which will run

parallel to the existing� so enhancing the amount of available habitat/ Species planted will

include hazel� hawthorn� blackthorn� holly� honeysuckle and oak/ All will be locally sourced/



1864 13

Figure ! / Summary of mitigation on site/Figure ! / Summary of mitigation on site/Figure ! / Summary of mitigation on site/Figure ! / Summary of mitigation on site/

Table !/ Summary of habitat loss in relation to new planting/Table !/ Summary of habitat loss in relation to new planting/Table !/ Summary of habitat loss in relation to new planting/Table !/ Summary of habitat loss in relation to new planting/

HedgeroHedgeroHedgeroHedgerow numberw numberw numberw number Length lostLength lostLength lostLength lost Length of new plantingLength of new plantingLength of new plantingLength of new planting

Hedgerow !Hedgerow !Hedgerow !Hedgerow ! ! m !&&m

Hedgerow �Hedgerow �Hedgerow �Hedgerow � m &,m

Hedgerow )Hedgerow )Hedgerow )Hedgerow ) !+ m m

Hedgerow *Hedgerow *Hedgerow *Hedgerow * !!m !+)m

Hedgerow +Hedgerow +Hedgerow +Hedgerow + !)m *)m

Hedgerow ,Hedgerow ,Hedgerow ,Hedgerow , m ! m

TotalsTotalsTotalsTotals !'*m!'*m!'*m!'*m +*"+*"+*"+*"mmmm

,/' Timing of worksTiming of worksTiming of worksTiming of works

,/'/! Initial clearance

During the winter months 5November to March in any year6� when dormice are in

hibernation� all hedgerows to be removed will be cut down to ground level/ This will make

the habitat unsuitable and the dormice will naturally move out of the area when they

emerge from hibernation in the spring/

,/'/� Secondary clearance

During the spring months� once the dormice have emerged from hibernation and moved

out of the area� the roots of the hedgerows will be removed/



1864 14

,/" Long term managementLong term managementLong term managementLong term management

The buffer zone must remain outside the curtilage of any future development and must

also be subject to a Section ! , Agreement to ensure its longevity/

,/! Note to clientNote to clientNote to clientNote to client

All recommendations set out in this mitigation strategy are licensable works as they impact

on dormice andFor their habitat/ A dormouse development licence must be obtained from

Natural Resources Wales before any work commences that may impact on the hedgerows/

,/!! Note to clientNote to clientNote to clientNote to client

All mitigation must be clearly marked up on drawings submitted as part of the planning

application/

&&&& ReferencesReferencesReferencesReferences

English Nature Report +�* 5� )6/ Surveying dormice using nest tubes/ Results and

experiences from the South West Dormouse Project/

Morris� P/� Bright� P/ and Mitchell?Jones� T/J/ 5� ,6 The Dormouse Conservation

Handbook/ �nd Edition/

RDS Landscaping Solutions 5June � !"6/ Tree and Hedgerow Survey Report/ Land off

Adam’s Drive� Narberth� Pembrokeshire/

RDS Landscaping Solutions 5July � !"6/ Phase ! Ecological Appraisal Survey Report/

Land off Adam’s Drive� Narberth� Pembrokeshire

Documents

1864 dormouse mitigation strategy adams drive · Introduction Kite Ecology has been employed by RLH Architectural Ltd on behalf of Hale Construction to produce a dormouse mitigation