December 2024

Avian Ecology provided ecological services in support of a planning application to convert a barn into living accommodation. The barn was known to be used by bats and a European Protected Species (EPS) derogation licence would be needed before any work could go ahead. We completed a series of surveys to establish what species were […]

Working directly with the developer and their agent on this large solar development, we have provided a range of services from project conception through to the discharge of planning conditions. This has involved stakeholder discussions, a Habitat Management Plan (HMP), and inputs into a Tree Protection Plan and Environmental Enhancements Plan. We have provided Ecological

One of the UK’s largest solar farm developers commissioned us to complete ecological appraisals on six separate solar developments in Northern Ireland, ranging from 5-26MW. Each required a succinct and robust ecological appraisal (PEA) report, which was informed by targeted field surveys and a comprehensive desk study. These enabled a rapid progression into planning for

We undertook an ecological appraisal for a single 102m to blade tip wind turbine development, located within the Fens Natural Area, mid-way between The Ouse and Nene Washes Special Protection Areas. Whilst not located within or immediately adjacent to any European designated site, but with records of qualifying bird species and protected mammals within the

We completed two Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) on behalf of Lancaster City Council in 2014; for a wind energy development and for a retail park. Both projects are located immediately adjacent to the Morecambe Bay Special Protection Area (SPA), so the Council is obliged to undertake a HRA to ensure there are no effects on

We provided a Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) to help achieve the allocation of BREEAM Ecology Credits for a large industrial development on a former brownfield site. This included consultations with the local planning authority, advising on mitigation measures landscape planting and ongoing site management, including selecting a variety of native species appropriate to the location

We designed and completed a number of bat surveys in the vicinity of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for bats on behalf of Gwynedd Council. SAC sites are designated under the EC Habitats Directive with the highest level of protection, so any proposed works in close proximity to them need to fully demonstrate that

Avian Ecology prepared an Ecological Appraisal for this development, the findings of which were accepted by the local planning authority and Natural England. Although ecology did not form a reason for refusal of planning permission, we were requested to provide Expert Witness support for the Public Inquiry. Following submission of Proof of Evidence and cross

Avian Ecology were one of the first consultancies to conduct countrywide environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys for great crested newts across England and Wales. As soon as this new survey method was approved by Natural England (NE) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in 2014, we offered our clients this service, with potentially significant cost and programme

Since project conception in 2012, Avian Ecology Ltd. have been engaged with a proposed four wind turbine development on the Isle of Sheppey, located near to The Swale Special Protection Area (SPA) and around 590m from the Great Bells Farm, a recently created habitat compensation scheme owned by the Environment Agency (EA) and now managed