U.S.

EMBASSY, WANDSWORTH
Method Statement: Black Redstarts

1.0 Introduction

1.1 This method statement has been prepared by Waterman Energy, Environment and
Design (Waterman EED) for US Embassy, Wandsworth, hereafter referred to as the
„Site‟. It outlines the measures required on the Site prior to and throughout the demolition
and construction phases of the development to protect black redstart Phoenicurus
ochruros, and avoid triggering of the legislation protecting them.

Legislation
1.2 Black redstarts are listed on Schedule 1, Part 1 and Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act (WCA) 1981 (as amended). This affords special protection at all times.
„Special‟ protection refers to the allowance for greater penalties pertaining to offences
against this species, including larger fines and custodial sentences.

1.3 It is an offence for anyone intentionally to kill, injure or take any wild bird; to take, damage
or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built; to take or destroy the
egg of any wild bird; or to have in their possession or control any wild bird (live or dead).

1.4 The black redstart‟s listing on Schedule 1 of the Act makes it an offence to intentionally or
recklessly disturb the species while it is nest building or is in, on or near a nest with eggs
or young; or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.

1.5 Its listing on Schedule 4 of the Act makes it an offence to have in one‟s possession or
control any bird of the species, unless registered and ringed in accordance with the
Secretary of State‟s regulations.

Site Context and Description

1.6 The Site is located to the south of the River Thames, Central London and comprises a
number of industrial warehouse style buildings. The area immediately surrounding the
Site comprises similar built development, with New Covent Garden Market to the east
and a large postal sorting office to the west. Further warehouses exist to the south of the
Site beyond which lie railway lines operated by South West Trains. There is very little
semi-natural vegetation adjacent to the Site or close by.

1.7 The Site supports a very limited amount of semi-natural vegetation, restricted to ruderal
weeds growing between pavement slabs, and a small buddleia bush Buddleja davidii.
Small, distinct areas of ornamental planting and amenity grassland and a number of trees
are present across the Site.

1.8 A data search conducted by Arup in 2008 (see report: Extended Phase I Habitat Survey,
Arup, January 2009) confirmed that Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL)
hold no records of black redstarts within 2km of the Site boundary. However the species
is known to breed in the local area at Battersea Power Station Site of Borough
Importance (Grade I), 600m to the west.

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Method Statement: Black Redstart 1
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1.9 Owing to the nature of the buildings and habitats present it is considered that the Site
offers sub-optimal nesting and foraging opportunities for black redstarts and the species
would not be expected. Following consultation with the Greater London Authority,
Wandsworth Borough Council and Natural England, it was agreed that no survey to
confirm this was required. However it was agreed that precautions during demolition and
construction would be taken in the unlikely event that nesting black redstart are present,
as outlined in this method statement.

1.10 Following demolition of the buildings, should the Site be left vacant until such time as
construction work commences, the Site has the potential to become more suitable for the
species through the colonisation by pioneer vegetation typical of wasteland habitats.
Such habitats can become valuable since they can support notable plants and
invertebrates, and other species such as birds that feed upon them. However, active
management of the Site will prevent this suitable habitat from developing (see below).

2.0 Method Statement

Pre-Demolition Site Walkover

2.1 A walkover survey by a suitably qualified ecologist will be conducted immediately prior to
the commencement of building demolition, clearance of vegetation and construction
activities on the Site.

2.2 The survey will involve a thorough search of all buildings and possible nesting sites to
check for the presence of black redstart.

2.3 In the unlikely event that the species is discovered nesting on the Site during the site
walkover, then a strategy to safeguard the nest until the chicks have fledged (to be
confirmed by a suitably qualified ecologist) will be devised. This will include fencing off
the nest and that part of the site within 5m of it. It is possible that if the nest is on the
building the demolition works will need to be delayed until such time as the dependant
young would not be harmed. This could result in a two to three week delay to the
demolition programme.

2.4 Once the young have fledged the nest it can be removed and demolition can continue.
There is a commitment to the provision of new black redstart nest sites within the
proposed development. This will compensate any nest site losses.

Post Demolition Site Monitoring

2.5 It is understood that once demolition is complete the Site could be left vacant until such
time as construction work commences. In the interim between demolition and
construction the Site should be managed to ensure that the ecological interest and
potential for black redstart to “move in” is minimised. This will involve clearance and
removal of vegetation that might establish on the bare ground and avoidance of storage
of construction materials until such time as construction work is imminent.

Contractor Briefing
2.6 Prior to construction commencing the ecologist will brief the contractors with respect to
the following:

a) black redstart identification and habitat preferences;

b) housekeeping during construction in order to limit opportunities for black redstart,
which will comprise similar management of any newly established vegetation, as
described above;

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 c) action required should nesting black redstarts be found on the Site by contractors
during works, to include:
• suspension of demolition/construction work (as described under
demolition works above); and
• contacting a suitably qualified ecologist to ensure an appropriate
mitigation strategy, as described above, is prepared.
d) contact details of an ecologist to be consulted with and/or called to Site in the
event of the species being discovered during works or further advice being
required.

Ecologist Details:

Name: Carly Smith

Organisation: Waterman Energy, Environment and Design

Address: Akeman Barns

Coln St Aldwyns
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 5AW

Tel: 01285 750555

Email: c.e.smith@waterman-group.co.uk

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