Marine and Terrestrial Biodiversity Across Southampton
Planning a project in southern England requires a sharp eye for the natural environment, especially in a coastal city like Southampton, where the city’s ecology is defined by its relationship with the Solent and its lush, green urban corridors.
To get your project through the local authority without a hitch, you need a partner who understands both the public sector requirements and the practical needs of private developers.
Our independent ecological consultancy provides the local knowledge and extensive experience required to navigate the complexities of the pre-planning phase. We pride ourselves on ensuring compliance while keeping your project on schedule, providing expert advice that is both direct and authoritative.
The planning process in Southampton is rigorous, often requiring a full range of ecological surveys before a spade hits the ground. As your expert consultants, we identify ecological constraints at the early stage, allowing you to make informed decisions about your site layout.
By integrating our ecological consultancy into your team early, we help you avoid delays that often stem from overlooked environmental obligations. Our team creates a clear path forward, ensuring your development proposal is robust enough to satisfy the most stringent of local council requirements when it comes to getting planning applications.
Executing Initial Assessments
The first step for almost any site is a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA). Formally known as an extended phase 1 habitat survey, a PEA is designed to map the ecological value of your land. During the site visit, one of our experienced ecologists will undertake the necessary ecological surveys by performing thorough data collection, identifying the various habitats present, and looking for signs of protected wildlife.
An initial assessment is the foundation of your ecology report, as it highlights whether further surveys will be necessary. By conducting an ecology survey early, you gain a clear understanding of the potential impacts your project might have. Our surveys are conducted to the high professional standards of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and other relevant organisations, making them a trusted resource for the local authority.
During this phase, we also look for notable species and habitats unique to the Hampshire coast. If your site is found to have low ecological value, the ecology report might be all you need. If, however, we find evidence that protected species surveys are required – such as for bats, dormice or great crested newts – we will clearly outline the next steps for you to follow.
Compliance Around Hampshire Species
Southampton’s mix of urban areas and woodland fringes means that bat surveys are a very frequent requirement. Many of the city’s historic buildings and mature trees provide ideal roosting spots for various bat species. Our team performs bat scoping surveys and, if needed, bat activity surveys or bat emergence surveys during the active season. If we find evidence of roosting bats, we work quickly to design mitigation strategies that allow your work to proceed while keeping the animals safe.
Similarly, we provide other protected species surveys, such as comprehensive great crested newt surveys and reptile surveys near the city’s many green spaces. Beyond the common species, our ecological consultancy has the expertise to handle water vole and badger surveys for riverside developments, bird surveys to ensure nesting sites are not disturbed, invertebrate surveys for complex brownfield sites, and plans that satisfy both the developer and Natural England.
We understand that mitigation strategies must be practical and cost-effective, providing the expert ecological services needed to turn ecological issues into manageable tasks. In our ecological surveys, we provide the solutions that help you stay compliant while protecting great crested newts and other sensitive local wildlife. Our extensive knowledge of the region ensures your project is ecologically sound.
Professional Liaison for Successful Planning Applications
Once the survey work is complete, the final hurdle is the submission of planning applications. The Southampton local authority expects a high level of detail, and we are here to provide it. Our ecology report will clearly detail how you intend to protect the natural environment, safeguard protected species, and manage any ecological constraints.
We use our local knowledge of the region to advocate for your project, ensuring that the mitigation strategies proposed are acceptable to the planners, and our team handles the technical side of things so you can focus on the construction. Our commitment to our clients is built on being dependable and client-focused. More than anything, we know that the southern England planning circuit has specific nuances, and with that in mind, we tailor our approach accordingly.
With ecological surveys from our experienced team, you can be sure that your development project is in safe hands. Our team can provide the full range of support, from the initial assessments to the final discharge of planning conditions. If you are ready to move your Southampton project forward, we are ready to help. For the clarity, speed and extensive experience you need to succeed in today’s complex planning environment, get in touch today via our website, over email or by giving us a call.
