Ecological Planning & Research Ltd. (EPR) services

Good quality ecological advice must be based on good quality and robust ecological survey information. Highly professional survey work: Underpins the ecological validity of any project Prevents project delays resulting from requests for further information from Local Planning Authorities or Statutory Agencies. Provides confidence to key players such as Natural England, so that time is not wasted in lengthy discussions about data, but rather spent negotiating and agreeing the real issues at hand. Provides the information needed to design and implement effective mitigation and enhancement strategies.

Our strong roots in both ecology and planning ensure(s) that EPR is able to provide specialist advice of the highest quality on nature conservation issues in the context of the UK planning system. We are able to provide advice and support for your project at all stages of the process and we match our surveys and advice to your project and the relevant associated planning issues. Ecology can be a major issue within a planning application but, dealt with correctly, it is rarely a stumbling block to development. EPR has strong roots in the planning system and we provide specialist advice on ecological issues in the planning context to ensure that: We match our surveys and advice to your project and the relevant associated planning issues. Ecological issues are picked up and resolved early on in the process. Scheme design takes account of ecological constraints. Key players are consulted and potential objections removed.

EPR has a proven track record of high quality ecological input into EIA and extensive experience of dealing with nature conservation and ecological issues within Environmental Statements. We believe that this process aids in promoting sustainable development and provides the opportunity, at an early stage in the project design process, to reduce ecological impacts through design enhancements and mitigation measures. This will help ensure that ecological objections to your proposals are removed at an early stage.

There is a requirement within the UK planning system for certain plans, policies and programmes that may have a significant effect on the environment to be made subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). It is also a requirement for certain development plans to be subject to ``Sustainability Appraisal`` (SA), a type of Strategic Environmental Assessment that applies to certain new types of land-use plan at the local and regional levels. EPR is able to work independently or as part of a wider team of specialists on behalf of plan-makers undertaking SA/SEA, or in support of developers seeking to engage with the SA/SEA process to promote their land interests. Our in house team of experts includes both specialist ecologists and environmental assessors with experience of both leading and contributing to SA and SEA projects.

Two European Directives; the 1979 Wild Birds Directive and the 1992 Habitats Directive have resulted in the designation of a number of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) which are designed to protect species and habitats which are threatened in a European context. In the UK these designations are subject to national legislative protection under the The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (superceding the 1994 Habitats Regulations). These Regulations have created an additional set of assessment procedures to which proposed plans and projects are subject.

“All local authorities and other public authorities in England and Wales now have a Duty to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising their functions. The Duty aims to raise the profile and visibility of biodiversity, to clarify existing commitments with regard to biodiversity, and to make it a natural and integral part of policy and decision making. Biodiversity is a core component of sustainable development, underpinning economic development and prosperity, and has an important role to play in developing locally distinctive and sustainable communities.”

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most effective and cost efficient methods of mapping, monitoring and analysing data that has a geographical or spatial aspect. It is an extremely powerful tool and its key capabilities include: Strategic Environmental Assessment. Risk Mapping. Mapping opportunities for habitat restoration/creation. Large scale habitat management. By combining ecological expertise with GIS technology, EPR has developed techniques to improve how data is collected, analysed and presented that is beneficial for a wide variety of projects and purposes.

Development can have positive, as well as negative, ecological effects. Creating the conditions that many plants and animals need may require the use of relatively expensive machinery to manipulate water levels and soils. Both the machines and the processes are often available during development and may be an essential part of it. Building developments can, therefore be a catalyst for extensive habitat creation at little additional cost to the overall project. With good prior planning and design, biodiversity can potentially be enhanced. Consent for major projects may be entirely contingent on the amount and predicted success of new habitats created to compensate for the loss of existing habitat.

EPR is often asked for conservation advice relating to a wide range of plant and animal species and for more comprehensive management plans for either developed or natural habitat areas. Species-specific information may relate to a protected species such as the great crested newt or to a managed resource such as a game or coarse fishery. Habitat-related advice may relate to a development site, public park, a private estate, local nature reserve, statutory conservation site or to a wide range of other places. EPR has long experience of managing land to provide, protect or enhance nature conservation value. Our clients include national bodies such as Plantlife, The National Trust, Woodland Trust, Corporation of London, Local Authorities, and private clients. We are experienced in preparing formal management plans and monitoring their success.