Projects

The brief

North Yorkshire County Council commissioned Thomson Ecology to assist in development of a Minerals and Waste Development Framework.

This contained policies relating to the provision of silica sand, as silica sand reserves were partially located on the edge of the North Pennine Moors SAC/SPA.

An Appropriate Assessment was required to investigate any potential adverse effects on the designated site as a result of the policy implementation.

What we did

• This project required careful investigation of the possible implications of the policy both in isolation and in combination with other policies.
• A full report was produced suitable for publication in the public domain.
• The report also recommended appropriate mitigation to be included within the policy to ensure adverse effects would be avoided.
• As part of the process we attended meetings with the statutory regulators Natural England and the Environment Agency, attended open days to discuss ecological impacts and conservation strategies with local residents and liaised with local wildlife groups including the Wildlife Trust.

Outcome

Our input was key in highlighting the measures taken to avoid, minimise and mitigate ecological impacts and provided a satisfactory outcome for all parties concerned.

The brief

Proposals were put forward for a bypass scheme to relieve congestion in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland. Ecology surveys were required in order to determine baseline conditions for the site and inform route options.

What we did

• We undertook a suite of bat surveys along the proposed route options.
• Buildings and trees were inspected for their potential to support roosting bats.
• All features with the potential to support roosting bats were then subject to dusk emergence and dawn return to roost surveys to determine the presence or likely absence of roosts.
• An assessment was also made of potential foraging and commuting habitats for bats which was followed by a suite of bat activity surveys to determine how bats were using the various route options.

The outcome

Several bat roosts were recorded, including a roost of the rare Nathusius’ pipistrelle. In addition, numerous commuting corridors and foraging areas were identified.

The brief

In 2012, ABC Electrification started work on behalf on Network Rail to deliver the electrification of the South Wales Valley lines between Ebbw Vale Parkway and Cardiff, and between Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, covering a total distance of 205km. As part of the electrification works, ABC Electrification will be installing 344km of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) and constructing 8000 overhead line structures. This would involve alterations to bridges, platforms and station buildings along with associated sub-stations and construction compounds. Thomson Ecology was commissioned to offer advice on any ecology constraints on the works.

What we did

Thomson Ecology provided a range of ecological support.

• A desk study collating data from South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC) and ten local councils. The desk study included over 18,000 protected species records, and reports on nine internationally protected sites within 5km, 54 nationally designated sites and 657 locally designated sites within 2km.
• A desk based Phase 1 habitat survey using analysis of aerial imagery and train cab video footage. Aerial imagery was used to map and classify the habitat types present. The video analysis used footage taken from the train cab to identify stands of invasive plant species and structures that could have the potential to support roosting bats. Using these methods, 37 habitat types were identified and 132 structures were assessed for their potential to support roosting bats.
• Field based Phase 1 habitat surveys for a 45km length of railway where no video footage was available for analysis. Aerial imagery was used alongside the field survey to analyse areas which were not accessible on foot. These methods identified a further 22 habitat types.
• The Phase 1 surveys identified habitats along the route with the potential to support bats, badgers, dormice, great crested newts, reptiles, breeding birds, water voles, otters, white-clawed crayfish, protected plant and invertebrate species, and also stands of invasive plants. Further surveys for these species and groups of species have been recommended.

Recommendations and outcomes

Thomson Ecology’s innovative approach to the Phase 1 habitat survey maximised time efficiency and cost effectiveness. We continue to work with ABC Electrification as the scheme develops and provide ecological advice and consultation in a timely manner.

The brief

RWE were seeking planning permission for the onshore components of the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm. A number of potential cable route options were initially under consideration prior to the selection of the 60 km route. We assisted RWE throughout the planning process by assessing the ecological value of the proposed route options. We designed and implemented numerous habitat and species surveys throughout three years of works, often rapidly mobilising large numbers of qualified staff. The survey work culminated in the production of the ecology chapter of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

What we did

• We held regular consultations with key stakeholders, including RWE, Natural England and the Wildlife Trust during the Evidence Plan process of the EIA, to agree pragmatic approaches to survey methodologies and data gathering.
• We focussed on parts of the route, through innovative use of TIM (Thomson Ecology’s interactive mapping tool), to avoid ecologically sensitive features and combine surveys where possible for added value and time saving.
• We conducted extended Phase 1 habitat survey across over 5000 hectares.
• We carried out a full suite of protected species surveys, including Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessments for great crested newts within 2800 ditches and 300 ponds.
• We carried out bat transects and static monitoring, resulting in over 4000 hours of monitoring, and analysis of approximately 30,000 bat calls.
• We conducted breeding bird surveys of the full 60 km route, which we believe to be one of the largest breeding bird surveys undertaken in the UK.
• This culminated in the production of the ecology chapter of the EIA.

Outcome

Thomson Ecology successful delivered the complete survey package, including the production of the (draft) ecology chapter, on time and on budget.

The brief

As part of Network Rail’s Great Western Route Modernisation project ABC Electrification is delivering the electrification of the railway between Bristol and Cardiff, which includes gauge clearance works to tunnels and bridges, and creating access points. Thomson Ecology was commissioned to provide all the ecological support including survey work, consultancy and any mitigation required. The 80km stretch of railway to be developed crosses, or is adjacent to, seven UK protected sites and eleven locally protected sites. Features along the route have potential to support bats, badgers, reptiles, breeding birds, water vole, otter, white-clawed crayfish, protected plant and invertebrate species and there are stands of invasive plants.

What we did

• A review of existing ecology reports commissioned by Network Rail to identify where further surveys are required and how this ties into ABC Electrification’s work programme.
• Extended Phase 1 habitat surveys of more than 30 proposed compounds, storage and works sites where major works are planned to establish potential ecological constraints including protected species and invasive species.
• Presence or likely absence surveys for bats at 82 structures, great crested newt presence / absence surveys at 15 water bodies, water vole and otter surveys covering over 23km of bankside habitat and 12 badger sett assessments.
• Provision of nine dedicated PTS certified ecologists based in Cardiff providing vital on-site ecological supervision and watching briefs to check for breeding birds and reptiles during works.
• Training provided for ABC Electrification’s ground works supervisors to give them the knowledge to manage a situation if they find a protected species on site.

Recommendations and outcomes

Thomson Ecology continues to work with ABC Electrification as the scheme develops and provide ecological advice and consultation in a timely manner. The results of surveys are shared with Network Rail and other contractors working on the scheme.

The brief

As part of Network Rail’s Great Western Route Modernisation project, ABC Electrification is delivering the electrification of the railway between Bristol and Cardiff. ABC Electrification plans to install Overhead Line Equipment (OLE), which will require piling works along the route.

The 80km stretch of railway to be developed crosses, or is adjacent to, seven UK protected sites and 11 locally protected sites. Features along the route have the potential to support a number of protected species including water voles and otters.

Thomson Ecology has been commissioned to advise on ecology constraints affecting the works. Part of this is to carry out surveys for specific species as have been identified in earlier scoping work.

What we did

Thomson Ecology carried out water vole surveys on suitable waterbodies within 25m of the train line and otter surveys on suitable waterbodies within 100m of the train line.

• This included habitat suitability and sign surveys of 61 waterbodies, surveying a total of over 23km of bankside habitat.
• Signs of water voles were identified at four waterbodies and signs of otters were also identified.
• A re-survey of the waterbodies where water vole and otter signs were identified was recommended prior to the piling works. The aim of these surveys was to identify the locations of water vole burrows and to check if any otter holts had been created in the time since the initial survey was undertaken and immediately before works started.
• A works exclusion zone of 10m was recommended where signs of water voles were identified to ensure that works carried out adhered to relevant legislation so avoiding the need for mitigation works.
• Where access to a waterbody was not possible, a precautionary method of working (PMW) was recommended to the client to minimise any potential negative impacts on water voles or otters and to avoid costly delays to their programme of works.

Recommendations and outcomes

Thomson Ecology continues to work with ABC Electrification as the scheme develops and to provide ecological advice and consultation in a timely manner. The results of surveys are shared with Network Rail and other contractors working on the scheme.