Many species, such as birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and certain plants are protected by UK and European law. Violations of these laws, which protect endangered and threatened species to varying degrees and from different activities, can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, so it is crucial to be aware of what would constitute an offence and work in ways that reduce or eliminate any impacts from project designs.
In the event that an initial Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) indicates the likely presence of a particular species, we are usually required to conduct further Protected Species Surveys.
Ignoring the presence of such species during the early stages of a project can lead to costly delays and disruption. To ensure that any potential impacts are identified and mitigated, a Protected Species Survey is imperative for establishing whether a protected species is present on/or adjacent to a potential work site.
The larger eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) is considered a serious pest on spruce and was first discovered in the UK in Kent, in 2018. If left uncontrolled, it poses a serious threat to Britain's forestry industry.
Following ongoing surveillance further findings of Ips typographus have since been confirmed, resulting in a demarcated area covering much of the south East of England. Within the demarcated area strict restrictions are in place that prevent the felling and movement of spruce wood, bark and branches without authorisation.
Work is now being carried out in an effort to eradicate this beetle by removing spruce from areas at risk of infestation.
We are currently undertaking the proactive removal of spruce from within the demarcated area for private and public landowners, before the trees become infected, or if the landowner has received a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN), which can adversely affect the value and restrict the timing of the operation.
Having well-established relationships with the Forestry Commission, as well as agreements in place with authorised processors, we are able offer a complete service that covers the felling, extraction and marketing of your spruce, ensuring that you receive the best commercial return possible.
We can also help with grant applications to reclaim some of the costs involved in felling and restocking your woodland.
After taking some details in regards to your woodland we will arrange a site visit to appraise the standing timber and site constraints and hazards. We will also notify the Forestry Commision and arrange a Plant Health inspection to determine the presence (or absence of) of the beetle.
We have arrangements in place with a number of authorised processors situated within the demarcated area, allowing us to offer your timber to multiple buyers and outlets.
We will submit a formal valuation offer based on the findings of the site visit, as well as the quantity and quality of timber.
If the offer is accepted then we will prepare the site for temporary or permanent access to allow for efficient harvesting.
We work with the aim of optimising the value of your timber, and will cut a range of products, subject to timber quality, size, volume and any SPHN requirements.
As part of our service, we will handle the dispatch of all harvested material to the authorised processors.
Following harvesting operations we will prepare the site and select suitable species to achieve a thriving healthy woodland that is suited to the landscape, soils and our changing climate.
Our team can assist you in creating, planning, and managing your woodland's future, leaving behind a woodland that is fit for purpose, and for the benefit of future generations.
Many species, such as birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and certain plants are protected by UK and European law. Violations of these laws, which protect endangered and threatened species to varying degrees and from different activities, can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, so it is crucial to be aware of what would constitute an offence and work in ways that reduce or eliminate any impacts from project designs.
In the event that an initial Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) indicates the likely presence of a particular species, we are usually required to conduct further Protected Species Surveys.
Ignoring the presence of such species during the early stages of a project can lead to costly delays and disruption. To ensure that any potential impacts are identified and mitigated, a Protected Species Survey is imperative for establishing whether a protected species is present on/or adjacent to a potential work site.
Many species, such as birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and certain plants are protected by UK and European law. Violations of these laws, which protect endangered and threatened species to varying degrees and from different activities, can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, so it is crucial to be aware of what would constitute an offence and work in ways that reduce or eliminate any impacts from project designs.
In the event that an initial Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) indicates the likely presence of a particular species, we are usually required to conduct further Protected Species Surveys.
Ignoring the presence of such species during the early stages of a project can lead to costly delays and disruption. To ensure that any potential impacts are identified and mitigated, a Protected Species Survey is imperative for establishing whether a protected species is present on/or adjacent to a potential work site.
Bats are protected by law in the UK under the Habitats Regulations, which states that all bat species and their habitats must be protected from harm. This protection includes their roosts and any land used by bats. As a result, if you intend to carry out any development or construction work that may affect the environment of any bat species, then you must first conduct a bat survey.
All surveys are conducted by our licenced ecologists and are necessary to determine the presence and activity of bats and the type of species, and their habitats. This will then inform decisions regarding potential impacts and plan and implement necessary mitigation measures.
In the UK, the law protects wild birds, their eggs, and their nests. This is set out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which prohibits taking, injuring, killing, or selling of wild birds, their eggs or nests. This applies to every species of wild bird, and even includes eggs or chicks that have been taken accidentally.
Our team can assist with Breeding and Wintering bird surveys and advise on any required mitigation and enhancement measures.
Badgers are protected in the UK under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. These laws make it illegal to intentionally harm badgers, interfere with their setts, or use prohibited methods to kill or capture them.
Badger mitigation involves minimising human impact on badgers by conducting surveys, adjusting work schedules, relocating badgers, creating artificial setts, installing fences, maintaining and enhancing habitats, and monitoring post-construction. Legal compliance and expert consultation are essential.
Dormice are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 in the UK. This legislation makes it illegal to intentionally capture, injure, or kill a dormouse. It is also illegal to damage or destroy the places where dormice live, such as hedgerows and woodlands.
Our licensed ecologists conduct both visual searches and nest tube dormouse surveys to determine the absence or presence of dormice. If their presence is confirmed, we can assist our clients with the European Protected Species Mitigation Licence application process, along with overseeing any mitigation measures and translocation works.
Great Crested Newts (GCN) are a species of newt that is native to the UK. It is illegal to disturb, kill or capture a Great Crested Newt; to damage, destroy or obstruct access to its breeding and resting sites; or to sell, keep or transport any GCN or its eggs, larvae, cocoons or adults.
It is also an offence to disturb a GCN’s habitat, including ponds, banks, ditches, dunes, marshes, meadows, woodland and scrub. If an individual is found to have caused disturbance to the habitat of a GCN, then they can be liable to prosecution under environmental law.
Our ecologists can use a number of methods to confirm the presence of GCN, depending on the time of year. Including eDNA sampling, torch surveys, bottle trapping and egg searching.
All native UK reptiles are protected under UK law. Rare reptiles (smooth snakes and sand lizards) receive greater protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
A survey will involve a qualified ecologist visiting the proposed site at an appropriate time of year to identify the presence of any reptiles, usually by placing and checking artificial refugia.
Mitigation measures could include the relocation of reptiles away from the area, the creation of new habitats, or the installation of reptile fencing to protect existing habitats from disturbance. A European Protected Species Licence will be required if sand lizards or smooth snakes are found.
Otters are protected under both the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, making it an offence to intentionally kill, injure, or take any wild otter; to intentionally or recklessly disturb their breeding, resting, or sheltering place; or to obstruct access to their resting or sheltering place.
Further field surveys and monitoring may be necessary if a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) indicates the presence of otters along a watercourse, and the delivery of works may affect their habitat.
Obtaining an EPS Licence will be necessary if works impacting the site are unavoidable. We can also help deliver the subsequent works, including the installation of barriers/fencing and artificial holt creation.
In the UK, water voles are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 (as amended). Under these laws, it is illegal to intentionally or recklessly disturb or injure water voles, and it is also illegal to damage or destroy their habitats.
Areas of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) provide further protection for water voles and their habitats.
Further field surveys and monitoring may be necessary if a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) indicates the presence of water voles, and the delivery of works may affect their habitat. EPS Licences will be required if works impacting the site are unavoidable, which we can assist with.
Our licensed ecologists can help deliver any mitigation strategy, and we can also supply accredited ECoWs to oversee the main works.
Many species, such as birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and certain plants are protected by UK and European law. Violations of these laws, which protect endangered and threatened species to varying degrees and from different activities, can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, so it is crucial to be aware of what would constitute an offence and work in ways that reduce or eliminate any impacts from project designs.
In the event that an initial Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) indicates the likely presence of a particular species, we are usually required to conduct further Protected Species Surveys.
Ignoring the presence of such species during the early stages of a project can lead to costly delays and disruption. To ensure that any potential impacts are identified and mitigated, a Protected Species Survey is imperative for establishing whether a protected species is present on/or adjacent to a potential work site.