1  Introduction

1.1 A 60 day reptile capture and translocation exercise was carried out at Mill
Farm. Whitton by Jaquelin Fisher Associates Ltd (JFA). This finished on the
11'1' of September 2002, It has been decided that the site has been cleared
sufficiently to allow destructive reptile searching. The site contains two areas
under separate ownership; which are both covered within the scope of this
document. One area is owned by Richmond upon Thames Churches Housing
Trust and tile other is owned by Richmond Borough Council and managed by
SERCO.

1.2   Common lizards and grass snakes have legal protection against intentional
killing and injuring under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). For this
reason, JFA staff will be present to remove any reptiles found during the
clearance of vegetation and debris. While the operation is to be carried out to
protect reptiles, the health and safety of the ecoiogists and other contractors is
paramount. The methodology is set out in Section 2. Other ecological issues
connected with site clearance are discussed for ease of reference in Section 3.

2   Destructive Search Method

2.1   The destructive search will comprise three stages- The first is cutting
vegetation with hand tools. The second is remova! of the cut material from the
site and the third is clearance using machinery. The destructive search will
take place during autumn 2002 and will need to finish before the end of
autumn due to the potential of reptiles entering into hibernation over winter.
Any reptiles caught during the operation will be relocated to the sites already
agreed with English Nature and Elmbridge District Council.

Stage 1

2.2   Some tins and felts have been left on site in areas where common lizards may
still occur. These will be checked and then removed as vegetation clearance
progresses. The vegetation will be cleared using hand tools (e.g. strimmers /
brush cutters and chain saws). This will be done by contractors selected and
instructed by the site owners, working in close cooperation with JFA
ecoiogists. Trees, shrubs and other vegetation will be cut close to ground
level. Two JFA ecologists will be present throughout the clearance in order to
capture any reptiles seen during the Operation.

2.3 Clearance will only be undertaken when ecologists are present. If specific
items of work can be undertaken without an ecologist's supervision this will
be agreed in advance on site and confirmed by JFA in writing.

Stage 2

2.4 The cut vegetation will initially be stacked on site in areas agreed by the
ecoiogists. It will not be burned within the site, to avoid the risk of reptiles
finding the piles and using them as refugia before the vegetation is burned.
Vegetation will be removed from the site before winter.

Stage 3

2.5   In the final stage of the destructive reptile search, tree stumps; concrete waste
and other debris on site is to be removed. These are features that could provide
refugia for reptiles. The ecologists will search these features before the
contractors remove them using machinery. Two ecologists will be present
during this operation.

3   Ecological issues other than reptiles

3.1   Land in the west of the development site close to the Mill Stream is to be
retained for the benefit of nature conservation. If the results of the
contamination study confirm that the existing vegetation can be left in situ
then the area should be protected during the destructive search and subsequent
site operations. The areas will be demarcated using chestnut paling fence to
reduce the chance of contractors accidentally damaging these areas.

3.2     A fox earth has been recorded in the north west of the site- Should any
proposed development necessitate the destruction of the fox earth it is
important that resident foxes are excluded first, to prevent any offences under
the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act (1996). Destruction of a fox earth in
April or May should be avoided as the young are most likely to be
underground. Fox exclusion is best achieved by the use of a chemical
deterrent such as Renardine, combined with soft blocking the entrance. The
fox earth would need to be examined on a daily basis to replace the soft
blocking if it had been disturbed/removed by foxes. Fox earth destruction and
exclusion would not require a licence. Provided the soft blocking remained
undisturbed for at least four days the fox earth could-be destroyed using a
mechanical digger.

3-3   Water voles are present along the bank of the Mill Stream outside the site
boundary. No areas along the stream will be included with this destructive
search operation. Where subsequent operations need to occur close to the
stream, including the removal of the concrete wall along the site boundary,
working practices will need to be agreed in advance.

3.4   It is not anticipated dial scrub clearance will occur during the bird nesting
season (generally March - August inclusive). If site clearance were
unexpectedly delayed then any trees and shrubs to be felled should be checked
for nests occupied by wild birds, as protected under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act (1981) and left until occupied nests are no longer in use.

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