SUMMARYThe Business Environment Partnership’s (BEP) Biodiversity Initiative has undertaken a
biodiversity survey of the Lovat Arms Hotel to determine the potential to change or develop the site at the Lovat Arms Hotel for biodiversity gain. This report will provide a detailed description of the management options that will help to engage with biodiversity conservation by increasing the variety of habitats found on site.
The core objectives of this Biodiversity Action Plan are to:
• provide an enhanced environment for staff and visitors at the Lovat Arms
Hotel by conserving and enhancing biodiversity;
• communicate the biodiversity value of the site and the conservation process
the Lovat Arms Hotel is undertaking on the site and off the site to visitors;
• help to further the environmental management of the hotel and raise the
profile of the hotel’s green credentials
As a result of the implementation of the plan the following additional objectives will havebeen achieved:
• contribution to the Local Biodiversity Action Plan1 (LBAP);
• environmental credentials of the company improved;
• improved employee recruitment and retention;
• increased likelihood of guests returning to stay.
The main socio-economic and environmental benefits of this Site Biodiversity Action
Plan are:
• an opportunity to engage with the local community in environmental projects;
• protection of new and existing habitats and associated wildlife;
• increased awareness of biodiversity issues amongst staff and visitors and the
importance of delivering these in relation to the company’s sustainability and
green tourism credentials.
1 The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) was published in 1994 as the government’s response to Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) outline actions to be taken in a specific local area also supporting the implementation of the UKBAP.
INTRODUCTIONThe Lovat Arms Hotel is based at the southern end of Loch Ness in the town of Fort
Augustus. The hotel has been actively involved in managing it’s resource use with the help of Envirowise and a Splash report. This has resulted in implementations aimed at reducing water use and waste disposal as well as implementing energy use reductions.
Following a site review the BEP has produced the following Site Biodiversity Action Plan to help the Lovat Arms Hotel to create opportunities to engage with the local biodiversity action Plan process and other local community environmental projects. These include enhancing the visitors’ experiences of the surrounding countryside on their visit and developing management options which provide the company with opportunities to develop corporate social responsibility projects.
Implementation of the plan may require an initial financial investment. However a number of these costs can be met through appropriate grants and in kind contributions. This will be explored as each project is undertaken. Other methods to limit costs include using the existing company resources. This can also add value to a project by raising awareness and improving skills such as communication and team building by employees. Once implemented the majority of those actions outlined in the plan will only require resources for long term management and monitoring.
Site DescriptionThe site is situated off the A82 in Fort Augustus. It is a large building with associated gardens containing a variety of native and non native shrubs including common dogwood which is native to Europe. There is also a large area of grass at the side of the property which is used by visitors and staff containing some picnic tables. Part of the grassy area is on a steep slope which is also cut back on a regular basis. A number of beds and pots are used to break up the site and create more character and have been planted up with lupins, rosemary and evergreen shrubs and a species of torch lily. The climber that is seen to the front of the
building will provide habitat and foraging for a wide variety of birds and invertebrates.
There are three large coniferous trees around the side of the building and a wall to the rear of the site. The wall is protected for its historical characteristics however there may be some ecological value to the wall as well.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONSManagement Option 1: Audit of plant and animal species on site
Undertaking an audit of the plant and animal species found on site can be a useful way of measuring and demonstrating to clients and stakeholders how the changes that have been implemented on site have helped the local wildlife. The information gathered can also help the local planning authority and environmental organisations such as the Local Biodiversity Partnership gain a better understanding of the state of the local environment, if this information is shared.
To undertake an audit of the area, staff could be asked to look out for and record the wildlife that they see coming onto the site. Some staff may already be skilled or already have an interest in watching and recording wildlife but this may take some time to establish with employees that don’t have these skills. However, employees could become more skilled in wildlife identification with the help of identification guides and with more confidence. Bird identification books, binoculars and Field Studies Council (FSC) wildlife guides are all very
useful for this project. Guides can be bought from FSC on their website http://www.fieldstudies-council.org/publications/foldout.aspx and include a variety of subjects such as mammals, butterflies, lady birds and plants too. It may also be good to survey the wall at the rear of the property because walls like that provide fantastic opportunities for shelter and foraging for invertebrates and reptiles as shown in the photo above.
Once the records are gathered they can be sent to a local record centre for collation and distribution as and when this information may be required. The Highland Biological Recording Group is the regional record centre for this area.
The wall at the rear of the property which could be surveyed for invertebrates and
possibly reptiles
Management Option 2: Nature information
This section is required to raise awareness of local biodiversity found on the site and in the surrounding area. Raising awareness of the biodiversity that can be found here is a useful way of engaging interest and helps visitors develop an affinity with the area, increasing their interest in the protection of these species both locally and nationally. It may also increase the likelihood of a visitor making a return visit to the hotel.
To be able to raise awareness the Hotel could introduce an information board displaying details regarding the wildlife value found on and around the site. This might include what tours or wildlife attractions are available for guests to experience. This information would change seasonally when people can see different species at different times of year. Information regarding what has been seen, where and when can also be updated by guests themselves. The board could also include up to date information on what tours are available for people to join onto in the local area. It could also state what conservation work is happening in the local area, by whom and how the hotel is engaging in conservation on site and off-site.
Another option would be to create advertising space on the Lovat Arms Hotel website that specifically takes advantage of the seasonal changes in wildlife in the area.
Spring: There will be an opportunity to see a wide range of interesting wildflowers and garden birds at the feeders.
Summer: It may be possible to see the male Capercaillie feeding on the blueberry shoots in their woodland habitats.
Autumn: The Red deer ruts can be seen on the hills and Red Squirrel week provides and
interesting opportunity for visitors to get involved in looking for and recording their Red squirrel sightings.
The following management options expand on some of the information that might be of
interest to guests that can be displayed on the board or on the website.
An example of a mammal identification guide from the Field Studies Council
Management Option 3: Nature tours
Encouraging visitors to engage with the local environment by way of a local environmentally focussed tour. This allows people to explore the area and gain a better understanding of the local biodiversity in the area. This helps to raise the visitors affinity for the area and its importance as a habitat for wildlife and as a place to come back to visit again. There may be an opportunity for Lovat Arms Hotel to make stronger links with the local ranger services and wildlife tour guides and promote these more effectively with links to their website.
Tour providers such as the local ranger services or the Highland Biological Recording Group may be available to guide the groups that come to stay during these times.
Management 0ption 4: Corporate support
There are a number of different organisations that would benefit from the support provided by corporate organisations in the Inverness and Nairn region. For example the local biodiversity action plan (LBAP) for the area lists a number of ways businesses can get involved. Some of the general recommended actions have been highlighted in the box below.
Table 1: LBAP recommendations for businesses.
Other actions that the LBAP partnership is promoting in this region include:
• Helping to develop and maintain the Great Glen Way with the local ranger service in
Fort Augustus.
• Engaging with a local community woodland surveying project to improve records for
the area which will help drive management for the sites.
• Become involved with local community species identification courses to generate
more species records for the area.
There are also other organisations based in the area which would also be able to help the business to engage in biodiversity projects based in or around the local area. The Lovat Arms is currently working with the Forestry Commission to undertake a tree planting project to help offset their carbon emissions for the year. There may be other practical conservation projects that the company could become involved with by providing a half day of voluntary work.
There is also the Highland Council Ranger Service who run a programme of environmental educational events and guided walks, run practical conservation projects and give advice on access and conservation issues.
Management Option 4: Put up bird and bat boxes and bird feeders
Lack of hedgerows and old veteran trees in our towns and rural landscapes has lead to a reduction in the number of nesting opportunities for breeding birds. Bird nest boxes have been proven to be very effective in alleviating this issue for some species of birds. The site would benefit from the addition of bird nesting boxes around the edge of the site and perhaps a few on the larger trees found within the grounds of the Hotel. There are a variety of bird nesting boxes that can be used depending on which species are found in the area and which ones you would like to attract onto the site. The RSPB website has information on the different types of nest boxes to use, how to site them and how to clean them out. There are a number of companies that sell bird boxes as well.
Bird feeders can be erected anywhere on the site that provides some shelter for foraging birds and would be most appropriate where people can see them. Placing them in the shrub areas in the beds around the front garden will also ensure that they can evade predators and other types of threats in the shrubs. The types of foods that can be used should be varied throughout the year and can include seeds in the summer and more fatty, energy rich foods such as peanuts and fat balls in the winter.
Bats have also suffered from the lack of the roosting opportunities found in holes and crevices in old trees and buildings and so bat boxes are used to increase the roosting opportunities available to them. Bat roosts are generally used in the summer as maternity roosts or for over wintering in hibernation. There are 10 different species of bat found in Britain but the most common bat in Scotland is the Pippestrelle which are the species most likely to use a bat box. Whether it is used for hibernation (which is rare) or as a maternity roost, one style of box meets both of these purposes. The positioning of a bat box on a tree or building is very important and determines its success and being inhabited. This is usually
so that the box receives some sunlight through part of the day and where there is a clear flight path in to the box. Bird feeders attract birds to site and help to alleviate pressures on local populations of birds
It was also stated that the shed to the rear of the building was being considered for
conversion. It would be best to have a bat survey carried out on this part of the building before any work commences. This will help to establish whether or not work to this building would disturb roosting bats which is an offence under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
Management Option 5: Wildflower meadow
There is a steep bank at the side of the site which joins onto the lawn at the front. Having to cut this area to keep the grass short could increase the risk of accidents due to having to use machinery on a steep slope. To reduce the risk of accidents through grass cutting the grass on the steep bank area could be kept long.
Wildflower plants could be added to the sward so that there is a greater diversity of plants on site, enhancing foraging for insects and adding some character to the slope. Wildflower meadows can be created using seed mixes or planting up using wildflower plugs, which are seedlings that have been grown on in individual cells. The latter option creates a more instant effect and is easier to establish as the plants used can be more tolerant of shading and have more vigorous growth.
Refer to Scotia Seeds website (www.scotiaseeds.co.uk/howtoestablish.htm) for more in depth information on establishing and managing wildflower meadows. This should be undertaken at the outset of the project so that the Lovat Arms Hotel is clear on the management required. Wildflower meadows provide a lot of colour and interest to a site
The tree which would be appropriate for erecting bat boxes on the slope which would benefit from being cut less often and wildflowers introduced The shed at the rear of the property which will need to be surveyed for bats should any work commence
To create a wildflower meadow:
Seeds:
1. Cut the grass very short in August
2. Buy wildflower seed from local native seed producer, including a list of species as
given in Table 1 below
3. Arrange for a landscaper to plant the seed using a seed drill
4. Allow to grow until autumn, leaving grass 5-7cm in height
5. Leave grass cuttings for a day or two to let seeds fall, then remove cuttings to reduce
soil fertility
6. Cut every following year in autumn, although height can be reduced
7. Leave cuttings for a day or two to let seeds disperse, then remove them to reduce
soil fertility
Plug Plants:
1. Cut grass very short in August
2. Buy plugs or small plants from local native plug plant supplier using a variety of
species chosen from table 1 below
3. Plant these into bare patches in the grass area created by herbicide application or by
turning the turf over
4. Allow to grow until autumn, leaving grass 5-7cm in height
5. Leave cuttings for a day or two to let seeds fall, then remove cuttings to reduce soil
fertility
6. Cut every following year in autumn, although height can be reduced
7. Leave cuttings for a day or two to let seeds disperse, then remove them to reduce
soil fertility
Management Option 6: Screening of the conservatory
The Lovat Arms Hotel has a conservatory area which they would like to screen from the car park. This would also give people sitting within the conservatory a more pleasant outlook. Planting a row of trees or shrubs in front of the conservatory would provide appropriate screening whereas climbers would be at risk of being blown over and conifers or large . The species to be used here would need to be small in stature and not block out too much natural light. In this case, Rowan or Cherry could be planted as they provide a dappled light and don’t grow too tall. Spacing the trees at four or five metre intervals would provide enough The beds at the front of the conservatory in which tree planting could occur & space for approximately 4 trees to grow without competing with each other for space or nutrients. These can also be bought and planted at a late stage so will provide instant effect.
In the spaces between the trees and surrounding the trees spring flowering bulbs could be planted to provide colour and foraging for invertebrates as they emerge from winter hibernation. Bulbs like Snowdrops, Bluebells and Daffodils all provide these attributes however Lovat Arms Hotel should ensure that these are sourced from suppliers of native bulbs. There are many non native species which can be purchased, however they have been known to cause problems when hybridising with native forms of bulb. Before any planting is undertaken however, the site should be examined to ensure that no structural damage will occur to the building or the paving slabs by the trees if they get too big. As a general rule the distances required for planting trees away from buildings is outlined in Table 2 below (taken from Broadland District Council Planning Information Policy
Note Number 2). More specific information on the potential damage caused by tree species chosen should be sought from suppliers. Confirmation should also be sought as to whether or not there are any services such as water or waste pipes, or cables that may require access for maintenance purposes or that may become damaged by the roots of the growing trees. If this is the case then the area would be better suited to planting up with spring flowering bulbs only.
Table 2: Appropriate distances for planting trees beside buildings
*These distances will avoid virtually all direct damage
**These distances assume that some movement and minor damage which may be tolerated
might occur.
Management Option 7: Offsetting Visitors Carbon Emissions
This action will help raise awareness of the environmental improvements and management systems in place aimed at reducing carbon emissions from Lovat Arms and hopefully encourage visitors to offset their own carbon footprints. Carbon offsetting is undertaken through a variety of projects. Some look at the development of renewable energy systems which have added value, or would not have occurred through regulatory processes. Other projects include tree planting projects which measure the growth rate of the trees with the amount of carbon that will have been absorbed by the trees whilst they were growing.
The Lovat Arms Hotel may wish to work in partnership with some of the organisations that are undertaking carbon offset projects and give visitors the opportunity to offset their own carbon emissions from their visit. Donating money to these organisations will enable them to invest in renewable devices for developing countries as well as tree planting projects.
Examples of these organisations include Plan Vivo, Carbon Neutral, Climate Care, and Trees for Life.
Management Option 8: Specific information on Raw materials
Phosphate and chlorine free detergents and cleaners:
Phosphates cause trouble in watercourses through providing too much nutrition (thus
allowing bacteria and algae to thrive where they otherwise would not). Chlorine also has an adverse effect on the natural environment, and its avoidance is a positive step towards reducing the footprint left on the earth by business. An alternative product containing peroxide (which degrades over time to oxygen and water, therefore causing no lasting damage to the environment) is recommended.
The Lovat Arms Hotel has started to replace the majority of their detergents used in the business for phosphate free detergents. However they are still looking for suitable products to use in washing machines. A range of products are available from online suppliers who sell eco-friendly cleaning products specifically for the commercial market, including www.goodnessdirect.co.uk, www.britannia-wiper.co.uk, www.goodness.co.uk and www.mustang-cleaningsupplies.co.uk. There is also a local supplier found in Inverness called the Highland Wholefoods Workers Cooperative. They have a very good product range available which can be seen at www.highlandwholefoods.co.uk/Products.html.
Alternatives to coal:
The Lovat Arms Hotel has two small fires downstairs in the hotel. Coal is used on these fires during winter time. If the Lovat Arms Hotel would like to reduce their dependence on this fuel it is possible to use wood with very low moisture content as this has a better calorific value to wood that is wet. Wood will also burn as hot as coal however more wood fuel would be required to sustain the fire for longer periods. Coal could be added in smaller quantities toward the end of an evening if it was required to be re lit in the morning.
2 www.planvivo.org/
3 www.carbonneutral.com/
4 www.climatecare.org/
5 www.treesforlife.org.uk/
SITE BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN
Objective Prescription Project Potential resources
Formalise the site Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)
Formalise and integrate the BAP into existing Environmental
Management System and draw up and sign off a statement of intent
Time/meeting
Choose a number of different bird boxes to erect around the site such as open fronted ones for robins and triangular shaped ones for wrens
Time/financial
Ensure that some monitoring of the boxes occurs to find out how much they are being used. This will help with benchmarking at the site
Time
Build and erect Bird and Bat boxes as well as bird feeders on site
Ensure that no boxes are disturbed when in use by bats or birds as this is an offence and punishable in a court of law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
(1981)Management plan
Invite the Local Biodiversity Officer to discuss the development of a wildflower meadow and the maintenance required to manage the sites.
Time
Buy seed for the back section of the site and hire a landscaper to plant the site with a seed drill.
Time/ cost for seeds/cost for landscapers
Buy plug plants for the side of the site to plant up. Either hire a landscaper to do this or members of staff.
Time/ cost for plant plugs/ cost for landscapers
Provide an enhanced environment for visitors to Lovat Arms Hotel by conserving and
enhancing the biodiversity value of the site
Develop a wildflower meadow on site
Create a management plan for cutting the grass and lifting the cuttings.
Time
Provide screening and foraging opportunities for birds
Plant native trees such as rowan or birch in the beds along the front of the conservatory
Funding
Objective Prescription Project Potential resources
Provide staff with bird identification books and other identification cards from the Field Studies Centre
Cost of identification guides
Use a recording sheet to log this information and send it to the Highland Biological Recording Information Centre
Time
Develop a method for identifying and recording species seen on site
Invite species specialists to assist with record generation, for example, the local bat group to survey the shed and the local rangers service for surveying the wall
Funding
Find an appropriate place to put an information board to post biodiversity observations made on the site and what events and wildlife tours are available to the
visitors in the local area
Provide identification forms for staff and visitors to record the species that they have seen visiting the site
Provide a method of communicating the biodiversity value of the site and local
surroundings
Raise awareness with visitors
Contact the local Rangers service to provide the Lovat Arms with updated information on what tours and events are available on a regular basis
Time
Develop opportunities for corporate social responsibility
Create links with local biodiversity and conservation projects through the local biodiversity partnership, the local Great Glen Way Rangers Service and other local groups
Help further the Time environmental management of the hotel and raise the profile of
the hotels green credentials
Create opportunities for developing corporate social responsibility goals
Develop conservation projects on site following advice from the local biodiversity partnership that will add to the biodiversity conservation process in the area
Time/funding
Objective Prescription Project Potential resources
Create opportunities for developing corporate social responsibility goals
Provide opportunities for staff to volunteer with specific groups as and when appropriate to the business, e.g. during the quieter times of year
Time/funding
Offsetting visitors carbon emissions
Provide visitors with an opportunity to calculate how many tons of carbon their journey to the site emitted and a vehicle for offsetting these emissions through promoting one of the various carbon offset programmes
Time
Contact different suppliers to get costs for the different brands of washing detergents they sell. Try a few different brands to get an idea of how efficient they are
Time/ funding
Help to further the environmental management of the hotel and raise the profile of
the hotels green credentials
Reduce the amount of harmful chemicals and unsustainable raw materials used on site Ask the local timber yard if they can provide wood with a lower moisture content in order to reduce the amount of coal used in the fires.
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