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 as an RSPB bird reserve. The proposed development was rightly subject to thorough scrutiny under the provisions of the EC Habitats Directive, due to the potential for displacement impacts upon wintering birds and breeding marsh harriers.

We worked with the developer from the offset, providing vital advice on site layout, in particular the turbine locations. The application was then supported by two years of detailed field survey data and research, with robust Environmental Statement chapters and subsequent Addendums delivered by our expert team of ornithologists. We adopted an open and transparent approach to the assessment, working closely with the developer, Natural England, the EA and RSPB, whilst remaining aware of the complexities of the planning process and the need for a robust Habitats Regulations Assessment. Following a thorough review of data, we recommended that habitat enhancement measures for birds were provided and 23ha of habitat will now be improved for birds, leading to an overall biodiversity gain. Our approach enabled the developer to demonstrate with certainty there will be no adverse effects on bird species associated with The Swale SPA, with the full agreement of both statutory regulators and conservation bodies.