Shell Corner sketch proposals Option 1



Market Drayton Town Centre



Newport High Street



Wem Town Centre



Whitchurch Town Centre Renewal Sketch



Evesham Town Centre



Biddulph Town Centre



Albrighton Village



Broseley High Street

Our dynamic, multi-disciplinary practice employs professional qualified ecologists with expertise covering a broad range of terrestrial and freshwater habitats.  As part of our commitment to promoting sustainability and nature conservation objectives, our ecologists are involved from the outset in our landscape survey and development commissions as well as offering specialist ecological services to planners, developers, local authorities, nature conservation organisations and private clients.

Walkover or 'Scoping' Surveys

Wildlife, conservation and sustainability issues are high on the agenda of all responsible public authorities as part of their commitment to complying with government policy guidance for biodiversity and nature conservation in the UK.  Now integral to the design and development process, early ecological assessment can provide an effective forewarning of ecological constraints on proposed development, allowing remedial measures to be planned from the outset.

One of our most common survey requests is for walkover or ‘scoping’ surveys to support planning applications and to inform the development decisions of local authorities. A baseline survey is a straightforward ecological audit of a site involving an initial walkover inspection and brief desktop study followed by a focused report. These baseline surveys provide a broad appraisal of habitat conditions and assess the possibility of protected species presence pinpointing where further more specialised surveys may be required.  On some sites of low ecological value, a baseline survey is all that is necessary.

Habitat & Vegetation Surveys

We offer:

♦ Phase 1 & Phase 2 habitat surveys

The Phase 1 habitat classification and associated field survey technique provides a relatively rapid system to record and map semi-natural vegetation and other wildlife habitats over large areas. A map is produced using standard codes and target notes for ecological features of interest.  Extended Phase 1 habitat surveys are based on the same methodology but cover a small area and includes species lists, an assessment of the nature conservation value, identification of protected species or evidence of their presence, a written report with conclusions and recommendations for any further survey needed or other actions.   Phase 1 surveys are sometimes specifically requested by planning authorities in place of standard baseline/walkover surveys.

Phase 2 vegetation surveys are more detailed specialist surveys than a Phase 1 survey.  Phase 2 surveys use techniques developed for the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) system, which classifies terrestrial and freshwater vegetation. The Phase 2 survey involves a walkover to determine variations in vegetation followed by quadrat sampling of each homogenous vegetation type identified. All species of higher plants within the quadrat are identified and the frequency of each species is recorded using the DOMIN scale (1-10).  The NVC community type is then determined as much as possible by comparing the survey results with published vegetation community tables given in British Plant Communities volumes (Rodwell et al, 1992 et seq).

 ♦ Hedgerow surveys

Hedgerows play an important role providing sheltering habitat and commuting corridors for wildlife, protecting soil from erosion and run-off, controlling livestock and protecting property against extreme weather.  Where development work may affect hedgerows, NJL can undertake hedgerow surveys according to latest established procedures and determine if a hedgerow is provided protection under the Hedgerow Regulations criteria. 

 ♦ River & wetland habitat surveys

River habitat surveys normally involve recording the physical character and flora found along 500m lengths of river during the summer months, but the surveyed length can be extended or lessened to suit the purpose of the survey (i.e. to assess impact of a small river-side development scheme as opposed to larger-scale flood risk management projects).

The term ‘wetlands’ can include rivers, standing waters, bogs, mires, flushes, marsh, salt marsh and some coastal habitats. Wetland surveys involve surveys of flora, fauna and water quality within a wetland and can be used to assess the habitat quality in relation to its impact on protected species, to monitor conditions of wetlands, and to inform management plans or wetland creation/enhancement. 

 ♦ Invasive species surveys

NJL can carry out invasive species surveys and offer advice and suggestions on control and eradication methods.   We survey for Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam, giant hogweed, Crassula helmsii, Australian swamp stonecrop, Phytophthora diseases, American signal crayfish and other invasive or problematic species.   

 ♦ Tree surveys & native woodland plans

All trees, regardless of their protected status, can be a material consideration in a planning application. The British Standard, Trees in relation to construction - Recommendations (BS5837:2005) recommends the steps that should be taken to ensure that trees are appropriately and successfully retained when a development takes place. If trees are either on a proposed development site or near to the site, they will be considered in the decision-making process of the Local Planning Authority. 

NJL offers surveys of trees for their ecological value and landscape significance, can assist in site layout and design and can provide recommendations for the works to provide well formed, healthy trees as well as to increase their ecological value to contribute to the visual amenity of the development and its environment.  We also have specialised experience in veteran tree survey and management and native woodland plans for woodland grant schemes.

and much more...