Ecological Consultancy Services

PJC Consultancy offer a wide variety of ecological services ranging from preliminary ecological appraisals and a range of protected species surveys as well as ecological impact assessments, and mitigation strategies and management plans.

PJC ecology team comprise a team of friendly and professional consultants, all of which are members of the Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Management, the professional body for ecological consultants, which work to the Institute’s Code of Professional Conduct, British Standard B242020 and best practice guidelines.

The team possess the local knowledge and expertise needed to help you through the planning process to help deliver high quality, pragmatic and cost-effective ecological solutions to a diverse client base, for both small and large public and private sector projects, such as residential and commercial development schemes to major infrastructure development projects.

Legally Protected Species

Protected Species (Phase 2) Surveys

There are several protected species whose presence on a site can have implications for its development. The presence of a protected species can affect a project by creating timing constraints and introducing a requirement for mitigation measures.

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Habitat & Vegetation Survey

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

The first stage of an ecological survey is to assess the potential of a site for its ability to support protected species and/or habitats. Includes an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey.

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Ecological & Environmental Impact Assessments

Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA)

Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) is used to predict and evaluate the impact of developments on ecosystems and their components (habitats and species).

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BREEAM Assessments

BREEAM Assessments

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings.

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Invasive and Non Native Species Survey

Invasive and Non Native Species Survey

It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to plant or cause invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed or Giant Hogweed to grow in the wild. Even the accidental spread of these invasive species is illegal.

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Natural England Licensing and Protected Species Licensing

Natural England Licensing and Protected Species Licensing

A Natural England license is often required in order to develop a site that is host to protected species.

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Ecological Enhancement, Management & Monitoring

Ecological Enhancement, Management & Monitoring

PJC is able to undertake a wide range of habitat management activities that incorporate skills from the arboricultural team, the ecological team and the landscaping team.

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Habitat Creation

Habitat Creation

PJC Consultancy has experienced ecological consultants who can undertake habitat creation, including BAP habitats, as well as the enhancement of existing habitats and landscapes.

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Ecological Exclusion Fencing

Reptile & Great Crested Newt Exclusion Fencing

PJC Consultancy have considerable experience in supplying and installing a vast range of mitigation fencing.

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Ecological Mitigation

Ecological Mitigation

PJC Consultancy has considerable experience in developing, managing and providing detailed protected species mitigation strategies.

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Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment

Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment

A preliminary Bat roost assessment (PBRA) is the first step in surveying for Bats.

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Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment

Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment (BNG)

Biodiversity net gain is a now mandatory element of the English planning system.

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Ecological Supervision

Ecological Supervision

PJC provide ecological clerk of works (ECOW) services to help keep your development on track.

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Ecological Survey Calendar for Land Purchasers & Developers

FREE Essential Ecological Survey Calendar for Land Purchasers & Developers

Our free ecology calendar, incorporating a wildlife calendar, outlines the best times to carry out badger, bat, bird, otter, dormouse, water vole, great crested newt and reptile surveys.

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Meet Our Ecological Consultants

PJC’s ecological team are academically qualified to Degree level or higher and are members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental management. Our team have a wealth of experience in all aspects of ecology, ecological management, development based ecological assessments and mitigation. Our in house ecologists hold an array of Natural England European Protected Species Licenses and have experience in writing European Protected Species Licensees.

Tom Knight
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Tom Knight

BSc(Hons) MSc MCIEEM

Director of Ecology

Tom Knight

Tom Knight

BSc(Hons) MSc MCIEEM

Director of Ecology

Tom joined PJC as a senior ecologist in early 2017 and has worked in professional consultancy for over nine years. His background in Biodiversity and Conservation has provided a firm foundation for the provision of sound advice and ecological input through the pre-planning, planning and implementation stages of all planning applications. Tom has worked for various sized projects throughout the country, including major highways and railway infrastructure projects and both large and small-scale residential development schemes.

Tom has extensive experience in both office and field-based ecology, including undertaking phase 1 habitat surveys and a broad range of specialist protected species surveys. Tom also produces high-quality ecological reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Preliminary Bat Roost Assessments, Protected Species Mitigation Strategies, BREEAM, Ecological Impact Assessments and more recently Biodiversity Net Gain / Impact Assessment using the DEFRA Biodiversity Metric 3.0. More recently, Tom has gained experience in advising on a variety of habitat creation, restoration and long-term management initiatives. Tom holds Natural England Class 1 survey licenses for great crested newts, bats and beavers. Tom also holds a sentinel card and is qualified to work on the railway.

Key personal attributes – Adaptable, Focused, Dependable

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Nicolle Stevens
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Nicolle Stevens

BSc(Hons) ACIEEM

Senior Ecologist & Technical Specialist (Bats)

Nicolle Stevens

Nicolle Stevens

BSc(Hons) ACIEEM

Senior Ecologist & Technical Specialist (Bats)

Whilst studying Wildlife Conservation at the University of Kent, Nicolle joined the PJC team as a field ecologist in 2017. Nicolle provides ecological input and advice to all stages of the planning process and manages a variety of residential, commercial and infrastructure projects (including both rail and highway) across the south-east. Nicolle has experience in both office and field-based ecology, handling and analysing data and producing a range of technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Preliminary Bat Roost Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments. Nicolle leads on a range of protected species surveys for bats, dormice, great crested newts, reptiles, badgers and water voles and produces mitigation and compensation strategies for a range of protected and notable species, habitat mitigation strategies and enhancement and management plans.

Nicolle holds a Natural England class two bat licence and has extensive knowledge and experience with bats and development. She also holds a Natural England class one licence for great crested newts and is experienced in Natural England District Level Licence (DLL) and NatureSpace Partnership licence applications for the species.

Key personal attributes – Resourceful, Driven, Approachable

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Naomi Cornwell
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Naomi Cornwell

BSc(Hons) MSc

Ecologist

Naomi Cornwell

Naomi Cornwell

BSc(Hons) MSc

Ecologist

After a year working as a B.U.G.S keeper for ZSL London Zoo, Naomi went back to university to study Animal Conservation and Biodiversity at Greenwich University as a mature student. This led to a work placement with the Bat Conservation Trust, and two seasons experience as a field assistant and ecological surveyor with a Kent based consultancy. She joined the team at PJC in early 2022 after graduating with an MSc in Oceanography (Biological and Ecological pathway) from the University of Southampton and has experience producing technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Preliminary Bat Roost Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, and now has experience working on both large and small-scale residential development schemes.

Naomi is a hobbyist scuba diver, holding a PADI Dive Master qualification, and has a wealth of marine surveying and data-collection experience for international marine conservation organisations.

Key personal attributes – Personable, Motivated, Passionate

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Liam Mattingly

BCs (Hons)

Ecologist

Liam Mattingly

BCs (Hons)

Ecologist

After graduating with a BSc in Zoology from the University of Southampton, Liam started his career in the ecology industry as a field ecologist and then an assistant ecologist. After 3 years in the industry, Liam joined PJC as an ecologist and is experienced in both office and field-based ecology. Leading on a range of protected species surveys and consistently preparing technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Preliminary Bat Roost Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric and Phase 2 Protected Species survey reports.

Liam has extensive expertise on the Statutory Biodiversity Metric and advising on a wide range of projects to achieve 10% net gain either through on-site or off-site habitat compensation, including habitat creation and enhancement measures. Liam is RCA accredited, enabling him to conduct River Condition Assessments and input watercourse data into the metric, as well as, providing advice on how to achieve net gain within watercourses.

Liam has gained experience providing concise and detailed advise on a range of small- and large-scale residential development schemes. Liam holds his Natural England Class 1 survey licence for great crested newts and also has experience in District Level License (DLL) applications for both Natural England and NatureSpace Partnership. Liam now has ambitions of gaining his Natural England Class 1 survey licence for bats and continues his professional development.

Key personal attributes – Pragmatic, Diligent, Approachable

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Jess Malim

BSc(Hons)

Graduate Ecologist

Jess Malim

BSc(Hons)

Graduate Ecologist

After graduating from Swansea University with a degree in Biological Sciences in 2021, Jess pursued her interests in ecology by working as a field ecologist with a London based consultancy. With a surveying season under her belt Jess joined PJC in early 2023 as a Graduate Ecologist and has been expanding her desk skill set through assisting with technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and Preliminary Bat Roost Assessments. As well as developing her field skills via completing protected species surveys including; GCN, bat, reptile and phase 1 habitat surveys.

 

Jess is an active member of the London Bat Group and volunteers in species population counts around London and the South-east, and is hoping to train for her class 1 bat licence in the future.

 

Key personal attributes – Enthusiastic, dynamic and ambitious.

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