Biodiversity and Habitat Surveys

ECOSA ensures that the appropriate levels of biodiversity and habitat surveys are performed efficiently to minimise their impact on project schedules and budgets. Our ecological expertise will deliver you the highest quality survey information and advice on how best to proceed with your project.

Extended Phase 1 ecological surveys are the most common ecological surveys conducted by our teams and the starting point for any ecological assessment of a site. They are designed to provide a base-line overview of the habitat present on a site and the risk of the presence of protected or rare species. We utilise the nationally recognised Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC, 2007) guidelines to classify habitat types on a site, and relevant protected species guidance to identify the potential for on-site habitat to support protected species which may influence the proposed development.

Based on our findings we can make recommendations for avoidance or reduction of impacts, precautionary approach principles and enhancement measures that may be implemented. Only if deemed necessary do we plan further ecology surveys, in order to more accurately assess the presence of particular species, identify impacts of a proposal on them and design appropriate and proportionate compensation and mitigation strategies. This level of information is now required by local authorities at the planning application stage of a project. Therefore, due to the seasonality of ecology surveys, these should be carried out early in the life of a project in order to avoid delays. Please refer to our survey timetable for details.

Please call one of our ecologists to discuss which type of survey you require and we will give you clear guidance on what will be involved.