GCN are European Protected Species, having undergone significant declines across their home ranges due to human-related pressures, such as habitat loss, agricultural intensification and fragmentation of the landscape. GCN are fully protected under UK and European legislation, including:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If ponds or terrestrial habitats that are suitable for GCN are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If GCN are found to be using the site, works may need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
Surveys of breeding ponds can only be carried out between March-June, when they are most likely to be occupying the ponds. Surveys should span through this period to detect early and late arriving animals and to accurately assess population sizes. Terrestrial surveys can be carried out as GCN emerge from hibernation (February-March) and following the breeding season until hibernation starts again (June-September).
The aim of carrying out bat assessment works is to inform our clients on the best ways to reduce impacts to GCN using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures could include:
If avoidance is not possible, works could proceed if carefully mitigated against. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
To enhance the habitat for GCN and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the creation of additional hedgerows or scrub to create corridors for GCN movement through the landscape. Also, whenever possible, we aim to create log piles, hibernacula features and dead hedges from any felled materials we generate during works as additional site enhancements.
If works will affect significant habitats used by GCN, a mitigation licence may be required from Natural England before works can proceed. Licensing requirements vary depending on several factors, such as the usage of the site by GCN and the numbers present, but our specialist bat ecologists can advise on such requirements. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of GCN habitat on site and that the affected GCN population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England, should these be necessary.
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.
GCN are European Protected Species, having undergone significant declines across their home ranges due to human-related pressures, such as habitat loss, agricultural intensification and fragmentation of the landscape. GCN are fully protected under UK and European legislation, including:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If ponds or terrestrial habitats that are suitable for GCN are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If GCN are found to be using the site, works may need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
Surveys of breeding ponds can only be carried out between March-June, when they are most likely to be occupying the ponds. Surveys should span through this period to detect early and late arriving animals and to accurately assess population sizes. Terrestrial surveys can be carried out as GCN emerge from hibernation (February-March) and following the breeding season until hibernation starts again (June-September).
The aim of carrying out bat assessment works is to inform our clients on the best ways to reduce impacts to GCN using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures could include:
If avoidance is not possible, works could proceed if carefully mitigated against. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
To enhance the habitat for GCN and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the creation of additional hedgerows or scrub to create corridors for GCN movement through the landscape. Also, whenever possible, we aim to create log piles, hibernacula features and dead hedges from any felled materials we generate during works as additional site enhancements.
If works will affect significant habitats used by GCN, a mitigation licence may be required from Natural England before works can proceed. Licensing requirements vary depending on several factors, such as the usage of the site by GCN and the numbers present, but our specialist bat ecologists can advise on such requirements. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of GCN habitat on site and that the affected GCN population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England, should these be necessary.
GCN are European Protected Species, having undergone significant declines across their home ranges due to human-related pressures, such as habitat loss, agricultural intensification and fragmentation of the landscape. GCN are fully protected under UK and European legislation, including:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If ponds or terrestrial habitats that are suitable for GCN are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If GCN are found to be using the site, works may need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
Surveys of breeding ponds can only be carried out between March-June, when they are most likely to be occupying the ponds. Surveys should span through this period to detect early and late arriving animals and to accurately assess population sizes. Terrestrial surveys can be carried out as GCN emerge from hibernation (February-March) and following the breeding season until hibernation starts again (June-September).
The aim of carrying out bat assessment works is to inform our clients on the best ways to reduce impacts to GCN using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures could include:
If avoidance is not possible, works could proceed if carefully mitigated against. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
To enhance the habitat for GCN and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the creation of additional hedgerows or scrub to create corridors for GCN movement through the landscape. Also, whenever possible, we aim to create log piles, hibernacula features and dead hedges from any felled materials we generate during works as additional site enhancements.
If works will affect significant habitats used by GCN, a mitigation licence may be required from Natural England before works can proceed. Licensing requirements vary depending on several factors, such as the usage of the site by GCN and the numbers present, but our specialist bat ecologists can advise on such requirements. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of GCN habitat on site and that the affected GCN population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England, should these be necessary.
Great crested newts use a variety of habitats throughout the year, occupying ponds during their breeding season to court and lay eggs, then living the rest of the year within rough grasslands, scrub and woodland edges where they feed and hibernate. The habitats found on the lineside estate can provide valuable habitats for great crested newts during all of their life stages.
GCN are European Protected Species, having undergone significant declines across their home ranges due to human-related pressures, such as habitat loss, agricultural intensification and fragmentation of the landscape. GCN are fully protected under UK and European legislation, including:
Current laws make it illegal to:
If ponds or terrestrial habitats that are suitable for GCN are identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) and stand to be affected by works, even if temporarily through disturbance, further survey work (often called ‘phase 2’ surveys) may be required to ascertain whether they are present, how they are using the site and their numbers. If GCN are found to be using the site, works may need to be conducted under an EPS mitigation licence.
Survey methods include:
Survey seasons
Surveys of breeding ponds can only be carried out between March-June, when they are most likely to be occupying the ponds. Surveys should span through this period to detect early and late arriving animals and to accurately assess population sizes. Terrestrial surveys can be carried out as GCN emerge from hibernation (February-March) and following the breeding season until hibernation starts again (June-September).
The aim of carrying out bat assessment works is to inform our clients on the best ways to reduce impacts to GCN using the site. Once survey work is complete, we are able to interpret results and provide a detailed report on likely impacts and how to avoid, mitigate and compensate for these.
We would first explore ways to avoid impacts altogether. Avoidance measures could include:
If avoidance is not possible, works could proceed if carefully mitigated against. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
To enhance the habitat for GCN and increase site biodiversity, we may also propose the creation of additional hedgerows or scrub to create corridors for GCN movement through the landscape. Also, whenever possible, we aim to create log piles, hibernacula features and dead hedges from any felled materials we generate during works as additional site enhancements.
If works will affect significant habitats used by GCN, a mitigation licence may be required from Natural England before works can proceed. Licensing requirements vary depending on several factors, such as the usage of the site by GCN and the numbers present, but our specialist bat ecologists can advise on such requirements. A mitigation licence requires that there is no net loss of GCN habitat on site and that the affected GCN population can continue to use the site as before, hopefully with it being left in an improved condition for them.
Our experienced ecologists can help to design compensation and enhancement measures to obtain the necessary licences from Natural England, should these be necessary.
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