Local planning authorities will often ask for an ecology report for a planning application. The type of development involved will determine the type of ecology survey and report required.
Udall-Martin Associates is a specialist ecological consultancy with over 15 years’ experience in carrying out ecology surveys and producing ecology reports to support planning applications. We provide a pragmatic and practical approach and work closely with the statutory agencies to ensure proportionate mitigation and compensation is recommended, if required.
If a proposed development is to affect an area of land, then the ecology report required would be a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) report. This requires an ecology survey and desk study. The ecology survey comprises an Extended Phase-1 habitat survey of the proposed development site. This involves an experienced/qualified ecologist walking the site and noting the habitats present, whether any notable habitats are present (e.g. species-rich grassland, species-rich hedgerows etc.), any evidence of protected/notable faunal species and whether there is potential habitat for such species (including for badger, bats, great crested newts and reptiles). An Extended Phase-1 habitat survey is best carried out between April and September (during the plant growing season); however, it can be carried out at other times of year by an experienced ecologist. Also, consultation would be carried out with the local biological records centre to obtain any details of any designated nature conservation sites (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Wildlife Sites) and previous records of protected/notable species for the site and a 2km radius around the site.
The Preliminary Ecological Appraisal report has the following sections: executive summary; introduction; methods; results; evaluation and potential ecology impacts; general mitigation, compensation and enhancement recommendations; further ecology survey recommendations; bibliography; and appendices (including figures, photographs, consultation maps, protected species legislation, recommended plant species lists and bat and bird boxes specifications).
For a proposed development which involves building works (e.g. building demolition, building extension, building refurbishment, barn conversions etc.), then the ecology report required would be a Bat Report. This requires a bat survey and limited desk study. The bat scoping survey of the affected building is carried out by an experienced and licensed bat ecologist. This would involve searching the interior (including any loft voids) for bats and evidence of bats such as droppings and feeding remains and an assessment of the exterior of the building for features which may provide potential bat roosting habitat and/or bat access into the interior, e.g. missing and raised roof tiles, raised lead flashing around chimneys, missing mortar and gaps in brickwork etc. A bat scoping survey can be carried out at any time of year. A search for nesting birds would also be carried out. At the preliminary stage a limited desk study would be carried out involving reviewing the National Biodiversity Network website for bat records for the site and a 2km radius around the site.
The Bat Report has the following sections: executive summary; introduction; methods; results; evaluation and potential ecology impacts; general mitigation, compensation and enhancement recommendations; further bat survey recommendations; bibliography; and appendices (including figures, photographs and procedure to follow if bats are found during building works).
If evidence of bats and/or potential bat roosting features were found, then further bat surveys would be required to satisfy the planning authority and meet the Bat Conservation Trust bat survey guidelines. This would involve bat dusk emergence surveys, whereby ecologists visit the site before dusk and observe the building for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to ascertain if any bats emerge from the building. If bats emerge this would indicate the bats are using the building as a day-time bat roost. The bat report would be updated accordingly.
Udall-Martin Associates works throughout the UK offering a national wide ecology service for a variety of clients covering a diversity of land uses and developments. We work extensively throughout the West Midlands (Birmingham, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire), South West (Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire) and East Midlands (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire).
Udall-Martin Associates can provide for all your ecology needs. Call us today on 01684 540695 for a quotation or advice. We would be happy to assist with your planning application, satisfying planning conditions and/or obtaining a European Protected Species mitigation licence.