wentlooge renewable energy hub, peterstone, newport shadow habitat regulations … · 2020. 7....

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Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport

Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment

March 2020

A report on behalf of Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd

Ref: 0475-sHRA-MW

Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport

Site Details

Site Name Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub

Site Location Peterstone, Newport

Central OS Grid Reference ST 2767 8186

Client Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd

Quality Assurance

Report Title Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment

Report Reference 0475-sHRA-MW

Author Mark Witherall BSc MCIEEM

Checked By Faye Midmore BSc MSc MCIEEM

Approved By Jon Garner BSc MCIEEM

Revision No. 1

Issue Date 24 March 2020

Summary of Changes N/A

Revised By N/A

Approved By N/A

The content of this report that has been provided by Green Ecology is true and has been prepared and submitted in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s Code of Professional Conduct. Its contents are compliant with British Standard BS42020: 2013 Biodiversity Code of Practice for Planning and Development. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of the stated client and unless otherwise agreed in writing by Green Ecology, no other party may use, make use of or rely on the contents of the report. No liability is accepted by Green Ecology for any use of this report, other than for the purposes for which it was originally prepared and provided. Green Ecology has exercised due care in preparing this report. It has not, unless specifically stated, independently verified information provided by others. No other warranty, express or implied, is made in relation to the content of this report and Green Ecology assumes no liability for any loss resulting from errors, omissions or misrepresentation made by others. Any recommendation, opinion or finding stated in this report is based on circumstances and facts as they existed at the time that Green Ecology undertook the work. Nothing in this report constitutes legal opinion. If legal opinion is required, the advice of a qualified legal professional should be secured. © Copyright GE Consulting Services (UK) Limited 2020


Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment 24 March 2020 0475-sHRA-MW

Contents

1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Description of Proposed Development .......................................................................................................1 1.2 Scope and Aims ..........................................................................................................................................1 1.3 Consultation ................................................................................................................................................1 2 Natura 2000 Sites and HRA Requirement ..................................................................................................2 2.1 Natura 2000 Sites .......................................................................................................................................2 2.2 Legislative Context .....................................................................................................................................2 2.3 HRA Process ..............................................................................................................................................2 3 European Sites Scoped into Assessment ..................................................................................................2 4 Screening Assessment ................................................................................................................................3 4.1 Factors Affecting the Natura 2000 Sites .....................................................................................................3 4.2 Likely Significant Effect (LSE) Test ............................................................................................................3 4.3 Identification of Pathways ...........................................................................................................................9 5 Information for Appropriate Assessment ............................................................................................... 10 5.1 Severn Estuary Existing Condition .......................................................................................................... 10 5.2 Evaluation of Baseline Data ..................................................................................................................... 10 5.3 Change in Land Management/ Assessment of Functionally Linked Land .............................................. 15 5.4 Changes in Species Distribution/ Disturbance to SPA Assemblage Species ......................................... 18 5.5 Loss of Winter Foraging Habitat for Lapwing .......................................................................................... 18 5.6 Siltation and Dust (SAC & SPA) .............................................................................................................. 19 5.7 Water Pollution – Impacts to European Eel in Freshwater Environment................................................. 20 6 Cumulative Assessment ........................................................................................................................... 20 6.1 Cumulative Construction/Decommissioning Effects ................................................................................ 24 6.2 Cumulative Operational Effects ............................................................................................................... 24 7 Overall Assessment .................................................................................................................................. 24 8 References .................................................................................................................................................. 25

Appendices

Appendix 1 – Location of Natura 2000 sites in relation to application site .......................................................... 26 Appendix 2 – The qualifying interest features and supporting habitats of the Severn Estuary SPA................... 27


Shadow Habitat Regulations Assessment 1 24 March 2020 0475-sHRA-MW

1 INTRODUCTION

This report has been prepared on behalf of Wentlooge Farmers' Solar Scheme Ltd in relation to a proposed planning application at Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Newport (central OS grid reference: ST 2767 8186).

The application site, hereafter referred to as the ‘Site’, extends to approximately 160 hectares (ha) and is located on the Gwent Levels near Peterstone and St Brides. An Ecological Impact Assessment has been produced as part of the Environmental Statement (Savills, 2019) which accompanies the planning application.

1.1 Description of Proposed Development

The applicant is seeking full planning permission for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and includes boundary fencing, access tracks, battery storage units and associated infrastructure including grid connection buildings, transformer and inverter units. The proposed panelled area will be 128.4ha, grid yard 0.6ha and battery storage 0.9ha (total 129.9 ha) with an additional 2.6ha for ecological enhancement, plus 22.1ha of land set aside for lapwing compensation.

1.2 Scope and Aims

This shadow Habitats Regulations Assessment (sHRA) has been produced to provide Welsh Ministers with technical information to undertake the HRA under the provision of the Habitats Directive.

It should be read in conjunction with the corresponding application documents and drawings, in particular:

Environmental Statement Chapter 12 (Savills, 2012) Winter Bird Surveys Technical Report (Green Ecology, 2020) Breeding Bird Surveys Technical Report (Green Ecology, 2020) Draft LEMP (Green Ecology, 2020)

1.3 Consultation

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in their Development of National Significance (DNS) Pre-application Consultation (Ref: CAS-107058-K8Q6) dated 24th February 2020 provided advice on HRA as follows:

‘Should the competent authority (Welsh Minister) conclude that the proposed development is likely to have a significant effect on the Severn Estuary, we will advise on the appropriate assessment under Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

The purpose of the appropriate assessment would be to assess the implications of the proposed development with respect to the conservation objectives of the Severn Estuary.

The conclusions of the appropriate assessment should enable the Welsh Ministers to ascertain whether or not the proposed development would adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

Based on the information submitted so far, we advise there is not sufficient information for the appropriate assessment to be carried out, as advised under both ecology and nature conservation and ornithology.’



2 NATURA 2000 SITES AND HRA REQUIREMENT

2.1 Natura 2000 Sites

European Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitat and of Wild Fauna and Flora (known as the Habitats Directive) and Council Directive 2009/147/EC (codified version of Directive 79/409/EEC as amended) on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the Birds Directive) established a network of internationally important sites (i.e. Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs)) designated for their ecological status. These sites combine to create the Europe-wide ‘Natura 2000’ network of sites, also known as ‘European sites’.

2.2 Legislative Context

In the UK, the requirements of the European Council Directives are transposed into domestic legislation via the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (the ‘Habitats Regulations’). Under Part 6 ‘Assessment of Plan and Projects’, Regulation 63 (1) of the Habitats Regulations, an appropriate assessment needs to be undertaken by the competent authority in respect of any plan or project which:

Is likely to have a significant effect on a European site or a European offshore marine site (either

alone or in combination with other plans or projects); and,

Is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of that site.

As the application is not necessary to the management of the site for nature conservation, Welsh Ministers, (as the relevant competent authority), are required to carry out an HRA to ensure that the development decision does not adversely affect the integrity of European sites.

2.3 HRA Process

The HRA comprises:

An initial assessment, ‘screening’, of whether the proposal either alone or in combination with other

plans or projects is likely to have a significant effect on the European site. This screening process is

focused on the ‘Likely Significant Effect’ (LSE) test. This is essentially a risk assessment process

that seeks to understand whether there are any mechanisms for identified impacts arising from the

project to adversely affect the European site (e.g. cause-effect pathway); and,

If a likely significant effect cannot be ruled out, an Appropriate Assessment under Articles 6 (3) and

6 (4) of the Habitats Directive to determine whether the proposal will adversely affect the integrity of

the European site.

A significant effect can be defined as an ‘effect that is likely to undermine the site’s conservation objectives. Following the People Over Wind ruling (case C323/17) in April 2018, ‘it is not appropriate, at the screening stage, to take account of the measures intended to avoid or reduce the harmful effects of the plan or project on that site’ and therefore this screening is undertaken in the absence of standard mitigation.

3 EUROPEAN SITES SCOPED INTO ASSESSMENT

Two European (Natura 2000) designated sites lie within 10km of the Site and have been scoped into the assessment:

Severn Estuary SAC (UK0013030)



Severn Estuary SPA (UK9015022) and Ramsar Site (UK11081)

European site locations in relation to the application site are shown in Appendix 1 (provided by MAGIC1).

The proposed development was not considered to have effects on Natura 2000 sites beyond 10km as no potential pathways have been identified.

4 SCREENING ASSESSMENT

4.1 Factors Affecting the Natura 2000 Sites

The Assessment takes account of the current state of the Natura 2000 sites, the main sensitivities and the range and scale of potential impacts from the proposed development.

During the screening exercise, Natura 2000 Standard Data Forms produced by JNCC, have been used to identify threats, pressures and activities with high impacts on the European site’s designated features. In addition, Site Improvement Plans (SIP) which have been developed by Natural Resources Wales and Natural England for each Natura 2000 site outline the issues (both current and predicted) affecting the condition of the qualifying features.

4.2 Likely Significant Effect (LSE) Test

Table 1 below details the characteristics of the European Sites and identifies potential pathways for Likely Significant Effects (LSEs) as a result of the proposed development. These potential effects are as follows:

4.2.1 Alone:

Potential for siltation/pollution during construction and decommissioning entering SPA via reen network.

Potential for siltation/pollution during construction and decommissioning entering SAC via reen network.

Potential for siltation/pollution during construction and decommissioning entering reen network and effecting European eel in freshwater habitat.

Change in land management with potential to effect qualifying features of Severn Estuary SPA/Ramsar Site;

Possible change in species distribution if found to be functionally linked to SPA

4.2.2 In-combination:

As above

1 https://magic.defra.gov.uk/home.htm

https://magic.defra.gov.uk/home.htm



Table 1: Screening Assessment for LSEs

Site Name

Distance from Site at closest point

Qualifying Features Conservation Objectives SSSI Condition Assessment

Threats, pressures and activities with negative impacts on the site (taken from Standard Natura Form and SIP)

Risk of Signficant Effect?

Severn Estuary SPA

500m 24700.91ha site comprising a large estuary with extensive intertidal mud-flats and sand-flats, rocky platforms and islands. Saltmarsh fringes the coast backed by grazing marsh with freshwater ditches and occasional brackish ditches. The seabed is rock and gravel with sub-tidal sandbanks. The Severn Estuary qualifies under Article 4.1:

by regularly supporting 3.9% of the Great Britain population of the Annex 1 species Bewick’s swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii

Under Article 4.2 as it regularly supports the following migratory species of European importance:

Ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula;

Curlew Numenius arquata; Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina; Redshank Tringa totanus. Pintail Anas acuta; and, Shelduck Tordana tordana.

Assemblage Qualification

The area qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly supporting at least 20,000

The objectives are to:

Ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the aims of the Wild Birds Directive, by maintaining or restoring:

The extent and distribution of the habitats of the qualifying features;

The structure and function of the habitats of the qualifying features;

The supporting processes on which the habitats of the qualifying features rely;

The population of each of the qualifying features, and,

The distribution of qualifying species within the site.2

Favorable 95.8%

Unfavourable Recovering 0.08%

Unfavourable No change 2.43%

Unfavourable declining 1.69%

1/ Public Access/disturbance

No. Development has no additional visitors or residents other than low key maintainance. Otherwise private land with no public rights of way. Not likely to bring additional visitors into the area of SPA.

2/ Physical modification

No pathways likely to cause any physical modification to the SPA.

3/ Impacts of development

Yes - Low risk of silt or dust contaminants entering the air and reen system and indirectly into estuary during construction and decomissioning only.

4/ Coastal Squeeze No pathways identified that would contribute to this caused by the proposed development.

5/ Change in Land Management

Yes - Change in land management of potentially supporting land to the SPA, from sheep and cattle grazing (in some areas) to solar panels with mowing and/or sheep

2 Natural England (2019) European Site Conservation Objectives for Severn Estuary Special Protection Area Site Code: UK9015022



Site Name





waterfowl: Over winter, the area regularly

supports 84317 individual waterfowl (5 year peak mean 1991/2 - 1995/6) including:

Gadwall Anas strepera, Shelduck Tadorna tadorna, Pintail Anas acuta, Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina, Curlew Numenius arquata, Redshank Tringa totanus,

Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii, Wigeon Anas penelope, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Teal Anas crecca, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Shoveler Anas clypeata, Pochard Aythya ferina, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola, White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus.

grazing not directly affecting SPA. Loss of foraging areas for some qualifying species from SPA at high tide.

6/ Change in species distributions

Yes - Possible SPA species distribution change if land by reduction in winter foraging or disturbance during construction.

7/ Water pollution

No pathways identified that would contribute to this caused by the proposed development.

8/ Air pollution: Impact of atmospheric nitrogen

No. Renewable energy likely to have positive effect generally.

9/ Marine consents and permits: minerals and waste

No pathways identified.

10/ Fisheries: Recreational marine and estuarine


11/ Fisheries: Commercial marine and estuarine


12/ Invasive species No pathways identified. 13/ Marine litter No pathways identified. 14/ Marine pollution incidents


Severn 500m Annex I habitats (primary reason The objectives are to: Favorable 1/ Public No. Development has no



Site Name





Estuary SAC

for site selection): Estuaries Sandbanks which are slightly

covered by sea water all the time. (Subtidal sandbanks)

Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide. (Intertidal mudflats and sandflats)

Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae)

Reefs. Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection:

Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis)

Twaite Shad (Alosa fallax)

Assemblage of 114 marine fish population including European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Ensure that the integrity of the site is maintained or restored as appropriate, and ensure that the site contributes to achieving the Favourable Conservation Status of its Qualifying Features, by maintaining or restoring;

The extent and distribution of qualifying natural habitats and habitats of qualifying species;

The structure and function (including typical species) of qualifying natural habitats;

The structure and function of the habitats of qualifying species;

The supporting processes on which qualifying natural habitats and the habitats of qualifying species rely;

The populations of qualifying species, and,

The distribution of qualifying species within the site.3

95.8% Unfavourable

Recovering 0.08%

Unfavourable No change 2.43%

Unfavourable declining 1.69%

Access/disturbance

additional visitors or residents other than low key maintainance. Otherwise private land with no public rights of way. Not likely to bring additional visitors into the area of SAC.

2/ Physical modification

No pathways likely to cause any physical modification to the SAC.

3/ Impacts of development

Yes - Low risk of silt, , dust or chemical pollution contaminants entering the air and reen system and indirectly into estuary during construction and decomissioning only. This may effect european eel while in freshwater habitats of reens and ditches within the applicationn site, as well as qualifying habitats within the estuary.

4/ Coastal Squeeze No pathways identified that would contribute to this caused by the proposed development.

5/ Change in Land Management

No pathways identified that would contribute to this caused by the proposed

3 Natural England (2019) European Site Conservation Objectives for Severn Estuary Special Area of Conservation Site Code: UK0013030



Site Name





development. 6/ Change in species distributions

No pathways identified that would contribute to this caused by the proposed development.

7/ Water pollution

Yes - Potential for minor silt or fuel pollution or herbicides via reen network feeding into estuary impacting SAC qualifying features including european eel.

8/ Air pollution: Impact of atmospheric nitrogen

No. Renewable energy likely to have positive effect generally.

9/ Marine consents and permits: minerals and waste


10/ Fisheries: Recreational marine and estuarine


11/ Fisheries: Commercial marine and estuarine


12/ Invasive species No pathways identified. 13/ Marine litter No pathways identified. 14/ Marine pollution incidents


Severn Estuary Ramsar Site

500m The Severn Estuary was designated as a Ramsar site in 1995, covering 16,942 ha of wetland. The site’s qualifying interest features overlap

See Above See Above



Site Name





with those of the Severn Estuary SPA and SAC. The site is of particular importance for hosting internationally important populations of several species of water birds as well as its fish species migrating between the sea and rivers via the estuary. Qualifying features:

Estuaries Assemblage of migratory fish

species (sea lamprey, river lamprey, twaite shad, allis shad, salmon, sea trout, European eel)

Bewick’s swan European white-fronted goose Dunlin Redshank Shelduck Gadwall Internationally important

assemblage of waterfowl

http://mappedsites.cardiff.ac.uk/asera/features/habitats-2/estuaries/

http://mappedsites.cardiff.ac.uk/asera/features/fish/

http://mappedsites.cardiff.ac.uk/asera/features/fish/

http://mappedsites.cardiff.ac.uk/asera/features/birds/










4.3 Identification of Pathways

The assessment process has shown that the proposed development will not involve any direct land take of any of the European sites, however some indirect LSEs on the Severn Estuary SPA/SAC/Ramsar cannot be totally ruled out. As outlined in Table 1, these are:

Change in land management, impacting potential SPA supporting land (functionally linked land). This could occur due to the change from sheep and cattle grazing to solar panels with mowing and/or sheep grazing resulting in loss of winter foraging area;

Change in species distribution, due to loss of functionally linked land, or due to disturbance during construction and decommissioning;

Risk of siltation or dust entering water courses and impacting supporting SAC features or habitats of birds of the SPA;

Water pollution – impacts could occur to European eel from pollution and chemical contamination of freshwater habitats in reens and ditches. These issues will be taken forward and assessed in Section 5 in the next stage: Information for Appropriate Assessment.



5 INFORMATION FOR APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT

5.1 Severn Estuary Existing Condition

The River Severn SPA/SAC comprises 82 units of the River Severn Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The overall condition of the Severn Estuary SSSI, assessed in 2010 and 2014, indicates that 95.88% (9,588.86ha) is in favourable condition, 0.08% (8.01ha) is unfavourable and recovering, 2.43% (243.42ha) is unfavourable with no change and 1.69% (168.92 ha) is unfavourable and declining4 (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Severn Estuary SSSI Condition Summary (Source Natural England, 2019)

Bird populations were assessed at an estuary level and bird assemblage feature counts were maintained with the shelduck population increasing, but redshank, curlew and dunlin populations decreasing, these were still within thresholds but considered at risk.

5.2 Evaluation of Baseline Data

The application site is located in Peterstone on the Wentlooge level. At its closet point it is approximately 500m from the SPA the nearest point being Peterstone Gut, just beyond the Peterstone Lakes golf course. Broadway reen runs into the Severn estuary and flow is managed via a sluice system at this point. The reen runs northwest to southeast to the west of the application area.

During ornithological surveys (Green Ecology 2020a5 & 2020b6) at the application site over a consecutive two-year period (2017-2019) the following Article 4.2 migratory species were found to use parts of the application area:

Greater white-fronted goose; Gadwall; and Shelduck.

4https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/ReportConditionSummary.aspx?SiteCode=S1002284&ReportTitle=Severn%20Estuary%20SSSI 5 Green Ecology (2020)a Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Gwent Levels, Appendix 12.1 Winter Bird Surveys, Green Ecology, Christow. 6 Green Ecology (2020)b Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Peterstone, Gwent Levels, Appendix 12.2 Breeding Bird Surveys, Green Ecology, Christow.

https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/ReportConditionSummary.aspx?SiteCode=S1002284&ReportTitle=Severn%20Estuary%20SSSI

https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/ReportConditionSummary.aspx?SiteCode=S1002284&ReportTitle=Severn%20Estuary%20SSSI



In addition, other named species on the Article 4.2 assemblage qualification were recorded on Site, namely:

Wigeon. Mallard. Teal. Tufted Duck. Lapwing. Curlew. Redshank. Lesser black-backed gull (Ramsar C6).

For ease of reference a summary of SPA assemblage species recorded on during winter surveys at the site is provided below in Table 2 taken from the Winter Birds technical report (Green Ecology, 2019a).



Table 2: Severn Estuary species recorded over two winter surveys (Figures referred to accompany the winter birds technical report (ES Technical Appendix 12.1)

English Vernacular

Name

Scientific Name

SPA Qualifying

Species

Ramsar Criteria

BoCC4 Status

BoCC3 (Wales)

WCA Sch. 1

Species

Annex 1 (Birds

Directive)

E(W)A 2016

Section 7

Survey Findings

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons albifrons

Article 4.2 C6 Red Red - ✔ ✔ Year 1: Recorded once only on 09/01/2018 a small family group (3) were recorded with the local feral greylag goose flock feeding in fields on Site (Figure 12.1.4). Year 2: Not recorded

Gadwall Mareca strepera

Article 4.2 C6 Amber Amber - - - Year 1: Recorded once on 16/01/18 where 23 were flushed from the northern fishing ponds off site (Figure 12.1.5) Year 2: Not recorded.

Shelduck Tordana tordana

Article 4.2 C6 Amber Amber - - - Year 1: Not recorded. Year 2: Recorded on 2 dates: 8 birds were recorded in Field 21 and 5 on the fishing ponds on 22/02/19. Two were recorded on the fishing ponds on 13/03/19 (Figure 12.1.6).

Wigeon Mareca penelope

Article 4.2 assemblage

- Amber Amber - - - Year 1: Two high tide records, one from 09/11/17 of one bird flushed from northern most fishing ponds and nine birds on 09/01/18 from the same area (Figure 12.1.4). Recorded on 5 dates on low tide surveys in Year 1 flushed from the northern fishing ponds. The peak count being 19 on 20/12/17. Year 2: Two birds flushed at low tide on three occasions from the northern fishing pond on 07/12/18, 15/01/19 and 04/03/19 (Figure 12.1.7).

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos


- Amber Amber - - - Year 1: Regularly recorded at high tide from the fishing ponds but also in reens and ditches across the Site recorded on all survey dates (Figure 12.1.8). Low tide records a similar pattern of activity with birds on the fishing ponds and reens and ditches within the survey area on all survey dates. (Figure 12.1.9). Year 2: Records followed a similar pattern to the previous year with records from the fishing ponds and reens and ditches within the survey area. High tide records were on all survey dates. Low tide records were on all survey dates with the exception of February and march (Figures 12.1.10 and 12.1.11)



English Vernacular

Name

Scientific Name

SPA Qualifying

Species

Ramsar Criteria

BoCC4 Status

BoCC3 (Wales)

WCA Sch. 1

Species

Annex 1 (Birds

Directive)

E(W)A 2016

Section 7

Survey Findings

Teal Anas crecca Article 4.2 assemblage

C6 Amber Amber - - - Year 1: High tide records of teal were mainly from the northern fishing ponds where low numbers were recorded on three occasions with a peak count of five birds on 06/03/18. There was one single record within the Site on a reen in the west of the Site on 09/01/18 (Figure 12.1.12). At low tide there was a peak count of 13 birds on the fishing ponds on the 19/03/18 (Figure 12.1.13). Year 2: There were four high tide surveys where teal were recorded. The peak count being 30 on 13/03/19 associated with the fishing ponds. Eleven birds were also recorded within the Site on the 14/12/18 where they were flushed from ditches in the centre of the Site (Figure 12.1.14). Teal was recorded on two survey visits in Year 2 at low tide; the peak count was 35 birds on 14/02/19 mainly associated with the fishing ponds, but some were also flushed from reens in the north centre of the Site (Figure 12.1.15).

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligula


- Green Green ✔ ✔ - Year 1: Three birds were recorded once on the northern fishing ponds on 20/10/17 at low tide (Figure 12.1.12). Year 2: Not recorded.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus


- Red Red - - ✔ Year 1: Lapwing were recorded during four high tide surveys in Year 1 with the peak count being 300 birds feeding and moving around in the central area of the site on 09/01/18, the next highest count being 80 birds on 06/02/18 (Figure 12.1.16). At low tide there were far fewer records with lapwing recorded on two survey visits only, with the peak count being 34 birds in centre of the Site on 30/11/17 (Figure 12.1.17). Year 2: Lapwing were recorded on three high tide visits with a peak count of 170 on the 14/12/19 (Figure 12.1.18). During low tide surveys lapwing were recorded on three dates with a peak count of three birds on Site on 04/03/19. Others were recorded flying over the Site. See also Table 12.1.14 for wider area survey.

Golden plover

Pluvialis apricaria

- - Green Red ✔ ✔ A single record in Year 1 of one bird from a field in the buffer zone to the west was recorded on 19/03/18. There were no other records of this species.



English Vernacular

Name

Scientific Name

SPA Qualifying

Species

Ramsar Criteria

BoCC4 Status

BoCC3 (Wales)

WCA Sch. 1

Species

Annex 1 (Birds

Directive)

E(W)A 2016

Section 7

Survey Findings

Curlew Numenius arquata


- Red Red - - ✓ Year 1: Curlew were recorded during high tide surveys on two dates: on 06/02/18 five birds were record in a tussocky ungrazed and unmown field in the southeast corner of the Site and on the 06/03/2018, 30 birds were recorded in the same field then flew north landing again before flying off northwest (Figure 12.1.16). During low tide surveys one curlew was seen in flight heading east on 30/11/17 (Figure 12.1.17). Year 2: No curlew was recorded during high tide surveys in Year 2. During low tide surveys one bird was seen in the same field as Year 1 in the southeast of the Site on 07/12/18 and four were seen in flight over the same field on the same day (Figure 12.1.19).

Redshank Tringa totanus Article 4.2 assemblage

C6 Red Red - - - Redshank was only recorded twice over both survey years. During Year 1 a single bird was recorded in flight on 06/02/18 and again one in flight on 13/03/18 (Figure 12.1.17).

Lesser black-back-gull

Larus fuscus - C6 Amber Amber - - - Recorded regularly on Site and in the buffer zone during both years either feeding in fields or flying over the Site with a peak count of 20 birds on 22/02/19.



5.3 Change in Land Management/ Assessment of Functionally Linked Land

Whether effects are likely to be significant away from the SPA itself largely depends on whether it is considered that the land on Site is ‘functional linked’ to the SPA i.e. whether significant numbers of qualifying or assemblage species from the SPA use the land in question, away from the SPA, for example at high tide.

As a rough rule of thumb ≥1% of a SPA species population or assemblage may be used as a guide to start to assess whether land is likely to be Functionally Linked to an SPA. However, other factors need to be considered, such as frequency of use, type of use, availability of other suitable habitat in the area as well as the numbers of birds using the land. The weight of importance given to each named component species of an assemblage varies. In addition, the land should be demonstrated to be essential to a qualifying species such that it is important in sustaining and maintaining the viability of the European Site population before it can be classed as functionally linked.

5.3.1 Assemblage

The published SPA assemblage as a whole amount to 84317 waterfowl (5-year peak mean 1991/2 - 1995/6)7. Taking the peak count of all assemblage species recorded within the application area over the two-year period this amounts to 574 birds this equals 0.68% of the Severn Estuary SPA Assemblage. This figure falls below the 1% threshold and therefore the application site is not considered to be functionally linked and is considered of Local importance to the assemblage.

5.3.2 Individual Species

The following Table 3 gives the percentage of the Severn Estuary internationally and nationally important populations of the main component assemblage species recorded on Site. The Article 4.1. qualifying species Bewick’s swan was not recorded on Site during any surveys.

Table 3: SPA populations of individual species recorded on Site and their percentage of the SPA population

Qualifying Assemblage Species

Peak Count on Site

Published Severn Estuary Population (based on 5-year Av. 1991/92-95/968 )

Latest 5-year Average SPA Population9

Percentage of Published Population on Site (%)

Percentage of Latest Average Population on Site (%)

Notes

Greater white-fronted goose

3 2664 167 0.1 1.8 One off record, 3 birds were present for 5 days, only. In fields to northeast and south east of fishing ponds.

Gadwall 23 282 190 8.2 12.1 Recorded only once

7 Natural England (2015) Natura 200 Standard Data Form UK: 9015022 Severn Estuary.

8 JNCC (2016) Natura 2000 Standard Data Form - Severn Estuary UK9015022.

9 Frost, T.M., Austin, G.E., Calbrade, N.A., Mellan, H.J., Hearn, R.D., Robinson, A.E., Stroud, D.A., Wotton, S.R. and Balmer, D.E. (2019), Waterbirds in the UK

2017/18: The Wetland Bird Survey. BTO/RSPB/JNCC. Thetford.



Qualifying Assemblage Species

Peak Count on Site

Published Severn Estuary Population (based on 5-year Av. 1991/92-95/968 )

Latest 5-year Average SPA Population9

Percentage of Published Population on Site (%)

Percentage of Latest Average Population on Site (%)

Notes

on fishing ponds.

Shelduck 8 3333 4450 0.2 0.5 Fishing ponds and adjacent fields.

Wigeon 19 4830 7751 0.4 0.2 On fishing ponds and adjacent fields

Mallard 80 3162 2440 2.5 3.3 On fishing ponds and reens.

Teal 35 3270 5374 1.1 0.6 On fishing ponds and reens.

Tufted duck 3 796 812 0.4 0.4 On fishing ponds.

Lapwing 300 8636 10541 3.5 2.8 Central site.

Golden plover

1 98 4176 1.0 0.02 Single record.

Curlew 30 4009 3571 0.7 0.8 Field 48 in SE of Site.

Redshank 1 2330 5720 0.04 0.02 In flight only.

Lesser black-backed gull

20 2083 pairs (breeding season)10

N/A 0.9 - Central site and flyovers.

Table 3 shows there are three species which fit this criterion of ≥1%: Greater white-fronted goose, gadwall and lapwing.

Of these three species only one has been recorded as using the site with any regularity which was lapwing.

Greater white-fronted goose (Article 4.2 species)

Greater white-fronted geese were only recorded on two occasions on the same day (09/01/2018) by two different surveyors, where the same three birds (a small family group) were seen with a flock of local feral greylag geese Anser anser moving between the fields within the east and southeast of the Site for foraging. This represents 1.8% of current Severn estuary population 5-year average (167). According to the county bird recorder these birds were present for five days with the local flock of feral greylag.

This declining population is usually found at New Ground on the River Severn in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire11 and although historically were found more regularly in this area particularly at

10 JNCC (2008) Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands Severn Estuary Version 3, JNCC, Peterborough. 11 Hearn R. D. (2004) Greater White-fronted Goose Answer albifons albifrons (Baltic-North Sea population in Britain1960/61—1999/2000, Waterbird Review Series, The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust/Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Slimbridge.



Peterstone Gout, they are now regarded as scarce and irregular in this area of the Gwent levels (Gwent County Recorder, pers. comm.). It is therefore concluded that the Site is not important to this species at current population levels and the Site is not considered ‘functionally linked’.

Gadwall (Article 4.2 species)

A flock of 23 gadwall were recorded once on the fishing ponds over the two-year survey period suggesting this is not an important site for them. This represents 12.1% of the current SPA population. However, the fishing ponds are being retained and therefore gadwall will still be able to use the ponds in the future, therefore no likely significant effects to this species are anticipated.

Shelduck (Article 4.2 Species)

Shelduck had a peak count of 13 and was only recorded during winter transect surveys on two occasions in year 2 but not in year 1. Associated with fishing ponds or fields close by. This represents 0.29% of the 5-year average population (4450) for the Severn Estuary These records and the lack of other records, suggests the application area is not used with any regularity and with the fishing ponds and adjacent fields being retained. The application area is considered not likely to be functionally linked land for this species and therefore no likely significant effects to this species are anticipated.

Lapwing (Assemblage Species)

Lapwing were recorded through the winter period in both years, a peak count of 300 (09/01/18) was recorded on one occasion with the next highest count being 170 (14/12/18), they were recorded on the ground foraging on Site on seven survey occasions during the two year period over a total of 20 survey visits (October to February Inc.) (Table 4).

Table 4: Dates and peak numbers of lapwing recorded over two winters survey

Date Peak No. lapwing 09/11/17 7 30/11/17 34 09/01/18 300 06/02/18 80 22/02/18 1 11/10/18 1 14/12/18 170

Other species

Other assemblage species namely wigeon, mallard, tufted duck and teal were recorded in relatively low numbers and were mainly associated with the fishing ponds and reens which are all being retained and will still be able to be used by wildfowl. The fields immediately surrounding the fishing ponds are not in the scheme and will remain. There will be grassland buffer zones of at least 7-12.5m buffers around ditches and reens respectively, therefore if some species e.g. wigeon wish to graze there will be suitable habitat available to them.

5.3.3 Conclusion

Taking account of the records on Site discussed above, it is considered that the number of assemblage species (particularly main component species) using the Site is low and numbers and frequency of records are also very low with the exception of lapwing. Wildfowl species using the fishing ponds and reen system are not anticipated to be adversely impacted by the proposed development as these



habitats are to be retained and will still be available to these species. It is considered that the Site does not qualify as functionally linked land for the Article 4.2 birds, or the assemblage as a whole.

Therefore the change in land management from grazing to solar will not result in a likely significant effect on the SPA.

5.4 Changes in Species Distribution/ Disturbance to SPA Assemblage Species

It should be noted that this Site is already quite disturbed in a number of ways:

Normal agricultural practice; The main line railway immediately north of the Site; Regularly low flying helicopters; Model aircraft club who currently fly from a field in the west of the Site.

It is considered that birds that currently use the Site have become accustomed to these sources of disturbance to some degree.

5.4.1 Potential Impact

Construction/Decommissioning

There is a potential for disturbance to SPA birds using the Site particularly at high tide, during the construction or decommissioning period by uses of machinery and human presence on Site, which may interrupt feeding patterns and available feeding time during high tide periods or interrupt roosting behaviour.

However, the design intervention, ground conditions and practicalities of building dictates that the majority of construction/decommissioning works would commence in March and would continue into the Autumn for a period of 8-9 months, thus avoiding most of the time when SPA wintering populations are present in the area. There will be a requirement for some enabling works over the preceding winter period which will involve some hedgerow removal and the installation of new reen crossing points where necessary or reinforcing existing ones where needed. This activity is likely cause temporary localised disturbance in some areas of the Site.

Operation

There is unlikely to be any significant disturbance to birds during operation as maintenance visits are considered to be infrequent and generally involve a one of two engineers arriving on site in a van. This is considered likely to be less disturbance than current agricultural practices.

5.4.2 Mitigation

As most of the construction period is outside the winter period minimal mitigation is required. However, during the enabling works over the preceding winter activities such as hedgerow removal will be restricted to working in one area at a time to avoid whole site disturbance.

5.5 Loss of Winter Foraging Habitat for Lapwing


Operation



It has been assessed that there is a potential for LSEs on the SPA assemblage species lapwing that use the Site, particularly at high tide periods due to the loss of winter foraging habitat caused by the introduction of solar panels into the fields. However, it is considered unlikely that the land is functionally linked to the SPA. Although there will be 7m and 12.5m margins around solar fields and rides through the solar arrays, it is considered that this will make them unlikely to be used by certain species of wading birds, in particular lapwing which prefer more open fields to forage. The solar fields will be effectively lost as a foraging habitat for lapwing. During wider area surveys (up to approximately 2km) conducted in the winter of Year 2 specifically to look for lapwing using the wider area, birds were recorded on seven dates ranging from 1-45 and at distances of 400m to 1.2km from the site boundary. In addition, during vantage point survey numerous of lapwing were recorded flying over the site heading in all directions (ES Appendix 12.3) presumably to feeding grounds further afield at high tide especially. Given the amount of other similar habitat available to lapwing in the area, the Site fields are probably not crucial in sustaining and maintaining the viability of the European Site population, although they clearly are used and represent some importance to this species.

5.5.2 Mitigation

Following the precautionary principal compensation land will be provided for wintering lapwing. Forty-four hectares (ha) of additional land has been secured belonging to one of the participating landowners in the solar scheme. This land will be managed for lapwing and is located directly west of the application site. Management will include hedge and tree removal along reens and ditches to create a more open landscape, rush management, stocking levels and grazing will be also be managed to benefit lapwing. Details of management will be provided in a lapwing management plan.

5.6 Siltation and Dust (SAC & SPA)


Construction and Decommissioning

The risks of siltation, dust pollution or fuel/chemical spill during construction and decommissioning are considered to be of very low risk. This is due to the 7m and 12.5 m buffer zones which are incorporated around reens and ditches as part of the inherent design. However, some operations such as hedge cutting and new crossing point installation will take place prior to construction where there is an increased risk of minor pollution incidents.

If an accidental pollution event or siltation was to occur, it is likely to be small, very localised and isolated and even if siltation managed to get from the reen and ditch system into the SPA/SAC via the reen network this is highly unlikely to be a significant effect on the Natura sites, as the river and estuarine system itself moves and deposits huge quantities of silt as part of its natural processes and the addition of small amount of additional silt would have negligible effect on the protected sites alone or in combination.

Operation

Regular annual/biannual hedge cutting would take place and regular ditch and reen management that already takes place on major reens and ditches on Site by NRW will be extended to reens where the southern side of double hedgerows has been removed as part of enhancement measures to the SSSI. Again, this risk is considered to be low.



Mitigation

In addition to the inherent 7m and 12.5m buffers which will be maintained to allow the management of ditches and reens a Construction and Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) will be implemented, which will include:

The Environment Agency Pollution Prevention Guidelines 5: Works and Maintenance in or Near Water (2007) and Pollution Prevention Guidelines 6: Working at Construction and Demolition Sites (2012). Such measures include:

Reducing the need for dewatering through the prevention of water entering excavations; Minimising the amount of exposed ground and soil stockpiles; The use of silt fences at the base of stockpiles; and Plant and wheel washing in designated areas as appropriate.

These measures will also be incorporated into methods statements for operational activities such as hedge cutting and ditch and reen management.

Herbicides used in weed control and hedgerow removal will be carefully controlled using spot treatments using e.g. non drip weed sticks and ‘Ecoplugs’ to deliver herbicide. These will be used under method statement with the appropriate ‘high risk’ licence from NRW in place.

5.7 Water Pollution – Impacts to European Eel in Freshwater Environment

The effects to European eel are only likely to be from siltation and pollution during construction and decommissioning as discussed above. Mitigation applied would minimise the risk of any LSEs to this species.

6 CUMULATIVE ASSESSMENT

In-combination effects have been assessed in relation to other major developments within the catchment of the River Severn within 10km of the Natura 2000 sites. This comprises:

Môr Hafryn Energy Recovery Site Rush Wall Solar Park Gwent Levels Farmers Community Solar Scheme Cardiff Parkway

Môr Hafren Energy Recovery Facility:

Located approximately 4km south west of the Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub site, the forthcoming application (DNS/3236340) Environmental Statement for Môr Hafren is not yet available to review. This Site received planning permission in 2009 (09/00246/E) to include an advanced waste treatment plant. The ES submitted (Sterecycle UK Ltd, 2009)12 found no significant impacts to ecological receptors during operation and no residual effects were reported. There were some potential construction impacts relating to grass snakes and appropriate mitigation was recommended. Ecological surveys were updated in 2014 which concluded no significant change (Golder Associates, 2014)13.

12 Sterecycle UK Ltd (2009), Cardiff Waste Treatment Facility Environmental Statement, Chapter 7: Ecology, and Nature Conservation, Sterecycle UK Ltd

13 Golder Associates (2014), Permitted Waste Treatment Facility, Newlands Road Wentlooge: Updates to Environmental Statement: Ecology and Nature

Conservation, Golder Associates (UK) Ltd.



Given the ecological habitats on this site identified from existing surveys (mainly successional scrub and grassland) and those at the Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub being very different it is predicted that there is unlikely to be any significant in-combination effects to features of the Severn Estuary protected sites.

Rush Wall Solar Park:

This proposed solar scheme is located approximately 14km east near Redwick on the Gwent levels. The Site is within the Gwent levels SSSI – Redwick and Llandevenny and is within the zone of influence to five other Gwent Levels SSSIs. It is proposed to cover an area of approximately 100ha.

The ES is not yet available to review however the scoping report details the potential ecological features and the suite of surveys proposed which include surveys for bird species associated with the SPA/Ramsar Site

The site has similar ecological features to the Wentlooge renewables site.

Without the ES we cannot fully assess the cumulative impacts of this scheme, however if impacts are similar to those assessed in this application and if consented, it would result in the change of land use of potentially a further 100ha of coastal grazing marsh on the Gwent Levels, which may effect qualifying or assemblage species from the Severn Estuary protected sites.

Gwent Farmers’ Community Solar Scheme (GFCSS) Llanwern (DNS Ref. 3213968):

This project is approximately a 143ha solar farm with consent for 49MW south of the Llanwern steel works. The site is similar to Wentlooge in many ways as it is all on Gwent Levels SSSI and has similar notified habitats and species.

Two years of ornithological surveys and a suite of other ecological surveys was undertaken at this site.

The following Table 5 contains a summary of the LSEs taken from the GFCSS HRA screening report (Savills, 2017) included in the application for this Site.

Overall, it is considered that there are no significant in combination effects between the Gwent levels Farmers’ Community Solar Scheme and Wentlooge Farmers’ Solar Scheme.

Table 5: Summary Table of Likely Significant Effects In-Combination with GFCSS

SPA/ SAC/ Ramsar Feature

Alone (GFCSS) In combination with Wentlooge

Possible Effect?

Significance Possible Effect?

Significance

Estuaries No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Mudflats and sandflats

No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Sandbanks No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Atlantic salt meadows

No. No direct land take and

N/A None N/A





Possible Effect?


Significance

no alteration in hydrology

Reefs No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Bewick’s Swan

Yes. Loss of supporting habitat

Not Significant. Not recorded on site, site not considered important supporting habitat for SPA population

None Not Significant. Not recorded on site important.

White fronted goose

Yes. Loss potential of supporting habitat

Not Significant. Not recorded.

No in-combination effect

Not Significant. Low number recorded once at Wentlooge site. Considered scarce and irregular in this area. Ste not considered important supporting habitat for SPA population.

Shelduck Yes. Loss of suitable breeding habitat

Not Significant. Not recorded in significant numbers, Single pair recorded but no evidence of breeding no considered significant proportion of SPA population

None Not Significant., Not recorded in significant numbers, Low numbers recorded but no evidence of breeding; not considered significant proportion of SPA population

Gadwall No, Reen habitats and margins to be retained and managed

1% of SPA as a single breeding pair recorded, No winter records. Not significant.

12% (23) of population recorded once on fishing ponds (retained), In-combination 13%

Not significant as habitats retained

Waterbird assemblage

Yes. Loss of supporting habitat

Not Significant. Total number of waterfowl recorded using the site less than 1% of SPA assemblage (0.2%).

In combination with Wentlooge (757 peak count) = 0.9% of SPA assemblage population.

Not significant, total number of waterfowl recorded using the site less than 1% of SPA assemblage. Site not considered important in





Possible Effect?


Significance

maintaining SPA assemblage

Sea Lamprey No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

River lamprey No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Twaite shad No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Allis Shad No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Salmon No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

Sea trout No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

European Eel No. No direct land take and no alteration in hydrology

N/A None N/A

The Cardiff Parkway Scheme (DNS Ref. 3223413) rail facility. This comprises:

Major Events Stabling Lines (MESL) to provide approximately 2.4km of staging area for use during major events when additional services are needed on the passenger lines. The MESL is to be electrified with overhead lines (OLE);

Passenger Railway lines to run parallel with and connecting to the South Wales Mainline relief lines; and

Platform railway station, footbridge, 1,000 space carpark and associated infrastructure to serve the proposed passenger railway lines.

The site currently consists of an area of railway to the east of Monks Ditch watercourse and much of the 40ha of land is a mixture of scrubland, hedgerows and woodland. Adjacent to the site is the existing Tata Steelworks and the Site is bound to the west by the A48 highway (Southern Distributor Road).

There are currently no reports available to facilitate any cumulative assessments. However, the DNS scoping response (Planning Inspectorate, 2019) includes comments from NRW on the survey scope of the project, which includes support for proposed dormouse, otter, water vole and great-crested newt surveys, but does not include any recommendations for ornithological assessment. It also recommends that assessment of the impacts of water run-off is undertaken as this site is hydrologically linked to two Gwent Levels SSSIs: Whitson SSSI and Nash and Goldcliff SSSI.



It is likely that, as the habitat differs considerably from the Wentlooge application site the ornithological interest of the Cardiff Parkway scheme is very unlikely to support Severn Estuary SPA/Ramsar qualifying or assemblage species, therefore no cumulative impacts to ornithology on this site are considered likely.

6.1 Cumulative Construction/Decommissioning Effects

Gwent Farmers’ Community Solar scheme – Construction/Decommissioning effects on both the Wentlooge and the Gwent Farmers’ Community Solar scheme are considered of a temporary nature and any land damage will be restored post construction. Siltation and pollution events are considered to be minimal and were screened out at the HRA stage for GFCSS and are considered to be low risk and if they occurred would be small and localised at Wentlooge. As the GFCSS Site is already consented and construction is due to commence in Spring 2020, there is no likely chance of overlap during the construction periods of both sites therefore cumulative effects on the integrity of the SPA and SAC are considered highly unlikely.

The Cardiff Parkway Scheme – No information available, but probably unlikely.

6.2 Cumulative Operational Effects

The Gwent Levels Farmer’s scheme and the Wentlooge application combined will result in the loss of approximately 155ha of grassland habitat which will be no longer available to bird species associated with the Severn Estuary and Ramsar site. However, surveys at both sites have shown that very low numbers of SPA species use the GFCSS Site with most birds being recorded outside the application area. The GFCSS Habitat Regulations Screening Report (Ecus/Green Ecology, 2017) concluded that there were no LSEs to the Severn Estuary SPA or SAC and did not consider Appropriate Assessment necessary.

The only feature of the SPA assemblage at the Wentlooge that may be considered in combination is wintering lapwing as part of the SPA assemblage population and as wintering lapwing were mainly recorded outside the application area at GFCSS (max count in application area 54), the in-combination effects are considered to be negligible. Particularly when considering the compensation land provided at both sites to be managed for lapwing totalling 32ha which is/will be presented in their respective Lapwing Management Plans.

The Cardiff Parkway Scheme – No information available, but no LSEs likely as the habitat present is unlikely to support SPA birds.

7 OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Considering all aspects of any potential impacts this report concludes that there are no LSEs alone or in-combination to the Severn Estuary Natura 2000 sites caused by this proposed solar development. The one possible LSE is loss of habitat to numbers of wintering lapwing ( as part of the assemblage) that use the site and although it is considered that the Site is not functionally linked to the SPA, large numbers do occasional use the Site and therefore the precautionary principle has been observed and compensation has been recommended. In combination effects with the sites where information is available are not likely to be significant. Some forthcoming projects (not yet consented) were intended to be assessed but suitable information was not available at the time of writing to allow for any robust assessment.



8 REFERENCES

Savills (2017) Gwent Farmers’ Community Solar Scheme – Habitats Regulations Assessment

Savills (2019) Wentlooge Renewable Energy Hub, Environmental Statement, Savills, Taunton.

Planning Inspectorate (2019) DNS: EIA Scoping Direction 3223413 - Llanwern Rail Facilities.



Appendix 1 – Location of Natura 2000 sites in relation to application site



Appendix 2 – The qualifying interest features and supporting habitats of the Severn Estuary SPA14.

Species Original SPA citation (1995) *1

SPA Review (2001) *2

Natura 2000 form (2006) *3 Notes Supporting habitats

Internationally important populations of regularly occurring Annex 1 species [under Article 4.1 of the EU Birds Directive].

SPA interest feature 1: Bewick’s swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii

✓

✓

✓

Over-wintering

Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Saltmarsh

Internationally important populations of regularly occurring migratory bird species [under Article 4.2 of the EU Birds Directive]. SPA interest feature 2: European white-fronted goose Anser albifrons albifrons

✓ x ✓

Over-wintering

Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Saltmarsh Hard substrate habitats (Freshwater coastal grazing marsh, improved grassland and open standing waters also occur within the SPA but these habitats lie outside EMS boundary)

SPA interest feature 3: Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina ✓ ✓ ✓

SPA interest feature 4: Redshank Tringa totanus ✓ ✓ ✓

SPA interest feature 5: Shelduck Tadorna tadorna ✓ ✓ ✓

SPA interest feature 6: Gadwall Anas strepera ✓ x ✓

Curlew Numenius arquata x ✓ x Pintail Anas acuta x ✓ x Ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula x ✓ x On passage

SPA interest feature 7: Internationally important assemblage of waterfowl (wildfowl & waders) [under Article 4.2 of the EU Birds Directive]. Bewick’s swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii ✓ ✓

The Natura 2000 data form does not list separate waterfowl species within this assemblage.

The wintering waterfowl assemblage includes all regularly occurring waterfowl. Species that qualify as a listed component of the assemblage include all the internationally important regularly occurring migratory species as well as the Annex 1 wintering species. The list also includes species present in nationally important numbers or species whose populations exceed 2,000 individuals In the original citation, in winter, it is stated that

Intertidal mudflats and sandflats Saltmarsh Hard substrate habitats (Freshwater coastal grazing marsh, improved grassland and open standing waters also occur

European white-fronted goose Anser albifrons albifrons

✓ ✓

Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina ✓ ✓

Redshank Tringa totanus ✓ ✓

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna ✓ ✓

Gadwall Anas strepera ✓ ✓

14 Natural England & The Countryside Council for Wales (2009) The Severn Estuary/Môr Hafren European Marine Site, comprising: The Severn Estuary SPA, The Severn Estuary SAC, The Severn Estuary Ramsar Site, Natural England & The Countryside Council for Wales advice given under Regulation 33(2) (a) of the Conservation (Natural Habits,&c) Regulations 194, as amended. NE & CCW Peterborough & Cardiff.



Species Original SPA citation (1995) *1

SPA Review (2001) *2

Natura 2000 form (2006) *3 Notes Supporting habitats

Wigeon Anas penelope ✓ ✓ The area regularly supported 68,026 individual waterbirds *4. In the SPA Review it is stated that the area regularly supports 93,986 individual waterfowl in winter *5. In the Natura 2000 form, in winter, it is stated that the area regularly supports 84,317 waterfowl *6.

Within the SPA but these habitats lie outside EMS boundary) Teal Anas crecca ✓ ✓

Pintail Anas acuta ✓ ✓

Pochard Aythya ferina ✓ ✓

Tufted duck Aythya fuligula ✓ ✓

Ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula ✓ x Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola ✓ ✓

Curlew Numenius arquata ✓ ✓

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus ✓ ✓

Spotted redshank Tringa erythropus ✓ x

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus x ✓

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos x ✓

Shoveler Anas clypeata x ✓

wentlooge renewable energy hub, peterstone, newport shadow habitat regulations … · 2020. 7....

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