Ecological Surveying & Environmental Management
One of the most frustrating aspects of land management for developers is the high level of UK & European legal protection covering a large number of species.
Legislation protects many species, of which bats, badgers, birds, water voles, great crested newts and otters are but a few.
If the correct ecological surveys are not undertaken at the correct time, a developer may be exposed to both legal action and inordinate delays as well as potentially abortive work.
Our ecologists are trained to carry out all aspects of ecological surveying and environmental management. Our team has an in-depth understanding of the UK planning system which means that we can deliver practical ecological solutions for development and work efficiently to minimise any potential delays to your project.
Working closely with our in-house arboriculturists and landscape architects, our ecologists can work to a co-ordinated approach, ensuring that there is no potential conflict between disciplines. Put simply, you can be confident when employing us that we will provide you with the information you need across the board to help you achieve your objectives.
We are fully conversant with current environmental standards, including:
BREEAM
BREEAM is the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings, giving a standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.
A BREEAM assessment uses measures of performance, which are set against established benchmarks, to evaluate a building’s specification, design, construction and use, including energy and water use, materials, waste, ecology and management processes.
We regularly provide input to BREEAM schemes in order to help clients and design teams achieve the maximum credits available and to enhance the sustainability of the scheme.
Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes is a government standard for environmental assessment method for new homes, to encourage continuous improvement in sustainable home building. Effectively being the ‘residential equivalent of BREEAM’, the principles for ecological and landscape management are similar to those of BREEAM.
At Ascerta, we always seek to achieve the maximum credits through minimising the impact on the ecological value of the site and where practical maximising the ecological benefits arising from the development. We believe that one of our key strengths lies in the links between the work of our ecologists and our landscape architects in achieving a sustainable landscape.
Email us to discuss our ecology services, or alternatively, to speak to an ecologist please contact our office on 0845 463 4404.
