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

 - Preliminary ecological appraisals/ Phase 1          habitat  surveys.

 - Walkover surveys

 - Biodiversity net gain (BNG) assessments

 - Biodiversity enhancement reports

 - Landscape & ecological management plans         (LEMPs)   

 - Construction and environmental                           management plans - (CEMPs)   

   Re-wilding schemes

 

   Habitat surveys :

 - Wetland surveys

 - Hedgerow surveys

 - Invasive plants surveys /Japanese Knotweed

 - Assessment of land for Biodiversity net gain

 - Habitat monitoring.

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   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 -  Preliminary surveys only

 - Dormice

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Ecological surveys

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Preliminary ecological appraisals (P.E.A) /Phase 1

These 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. They tell you what species of plants and animals are actually or potentially using the site and what you need to do next. They comprise both a walkover of the site and a desktop survey to: 

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- Identify the likely ecological constraints​ of the    proposal.

- Identify the potential or actual presence of          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. 

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​The PEA includes the cost of a data search with the county Biological records centre (usually around £300+) 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. 

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​Other surveys:

​If the P.E.A highlights the potential of protected species or Protected habitats on site, then usually further surveys will be required. These may include presence/absence surveys for each protected species likely to be present, or population counts where they are known to be present. Some surveys such as Bat surveys usually come as a standard requirement when developments involve lofts, or other planning triggers such as removing weatherboarding. 

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Quite often, the site will contain a low likelihood of protected species on site and sometimes by including additional mitigation recommendations to form an 'extended' PEA, it can be reasoned that the impact of the development is negligible or Nil and 

In these cases it is usually enough to submit this along with any other neccessary reports to achieve planning. 

 

​BNG - Biodiversity net gain assessments​

Nowadays ​Biodiversity net gain (BNG) assessment are also a standard neccesity. However the laws on this are evolving and some sites, especially smaller and minimum impact sites may be exempt from this. Even if a site is deemed exempt, it is still a requirement that a BNG exemption statement is presented to the council to reason the exemption, along with providing measures to increase wildlife on-site. 

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