Continuation of Great Crested Newt and Reptile Trapping at Cinderford Northern Quarter

Description

As part of the progression of the Homes and Communities Agency's plans for the regeneration of the Cinderford Northern Quarter in Gloucestershire, a package of vegetation clearance is to be undertaken at the site. The site comprises a mixture of dense forest, open grassland and vegetated high ground. Due to the presence of Great Crested Newts (GCN) and a variety of other reptiles at the site, a trapping and translocation programme is required to facilitate the future vegetation clearance works. An initial contract for the GCN & reptile trapping and translocation works has been undertaken. As part of this initial contract external semi-permanent perimeter GCN exclusion fence, internal compartment GCN exclusion fence, pitfall traps, refugia tiles and steel access channels, in accordance with defined licensing agreements, have been established to facilitate the trapping and translocation process. Security fencing has also been installed to provide protection to the GCN perimeter exclusion fence to ensure its integrity throughout the translocation process. The Contractor will be responsible for maintenance and repair of all existing fencing and trapping measures currently installed at the site in accordance with the requirements of the European Protected Species Licence and any associated best practice industry guidance. As part of the contract’s maintenance works at the site the Contractor will be responsible for maintaining a 2m wide vegetation free zone along the perimeter of the installed fence lines. The Contractor will be required to control vegetation growth in these areas by hand. to ensure that vegetation does not provide a means of access across the fence line to translocated species. The use of herbicides will not be permitted. The Contractor will be responsible for the continuation of the trapping and translocation of GCN and reptiles at the site. The Contractor will be required to provide suitably qualified and licenced persons to carry out the works for the duration of the contract. The Contractor will be required to provide evidence of their proposed licensed personnel’s qualifications and experience to the Employer for acceptance prior to the commencement of the contract. The Contractor will be required to liaise with the incumbent contractor in advance of the agreed contract commencement date to ensure the continuation of the trapping, translocation and documentation process. All GCN trapping is to be undertaken in accordance with Natural England, Great crested newt mitigation guidelines and all reptile trapping in accordance with Herpetofauna Groups of Britain and Ireland, Evaluating Local Mitigation/Translocation Programmes Best Practice and Lawful Standards Advisory Note. Detailed daily translocation records shall be produced and maintained by the Contractor as part of the works in accordance with the contract’s translocation specification and industry best practices.