Our services
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
BN Ecology is committed to getting the best outcomes for you and nature. Over 95% of our strategies have been approved without any objections or related challenges by Local Planning Authorities.
Our experienced surveyors will assess the habitats currently on your site following UKHab guidelines to calculate their current value; then create a strategy focusing on retaining, enhancing or if necessary creating new habitat to generate the required units to satisfy legislation and your local planning requirements to help keep your planning application progressing.
Our team works closely with our clients and local planning authorities to develop customised solutions to meet their unique needs, policies and goals whilst bolstering nature.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisals
These assessments comprise of three parts; a desk study; a field study; and a written report.
During our desk study, we will delve deeply to ensure all historically recorded habitats, species and designated sites are identified, and potential impacts assessed.
The field study is conducted by highly experienced and appropriate licensed surveyors who will map utilising GIS Mapping and assess all habitats on-site using the UKHab Classification System.
Both the desk study and field study inform the written report which will give a clear but detailed overview of your site and its habitat and species potential.
Protected Species Surveys
At BN Ecology, we are well versed in conducting phase two species surveys to determine presence/absence.
Species we survey for include;
- Bats
- Badgers
- Birds
- Amphibians; Great Crested Newts
- Hazel Dormice
- Reptiles
- Otter and Water Vole
- Invertebrates
We also provide services to assist with Protected Species Licence applications to Natural England when otherwise lawful development or land management activities would risk committing an offence against a legally protected species.
Our director, James, has a passion for bats in particular having cared for over 100 injured bats.
Other Services
Here at BN Ecology, we work closely with our clients on other pertinent ecological matters:
- Mitigation licence
- Landscape Ecological Management Plans (LEMP)
- Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP)
- Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMP)
- Biodiversity Gain Plans (BGP)
- Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) management
Many of those listed above are integral considerations during the planning application process or to inform Discharge of Planning Condition requirements.