Industry Nature Conservation Association

Summary of Activity

2014

Introduction2014 once again saw INCA busy providing ecological

advice to businesses with development proposals as

well as helping our members enhance biodiversity

on their landholdings and delivering ecological

projects. At times during the year our resource was

stretched to its limit with the scale and content of

work being undertaken necessitating the use of specialist

providers to supplement both our capacity and capability.

During the year we carried out a significant amount of

work relating to York Potash’s proposal to develop harbour

facilities on the Tees to export potash from its proposed

mine near Whitby. Later in the year we advised on mitigation

measures in relation to their mine site and the three mineral

transport system sites between the mine and Wilton.

INCA has now produced Biodiversity Actions Plans for

8 of our members. These plans help to differentiate

production and non-operational land, and allow the

companies to manage this land for the benefit of nature

conservation. Much of the non-operational land is

undisturbed and, with considerate management, has

become a haven for wildlife. This is a good example of

Tees Valley businesses showing corporate responsibility

by doing work beyond that which is driven by regulation.

For many years INCA has been involved managing little tern

colonies around the Tees coastline. 2014 saw additional

funding become available from the EU Life+ Fund and the

Heritage Lottery Fund. It was, therefore, rewarding to find

that enhanced wardening at Crimdon resulted in there being

92 fledglings from the site which monitoring would indicate

to be the most successful colony in England and Wales.

Looking forward, INCA’s priorities during 2015 will be

to recruit a new Director to replace Bob Pailor who

retires during the year, and to continue to provide a

quality ecological service to meet the needs of members

and clients.

The work we would help you with may be in up to 4 stages

1 The first stage is a site walkover to assess the risk of

the site having important habitats or being suitable for

protected species such as nesting birds, water vole, great

crested newt, reptiles and bats. This first stage should

be carried out very early in the planning process.

2 Should suitable habitats be identified then

the second stage is a site survey for species

that have the potential to be present.

3 If protected species are found then the

third stage is to design, obtain approval, and

then implement mitigation measures.

4 The final stage is to oversee the carrying out of the

work. INCA could give tool box talks to operatives so

they are able to avoid harm to species and habitats

whilst the work is ongoing. INCA could have a

periodic presence on site and be available to give

advice to ensure appropriate methods are used.

The various stages of work would be documented and on

completion of the work, a client report would be produced.

Do you need an Ecological Clerk of Works?

Are you planning a new development, decommissioning

plant, or carrying out maintenance works near to

watercourses, buildings or undisturbed habitats?

If you are INCA can help you avoid damaging the

environment and harming protected habitats and

species by becoming your Ecological Clerk of Works.

The legal penalties for causing harm to protected species

are high and ignorance isn’t a defence. In addition if

works need to be stopped at any stage then there could

be significant delays until suitable mitigation is agreed

with Natural England and then put in place. It is therefore

good practice to have an Ecological Clerk of Works

overseeing operations when carrying out major works.

Teesmouth SealsThe Tees seals are now viewed as a symbol

of the return to life of the Tees Estuary.

The 2014 season was the 26th year during which

seal monitoring has taken place at Seal Sands. The

season began with the birth of 19 Harbour Seal

pups, of which 18 survived to weaning. One pup

was stillborn, something which whilst upsetting,

is normal within a natural seal population.

Harbour Seal numbers built to a maximum of

110 during early September 2014, which is a 7%

increase on the previous year. Grey Seal numbers

built to a daily maximum of 59 in early August. This

represents a large (37%) increase in the previous

maximum, which was recorded in 2012.

The summer 2014 season saw the opening of

the Greatham Managed Realignment scheme,

a 22 ha site which is now subject to twice daily

tidal inundation. This may provide an increase in

the holding capacity of the estuary for seals.

BiodiversityThe conservation of habitats and their associated

flora and fauna is an important component of

sustainable commercial and industrial development.

Non-operational areas of industrial sites can play a

significant role in the conservation of biodiversity.

INCA helps member companies carry out habitat and

wildlife surveys on their properties and assist in the

development of sustainable Biodiversity Action Plans

(BAPs). During 2014 INCA developed and revised BAPs

for a number of member companies. At the Tees Valley

nursery of North Bank Growers recommendations

were made for the management of flower-rich

grasslands which would maintain their floral diversity

and provide food sources for butterflies such as

Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue.

Planting wildflowers and shrubs which

benefits birds, butterflies and other

insects was also carried out

at the Johnson Matthey

site at Billingham.

Working with company

volunteers species

such as crab apple,

guilder rose, bird’s-foot

Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast European Marine SiteThe Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast is an internationally

important area for the conservation of waterbirds.

Throughout the winter months the intertidal areas are

home to thousands of overwintering waders.

Until recent years the major negative

impact on birds was industry. This

is no longer the case with the

biggest threat to birds coming from

recreational users, especially dog

walkers, who often let their animals run lose disturbing

birds that are resting or foraging along the shore.

INCA receives funding to host a European Marine Site

Officer on behalf of the Teesmouth and Cleveland

Coast European Marine Site Management Group.

Current work is focusing on raising awareness by

publicising the Code of Conduct to users of the

coast, producing newsletters, using social media, and

maintaining the website (www.teescoast.co.uk).

The challenge is to encourage more people to visit and

enjoy our fantastic coastline but for them to behave

responsibly. You can follow our work at twitter@teescoast.

trefoil and teasel were introduced into non-operational

areas of the site. The volunteers, assisted by INCA, also

erected bird nesting boxes. A number of these were used

successfully in their first season by Blue Tits and Great Tits.

Nesting boxes have also been successful on other

members’ sites. Kestrel reared young in a box at Wilton

International and, with advice from INCA, boxes made

by employees at Cleveland Potash in South Cleveland

have benefitted not only common species like titmice

but provided Cleveland’s first known brood of Pied

Flycatchers for a number of years. Bat roosting boxes

installed several years ago have also been monitored

on this site. Droppings sent for DNA analysis at Warwick

University have confirmed that Whiskered Bat are

amongst the bats making use of these boxes.

Other surveys carried out by INCA in connection with

biodiversity assessments have found evidence of Otter on

Sembcorp land. Badger activity was confirmed on another

member’s site using a remote survey camera. The successful

nesting of Pochard, one of the less common duck species

breeding in the county, was confirmed on the North Bank

Growers site and the finding of the rare longhorn beetle

Agapanthia villosoviridescens at Wilton International is

probably the first recorded occurrence in Tees Valley.

Little TernFor many years INCA has been involved in managing

the little tern colonies around the Tees coastline. 2014

saw additional funding coming from an RSPB EU Life+

Fund grant and from the Groundwork North East

Heritage Lottery Fund Project, River Tees Rediscovered.

Indications are that this expenditure has brought rewards.

Increased funding meant improved wardening

at Crimdon with more effort going in to reduce

the disturbance caused by human visitors and

dogs. People were asked to keep clear of the

fenced off colony and keep their dogs under close

control especially during the critical time when

the young, flightless chicks, leave the fenced area

to go down to the shore to learn how to feed.

Due to a combination of factors 2014 proved to be a

fantastic year at Crimdon. 92 little tern fledged, which

is the 4th best breeding season since monitoring began

in 1995. This success is particularly welcome following

disastrous years in 2012 and 2013 where predation

devastated the colony. It is believed that during 2014

Crimdon was the most successful colony in the UK.

During 2015 we hope to re-establish a second little

tern colony on Tata Steel land at South Gare.

Environment ForaINCA continues to contribute to number of environmental

fora ensuring that the views of our members are heard

and considered.

We are an active member of the Management Group

of the Tees Valley Local Nature Partnership. We provide

secretariat to the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast

European Marine Site Management Scheme. We are

the North East Business and Industry representative on

the Environment Agency Water Framework Directive

Northumbria River Basin Panel. We are also a member

of Natural England’s influential National Development

Industry Group.

We believe that this is a valuable, not always realised,

service which INCA provides to our members. We have

a seat at the table of key environment fora enabling us,

where appropriate, to influence and then inform members

of environmental matters which might impact on them.

What INCA can do for you• Are you considering a future development

on your site? If you are, then the

earliest possible contact with INCA is

recommended so we can advise

you of potential ecological

constraints and how they

might be avoided or mitigated.

• Do you wish to conserve and enhance biodiversity

on your landholding? We can produce a Biodiversity

Action Plan for you which will take account of your

present and any potential future commercial operations.

• Are you planning to dismantle plant? We can survey

your site and assess the risk of the proposed work

affecting protected species. If protected

species are present we can

advise on mitigation.

• Do you wish to promote

your environmental

credentials and

demonstrate

your corporate

responsibility? We

can write articles for

your in-house and

external publications

and help you publicise

your achievements. If

you have a company grant

scheme we can help

you deliver local

ecological projects.

• If you wish to raise

your staff knowledge

of environmental issues

we can help with training

and raising awareness.

Forward LookINCA’s core priorities in 2015 are:

• To recruit a new Director to replace Bob Pailor who

retires during 2015.

• To continue to promote the quality of the Tees

environment acknowledging the contribution made

by our members.

• To be the first stop for new and existing businesses

requiring ecological information and advice relating

to development proposals.

• To work proactively so that where practicable

ecological data is collected and stored on an

ongoing basis.

• To provide a quality, timely, efficient and value for

money service to our members and clients.

• To develop the skills and competencies of the INCA

team to meet the needs of our members and clients.

• To have specialist providers available to supplement

the INCA team where it appropriate for the scale or

content of the work being undertaken.

• To ensure our members interests are taken into

account by key Environment Fora.

Phoenix Centre, Wilton International, Redcar TS10 4RG

Tel: 01642 454953 Fax: 01642 452428 Email: plover@inca.uk.com www.inca.uk.com

Photograph Acknowledgements: John Bridges, S and J Photography, INCA

Industry Nature Conservation Association

Current Members

Industrial/Commercial

Able (UK) LtdAir ProductsAnderson Barrowcliff LLPAugean PLCBOC LtdBP Exploration Operating Co LtdCanal and Rivers TrustCleveland Potash LtdConocoPhillips LtdExwold TechnologyFine Organics LtdGreenergyGrowHow UK LtdHuntsman PigmentsHuntsman PolyurethanesJohnson MattheyKoppers (UK) LtdNorth Bank GrowersLotteLucite International UK LimitednPower CogenPD Teesport Ltdpx LimitedSABIC UK PetrochemicalsSembCorp Utilities UK LtdSimon Storage LtdSITATata SteelTees Pilots

UnivarVertellusVopakYork Potash (Sirius Minerals)

Nature Conservation

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)Tees Valley Wildlife TrustTeesmouth Bird ClubTeesmouth Field CentreTeesside Environmental Trust

Statutory AuthoritiesNatural EnglandRedcar & Cleveland Borough CouncilStockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Contact Information

Further information can be obtained from the INCA website www.inca.uk.com

Contacts

INCAPhoenix Centre, Wilton InternationalREDCAR, TS10 4RGGeneral Tel: 01642 454953General Fax: 01642 452428

Bob Pailor (Director)Tel: 01642 455102E-mail: bob.pailor@inca.uk.com

Geoff Barber (Principal Conservation Officer)Tel: 01642 455109E-mail: geoff.barber@inca.uk.com

Robert Woods (Conservation Officer)Tel: 01642 455104E-mail: robert.woods@inca.uk.com

Ken Smith (COMAH, IPPC)Tel: 01642 455108E-mail: kensmith@inca.uk.com

Tracy Smith (Administration Support)Tel: 01642 454953E-mail: tracy.smith@inca.uk.com

Vicky Rae (European Marine Site Officer)Tel: 01642 455107E-mail: vicky.rae@inca.uk.com