Small Development Services: Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is used to support planning applications and consists of a desk survey, a habitat Survey as well as a walkover survey to detect any signs of protected species. A habitat survey combined with a protected species survey, is sometimes also called an Extended Phase 1 survey.

I am experienced with UKHabs and Phase 1 habitat classification and all habitats are QA'd by a FISC Level 5 botanist, providing expert consenus on the habitats present.

Desk Study.

The PEA includes purchase of local biological records which will give the ecologist data on what wildlife is present in the area and these records are presented within the report. Information such as statutory and non-statutory wildlife sites will also be identified and the surrounding habitat studied by aerial photographs and satellite imagery to gather as much information about the site as possible.

Extended Phase 1 Survey

An on-site visit results in a digital map which maps each habitat classified to Phase 1/UKHabs classification and Target Notes, which designate ecological features of interest and signs of protected species. These Target Notes are recorded with GPS coordinates and photographed for the report.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report (PEAR)

A report is then generated that informs further surveys (if required) and gives details on any mitigation measures and opportunities to enhance the current habitat. The report is written to best practice standards set by the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM) of which I am a Qualifying Member and in keeping with Professional Standard as set by the Royal Society of Biology, of which I am a full member (MRSB) and a Chartered Biologist (CBiol).