Biodiversity and Geological Conservation

The works will take place on or near the Ceunant Twymyn SSSI, which contains features of geological importance. The proposed works are minor and Natural Resources Wales were satsified, when considering application 19/0416 FUL, that there would be no impact on the geomorphological interest of the site (consultee comment dated 26 March, 2019). They raised, however, the issue of invasive non-native species (INNS) and as a result a condition was attached to the approval, requiring submission and approval of a biosecurity risk assessment. This assessment was approved in October 2019. An updated version of this assessment follows below.

Existing flora 
The track runs across a hillside that has historically been used as pasture for sheep. As a result of continuous grazing, the flora of the track surface and margins, as well as the surrounding area, is limited. The surface is mainly grass: perennial rye-grass, lolium perenne, Yorkshire fog, holcus lanatus, and common bent, agrostis capillaris. The margin contains a good deal of bracken, pteridium aquilinum,with patches of nettle, urtica dioica, and gorse, ulex europaeus. Among the bracken, or on the surface of the track, the following species have been noted:

White clover, Trifolium repens
Common mouse-ear, Cerastium fontanum 
Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea 
Lesser celandine, Ficaria verna 
Creeping cinquefoil, Potentilla reptans 
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium 
Broad-leaved dock, Rumex obtusifolius 
Creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense 
Soft rush, Juncus effusus 
Heather, Calluna vulgaris 
Wood sorrel, Oxalis acetosella

There are a number of hazel (corylus avellana), blackthorn (prunus spinosa) and hawthorn (crataegus monogyna) bushes, as well as occasional rowan (sorbus aucuparia) and ash (fraxinus excelsior) trees. The surrounding area is grassland, interspersed with occasional patches of bracken. To the South, a grove of rowan trees has become established.

No protected or priority species have been identified on the site.

Biosecurity risks and their management
 The proposed works involve a limited amount of excavation to widen the track and smooth the surface. All excavated material will be kept on site and spread across the track. In the 125-metre stretch closest to Pennant Uchaf cottages, some clean quarried stone will be laid where the ground is particularly soft.

No invasive non-native flora have been identified on the site of the proposed works or in the near vicinity. Therefore it is submitted that the excavation and spreading of soil and stone that is already on site poses no risk of disseminating INNS. The only new material brought on site will be a small amount of rough quarried stone (not hardcore) which will be sourced within Pennant valley.

The remaining risk is that INNS seeds could be brought in from elsewhere on machinery or clothing. This risk is assessed as low: a single digger will be used which operates only in the local area. A dumper truck will be hired which will be delivered in a clean condition. Only two men are expected to be involved in the work. This limited risk will be managed by ensuring that the machinery is checked and cleaned before being brought on site, with any excess water (eg in digger buckets) removed. The same procedure will be followed on site each time machinery is to be taken off-site. Boots and other clothing will be checked, clean and dry before the workforce enter the site. Similarly, boots will be washed clean, and clothing checked, before leaving the site.