The Condition of the Environment in the North West Region
Primarily formed from countryside areas, the majority of North West England is rural. For instance, towns across Lancashire such as Accrington, Blackburn, Burnley and Preston are within countryside areas, and Cumbria is actively perceived as a rural area, particularly due to the Lake District. Elsewhere, Cheshire has an almost perfectly even split of rural and agricultural areas, and Greater Manchester and Merseyside are the only counties in the region that are considered urban.
Due to the high number of green areas across the North West, the presence of protected species and plants can act as an obstacle during planning projects, especially if the plot of land is undeveloped. Fortunately, however, ecology surveys performed by licensed ecologists can ensure that all ecological issues on the site are identified and mitigated, enabling the land development to progress and strengthening the application for planning permission on the site.
Protected Species Within North West Counties
In Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the protected species in the UK are listed. However, as the presence of protected species will vary based on location, you may be interested to learn which species are in the North West.
Below, you will find every protected species in North West England separated by county:
Cheshire
- Badgers
- Barn Owls
- Bats
- Great Crested Newts
- Otters
- Water Voles
Cumbria
- Barn Owls
- Bats
- Great Crested Newts
- Geese
- Hen Harrier
- Natterjack Toad
- Otters
- Red Squirrels
- Swans
- Water Voles
Greater Manchester
- Badgers
- Barn Owls
- Bats
- Great Crested Newts
- Kingfishers
- Little Ringed Plovers
- Peregrine Falcons
- Water Voles
Lancashire
- Badgers
- Bats
- Brown Hares
- Dormice
- Otters
- Pine Martens
- Polecats
- Red Squirrels
- Seals
- Water Voles
Merseyside
- Barn Owls
- Bats
- Ferrers
- Frogs
- Great Crested Newts
- Kingfishers
- Toads
- Water Voles
Ecological Survey Services
A qualified ecologist can undertake various ecology surveys to suit a number of different purposes. At a baseline level, a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) / Phase 1 Habitat Survey is an all-encompassing assessment that enables an ecological consultant to review a site, identify plants and animal species present, establish whether the development would affect them and, if so, what should be done to mitigate these problems.
Over the course of a visit, an ecologist will inspect the entire site and pay particular attention to any evidence of valuable plants or protected species. The findings from the PEA will then be detailed at length in an ecology survey report along with effective next steps that will act as solutions to any and all ecological issues discovered on the site.
Depending on the outcome of the assessment, the ecology report may reveal that further surveys are needed. For instance, the discovery of certain animal species may prompt the need for protected species surveys such as badger surveys, barn owl surveys, bat surveys, dormouse surveys, great crested newt surveys, otter surveys, reptile surveys or water vole surveys. Likewise, if specific valuable or potentially invasive species of plant were found, the corresponding ecology surveys would be needed, such as giant hogweed surveys, Himalayan balsam surveys, injurious weed surveys or Japanese knotweed surveys.
Licensed Ecological Surveyors
As ecology surveys can appear in many different forms to suit an array of requirements, it is vitally important that you choose an ecological surveyor that can not only advise on the most suitable assessments, but also carry them out.
Our ecologists hold advanced experience in undertaking numerous ecology surveys including PEA surveys, protected species surveys and invasive species surveys. They are also fully qualified and licensed, enabling them to make informed decisions and recommendations based on observations during an assessment of a development site.
With so many qualified ecologists based around the UK, we can offer impactful ecological surveys in the North West region, as well as the rest of England and sections of Scotland and Wales. Using the accompanying ecology report and following the outlined next steps will then work to appease your local planning authority and support your application for planning permission.
Booking an Ecology Survey
Whether you are fully aware of the ecology surveys you need or want expert advice from us, our friendly team are happy to help guide you in the process. Simply call us using the number at the top of this page, fill out our quote form or visit our Contact page, and we will speak to you about the necessary ecological surveys you will need.
Using the specifications of your site and project, we can issue you with a free quote, and if you choose to proceed, we can book in a site visit from one of our ecologists at the next available opportunity. You will receive your completed ecology report shortly after the survey, and it can be submitted to the planning department of your local council to progress your project and gain planning consent.