Overview of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) or Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey
At the start of any development, it is important that any and all protected and notable species on the site are accounted for. As for planning projects that involve developing greenfield land or redeveloping brownfield land in particular, checking for wildlife habitats and rare plants beforehand will prevent issues later in the development process.
Due to how certain animal and plant species can occupy both rural and urban areas, an initial assessment of the site may be required as a precaution. For a lot of developers in Great Britain, arranging an ecology survey at the start of the proposed development can mean spotting all of the potential ecological impacts and strengthening planning applications later in the process.
In order to fully understand the habitat types present on their development site, a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) would be needed. From that point, other ecology surveys can be arranged to cater for the animal and plant species on the site, or if the ecological surveyor can confirm that there are none on the site, the plans can continue without any changes.
What is a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal?
Also commonly known as an extended phase 1 habitat survey, a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) is a complete evaluation of flora and fauna on a development site. It focuses on any ecological features present that need further surveys before the project can move into future stages.
The phase 1 survey is undertaken by an ecological consultant using a standardised system for identifying and mapping wildlife habitats. What happens from there will be based on the location, condition and value of the ecological assets, with the option of mitigation measures for coming up with pragmatic solutions.
Once the ecologist has completed the process, a PEA report will be created to show the local planning authority how the concerns with any natural features have been addressed. The solution will be enough to reduce or remove any problems, and it will match up with relevant planning policies and the local authority’s planning requirements.
When is a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Required?
Local planning authorities will usually ask for a preliminary ecological appraisal, especially if the development is on greenfield or previously undeveloped land. A PEA could also be arranged by a developer if there are signs of protected species on the site or even simply as a precaution to avoid unexpected issues later in the process.
Within multiple pieces of legislation, notable species of wildlife and rare or valuable plant species are legally protected. The local planning officer will act to support protected species of animals and plants, and without consideration of ecological elements through a preliminary ecological appraisal or a similar ecology survey, a planning application will not even be considered.
A developer can only show proof that they have accounted for laws that work to conserve, preserve and protect the ecological value of a site by getting the input of an expert ecologist. After a consultant has inspected the entirety of the site, it will be possible to account for all ecological features and suggest changes to the development that will minimise impacts.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Process
Our team will speak to you about your site and project before starting the survey process. Between what you tell us, what you’ve been instructed by your local council and the circumstances of the site, we will then decide whether an extended phase 1 habitat survey should be carried out.
Based on the methodology from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), an industry standard preliminary ecological appraisal is split into two core parts: an ecological desk study and a walkover survey.
Below, we’ve broken down what each section involves:
Ecological Desk Study
In a review of existing information about the site, the ecological consultant will look at relevant information from a records centre and local biological records about potential habitats occupying the site. At this point, they will confirm if the site has any ongoing protections, such as being listed as one of the UK’s designated sites.
With all available maps, imagery, plans, documents and records collected, the professional surveyor will have a better understanding of the site and the context with known ecological features and constraints. Data from the desk-based study will then contribute to the physical inspection of the site that follows, confirming any facts that aren’t immediately obvious or speeding up the process.
Walkover Survey
A site visit will then be carried out by the ecological consultant, who will examine all areas of the development site in detail for evidence of protected animal or invasive plant species. Any findings will be recorded, and the ecologist will then speak directly to the developer about the planning project to gauge the potential impacts on ecological assets.
Between the evidence from the site, the earlier desk study and the development plans, it will be clear to see how any ecological features will be impacted by the project, affecting biodiversity value. The mitigation hierarchy will be followed to choose suitable steps forward, and if more information is needed, the ecologist may suggest additional protected species surveys or invasive species surveys.
Summary of Habitat Survey Techniques
Methods in a preliminary ecological appraisal could include:
- Assessing Habitat Condition, Quality and Value
- Carrying Out GIS Mapping
- Identifying Signs of Protected Species and Invasive Plants
- Mapping Habitat Types
- Producing Aerial Imagery
- Researching Local Records
- Reviewing Past Surveys
- Suggesting Next Steps
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report
All ecology surveys finish with the ecological consultant creating an ecology report, and a preliminary ecological appraisal is no different. The PEA report will outline any notable animal or plant species on the site, key aspects of the project, mitigation measures that will allow the development to continue, and recommendations for other surveys if necessary.
A preliminary ecological appraisal report will remain valid for two years and play an important role in planning applications. The developer would submit the report to the local planning authority, and as it will contain all of the necessary information to ease any qualms, it should give the planning officer every reason to grant planning permission.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Experts
Over more than 15 years of carrying out ecological surveys, we are experts when it comes to preliminary ecological appraisals. All of our ecologists hold the necessary experience, knowledge and licensing to visit your site, conduct a phase 1 habitat survey, and provide advice to help you progress your project and secure planning applications.
With a combination of ground-breaking graduates and seasoned professionals, it is our aim to remain at the forefront of changes to ecological services while retaining our proven success rate. Whether we are dealing with small designated sites with low ecological issues or protected sites for large commercial projects, we guarantee the same level of attention to detail.
We’ve explained more about how we approach extended phase 1 habitat surveys in the space below:
Guidelines for a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
Operating within best practice guidelines from a corresponding regulator will guarantee a consistent and reliable service. In the case of a PEA / Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) is the relevant authority, and as such, we follow their guidance when it comes to undertaking this type of assessment.
The CIEEM’s Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (GPEA) covers other details, areas, considerations and eventualities. We follow that, as well as the relevant guidance from Natural England / Natural Resources Wales, corresponding local planning departments, and other organisations within ecology and environmental management.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Quote and Cost
Every time we produce a quote for a client, we ask for details of the main elements of the development site and project, along with further information that the developer may want to include as part of their quote. We will then use these specifications to calculate an accurate quote for carrying out a PEA survey on the site.
By approaching every client in the same way, our ecological surveys don’t cost more than they need to. The alternative would be to set a universal price for everyone, meaning that a small project with minimal ecological features would cost the same as a large project with numerous ecological issues. Instead, we’d much rather you spoke to us directly and gave us a chance to offer you a bespoke quote.
Do I Need a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal?
Choosing to get an extended phase 1 habitat survey is an easy decision if you’re aware of habitats present on your site or if you’ve been specifically asked to by the local authorities. Otherwise, it could be difficult to know if you need one.
If you’re working with a greenfield site that hasn’t been developed before or a brownfield site that hasn’t been developed for a long time, a desk study and field survey would be advisable to check for any potential ecological constraints.
We may even discover that you need another type of ecology survey, such as an ecological impact assessment (EcIA) or environmental audit, or possibly even a biodiversity net gain (BNG) assessment to generate ecological credits if your project qualifies for the mandate.
Book in a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
In the first stage of the planning process, the potential need for ecology surveys should be considered as part of the pre-application discussions. At this point, it would be advisable to contact us over the phone or by submitting your details via our helpful quote form.
You can then ensure that you are on the right track with the preparation of your project, and our expert team can assess your circumstances to identify the need for a PEA. It could even be that by talking to us, you discover that other surveys like ecological impact assessments are needed instead. Either way, you will be on the right track once you’ve spoken to our team.
After speaking to us, we will provide you with a free quote, and if you are happy to work with us, we can choose an ideal date and time for one of our ecological consultants to carry out a site survey. The results of the survey will then guide your planning project, influence your early design choices, and support your application for planning consent.