All reptiles and amphibians are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended) and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
Our rare amphibians and reptiles (smooth snakes, sand lizards, great crested newts, natterjack toads, pool frogs) are European Protected Species and have additional protections under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended), making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
They are also protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017), making it an offence to:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential reptile or amphibian habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of these species being affected by the works. Should potential for rare reptiles or amphibians to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Reptile survey season is usually considered to be between April-September, but this can be weather dependent and some reptiles can be active outside of this season. The autumn can also be a useful time to survey as this allows hibernation sites to be identified.
Amphibians vary in their breeding cycles, but they generally occupy ponds between January-June for breeding and egg laying, with larvae and metamorphs occupying ponds until they emerge in the summer (June-August). Surveys for great crested newts generally take place in potential breeding ponds between March-June.
If any rare reptiles have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required and an European Protected Species mitigation licence may be required for works to be conducted.
The aim of carrying out a reptile or amphibian assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to these species 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 are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to reptiles and amphibians, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if ground works are required to carry out safety critical maintenance), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is critically important if rare reptiles or amphibians are using a site. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit reptiles and amphibians. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend existing habitat and increase protective cover, reducing fragmentation, or could include creation of enhanced hibernation or breeding features.
In the event that a rare reptile or amphibian is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
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.
All reptiles and amphibians are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended) and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
Our rare amphibians and reptiles (smooth snakes, sand lizards, great crested newts, natterjack toads, pool frogs) are European Protected Species and have additional protections under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended), making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
They are also protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017), making it an offence to:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential reptile or amphibian habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of these species being affected by the works. Should potential for rare reptiles or amphibians to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Reptile survey season is usually considered to be between April-September, but this can be weather dependent and some reptiles can be active outside of this season. The autumn can also be a useful time to survey as this allows hibernation sites to be identified.
Amphibians vary in their breeding cycles, but they generally occupy ponds between January-June for breeding and egg laying, with larvae and metamorphs occupying ponds until they emerge in the summer (June-August). Surveys for great crested newts generally take place in potential breeding ponds between March-June.
If any rare reptiles have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required and an European Protected Species mitigation licence may be required for works to be conducted.
The aim of carrying out a reptile or amphibian assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to these species 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 are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to reptiles and amphibians, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if ground works are required to carry out safety critical maintenance), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is critically important if rare reptiles or amphibians are using a site. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit reptiles and amphibians. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend existing habitat and increase protective cover, reducing fragmentation, or could include creation of enhanced hibernation or breeding features.
In the event that a rare reptile or amphibian is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
All reptiles and amphibians are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended) and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
Our rare amphibians and reptiles (smooth snakes, sand lizards, great crested newts, natterjack toads, pool frogs) are European Protected Species and have additional protections under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended), making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
They are also protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017), making it an offence to:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential reptile or amphibian habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of these species being affected by the works. Should potential for rare reptiles or amphibians to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Reptile survey season is usually considered to be between April-September, but this can be weather dependent and some reptiles can be active outside of this season. The autumn can also be a useful time to survey as this allows hibernation sites to be identified.
Amphibians vary in their breeding cycles, but they generally occupy ponds between January-June for breeding and egg laying, with larvae and metamorphs occupying ponds until they emerge in the summer (June-August). Surveys for great crested newts generally take place in potential breeding ponds between March-June.
If any rare reptiles have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required and an European Protected Species mitigation licence may be required for works to be conducted.
The aim of carrying out a reptile or amphibian assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to these species 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 are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to reptiles and amphibians, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if ground works are required to carry out safety critical maintenance), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is critically important if rare reptiles or amphibians are using a site. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit reptiles and amphibians. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend existing habitat and increase protective cover, reducing fragmentation, or could include creation of enhanced hibernation or breeding features.
In the event that a rare reptile or amphibian is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
The lineside estate provides a mosaic of habitats and structures that can be used by widespread but also rare reptiles and amphibians for breeding, hibernation, foraging and movement through the landscape. Habitats include grasslands, scrub and woodland edges, and in places, heathland too.
It is a relatively undisturbed environment, making it highly suitable for these sensitive and vulnerable species. All of our reptile species have undergone significant declines in recent decades, due to habitat loss, fragmentation and lots of other human-related pressures. The habitats provided on railways are therefore very special for this species group.
All reptiles and amphibians are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended) and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
Our rare amphibians and reptiles (smooth snakes, sand lizards, great crested newts, natterjack toads, pool frogs) are European Protected Species and have additional protections under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) (as amended), making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
They are also protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017), making it an offence to:
During Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs), our ecologists identify any potential reptile or amphibian habitats on a site and combining this with a desktop study, are then able to determine the likelihood of these species being affected by the works. Should potential for rare reptiles or amphibians to be using the site be identified, a Phase 2 survey may be required to verify usage during the appropriate survey season.
Survey seasons
Reptile survey season is usually considered to be between April-September, but this can be weather dependent and some reptiles can be active outside of this season. The autumn can also be a useful time to survey as this allows hibernation sites to be identified.
Amphibians vary in their breeding cycles, but they generally occupy ponds between January-June for breeding and egg laying, with larvae and metamorphs occupying ponds until they emerge in the summer (June-August). Surveys for great crested newts generally take place in potential breeding ponds between March-June.
If any rare reptiles have been identified using a site, further survey work may be required and an European Protected Species mitigation licence may be required for works to be conducted.
The aim of carrying out a reptile or amphibian assessment on a site is to inform our clients of the best ways to avoid impacts to these species 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 are usually sufficient for preventing impacts to reptiles and amphibians, and could include:
If avoidance is not possible (for example, if ground works are required to carry out safety critical maintenance), works can proceed if mitigation and compensation measures are in place. This is critically important if rare reptiles or amphibians are using a site. Mitigation and compensation measures could include:
Our ecologists can advise on enhancements which could be incorporated into sites to benefit reptiles and amphibians. Such enhancements could include planting of hedgerows or scrub to extend existing habitat and increase protective cover, reducing fragmentation, or could include creation of enhanced hibernation or breeding features.
In the event that a rare reptile or amphibian is found to be using the site, a mitigation licence may be required to work on any structures they are using. Our ecologists can determine whether this would be required and can help you to obtain the required licences.
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