ECOLOGICAL SURVEY GUIDES:
Ecology Survey Timetable – Plan ahead to make sure you do not miss the ecology survey season for Protected Species: Habitats and Vegetation, Bats, Badger, Dormouse, Otter, Water Vole, Birds, Reptiles, Great Crested Newt & White-Clawed Crayfish.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) Guide – to understand: What is PEA? When do you need a PEA?What comes after the PEA?
Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) Guide – to understand: What are Habitat Regulations Assessments? Is this still a legal requirement since leaving the EU? Common HRA stages; How can this affect planning approval? A few of the areas we are experienced in resolving.
River Condition Assessment (RCS) Guide – a quick read on What is RCA? When is RCA required? Field & Desk Surveys explained, Key watercourse recommendations.
BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN (BNG) GUIDES:
Open Mosaic Habitats in Previously Developed Land – Brownsite & BNG – Open Mosaic Habitats (OMH) on previously developed land are easily overlooked, yet they appear on many brownfield sites and support some of the most diverse plant and invertebrate communities we see. The guide highlights why early identification is vital. It also sets out the practical options.
Veteran Trees Guide created to help navigate the differing definitions and requirements of veteran trees by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) – used in arboricultural assessments and the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regulations – used in ecology.
Understanding BNG – Guiding you through Mandatory Net Gain including the Statutory Biodiversity Metric, How to calculate Biodiversity Units, How to calculate Change In Biodiversity Units, Requirements of Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMP), River Condition Assessments for BNG, Your BNG one-stop shop.
Habitat Management & Monitoring Plan (HMMP) Guide – What is a HMMP? What is included in a HMMP? When is a HMMP needed and how does it link to BNG? HMMP – where to start?
PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY & MITIGATION:
Bat Survey Guide – Download our quick read, bat survey guide to understand the latest bat survey requirements. It includes: When is a bat survey required?; Types of bat surveys; Static Monitoring + Night-time Bat Walkover Surveys; Ground-Level Tree Assessments; Roost Presence/Absence (summer/hibernation); How do I get started?
Nesting & Breeding Birds Survey Guide – It helps you to understand whether you need a survey, explains the main types of survey – breeding birds and nesting birds (more on this below), then tells you how to get started.
Great Crested Newt Guide – Discover why great crested newts are protected; why the phrase great crested newt cause developers to groan; understanding your options; EPS licencing; eDNA sampling; District Level Licencing.
HERITAGE & ARCHAEOLOGY GUIDES:
Archaeological Works Guide – It includes: What are archaeological works? Desk-based Assessments, Geophysical Surveys, Trial Trench Evaluation, Excavation and Watching Brief, Our Archaeology Services.
Heritage Assets Guide – Download to understand: What is a Heritage Asset? Types of designated and non-designated assets; Identifying designated heritage assets; Identifying non-designated heritage assets; Implications under the NPPF.
Heritage Setting Assessment Guide – get answers to FAQ including: What is heritage setting? Planning & legislative requirements; The stages; How can this affect planning approval? Our heritage services.