Ecology
Landscape and
Arboriculture
We have a very large and diverse portfolio of successful projects, here is a small selection.
CBMDC South Pennine Moors SPA foraging Studies
Brooks Ecological were appointed by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council to carry out ornithological foraging studies of sites being considered for inclusion in the Local Plan. Our use of thermography proved particularly useful in assessing whether fields were used at night by the South Pennines Moors Special Protection Area Qualifying species.
Humber Bridge Visitor Experience
We were appointed by the Humber Bridge Board to assess the potential impacts of a proposed high viewing platform and viewing experience. The project's location adjacent to the Humber Estuary SPA has necessitated a suite of ecological surveys with particular emphasis on wintering birds to inform a Habitats Regulations Assessment.
This is one of a long line of projects we have worked on where close proximity to the Humber Estuary SPA has been a potentially significant constraint but where our ornithological expertise and clear thinking has helped deliver sites for our clients.
Bretton Hall
Working for Rushbond in partnership with the City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council and Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the proposals for the re-use and re-development of the Bretton Hall Estate involve the creation of a luxury hotel alongside new workspace and office accommodation within a mix of new and also refurbished buildings.
The site supports a number of important bat roosts and needed careful judgement and planning to ensure that the development was not compromised. We have devised and overseen the complex phased licensing and on site mitigation needed to deliver the project successfully for conservation needs and developer requirements.
Church Fields Boston Spa
Working for Taylor Wimpey we took this site through planning, appeal and ultimately helped deliver an award winning development. Key to delivery was the innovative approach to its landscape provision. We knew this site had potential to become an important site for wildlife due to its underlying geology. We pushed hard for this to be made into the scarce habitat of magnesium limestone grassland. Careful analysis of soil horizons and mineral content allowed us to design an appropriate soil stripping scheme, exposing just the right conditions for the species associated with this important habitat to thrive. We have since been managing the site through our sister company Ecological Estates and its become a much loved landscape teeming with wildlife. This is possibly the best example we can think of where development has lead to a significant increase in biodiversity.
Claughton Hall, Forest of Bowland
Working for a private client to inform an application for a Forestry Commission Grant we carried out comprehensive National Vegetation Surveying of upland mire , acid grassland and heath. This work complemented our experience of upland BAP habitat condition assessment for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
Ireland Bridge, Bingley
Working for City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council we helped deliver complex licensed mitigation for a very large maternity colony of Daubenton's bats roosting in a medieval bridge spanning the River Aire.
Works involved all necessary surveys and licensing, mitigation design, exclusion of the bats during works, supervision of the dismantling and rebuild of the bridge and monitoring the successful return of bats to this important roost site.
Snowdonia National Park Hydroelectricity sites
We have significant experience of delivering hydro-electricity schemes. Drawing on our skills in upland ecology, riparian habitats and fauna to present robust baseline assessments for planners and regulators we have devised and overseen effective mitigation schemes to prevent pollution of the aquatic environment, reduce effects on soil hydrology and to avoid sites with sensitive plant species.
EA Flood Alleviation Schemes
Working directly for the Environment Agency and as sub-consultants for Halcrow and CH2M, we have delivered a number of services facilitating Flood Allelviation Schemes. Our work in this area has included boat based surveys for otters, bat surveys of bridges and culverts, climbed inspections of trees and providing assistance with habitat restoration through wildflower seed collection.
Moorside Nuclear Power Site Cumbria
Brooks Ecological's work with Invasive Non Native Species INNS has expanded significantly over recent years. We now have dedicated staff working in this area and are trusted to deliver complex management plans and solutions, and to monitor some large strategic sites. In 2018 we have been involved in surveying and reporting on INNS across the large proposed reactor site at Moorside adjacent to Sellafield in Cumbria.
