Protected Species & Habitat Surveys

We undertake the full range of protected species and habitat surveys to inform impact assessments and for planning applications, discharge planning conditions, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Management Plans, licensing, consents, monitoring and auditing.

We utilise technical advances to maximise efficiency in data collection and presentation and to enable us to present data in a variety of ways, including live outputs to benefit client programming.

Our services include:

• Protected species surveys – standard best practice and novel methods including eDNA, infrared and thermal imagery, camera traps, drone surveys and remote sensing
• At-height surveys by certified climbers and IRATA trained ecologists, including bat and barn owl licensed ecologists
• UK Habitat Classification and Condition Assessments for BNG
• MoRPh surveys and river condition assessments for BNG
• Arboricultural surveys
• Soil assessments
• Landscape-scale habitat surveys, assessments and monitoring, including drone surveys and remote sensing.

Impact Assessments

Environmental impact must be carefully and professionally considered at the outset of any new development, as various assessments may be required before the project can proceed.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)

• The PEA is undertaken to assess the biodiversity value of a site, the potential ecological impacts of development proposals, or other proposed actions, mitigation requirements, and opportunities for ecological enhancement, including Biodiversity Net Gain.
• The PEA also identifies the potential need for further survey work to fully assess the baseline and, therefore, the likely effects of proposals.
• A PEA typically involves a desk study and field survey by an Ecologist.
• The purpose of the PEA is to provide early stage advice to the developer and other technical experts involved in the project, on the ecological requirements of the project.
• Typically the PEA will not provide sufficient information to fully meet the requirements of a planning application but results can be invaluable for managing programme and budget, and informing design.

Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)

• An EcIA follows a PEA and is used to evaluate the potential ecological effects of a proposed development, or other actions.
• An EcIA report informs the planning and decision-making process. It is advisable to commence the process as early as possible to help prevent significant impacts on programme and budget.
• The EcIA process involves a detailed analysis of the current ecological baseline of a site and the surrounding area, including the presence of protected and otherwise notable species, and habitats and designated sites of nature conservation interest.
• An assessment of the potential impacts of proposals is undertaken, and a suitable mitigation strategy to avoid, mitigate, compensate or offset the impacts is developed.
• Finally, an assessment of the anticipated effects on important ecological features is undertaken, taking into account the mitigation measures proposed.
• When carried out as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), an EcIA is subject to the relevant EIA Regulations.

Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)

Competent Authorities (including public bodies such as the local authority) must take action to protect and restore European designated sites. In order to meet this duty, an assessment of impacts must be undertaken, known as a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA), which should involve at least one of the following stages:

• Stage 1: Screening
• Stage 2: Appropriate Assessment
• Stage 3: Alternative Solutions
• Stage 4: Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI)
• Stage 5: Compensatory Measures
• If it is not possible to prevent a likely significant effect on ecology through suitable mitigation, alternative options to the proposal should be assessed. If there are no suitable alternatives, IROPI must be identified and an assessment of compensatory measures should be undertaken. Only if these measures are adequate, can the proposal be permitted.
• A project requiring an HRA must submit to the competent authority all necessary information, including ecological baseline data and the findings of their own assessment, to enable the competent authority to undertake the HRA.

Ecological Mitigation

We have extensive experience of designing and delivering ecology mitigation strategies for a range of purposes, including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and planning applications, discharging planning conditions, site management, licensing and consents.

• Our strategies address species and habitat mitigation requirements, on a site-based to landscape-scale.
• Strategies are implemented by our in-house contracting team, supported by our experienced Ecology Clerk of Works and species licence holders.

Biodiversity Net Gain

In England, the Environment Act 2021 mandated a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity for all new developments (with specified exemptions).

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is to be achieved through habitat enhancement and management measures, which should be secured for a minimum of 30 years.
• A development proposal must include on-site BNG measures as far as is practicable. However, in recognition that not all developments will be able to achieve the necessary minimum of a 10% net gain on-site, the Environment Act permits a development proposal to include off-site BNG measures.
• To standardise the method of quantifying BNG, and ensure that the calculation is ecologically robust, a BNG Statutory Metric was published by the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2024, which must be used to assess all BNG proposals.
• The method of quantification used in the metric considers habitat as a proxy for biodiversity, and different habitat types are scored by the metric according to their relative biodiversity potential.
• This score is then adjusted to take account of select habitat features, including the extent of a habitat area, its ecological distinctiveness (rarity/value), condition, and the ecological significance of its location.
• The metric processes these scores to determine an overall biodiversity unit score for a site.
• The difference between a biodiversity unit score for a site prior to and post enhancement is the BNG achieved.

To read about our Biodiversity Net Gain projects, visit our Case Studies page here.

Management Plans

We produce Ecology/Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans for a wide range of sectors and purposes, including planning, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), protected species licensing, and site management.

• The plans are produced by our ecologists and informed by our in-house contracting team to ensure that methods are practicable and objectives are met in accordance with legislative, policy and best practice requirements.
• Our contracting team implement management requirements with support from our ecologists, who also undertake monitoring and auditing of site work to inform ongoing management, and where required for planning, BNG, licensing and consents.

Licensing & Consents

We advise on species licensing and site consents to help reduce impacts on programme and ensure that works are legally compliant and follow best practice.

• Our ecologists hold protected species licences for survey work and are named on site and project specific licences.
• We obtain licences and consents for a range of purposes, including planning applications, construction, and habitat management, and support our contracting team in the implementation of licensed and consented work.

Monitoring & Auditing

Our ecologists undertake monitoring and auditing of sites for a range of purposes, including planning, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), licensing and consents, and to inform ongoing habitat management.

• We ensure that the level of monitoring and auditing is proportionate to the needs of the project, whilst remaining robust and acceptable to stakeholders and regulators.

GIS / Data

Our GIS, Remote Sensing and Data Management team provide bespoke, cost-effective data collection, analysis and presentation services to a wide range of clients, including statutory advisory bodies, local authorities, utilities/infrastructure providers, specialist consultancies, developers, and private landowners.

• Our consultants are expert ecologists, members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM) and have a detailed understanding of the requirements and complexities of site work. They work closely with our consultancy and contracting teams to develop methods to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of data collection, analysis and visualisation, using the latest technology to suit the needs of project.
• Our team includes drone pilots, Modular River Physical (MoRPh) surveyors, and consultants with expertise in the use of remote data capture, infrared/thermal vision aids, camera traps and bioacoustic recorders.
• We process the data generated using specialist software packages that use various techniques, including supervised orthomosaics, photogrammetry, thermography, artificial intelligence, machine learning and cluster/pattern analysis.