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.
UAV Survey
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.
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.
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.