Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

Our work at most development sites begins with the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, also known as an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey.

What is an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey?

This form of survey identifies features of conservation importance on your site that could constitute a constraint to your proposals. Where appropriate, recommendations for impact avoidance, mitigation and post-development enhancement are made to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and relevant planning policy.

How Does an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Work?

An Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey will normally be the first time that we visit your site. Prior to the visit, our ecologist will order a biological records search from the local biological records centre and will look at habitats surrounding your site using free online resources such as Google Earth and Bing maps. This allows us to understand the context of the site within its landscape and assess which species may be active in the general area.

One of our ecologists will then arrange your site visit. During the survey, the ecologist will carefully walk over the whole site and its boundaries taking notes and annotating printed field maps with Phase 1 habitat types. They will also identify the key plant species whilst looking for evidence of protected or pest species.

The results of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey will be written into a clear and concise report including a detailed map of your site describing habitat types present and any features of ecological interest. This is the foundation ecological document for your site and is normally valid for two years from the date of the survey. All work in relation to our Extended Phase 1 habitat Surveys will be in accordance with British Standard BS42020:2013 Biodiversity – Code of practice for planning and development.

The survey will make recommendations on how to proceed with your development without impacting protected species and habitats. This may be simple avoidance methods such as limiting hedgerow removal to periods when nesting birds are absent, or it may be something more complex such as the need for a detailed method statement to deal with a pest species like Japanese Knotweed.

If it is unclear whether protected species are present or how they use your site, the report may make recommendations for further protected species surveys. This is now normal for larger development sites with significant land-take.

The Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey can also make recommendations on biodiversity enhancement, particularly if your project is looking for an award under BREEAM, CfSH or CEEQUAL.

Although there is no need for you to be present during the survey, if you have any concerns about site ecology we are very happy to have an informal site meeting at the start, or the end, of the site visit.

How Much Does an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Cost?

The cost of this kind of survey is calculated based on the two variables of site size and travels costs. It will also include a fee for a biological records search from the local biodiversity records centre and the Ordnance Survey base map which starts at £20 + VAT.

In practice, the variable costs for the preliminary ecological appraisal of a single field would be between £650 and £800 + VAT.

Our Commitment To You

To show how committed we are to providing you with high-quality service, we have adopted BS 42020:2013 Biodiversity – Code of practice for planning and development for all of our surveys. Furthermore, your project will be managed by a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (MCIEEM) or Royal Society of Biologists (RSB) who are bound by a Professional Code of Conduct.