Ecology

Licenced in-house Ecologists -
Full IEEM membership

JBA's Ecological Consultancy service ensures experienced full IEEM qualified ecologists for full range of ecology services including BREEAM Eco 1-4 and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments.

JBA's ecologists are committed to achieving the essential win:win resolutions to ensure compliance with all legislation and wildlife protection, but recognising the developer's imperatives and programmes. JBA ecologists 'leave no stones unturned' to find workable solutions.

JBA can help developers plan ahead to prevent financial loss, significant delays in construction and worse still, criminal prosecution.

JBA's ecology team have a full bat handling licence and climbing licences - so trees can be inspected proven to either have bats or be clear of bats even in the winter, avoiding delay until the new bat season.

JBA are able to offer a range of Ecological services including:

• • Expert advice on ecological
    issues and associated legislation.
• • Ecological impact assessment
• • Ecological surveys: From walkover
     surveys to species specific
     surveys, hedgerow and bird
     nesting surveys.
• • Protection and mitigation
     strategies
• • Bat climbing inspections.
• • On-site monitoring and management
• • Habitat creation advice and drawings/ documents: E.g. Newt ponds.
• • Habitat protection - erection of protective barrier fencing.
• • Physical site clearance and habitat management.
• • Receptor site identification and preparation.
• • Mitigation work on site - translocations, habitat enhancement etc.
• • Mitigation construction work, hibernacula and fixing bird/ bat boxes etc.
• • Negotiation with local authorities and local interest groups.
• • Acting as an expert witness at inquiry
• • Preparation of biodiversity strategies for new development
• • BREEAM assessments (Eco 1-4).
• • Code for Sustainable Homes assessments (Ecology).

JBA's ecological team offer pragmatic ecological advice which can minimise delays. Working as part of the JBA multi-disciplinary practice JBA's ecologists have a reputation for working closely with clients, offering a tailored, proactive service to meet the specific needs of JBA's clients.

There is a variety of flora and fauna under legislative protection.

These include:

• • Badgers
•    • Great Crested Newts
•       • Bats
•          • Red Squirrels
•             • Water Voles
•                • Dormice
•                   • Many rare meadow plants
•                      • Bluebells
•                         • Reptiles
•                            • Otters

ECOLOGICAL SURVEYS

Phase 1 Habitat surveys

JBA follows the standard IEEM method for habitat surveying, involving mapping the range and quality of wildlife habitats.

Extended Phase 1 Habitat surveys

JBA uses target notes to identify areas of interest and possible further survey work for protected species. This survey is especially useful for developers, as locating protected species on a site can save months and sometimes years of lost construction time.

Optional bio-records research can be undertaken - which requires a disbursement fee. This is recommended.

Hedgerow surveys

JBA hedgerow surveys assess the importance of hedges under the Hedgerow Regulations Act 1997.

JBA also provide:

• • Phase II survey (National Vegetation Classification)
• • Surveys for Code for Sustainable Homes
• • Bat surveys - Identification of Species and roosts, management and mitigation.
• • Badger surveys - Identification of field signs such as setts and foraging and provision
    of mitigation measures
• • Amphibian surveys including Great Crested Newts - translocation, mitigation and habitat
    management strategies
• • River corridor surveys - Including aquatic macrophytes, crayfish, otters, water voles and mink
• • Breeding and wintering bird surveys
• • Reptile surveys - Slow worm, common lizard, adder and grass snake, including translocation
• • Habitat impact assessment

Links:

• • Natural England
• • Countryside Council for Wales
• • Institute of Environmental and Ecological Management