Advice
Providing clear and pragmatic advice from the outset is a core part of our work. Correct advice at an early stage of your project, whatever the scale or scope, is essential in order to avoid unnecessary delays or costs. Planning the necessary survey work, as well as identifying any likely constraints at the start, limits any potential problems during the delivery of the project.
We provide advice about:
- Whether protected species surveys are necessary and what is involved.
- Ecological reports, letters and statements, including what may be appropriate.
- Mitigation and design of a project.
- Protected species licensing.
- Delivery of projects, including ecological clerk of works/site supervision.
Bat Surveys
With a strong reputation of dealing with complex bat issues, we offer standardized and bespoke bat surveys to meet requirements of all types of project.
We work to ensure that the survey is designed according to the project and without a blanket approach of a set number of surveys. We believe in proportional work and mitigation and are expert at delivering bespoke solutions. We are highly experienced in surveying historic buildings and work for individual clients, architects and planners and Natural Resources Wales.
Our survey team is always led by licensed bat workers and the majority of our team are licensed as well highly experienced. With a detailed knowledge of bats across Wales and the borders we are skilled at gathering data, analysis and reporting.
We work predominantly for private clients and architect practices, but also offer a survey only service for ecological companies based in other parts of the UK.
Bat Licensing and Mitigation
We are expert in producing licence applications for in both Wales and England. We can advise you on the two types of licence available:
European Protected Species Licences (bats) and
Low Impact Class Licences.
We have experienced consultants able to carry out the work under either type of licence. With a specialism in complex and historic buildings we are adept at devising solutions for bat mitigation even within strict design constraints.
There are certain circumstances when minor roosts of bats may be present and works may proceed without a licence. We are able to advise you whether this is the case. This usually involves close guidance by a bat worker and strict timing restrictions, but in many cases delivers a favourable outcome for both bats and the client.
We are also contracted to provide advice on behalf of Natural Resources Wales regarding bats in domestic dwellings (unrelated to planning applications).
Protected Species
Some species are protected by law and where these are likely to be present, the local planning authority will require standardised detailed survey work. These species include:
Badgers
Bats
Breeding birds
Wintering birds
Barn owls
Great crested newts
Reptiles
Water Voles
Otters
Much of this survey work is seasonally constrained and therefore early planning prevents unnecessary delays. We have completed protected species work on hundreds of projects and tailor our survey advice directly to the size and scope of your project. We will never recommend or carry out survey work unless necessary.
Walkover/Habitat Surveys
A Phase I survey is often requested to accompany a planning application. We can undertake a walkover survey/detailed Phase I survey to advise on any likely issues or opportunities arising from a proposed development in relation to a planning application.
Pragmatic advice at this first stage minimizes the likelihood of further issues and unnecessary delays.
Where detailed habitat survey is required, our consultants have expert knowledge of Welsh habitat and rarities and we are able to provide specialist botanical and habitat surveys.
Reporting
A Phase I survey is often requested to accompany a planning application. We can undertake a walkover survey/detailed Phase I survey to advise on any likely issues or opportunities arising from a proposed development in relation to a planning application.
Pragmatic advice at this first stage minimizes the likelihood of further issues and unnecessary delays.
Where detailed habitat survey is required, our consultants have expert knowledge of Welsh habitat and rarities and we are able to provide specialist botanical and habitat surveys.Precise and accurate reporting is key to ensuring a smooth planning application and appropriate planning conditions. We prepare all necessary reports including:
Ecological reports for planning applications.
Licence applications for European Protected species.
Letter reports/documentation for Glastir/Government schemes.
Land Management
Management advice is often required to maintain and enhance the ecology and biodiversity of land including farmland, forestry and tourism sites. We are well versed in the production of ecological management plans for all types of sites and projects. We also have experience of agricultural subsidy schemes and providing advice to a range of clients including farmers and smallholders on such elements as tree planting, hedgerow management and meadow management.
Ecology Sub-Consultancy
Located in Carmarthenshire, we are well placed to access all of Wales, in particular the South and West coasts. Many parts of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys are time consuming and therefore costly to survey.
We offer a survey only service to established ecology/multi-disciplinary consultancies to enable you to deliver cost-effective detailed survey work to clients. We offer specialist bird, bat and botanical survey work in addition to standard protective species surveys.
We are also able implement licensable or mitigation work, including all clerk of work roles, translocation exercises. Please contact us for further information on this service and staff expertise.