Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) is used to predict and evaluate the impact of developments on ecosystems and their components (habitats and species). An Ecological Impact Assessment provides the information required to ensure that ecological issues are given full and proper consideration in development planning, and informs the developer on any potential ecological liabilities.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has emerged as a key to sustainable development by integrating social, economic and environmental issues. Ecological Impact Assessments have a major part to play as a component of Environmental Impact Assessments, but also have other potential applications. PJC Consultancy ecologists have considerable experience in Ecological Impact Assessments.
The key stages to an Ecological Impact Assessment are:
- Initial ecological appraisal, scoping survey, Phase 1 habitat survey or description of baseline conditions
- Detailed ecological surveys (NVC) and habitat evaluation
- Protected species surveys (bats, badgers, great crested newts, reptiles, dormice)
- Evaluation of the ecological value of the site
- Impact assessment including positive and negative impacts, magnitude, extent, duration, reversibility, timing and frequency
- Assessment of whether impacts are ecologically significant
- Mitigation design and/or compensation and/or habitat enhancement proposals
- Environmental statement (reporting)
PJC Consultancy also have considerable experience in stakeholder consultation with statutory (e.g. Natural England) and non-statutory bodies (e.g. Wildlife Trusts) bodies, which is a requirement of Ecological Impact Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments.
PJC Consultancy also have considerable experience in expert witness cases and the provision of proofs of evidence. PJC Consultancy hold Natural England licenses and are licensed to survey for bats, great crested newts and dormice. We also have considerable experience with badgers, reptiles and birds too!
If you have a site that requires an Ecological Impact Assessment, please call us on 01323 768155 or use our enquiry form.
