Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys
The National Planning Policy Framework 2019 requires that a site being considered for development should be surveyed by an experienced and suitably qualified Ecologist to determine its ecological value to be assessed and taken into consideration.
In order to prepare an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey a site must be inspected, sometimes more than once, in order to identify the habitats present on and adjacent to the site. An assessment of biological records will be completed which is combined with the information obtained from the site inspection to determine the significance of the site area in terms of biodiversity, wildlife and connectivity. This information will be detailed within a professional report in which the following information is clearly provided:
• Site location, grid reference and aerial photograph
• Assessment of biological records
• Description of habitat present and species lists
• Evidence and potential for protected and priority species to be present
• Photographs and Habitat Maps
• Identification of Ecological Constraints
• Assessment of potential impact arising from any proposed development
• Conclusions, recommendations and proposed mitigation measures.
