Bat Surveys

Bat surveys start with a Preliminary Roost Assessment of a building(s) to look for signs but also suitable roost features. If these exist, we may need to conduct Roost Characterisation Surveys and plan mitigation work. We also carry out Nighttime Bat Walkovers to assess how a proposal may be used by bats.

If post-planning a bat mitigation license is required, we are licensed to apply for both full and low-impact licenses.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

The first request for ecological information following a planning application is often a basic site and species assessment. This usually involves conducting a UK Habitats Assessment which feeds into Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations. This step is vital for guiding you through the planning process and beyond.

The PEAR report may highlight the need for additional work including specialist species surveys or botanical surveys, if no further surveys are required, we can produce an Ecological Impact Assessment at this stage.

Ecological Impact Assessments

With our expertise we are well placed to offer Ecological Impact Assessments to highlight and assess the likely effects on wildlife that may arise directly or indirectly from any proposal. We bring together all survey work conducted and link in arboriculture reports and landscape plans. Steps to mitigate the impacts are laid out for the client to review and enhancement actions to obtain the necessary 10% Biodiversity Net Gain for a proposal are explained.

Biodiversity Net Gain Calculation

Abbas Ecology will work with clients and landscape architects to create wildlife habitats on and off the proposal site that are measured using the QGIS mapping program to feed into the Statutory Biodiversity Net Gain Metric. This is checked by the LPA to ensure that the minimum 10% net gain is achieved.

Ecological Clerk of Works

During construction works we will work alongside any site managers to ensure that biodiversity features on a construction site are protected and engage/guide mitigation activities such as ecological watching briefs and translocation of protected species.

If protected species licenses are required, we can apply for these and ensure that the works happen within the conditions stipulated in the license. We will ensure that mitigation happens correctly and can be signed off to the LPA and if necessary Natural England.

Management Plans

Abbas Ecology can produce Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPT) to guide the creation, enhancement and development of biodiverse areas alongside building, industrial or any other development project. These plans are designed to last for 30 years but we can guide you with setting up annual monitoring and five-yearly reviews.

We also produce ecology sections in Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs) and work alongside landscape architects to produce Landscape and Ecological Management Plans (LEMPs) to ensure that landscaping and ecology work together to produce the best outputs for your proposal.

Abbas Ecology can also input into or produce Shadow Habitat Regulation Assessments, to be finalised by the LPA and agreed with Natural England. We can also provide a simple management plan or advice for any habitat management project you might have.