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

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.

Early Planning Confidence

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.

Comprehensive habitat mapping and classification
Protected species assessments and recommendations
Pre-purchase development constraint identification
Detailed reporting suitable for planning applications
Get in touch
Ecological consultant conducting a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
Expert Wildlife Surveys

Faunal Survey

Ecologist conducting a bat survey
Licensed Surveyors Natural England approved

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:

Licensed surveyors for all protected species
Comprehensive mitigation strategies
Advanced survey equipment and techniques
Full legislative compliance for planning

Faunal Survey Calendar

When to schedule your surveys for optimal results

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Bat Surveys
GCN Surveys
Reptile Surveys
Not optimal
Possible
Optimal period
Advanced Technology

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:

Habitat mapping & classification
3D scans of veteran trees
Building & structure assessment
Monitoring of habitat changes
Development layout planning
Hard-to-access area assessment

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.

UAV drone conducting ecological survey
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Registered UAV Pilots

Our team includes CAA-registered drone pilots specialized in ecological surveys

3D model of habitat from UAV survey
3D Modeling
Habitat map created from UAV imagery
Habitat Mapping
High-Precision 4K imaging & LiDAR
Ecological Enhancement

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

1

Baseline Assessment

Habitat survey and classification using UK Habitat Classification system

2

Metric Calculation

Determine baseline biodiversity units using Natural England Biodiversity Metric

3

Post-Development Assessment

Calculate anticipated biodiversity value after development

4

Net Gain Strategy

Design and implement solutions to achieve minimum 10% biodiversity net gain

+10%

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.

Ecological Solutions

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.

Ecologist implementing mitigation measures

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:

AVOID

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.

MINIMIZE

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.

RESTORE

3. On-site Restoration

Rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems or restoration of cleared ecosystems following exposure to impacts that cannot be completely avoided or minimized.

OFFSET

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.

Species-specific Discuss your needs

Development Design Input

Expert ecological advice to inform development design from the earliest stages, ensuring impact avoidance and maximizing opportunities for biodiversity enhancement.

Early engagement Discuss your needs

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