Greengage undertook a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and liaised with the local biodiversity planning officer to inform the design for a suite of detailed bat surveys for this site in Surrey.
The team discovered a large bat roost in a nearby building that was of potential county significance. Proposals included new floodlit sports pitches which could have resulted in potential impacts upon this important roost.
The team were therefore able to assess the potential impact of the proposals and design a robust mitigation strategy to ensure that the client and all consultees were happy, and to ensure the continued ecological functionality of the roost.
Surveys took place throughout the summer and provided an important tool for informing design and layout for the site. Bat activity was clearly concentrated in certain areas and at certain times of year/night dominated by a small number of species; this information allowed for targeted mitigation, compensation and enhancement actions which were included in a site wide Ecological Mitigation Plan.
Greengage were pleased to apply new technologies in their survey effort including smart phone detectors and infrared imaging cameras.
Greengage’s approach ensured good relations with the local authority, as well as safeguarding legislative and policy compliance throughout the planning process.