Protected Species
Protected species legislation is complex, with species enjoying different levels of protection and, in the case of those embraced by European law, requirements affecting their treatment in the planning process. In addition, criteria for best practice in survey, population assessment and translocation are evolving rapidly. There is a high potential for delay and escalating costs if the work is not carefully planned and implemented by experienced personnel.
Projects have included:-
- Survey for and design and implementation of translocation of great crested and palmate newts, four reptile species and calcareous grassland holding scarce plant species at a former MoD armament store in Northamptonshire, and on-going management of the receptor area.
- Development and implementation of a methodology for removal of established top-soil bunds potentially supporting smooth snake, other reptile species and dormouse on land required for extension of a consented landfill site.
- Survey for water voles and design and implementation of a translocation project on a watercourse affected by works to improve conveyance in connection with new housing development.
- Survey for smooth newt, common lizard and bat species at a number of sites proposed for quarry expansion in Northern Ireland and advice on action required to translocate populations.
- Advice on the resolution of potential disturbance to breeding peregrine falcons predicted to result from the construction of a block of flats adjacent to a disused deep quarry in the City of Aberdeen.
- Successful translocation of great crested newts from a working brickpit to new receptor ponds in prepared terrestrial habitat.
- Licensed destruction of outlier badger setts on land consented for mineral extraction in the Thames valley.
- Design of mitigation to retain three species of bats including a maternity roost in a building proposed for conversion to a domestic dwelling in Shropshire
Penny-royal is a nationally scarce plant species with legal protection and one of a number of important plant species for which the Northamptonshire receptor site is being managed by AWA.