Using a biodiversity validation checklist
Checking planning requirements for ecology
Specialist advice costs money, so knowing when to invest in professional fees is important.
Checking whether planners will request an ecology survey for planning can often be quickly done by using a biodiversity checklist.
These can identify if your development needs a specialist assessment based on its’ location and type. A good example to check is that of Essex Place Services’ “Biodiversity Validation Checklist”: https://bit.ly/37RjuOx.
However you may also prefer to get independent advice about your project by speaking to a professional.
We are always happy to discuss planning for wildlife with you, whether an ecological assessment is necessary and what this might involve.
Certainly with larger or more novel projects or where certainty on timings is preferred, engaging an ecologist early can be an effective use of resources.
For BREEAM, an early initial discussion with an ecologist can allow you to secure important additional credits for Land-use and Ecology. These additional credits can assist in increasing your scheme’s BREEAM ratings.
With their local knowledge, an experienced advisor can quickly identify and flag to you planning issues and opportunities.
We offer a free 30-minute initial consultation to help you decide if we can bring value to your project.