Preliminary Ecological Appraisals & Phase 1 habitat surveys

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, or an alternative Phase 1 habitat survey, is the first stage in assessing a site's botanical value and its potential to support protected species. It is often a requirement for any planning application that includes developing land and aims to identify any potential ecological constraints that may be present. 

The survey involves a site visit by our ecologists to map the habitats that are present. They will identify the species present, including any invasive species, and pinpoint any areas of the site that may require further survey work. The survey also includes a desk-top study of environmental records (provided by the local wildlife trust) of the local area. This is to assess the potential impact of the development on nearby ecological features such as designated sites.

The results of the survey will be provided in a report that details any ecological issues noted and recommends appropriate mitigation measures to counter those issues. Please note, it is often not possible to identify all ecological issues in a single site visit, so the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal will also include recommendations for further surveys if required. 

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal can be undertaken at any time of year, but is best undertaken during the Spring and Summer months when trees and plants are more readily identifiable. We strongly recommend involving a professional ecologist at the early stages of planning your development though, as the information provided by this survey can help prevent costly project delays, redesigns, or budget overruns by identifying any constraints and mitigation at an early stage.  

Every project is different and so we quote for Preliminary Ecological Appraisals on an individual basis. They usually start at £360 plus the cost of any environmental records, but factors that may effect the price include the size of the site, variety of habitats and the distance to the site. If you have a project in mind please do contact us; we'd be happy to discuss it with you and provide a quote for free.