Ecology Survey and Assessment

Ecological assessments are required for many types of project, from developing a building plot within a garden through to large scale residential or mixed use developments, infrastructure projects, renewable energy projects or works for utility companies.

Ecological assessments need to be submitted with planning applications to make sure that the planners have sufficient information on which to base their decision. Ecological assessments may also be advised for other types of work (e.g. utility companies undertaking small scale infrastructure improvements). The level of assessment and reporting required will depend on the scale of the project and the importance of the site for nature conservation.

A ‘Phase 1 survey’ is usually the first step in appraising the ecological value of a site. It comprises an initial walkover of the development site, mapping habitats and identifying whether there is potential for protected species to occur.

If further surveys are recommended, CEC’s experienced and licensed ecologists can undertake these for you, ranging from dormouse surveys to bryophyte (mosses and liverworts) surveys. It is important to note that planners need to see the results of such surveys and subsequent detailed mitigation schemes before they can grant permission.

Once survey work is complete (which may be straight after the phase 1 survey or after the specialist surveys), we will be able to recommend mitigation / compensation to ensure the project gains planning permission whilst maintaining the ecological interest of the site. CEC staff are also experienced in formal Ecological Impact Assessment, if the project is of a sufficient scale to warrant this. Our work is based on and informed by the IEEM Guidelines for Ecological Impact Assessment.

Our team of ecologists are all ‘suitably qualified ecologists’ under the Building Research Establishment (BRE) criteria, and this means that we are able to advise you on maximising land use & ecology credits for your BREEAM or CfSH assessment. With our in-house landscape architecture team, we can offer you a unique service, as our landscape architects can prepare a soft landscaping scheme for your BREEAM/ CfSH project in close consultation with our ecologists to maximise your credits in a cost efficient manner.

Once your development gets planning, CEC can also help you through to the construction phase and beyond, obtaining any necessary licences, undertaking watching briefs during construction and post construction monitoring.