Delivering expert ecological advice to architects, developers, planning consultants and homeowners

Native Ecology is a CIEEM Registered Practice that offers an extensive range of ecology services, suitable to inform planning applications from small to large scale residential and commercial developments, through to wider landscape scale ecology strategy.

Biodiversity Net Gain

10% Biodiversity Net Gain is a mandatory requirement for all new major developments as of 12th February 2024 and for Small Sites from April 2024. Our expert ecologists will guide you through this new process, advising from the very early stages of land acquisition and development on how best to achieve the required 10% gain. We guide developers through the planning process and advise land owners on options to unlock the Biodiversity Unit value of their land.

Our experienced team offer a full range of ecological surveys

Our expert ecologists are members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM). We approach each project with a wealth of experience using the latest industry guidelines and techniques.

PLANNING APPLICATION:
Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) & Biodiversity Net Gain - Surveying and Reporting

Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment: Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment

Achieving 10% Biodiversity Net Gain is mandatory for all new major developments in England. Our assessments include baseline surveys and mapping, post development calculations using the Statutory Metric and detailed reports advising on how 10% can be achieved. We undertake Feasibility and Design Stage reports, working with Landscape Architects and the wider design team to ensure that good practice principles are followed and the resulting scheme is acceptable by the Local Planning Authority.

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Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA): Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)

The initial stage of the EcIA process. A site visit is undertaken to assess the baseline conditions and potential ecological constraints and enhancement opportunities associated with development of a site. The PEA will determine whether further protected species surveys are required to inform the EcIA.

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Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA): Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA)

For sites with existing buildings, structures or trees a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) for bats will be undertaken as part of the EcIA process. The PRA will assess the suitability of identified features within the site that have the potential to support roosting bats, determining whether further bat surveys are needed.

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Habitat Survey: Habitat Survey

This standard survey technique allows us to rapidly classify vegetation types during a PEA survey to produce supporting maps using the latest QGIS software.

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Protected Species Survey: Protected Species Survey

Providing guidance for scheduling and budgeting, our experienced and knowledgeable ecologists are licenced to undertake the full range of species-specific surveys. These surveys will establish the scope of enhancement and mitigation options available for a project. Bats, great crested newts, reptiles, dormice, water voles......

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Mitigation and Enhancement Strategies: Mitigation and Enhancement Strategies

Detail and design of proposed species mitigation and identification of enhancement opportunities.

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Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) Report: Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) Report

Our EcIA reports are suitable for submission to the Local Planning Authority as part of a planning application. They include the findings of the PEA and subsequent further survey work, detailing the enhancement and mitigation measures that will be integrated with the development.

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PLANNING APPROVAL:
Pre-commencement - Meeting Biodiversity Net Gain & ecology obligations

Biodiversity Net Gain: Biodiversity Net Gain

On approval of planning applications, all major developments will need to discharge the General Biodiversity Gain pre-commencement Condition. We guide our clients through the requirement and options for off-site biodiversity units where required, complete Biodiversity Gain Plans and produce Habitat Management and Maintenance Plans (HMMP) to satisfy the Local Planning Authority and discharge the Condition.

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Habitat Creation and Enhancement: Habitat Creation and Enhancement

Producing comprehensive Ecological Management Plans and overseeing onsite habitat enhancements, we liaise effectively with project teams, including site managers, landscape architects and contractors.

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Natural England Licence Applications: Natural England Licence Applications

Our team is qualified and experienced in the successful application and management of European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) Licences, including for great crested newts and bats.

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Species Mitigation and Translocation: Species Mitigation and Translocation

Managed by one of our ecology leads, our team of experienced field ecologists deliver efficient and proactive onsite mitigation and translocation works.

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BREEAM UK Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF): BREEAM UK Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF)

The need for implementing a sustainable approach to construction is compelling. BREEAM accreditation offers credits for ecology from design stage though to assessment of developments in-use. Our Suitably Qualified Ecologists (SQE) can help you achieve credits in ecology sections of all of BREEAM's family of schemes such as BREEAM UK, Home Quality Mark (HQM), CEEQUAL (Civil Engineering Environmental Quality assessment)

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POST-DEVELOPMENT:
Managing successful biodiversity outcomes

Ecological Monitoring and Management: Ecological Monitoring and Management

We aim to secure the long term success of ecology mitigation and enhancements on your site. Our monitoring surveys complete the ecology obligations set out in EPSM licences and planning conditions.

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Early-stage Development Support

Working in partnership to deliver value and sustainable ecology outcomes

Performing a key advisory role in your project team, our ecologists bring valuable insights to the initial stages of your project. We will establish clear details of ecology options, setting out time-frame and budgeting scenarios to optimise the design and scheduling of the development.

Reconnecting people and nature

Ecology in sustainable development

We aim to reconnect people and nature by encouraging the integration of ecology into our communities. We work with project teams to achieve Biodiversity Net Gain, aiming to optimise the long-term contribution of a development to the local biodiversity network, enabling wildlife to thrive alongside people.

Our Experts in the field

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