Ecological Appraisal, Condition Assessments and River MorPH

The survey includes a desk study, mapping exercise and searches for evidence and likelihood of presence/suitability e.g. areas of habitat that a species can use even if no evidence is present, for all UK protected species. If evidence or likely presence/suitability is present further follow-on survey may be recommended as and when required to comply with national legislation and national planning policy. This survey can be undertaken year round with April to September optimal (as outside this timeframe flowering plants may be missed).

Further surveys are undertaken to investigate a species in more detail e.g. bat evidence is found internally-emergence/re-entry surveys are undertaken to establish species, population and how they use the structure.

If a European protected species is confirmed to be present and the development has an effect on its use of the site, a European protected species license may be required post planning consent.

BNG condition assessments - undertaken to inform a baseline for the DEFRA metric. These are not the metric, and this is quoted for separately. 

Important note: If this survey is being used for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), the site should be left in its current condition and must not be cleared. If the site is cleared, we must assume the highest condition for the cleared habitats and we must go back to Jan 2020 as the baseline, using aerial and any other evidence available. 

MorPH River Condition Assessment – if a river is within 10m of the site or boundary, a specialist river condition assessment is required for BNG. This is undertaken to the correct standard and will involve a site visit and assessment to the required metric conditions.