At CSA we are happy to tackle the small jobs as well as the large. In this case, CSA were appointed to undertake ecological survey work as part of a planning application for a homeowner extension in Chelmsford.
Great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessments were conducted on nearby ponds and a Preliminary Roost Assessment of the residential dwelling to be extended was also undertaken. Bat droppings were identified during the roost assessment and the building was confirmed as supporting small numbers of common bat species.
CSA provided a comprehensive Mitigation Strategy for bats to the LPA enabling planning to be successfully granted. All British bats and their roosts are protected by law, therefore, prior to the commencement of works, a European Protected Species mitigation licence was sought from Natural England. CSA were instructed to prepare all of the licence application documents and the licence was granted in October 2020.
Works to the property were able to continue under the terms of the mitigation licence and with supervision from licensed CSA ecologists. As part of the mitigation strategy special tiles have been provided within the roof to maintain access to existing bat roost areas and bat boxes have been erected on trees within the garden to provide additional roosting opportunities.