Ecology

At Phlorum Limited we work with our clients to provide detailed ecological assessments as part of the planning process. This includes work to determine the baseline ecological value of a site, the potential impacts on this baseline from a proposed development and then the necessary site works to carry out any habitat improvements or creation that might be required. We also routinely provide ecological clerks of works for construction projects to offer management and ecological watching briefs for works taking place in ecologically sensitive areas.

The UK Ecology Strategy

The UK ecology strategy has been formed by different influences, in particular:

  • fulfilling the UK's obligations to implement international agreements;
  • the need to protect specific species and/or habitats that are thought to be highly valued in the UK; and
  • planning policies that try to provide sustainable development and protect biodiversity.

When applying for planning permission it is often recommended that scoping surveys to assess the potential of protected and Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species. Paragraph 99 of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) circular 06/2005 states that:

"It is essential that the presence or otherwise of protected species, and the extent that they may be affected by the proposed development, is established before the planning permission is granted otherwise all relevant material considerations may not have been addressed in making the decision."

Scoping ecological assessments are particularly important for projects that may impact upon European Protected Species (EPS).

At Phlorum Limited, our focus is on the specific needs of the developer and our mitigation work includes DEFRA licensed activities to prevent damage to existing habitats.

Our ecological work includes assessments of and implementation of appropriate mitigation measures for the following:

Amphibians

The great crested newt and the pool frog are the only EPS British amphibians. The pool frog is very rare and unlikely to be found on development sites. However, developers need to be aware of the possibility of great crested newts being present on their land and the implications of their presence. Planning authorities may require surveys to be done on all ponds within 500m of a proposed development site. Phlorum can undertake the surveys, including netting, torching refuge searches, bottle-trapping, liaison with planning authorities and advice on the number and extent of surveys required.

Badgers

It is illegal to disturb a badger while it is within a sett. If the presence of badgers is suspected on a development site then assessments need to be carried out, such as monitoring badger activity, setts and foraging areas.

Bats

All species of bat and their habitat are protected in the UK. Planning authorities are very likely to require inspections for potential roosts and in some cases dawn or evening surveys and internal surveys by licensed bat workers.

Birds

It is an offence to damage or destroy a bird's nest or their eggs and some species of birds (Schedule 1 birds) have protection from disturbance while breeding. Surveying protected species or potential breeding areas is therefore advisable if any clearance of vegetation or other activities that may cause disturbance to birds are being undertaken during the breeding season.

Reptiles

Reptiles are often found on brownfield sites. Therefore, it is often that a planning authority will require refuge searches to establish the presence and population sizes of retiles on a proposed development site.

Water Voles and Otters

In areas close to rivers or canals, standard searches for field signs and habitats are often required for planning applications.

Plants

Tree protection orders may exist on some trees and assessment of the screening properties of tree may be required for some planning applications. On some more sensitive sites vascular and lower plant surveys and detailed vegetation surveys (e.g. following the National Vegetation Classification system) may be required.

Habitat Surveys

These can include extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys and specialist habitat surveys. The extended Phase 1 survey is usually the minimum requirement for many planning applications.

ecology data sheet



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