fewcott windfarm
Ecology
A comprehensive program of ecological surveys has been carried out at the site between autumn 2007 and summer 2008. The site comprises predominantly arable farmland. The perimeter of the fields containing the development site comprises hedges of varying completeness and species richness. The boundary between the northern field and the M40 motorway is a wire fence.
The site was evaluated for its potential to support protected species. This evaluation excluded the likelihood of water vole, otter and great crested newt occurring on site based on the lack of suitable habitat for these taxa. Habitat suitable for supporting populations of dormouse was not found. Surveys were then conducted to establish the presence and distribution of other protected animal species known to occur, including bats, badgers and birds.
Bat surveys were undertaken during spring and summer 2008. Mitigation to minimise collision risk to bats involves measures to reduce the likelihood of bats foraging in areas surrounding turbines (e.g. locating turbines away from hedges and woodland and appropriate management regimes).
The site was not found to contain nest sites for breeding birds listed in Annex 1 of the EC Birds Directive or breeding species listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
