Ecology & Biodiversity Services

We can help you to identify ecological constraints and opportunities at an early stage in the development process so that sufficient ecological information is available to inform and support development proposals.

We have a well-established and highly regarded in-house team of ecologists that can provide advice across the widest variety of project types and interrelationships with biodiversity. This includes advice on strategic issues and legislation, site surveys and impact assessments, as well as habitat design and the preparation of mitigation licenses and management plans.

Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) is defined as ‘the process of identifying, quantifying and evaluating the potential impacts of defined actions on ecosystems or their components’ (Treweek, J. (1999) Ecological Impact Assessment)

EcIA is a key component of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations but also has a broad range of potential applications, including informing planning applications for which EIA is not required as well as preparing management plans. The overall purpose of EcIA is to provide objective and concise information about the likely significant ecological effects associated with a project. An EcIA will also describe what steps will be taken to adhere to legal requirements relating to designated sites and legally protected species.

Guidelines have been developed by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) to promote good practice in EcIA. These guidelines deal with the various stages of EcIA from initial ‘scoping’, to ecological valuation, determining whether impacts are ecologically significant, mitigation, compensation and enhancement.

NPA has a wealth of knowledge and experience in carrying out EcIA, including as part of the production of Environmental Statements. We seek to work with our clients from project conception to enable and strive for an iterative approach, whereby negative impacts are not simply reported at the final stages, but dealt with at an early stage through design changes which avoid or reduce impacts. It is always our goal to seek the best possible outcome for both the project and biodiversity.

Correct identification of vegetation communities and their associated plants is essential when trying to determine if habitats on a site are of particular value for biodiversity.

Our experienced botanical surveyors have undertaken a large number of surveys within a wide variety of habitats including urban, woodland, grassland, heathland, farmland and wetland environments.

We frequently use the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) system, a standardised system which can be used to assess habitat quality, monitor changes in vegetation over time and inform site management.

We are also able to offer the following:

• Surveys for rare/ notable plant species;
• Ancient woodland indicator plant surveys;
• River Corridor and aquatic plant surveys;
• Invasive plant surveys (e.g. for Schedule 9 invasive plants);
• Hedgerow surveys to determine if hedgerows are important under the Hedge Regulations;
• Condition Assessment Monitoring on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s)