Quality of Liverpool Ecology and the Natural Environment
Whether you are looking at a small-scale residential renovation near Sefton Park or a large commercial redevelopment along the River Mersey, navigating the planning process in Liverpool can feel like a daunting task. Ecological features are a vital asset to the city, and the local planning authority (Liverpool City Council) is committed to ensuring that new developments do not come at the cost of local biodiversity.
Our ecological consultancy provides the expert advice you need to get your project moving. We simplify the often-confusing world of ecological services, helping you understand exactly what is required to satisfy local authorities and secure your planning consent. From the survey work to the final discharge of conditions, we ensure your development proposal is both sustainable and compliant.
Liverpool’s landscape is a unique mix of urban density and coastal ecosystems, so when you start a proposed development, the city council expects high levels of due diligence, including consideration of environmental management. Arbtech has consultants in Liverpool, giving clients a distinct advantage in knowing exactly what the local planners and the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service expect.
We always avoid a ‘wishy-washy’ approach and get straight to the facts, ensuring your planning application is supported by robust data. By engaging an ecological consultant early, you can identify potential roadblocks before they become expensive delays. Our team is a dependable partner for a wide range of ecology surveys and other ecology services, offering a full range of solutions for any proposed development site.
Strategic Habitat Assessment and Preliminary Appraisal
The first step for almost any site is a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA). Think of this as a ‘health check’ for your land. During this stage, our experienced ecologists conduct a habitat survey to map out the flora and fauna present, using standard classification systems like the national vegetation classification to accurately describe the site.
A baseline assessment is critical because it identifies the presence or likely absence of protected species. If the appraisal identifies ecological constraints, it will recommend further surveys to ensure you remain legally compliant. A thorough PEA looks for connectivity to nearby nature reserves and green areas that might act as corridors for animals. The initial assessment allows us to provide further information to the council regarding how the project might impact local biodiversity.
By gathering this data early, we can help you adjust your site layout, potentially saving you thousands in mitigation measures later. Our ecology reports are written to the high standards of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), ensuring they are trusted by the decision-makers at your local council.
Merseyside’s Present Protected Species
Liverpool is home to a large number of legally protected animals. If your development site contains mature trees or older buildings, or if it’s near water, you will likely need certain protected species surveys. Because bats are highly sensitive, bat surveys are a frequent requirement, starting with preliminary roost assessments to look for droppings or entry points.
If our bat surveyors find evidence of roosting bats during the bat scoping survey, the local council will require bat emergence surveys, with early planning being vital, as they need to happen during the summer months. Understanding the specific bat species on-site is crucial for designing effective mitigation. Beyond bats, great crested newts are a common consideration in Merseyside, with our team providing great crested newt surveys to ensure that these amphibians aren’t harmed.
Our team also carries out water vole assessments along the city’s brooks and badger surveys near site boundaries. For unique brownfield sites, we may suggest invertebrate surveys, while rural projects might require checks for barn owls. Each survey provides the evidence needed to satisfy Natural England and the planning officer from the local council.
Securing Consent Through Practical Mitigation Solutions
Getting approval for planning permission requires a comprehensive strategy. Once our assessment is complete, we provide an ecology report outlining the mitigation measures required to protect the natural environment. While the core team at Arbtech is local to our head office, we have extensive experience across the country, even handling complex projects as far as mid-Wales.
The broad perspective allows us to bring innovative solutions to your project, ensuring your build is as competitive as possible. We act as your expert consultants, handling the liaison with the local council and Natural England to ensure your mitigation licences are processed efficiently.
Whether you are at the stage of overseeing initial assessments or at the point of needing to discharge a condition, our ecological consultancy is here to help. We provide the expert ecological services that turn ecological issues into manageable tasks. Instead of leaving your planning project to chance, contact us over the phone, email or our website, and get a free quote for ecological surveys on your site.
