Ecological Consultancy Strategic Solutions for Development & Conservation
Providing extensive ecological consulting services nationwide, including habitat surveys, biodiversity assessments, and protected species expertise—delivered with pragmatic solutions and peace of mind throughout your project.
Learn Ecology Ltd provides extensive ecological consulting services to sites nationwide, including Phase 1 habitat and general faunal surveys, UK Habitat Classification, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment, and Phase II Protected Species surveys. Our team of experienced ecological consultants endeavour to give every client complete peace of mind throughout the entirety of the planning and development process, harnessing a pragmatic approach to survey and mitigation.
Learn Ecology offer a range of consulting services, with some examples provided below. Contact us to discuss your project, get advice, and obtain a free, no obligation quote today.
Strategic Advice & Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
Learn Ecology Ltd provide comprehensive pre-purchase due diligence to ensure potential constraints and opportunities are identified early in the development process.
Our ecologists benefit from years of experience undertaking Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) survey work, whereby the habitats and features of the site are identified and mapped, along with a general assessment of the site to determine the presence of, or suitability for, any protected, rare, or notable plant or animal species.
Faunal Survey
At Learn Ecology, our ecologists have a proven track record with a range of faunal surveys, including protected species such as bats, badger, hazel dormouse, water vole, otter, great crested newt, reptiles, and more.
Supported by the appropriate survey licenses, where appropriate, our ecologists undertake presence/absence surveys to determine the use of a site by faunal species and expand on the approach to understand population estimates to ensure the appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures are implemented in the resulting development to facilitate biodiversity and legislative compliance.
Bat Surveys
Roost assessments, emergence/re-entry, activity surveys
Great Crested Newt
Habitat assessment, eDNA, population surveys
Badger Surveys
Sett identification, territory mapping, activity monitoring
Reptile Surveys
Presence/absence, population estimates, habitat assessment
Why Choose Our Faunal Survey Services:
Faunal Survey Calendar
When to schedule your surveys for optimal results
UAV Survey
Cutting-edge aerial survey technology for precision ecological mapping and assessment
Our ecologists are trained and registered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone pilots, which facilitates high-resolution mapping and three-dimensional scanning of areas of habitat, such as a proposed development site or area of habitat management, or features of ecological significance, including veteran trees or buildings supporting roosting bats.
Learn Ecology provides detailed, high-resolution imagery for ongoing monitoring of habitat changes, habitat and landscape mapping to input to development layouts, and more. Additionally, the ability to generate three-dimensional scans of ecological features, such as trees, promotes a more detailed mitigation strategy to ensure legislative compliance throughout the development process.
UAV Survey Applications:
Why Use UAV Technology:
Enhanced Accuracy & Coverage
UAV surveys provide complete site coverage with high-resolution imagery and precision mapping that traditional ground surveys cannot match.
Efficiency & Time-Saving
Rapidly survey large or complex sites in a fraction of the time required for traditional methods, reducing project timelines.
Advanced 3D Modeling
Create detailed 3D models of features such as veteran trees, structures, and topography for precise assessment and planning.
Registered UAV Pilots
Our team includes CAA-registered drone pilots specialized in ecological surveys
Biodiversity Net Gain
Utilising the information gathered during initial site assessment survey work, including habitat identification and species composition, our ecologists generate a baseline biodiversity value for the site prior to development using the most recent Natural England Biodiversity Metric tool.
A subsequent assessment of the site proposals is then undertaken using the Biodiversity Metric to determine the resulting biodiversity value of the site to ensure compliance with local and national policy, such as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Environment Act, for biodiversity enhancement (≥ 10%).
Our ecologists work with our clients to ensure appropriate, pragmatic solutions are implemented where a detrimental biodiversity outcome is determined, and it is recommended that ecological advice is engaged as early in the planning process as is possible to ensure biodiversity optimisation and compliance and prevent delays to your project.
The BNG Process
Baseline Assessment
Habitat survey and classification using UK Habitat Classification system
Metric Calculation
Determine baseline biodiversity units using Natural England Biodiversity Metric
Post-Development Assessment
Calculate anticipated biodiversity value after development
Net Gain Strategy
Design and implement solutions to achieve minimum 10% biodiversity net gain
Planning Compliance
Meet NPPF and Environment Act requirements with 10%+ biodiversity enhancement for successful planning applications.
Early Engagement
Avoid costly delays by integrating biodiversity considerations early in the project planning process.
Pragmatic Solutions
Practical and cost-effective biodiversity enhancement strategies tailored to your specific project needs.
Planning policy requirement: The Environment Act 2021 mandates a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain for most new developments in England. Early engagement with ecological consultants is essential to ensure compliance and avoid costly delays.
Impact Avoidance, Mitigation & Compensation
Learn Ecology benefits from years of experience providing strategic ecological impact avoidance, mitigation, and compensation through development layout input guidance to conserve areas or features of ecological significance, the generation of mitigation schemes and strategies, and on- and off-site compensation.
Our ecologists provide concise and pragmatic condition discharge reports and guidance including Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy (EMES), Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP), Landscape Environmental Management Plans (LEMP), species-specific mitigation strategies, and more.
Furthermore, our team of ecologists may provide Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) where appropriate to facilitate development activities whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and planning conditions.
The Mitigation Hierarchy
We follow the industry-standard mitigation hierarchy to minimize ecological impacts on your development projects. Our approach prioritizes solutions in the following order:
1. Impact Avoidance
Careful project planning and design to avoid impacts on valuable ecological features entirely. We provide strategic input into development layouts to protect significant habitats and species.
2. Impact Minimization
Where impacts cannot be fully avoided, we design mitigation measures to reduce the duration, intensity, extent and/or likelihood of ecological impacts during all project phases.
3. On-site Restoration
Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems or restoration of cleared ecosystems following exposure to impacts that cannot be completely avoided or minimized.
4. Biodiversity Offsets
Implementing measurable conservation outcomes designed to compensate for significant adverse impacts that cannot be avoided, minimized or restored, often through off-site or offsetting measures.
Ecological Mitigation & Enhancement Strategy
Detailed strategies outlining specific measures to mitigate ecological impacts and enhance biodiversity on development sites, often required for planning condition discharge.
Construction Environmental Management Plans
Comprehensive plans detailing how construction activities will be managed to prevent or minimize ecological impacts during the construction phase of development.
Landscape & Ecological Management Plans
Long-term management plans for landscapes and ecological features within a development, ensuring ongoing habitat maintenance and biodiversity enhancement.
Ecological Clerk of Works
On-site ecological supervision during construction to ensure compliance with ecological requirements, mitigation measures, and legal obligations for protected species.
Protected Species Mitigation
Specialized mitigation strategies for protected species including bats, great crested newts, reptiles, badgers, and other legally protected wildlife.
Development Design Input
Expert ecological advice to inform development design from the earliest stages, ensuring impact avoidance and maximizing opportunities for biodiversity enhancement.
Ready to ensure your project's ecological compliance?
Contact us today to discuss your project's mitigation requirements and how our ecology team can help ensure smooth planning and development.
Get Your Free Quote Today