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Peel WWTW – Planning Condition Responses

C4.Biodiversity enhancement

No development shall take place, including works of site clearance and ground preparation, until a scheme, including a timetable for implementation, for the enhancement of biodiversity on the site, in accordance with the mitigation measures set out at Section 4.5 of Volume 1 of the Environmental Statement, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The scheme shall include details of an ongoing management scheme for the grassland areas and a bat and bird box plan. Development shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. Reason: In order to enhance habitat on the site pursuant to Environment Policy 4 of the Strategic Plan.

Introduction This response provides a summary of the relevant information which has been provided by the scheme Ecologists. In addition to the tree, bank and hedge planting referenced in condition 2 the following measures are proposed:

Enhanced grassland (neutral) Neutral grassland is to be retained and enhanced into good condition within field 311835 to the east and south of the new treatment works and adjacent Glenfaba road within field 311836. Enhancement of the grassland habitat will aim to create a diverse sward of varying heights to improve the quality of habitats for fungi, plants, invertebrates, birds, amphibians, reptiles and bats. The design will include the following: Enhancement of existing species-poor grassland into native species-rich grassland will be by the establishment of a management regime: this is to include mowing to encourage the development of a species-rich grassland/wildflower meadow with a range of grass lengths and diverse sward structures to benefit invertebrates, with areas of low and open sward for ground feeding birds.

Field 311835 The field will be cut twice annually in spring (before 30th April) and late-summer. To ensure reptiles and amphibians are not harmed during maintenance the grasslands will be cut during sunny to partly cloudy conditions and the areas to be cut will be walked by the machine operator. Appropriate weather conditions will ensure that reptiles and amphibians are warm enough to escape and human disturbance will temporarily displace animals. All cuttings after mowing will be collected and removed from Site to create low-nutrient conditions favourable for biodiversity. Mowing large areas of grassland at once creates a uniform habitat structure, and removes all floral resources simultaneously (Morris 2000). Therefore, in any one year, approximately

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25% of the field should be left uncut (either as ‘islands’ or at the margins) to allow establishment of seed bank and provide refuges for invertebrates to recolonise mown areas.

Field 311836 (fungi management field) Within field 311836, wherever reasonably practicable, measures will be implemented to protect fungi, while efforts will be made to enhance the surrounding grassland to promote greater fungal growth and biodiversity across the wider grassland. Existing grassland will be excluded from the construction areas where possible. In other areas outside of the roadway, existing turf shall be cut and relayed or stripped and stockpiled for re -use in accordance with the procedures outlined and submitted as part of condition 10

To encourage the retained fungi to colonise new areas of the grassland the following management will apply:

• The field will be cut twice annually in spring (before 30th April) and summer (between 1st August – 31st August) to maintain a short sward in the autumn suitable for fungi. • Ensure sward height at field 311836 is 3-5cm height after each cut. There may also be a need to a third cut in spring or summer if the grassland reaches a sward height that could have a negative impact on fungi (approximately over 50cm-60cm). • The application of fertiliser, herbicides and pesticides will be prohibited. • Grassland mowing will be prohibited during autumn (1st September to 30th November) to allow mushrooms to fully develop and release their spores, promoting natural dispersal and reproduction. • Reduce soil nutrients by removing cuttings after mowing to create low-nutrient conditions favourable for fungal diversity.

Enhanced bracken areas Enhancement of bracken area on the embankment to the east and south of field 311835 to other neutral grassland or other acid grassland. By bracken control and natural regeneration of grassland This will provide a higher diversity of habitat types and create a habitat mosaic of better suitability to protected species such as birds, amphibians and reptiles etc. Existing areas of scrub, gorse etc would be retained and enhanced through ongoing management and planting to increase species diversity. Bracken will be controlled (rather than eradicated) to below 20% cover. This will be achieved through cutting twice annually in May/June and July/August for a minimum of 5 years. For locations where bracken growth is vigorous it may be necessary to include a third cut in the months described. Bracken control and future maintenance will be undertaken annually and achieved by machinery suitable for operating on embankments. Care should be taken to protect the soil/ grassland that is under the bracken cover. This can be achieved by using a tracked, remote operated flail and ensuring the operator takes steps to avoid soil damage. These include but are not limited to:

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• Operating machinery during a period of dry weather. • Turn the machinery at a wide angle rather than a pivot. • Operating the machinery slowly. Care will be taken when carrying out these cuts to avoid damage to reptiles and amphibians. This can be achieved by disturbing by walking the location proposed for cutting. During bracken management the machine used for cutting/flailing is prohibited from areas of dense scrub and should give these areas a wide birth. This is to avoid disturbance and destruction of breeding bird habitat. Chemical treatment to bracken is prohibited. This is because pesticides may inhibit the natural regeneration of the grassland. The preference for grassland enhancement is through natural regeneration. However, if the grassland is not showing signs of natural regeneration, then a suitable seed mix will be applied to the grassland.

Please refer to 10057112-ARC-XX-XX-DR-C-0328_C03 - Proposed Landscape Plan for locations.

Bird and Bat boxes Bats New roosting opportunities will be provided by installing eight bat boxes at the southern woodland, to Map 2. This will enhance the Site for bats. Bat boxes will be of different types to include the below: • 3 X 2F Schwegler Bat box https://www.nhbs.com/2f-schwegler-bat-box-general- purpose • 1 X Large multi chamber woodstone bat box https://www.nhbs.com/large-multi- chamber-woodstone-bat-box • 2 X low profile Woodstone bat box https://www.nhbs.com/low-profile-woodstone-bat- box • 2 X vivara pro woodstone bat box https://www.nhbs.com/vivara-pro-woodstone-bat-box

Bat boxes will be located and installed as follows: • Where bats are known to feed/ navigate. • At least 4m above ground. • Away from artificial light sources. • Sheltered from strong winds. • Expose to the sun for par of the day.

Birds Mitigation and compensation for bird species in the form of nest boxes will be incorporated on the Site. A total of eight bird boxes will be installed at the woodland to the south of the

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Site. Boxes will comprise a variety of styles to provide habitat for a range of birds with differing nesting requirements, these are as follows: • 5 X NHBS wooden bird next box https://www.nhbs.com/nhbs-wooden-bird- nest-box • 2 X Barn Owl Nest box https://www.nhbs.com/barn-owl-nest-box • 1 X woodpecker bird house https://www.nhbs.com/woodpecker-bird-house

Bird boxes will be installed and located as follows: • Where birds are known to feed/ navigate • At least 3m above ground • Space boxes away from neighbours to prevent territorial behaviour • Shelter from the weather - the front of the nest box should be angled vertically or slightly downwards to prevent rain from entering the nest box Boxes should be attached to the tree using an aluminium nail or tied in position using wire/leather

Timetable for implementation Grassland enhancements within field 311835 (treatment works) to be completed following completion of the construction phase and establishment of the perimeter fencing in 2027. Bracken enhancement and grassland enhancement of field 311836 (with the exception of the site compound) to be completed early 2026. Reinstatement of the compound area to take place upon completion of all works at end 2027 Bird and Bat boxes to be installed upon commencement subject to checks for nesting birds.