Case Studies

Our role: A new residential development, including access roads, rail station, cricket pitch and associated landscaping, is proposed for a 70 hectare area currently comprising arable farmland, grassland, a wooded stream, a large pond and hedgerows.

Ecosulis has been involved with the ecological aspects of the site, undertaking surveys of the proposed development site and immediate surroundings throughout 2009 to assess their value to ecology. Ecosulis has also contributed to the Environmental Impact Assessment for the site and developing mitigation measures.

The ecological interest of the area is related to its value to otters, bats (in particular horseshoes), dormice, water vole, reptiles, amphibians, nesting and wintering birds, white clawed crayfish and invertebrates. Following these findings, mitigation proposals have been drafted to avoid disturbance to these ecological components and to reduce the level of fragmentation to habitats on site. Ecological input has also been provided in respect of the landscape planting scheme for the development, as well as ecological enhancements comprising bat and bird boxes and the installation of hibernacula.