Ecology
​​​Brooks Ecological has over 20 years' experience of delivering ecological surveys and advice to planners, regulators and conservation organisations. We pride ourselves on our reputation for the high quality of our service, clarity of presentation and ongoing client care.
We offer a full range of services from a quick chat to help you sketch out your ideas to a comprehensive suite of surveys and assessments such as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), detailed habitat surveys, protected species licensing, invasives species management plans. Common services we cover are discussed below:
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Biodiversity Net Gain Process
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)
The starting point for most projects, our PEAs follow CIEEM's reporting standards and British Standard 42020. They advise our clients of constraints and opportunities on their sites and help plot a course to securing planning consents.
BNG Baseline Assessment
Normally carried out alongside the PEA, this classifies the baseline habitat types to UK Habitats Classification and assesses their pre-development condition. The Baseline DEFRA Metric is presented in our easy to understand BNG Stage 1 Report.
BNG Post Development Assessment
Once you have a fixed layout that has hopefully followed the helpful advice set our in our BNG Baseline Assessment, we calculate your final Biodiversity Unit Score in our equally easy to follow BNG Stage 2 report.
Biodiversity Net Gain Process
Biodiversity Gain Plan
A Biodiversity Gain Plan (BGP) is normally conditioned by the Local Planning Authority. This is the statutory document that shows how your final development fulfill its required 10% uplift in Biodiversity value.
Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP)
This is a statutory document needed when you have 'significant habitat' on your site which contributes to your 10% Biodiversity uplift. It sets out how these habitats will be managed and monitored for 30 years to ensure that the site delivers the units set out in your BGP.
Beyond BNG
Protected Species Survey and Assessments
You don't want your project held up by delays caused by inadequate surveys, but neither do you want to spend money on unnecessary information.
We pride ourselves on scoping the right level of survey for all protected species.
Ornithology
Ornithological studies may be key to your project. We have years of experience devising and delivering passage and wintering survey, breeding bird surveys and vantage point surveys for a range of development projects including wind and solar farms.
Licenced Bat Mitigation
Our large expert bat team can help with any bat mitigation you may need; from swiftly registering your site on a Bat Mitigation Class Licence to devising, licensing and managing projects affecting large roosts of high conservation significance.
Beyond BNG
Protected Species Mitigation Licences
We have years of experience of devising and delivering licensed mitigation strategies for all protected species, from closing badger setts, installing new breeding setts and translocating water voles, to complex multi-phased great crested newt mitigation.
Ecological Clerk of Works
Ecological Clerks of work have a vital role to play in ensuring the sensitive delivery of projects on the ground. Our ECoWs all understand the implications their advice has on project delivery and take a level headed approach that protects wildlife but keeps your project running smoothly.
CEMP (Biodiversity)
Since the publication of BS42020 it's usual for Local Planning Authorities to condition these. They show how biodiversity will be managed throughout construction.
Our reporting style is clear and easy to follow which is key to controlling environmental and legal risks.