Ecological Impact Assessment
Ecological assessment forms a key part of most planning applications and is scrutinised by statutory agencies as well as voluntary bodies and the general public. The standard of work required is rising rapidly, reflecting developments in survey methods, advancing knowledge of species ecology, and legal and planning requirements. Impact assessment requires a sound understanding of the nature of the development and its potential effects. Mitigation and compensation measures must be rooted in practicality.
Examples of our work include:-
- Assessment of the ecological effects of the new Swale bridge and A249 trunk road improvement through the Swale and Medway SPA/Ramsar sites, affecting nationally important plant, invertebrate and bird populations. Design and management of a 25 ha compensation scheme for breeding and wintering waterfowl.
- Assessment of effects on the Dee Estuary SPA/Ramsar site of works necessary for trans-shipment of wing components for the A380 Airbus, design of compensation land and monitoring of effects of vessel movements on birds in the Dee estuary.
- Assessment of the effects on wildlife including breeding birds, bats, invertebrates and fish populations resulting from proposed expansion of a major limestone quarry in County Cavan, Republic of Ireland.
- Assessment of the importance of land in Ringwood Forest proposed for mineral extraction and supporting uncommon plants, rare invertebrates, European protected reptile species, uncommon heathland birds, dormice and bats; design of mitigation and restoration to ensure no negative effects on significant ecological interest.
- Assessment of the importance of a disused marshalling yard for redevelopment as a rail engineering depot. The site held rare plants, nationally scarce invertebrates and protected amphibians and reptiles. Subsequent monitoring of translocated plants and invertebrate habitats.
- Assessment of a site including improved farmland, hedges, stands of trees, a stream and a number of semi-derelict farm buildings and resolution of a number of protected species issues prior to planning permission for housing development.
- Assessment of the ornithological importance of potential locations for windfarms in the uplands of Northern Ireland and of offshore windfarms in the North Sea, English Channel and Irish Sea.
- Assessment of extensive former mineral workings in Staffordshire now holding great crested newts, reptiles, nationally scarce invertebrate species and the Schedule 1 breeding bird woodlark, and advice on a restoration scheme to improve landscape while retaining protected and important species.
One of a number of receptor sites being monitored by AWA to assess the success of translocations of plants and the survival of associated invertebrate species.