Ecology surveys

 

We offer a range of ecology surveys and assessments with full written reports you can use as part of a planning application.

 

   Services include:

 

   General surveys and reports

 - Walkover surveys

 - (P.E.A) / Phase 1 habitat surveys

 - Biodiversity net gain

 - Biodiversity enhancement reports

 - Landscape and Biodiversity reports.

 

   Habitat surveys

 - Wetland surveys

 - Hedgerow surveys

 - Invasive plants surveys 

 - Assessment of land for Biodiversity net gain

 

   Protected species surveys include :

 - Presence/absence surveys

 - Breeding birds surveys

 - Reptile and amphibian surveys

 - Badger surveys

 - Barn owl surveys

 - Otter surveys

 - Water Vole surveys

 - Bats

 - Dormice

​

Ecological surveys

P.E.A.s and Phase 1 surveys are essentially the same thing. These baseline surveys are essentially the first ecological survey you will be required to do at the planning stage along with a Biodiversity net gain assessment and are generally valid for around a year. In short they aim to achieve the following:

​

- Identify the likely ecological constraints​

- Identify the potential for protected species on 

  Site.

- Identify any mitigation measures likely to be            required

- Identify any additional surveys that may be              required. 

- Identify any opportunities the project offers in          relation to enhancement of natural features. 

​

A Preliminary ecological assessment is usually comprised of a Walkover survey and a desktop survey, the results and analysis are then presented as a Preliminary Ecological appraisal report (PEAR). Its also advised to check that the PEA includes the cost of a data search with the local Biological records centre (usually around £275) to gain access to all records of protected species in the vicinity of the site. This can be essential in determining whether protected species are likely to be on site or not, giving weight to the report. 

​

If the P.E.A.R highlights the presence of protected species or Protected habitats on site, then further surveys will be be needed, to discover population sizes and mitigation measures are recommended; to ensure that the development will have no impact on them. These secondary surveys are often called phase 2 surveys. If protected species are not found, but have the potential to be present, then presence/absence surveys will be required for each protected species likely to be present.

Quite often, the site will contain a low likelihood of protected species on site and sometimes through mitigation recommendations, it can be reasoned that the impact of the development is negligeable or Nil.

In these cases it is usually enough to submit the report to the council with the addition of an Ecological impact assessment within it. 

​

​Typically a walkover survey of the site is undertaken; features such as trees, waterbodies, hedgerows, habitat types and any wildlife noted are annotated on a site plan. Particular attention is given anything which may cause constraint to the development proposal, such as the presence of any invasive species, species of national or European significance and potential to hold protected species. The survey also includes an invasive species search. 

Back in office, a Desktop search can then be undertaken to search for any designated sites, such as nature reserves or Special areas of conservation, usually within a 1km radius of the site. 

A Data search is then obtained with the county Biological records centre for any records of protected species within 1km radius of the site. This Data is then interpreted in the report. Costing upwards of £250 for the data alone, some Ecology firms don't include this in their initial price,  however, it is usually expected by planning. Following this collating of information the Report is generated. 

​​

​​

​​