Ecological Assessments
Preliminary Ecological Assessments (PEAs) (sometimes called Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys) are often required to accompany planning applications.
This may be as a result of the completion of the NI Biodiversity Checklist where several ‘YES’ answers have been obtained in Sections 1 or 2.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs)
Involve BOTH a desk-based study including searches of existing biodiversity data for protected sites and species AND a walkover or baseline survey of the application site.
The PEA will typically describe the habitats within the site and any NI Priority Habitats will be identified.
A note is also made of the occurrence of invasive, non-native, nuisance weed species – including Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam.
The site will also be surveyed for any protected species identified as having the potential to be present within the site.
Ecological Mitigation Design
Based on the findings of the ecological assessments, ATEC NI can develop cost-effective mitigation strategies. These strategies aim to avoid, reduce, or compensate for any negative impacts on the environment. Mitigation measures might include habitat creation, species translocation, or the implementation of buffer zones.
Compliance with Guidelines
All surveys and monitoring activities conducted by ATEC NI adhere to the guidelines set by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). This ensures that their work is of high quality and meets regulatory standards.
If you have any more specific questions or need further details, feel free to ask!
