Preliminary Ecological Appraisal/ Phase 1 Habitat Survey

This is the starting point for most site based survey work and is often required within the planning process at the outset of any significant development project. Sometimes referred to as a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal or even an Enhanced or Extended Phase 1 Survey; It aims to demonstrate that protected species and habitats have been properly considered during the preparation of development plans.

This type of survey provides a snapshot of the landscape and surrounding area and documents all the plants, wildlife inhabitants and any water features that are present on the site. All boundaries are recorded as part of the survey too. This initial phase of survey is the industry standard for all UK ecologists and has been developed in accordance with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) which provides strict guidelines for the classification and mapping of British habitats.

The survey should be completed early in the planning stages of a development project and certainly before any significant work is undertaken at the site.

The survey report might be based upon:

• Physical inspection of the site to document the variety and extent of the different plant species present.
• Recording the ecological condition of the site and its general area.
• Notes on any animal, bird or invertebrate species, or their field signs, found during examination.
• Desk-top studies of historic land-use and satellite maps.
• Reviews of other local surveys or species records.
• Other local information.

The report will advise on the conservation value of the area under consideration as well as its relationship to neighbouring natural areas. It might also consider the locations of nearby protected or sensitive sites as well as identifying any local legislation, conservation or planning objectives that need to be considered as part of the project planning.

It is possible that the associated report will advise more detailed ecological studies such as:

• Investigating the use of the site by protected species such as badgers, dormice, reptiles, hedgehogs, otters or water voles if field signs are discovered.
• Assessments of the impact of the proposed work on neighbouring sites, especially bodies of water or sites of special interest like nature reserves, SinCs, SSSIs, etc.
• Habitat Suitability Index assessments for Great Crested Newts.

It may also identify licence requirements or mitigation activities, recommend geological or other non-ecological checks and provide general precautions to be adopted before, during and after completion of the development work.