Expert Ecological Assessment
To give you the essential facts about your site, our ecological appraisal (also known as an extended Phase 1 survey) provides a comprehensive overview of your site’s ecological conditions, enabling you to quickly understand its ecological context.
We’ll highlight the key ecological constraints that may affect your project and provide professional advice on how to address them. Our goal is to help you navigate the process and obtain planning permission or necessary consents as efficiently as possible.
Getting to Know Your Site’s Ecology
In addition to visiting your site and reviewing relevant legal information and policy, we’ll thoroughly assess your project plans and guide you on the next steps.
Your report will include a full site description, a habitat plan, and any applicable legal or policy information. We’ll also provide clear recommendations on the next steps and suggest ways to enhance your project for both wildlife and people.
What is an Ecological Appraisal?
An ecological appraisal or Phase 1 habitat survey is an initial site assessment conducted early in the planning process. The purpose is to map the site, identify ecological constraints, and provide recommendations for minimizing or avoiding these constraints in line with planning policy and legislation.
The ecological appraisal has the following four objectives:
- Habitat Mapping – Identify and map the habitats and other important features on site
- Species Assessment – Assess whether the site supports or is likely to support any protected or notable species of plants or animals
- Policy & Legislative Review – Identify any policy or legislative constraints relevant to the project
- Recommendations – Provide recommendations for further surveys, mitigation, or compensation where necessary
How Much Does It Cost?
Our ecological appraisals start from £500. The exact cost will depend on the size and complexity of the site. Smaller, less ecologically complex sites—like well-managed gardens—will be more affordable than larger, more complex sites, such as farms, golf courses, or brownfield sites.
When Can It Be Done?
An ecological appraisal can typically be carried out at any time of the year. However, if the site may contain rare plants, surveys are best conducted during the summer months (April–October) to ensure accuracy.