Southwest
Environmental LimitedSouthwest
Environmental Limited| London |
| 02076 920 670 |
| Exeter |
| 01392 927 961 |
| Manchester |
| 01612 970 026 |
| Bristol |
| 01173 270 092 |
If you are reading this page perhaps you have just worked through the wildlife and geology trigger table, and marked one of the questions as a "yes", if that is the case then you will likely need a Wildlife Survey Report to validate your planning application.
This name (Wildlife) is unique to Devon, and you may be asked to fill out the table and write a report, if you project is within:
SWEL employ an ecologist and are therefore qualified to produce the required Wildlife Survey Report. In most areas of the UK, you will have been asked for a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal. But here in the Southwest UK, we like to do things a bit differently ;-). Please scroll down to find out more.
A Wildlife Survey Report will follow guidance set out in CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Management) EcIA guidelines). You will receive a PDF report divided in to different chapters, it may also contain plans and photographs, or other data that has helped the ecologist to make their decision.
Yes someone is required to visit site, to conduct a walkover survey.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
The ecologist visits site and finds a car park or similar with very little in the way of features (or creatures) that need protecting. In this case the Wildlife Report my be the only Ecology Report Required.
If you site has lots of features that are good for wildlife such as ponds, hedges, thatched roofs, trees with holes in them etc. Then you will probably need additional surveys. These are seasonal
Other Related Reports
As mentioned above the Wildlife Survey Report can recommend surveys for specific species:
In addition, except for a few exceptions and householder applications, all developments must show that they will provide a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.
Biodiversity requirements can also flag up need for Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP), this sets out how the site will be maintained to the benefit of ecology / bio diversity.