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Preliminary Ecological Appraisal PEA

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Landvision’s ecology team have over 19 years’ experience in ecology. This includes Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA). We are professionally qualified. This enables you to be advised early on. Why is this important? To obtain planning permission for your project, a PEA may be needed. Additional ecological work may be required and can be doen at PEA stage.

Arrange a preliminary ecological appraisal now.

What does a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal entail?

Surveying PEA

The aim of a PEA is to define the ecological constraints and the opportunities on your site. This is prior to the development going ahead. We will be able to give you advice and help on what further surveys may be required, in order to provide a comprehensive ecological snap shot of your site.  The PEA will allow Landvision to advise on any action required, and other surveys required. Such as

  • Phase 2 Bat Survey
  • Phase 2 Great Crested Newts
  • Phase 2 Reptiles
  • Bat Scoping Survey
  • Birds, including Breeding Bird Surveys
  • Birds, including Breeding Bird Surveys

This will enable you to satisfy planning policy and Countryside Law, as well as Wildlife Laws.

This will mean that we can advise you on how best to comply with policy and legal requirements throughout the planning process, as well as through the course of the development.

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal is the first stage of any development and is part of the initial site survey work. A PEA is requested by planners during the early stages of any planning application. The PEA is required to obtain planning approval. A PEA will have 2 parts.
  • Ecological data desk study;
  • Then UK Habitat Classification Survey and mapping.
  • This is extended to include the potential for a site to contain supported protected species.

When can a PEA be done?

A PEA should be carried out as soon as possible in the planning application process. PEAs can be carried out throughout the year, but the ideal window is between April- September. If the PEA is done after this period then the seasonal changes may mean that other survey work will be needed later.

Our Landvision Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Services.

Ecological background checks in a desk Study

Why is a desk study important? The Landvision team will collate the data obtained from statutory designated sites which include Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including priority habitats. We will also be able to identify areas which may be locally designated and hence protected for wildlife, such as Local Wildlife Sites (LWS). We will liaise with the local records centre/s to obtain the most up to date data  on wildlife and any records on protected  and priority species in the study area close to the site.The data are shown in GIS, and other google applications, in map form and the sources are  interactive.

Ecological background checks in a desk Study.

  • First site visit to record habitat types present.
  • Assessment state of habitats present.
  • Assess potential for habitats to support protected species.
  • Record field evidence of protected species and priority species.
  • Give help and advice to deal with any potantial issues for ecology.
  • Identify requirements to mitigate for possible effects in order to comply with policy and law.
  • Give guidance to enhance the site.
Using the standard mapping techniques for Phase 1 habitat survey. We will map all the habitats present on the site and any in the surrounding area. Then we examine the botanical composition and any field signs for protected species. We will record these in written, mapped, and photographic form. Any signs of nesting birds, use of site by Dormouse, or sightings of protected species will also be recorded. This may include signs of bat roosts or habitat for amphibians and reptiles. As we continue with the PEA, we will advise and liaise with the client and site professionals, which may include architects, planners and engineers, in order to give guidance on requirements for ecology.

As the PEA is undertaken early on in the planning process, it can save time and money;

  • by enabling the developer to pre-empt likely site constraints, and mitigate for these;
  • The advice may include need for further surveys for protected species such as bats, or reptiles;
  • By including the mitigation into the design of the proposals, the mitigation on ecology impacts leads the design, rather than vice versa.

The PEA is a very useful stage in the planning process, and can be used for master planning prior to the detailed design stages. There may be the need for additional reports such as EcIAs, on larger projects. The PEA provides an early baseline assessment which can be invaluable in EcIA process, and in other site assessment and project design processes.

As we continue with the PEA, we will advise and liaise with the client and site professionals, which may include architects, planners and engineers, in order to give guidance on requirements for ecology.

Arrange for a Landvision preliminary ecological appraisal with our team now.

We will be happy to speak to you now to discuss how we can do a preliminary ecological appraisal, call us today to speak to one of our experts on 01892 782200.

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