Ecological Impact Assessment
We prepare proportionate and technically robust Ecological Impact Assessments for planning applications, Environmental Statements and other consenting processes.
Ecological Impact Assessment, commonly known as EcIA, is the process of identifying, evaluating and assessing the ecological effects of a project.
An EcIA may be presented as a standalone report for a planning application or as an ecology chapter within an Environmental Statement. The scope is proportionate to the scale and complexity of the proposal and the ecological features that could be affected.
Richard Green Ecology prepares EcIAs in accordance with current guidance from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Our EcIA process
Our assessments may include:
- Review of the project description and design
- Definition of the ecological zone of influence
- Ecological desk study
- Habitat and protected-species surveys
- Identification of important ecological features
- Evaluation at an appropriate geographic scale
- Assessment of construction, operational and decommissioning effects
- Consideration of direct, indirect and cumulative effects
- Review of embedded design and mitigation measures
- Assessment of residual effects
- Identification of compensation and enhancement
- Monitoring and adaptive-management recommendations
Potential effects may arise from habitat loss, fragmentation, disturbance, lighting, noise, pollution, hydrological change, collision risk, increased recreational pressure or changes in habitat management.
Proportionate and practical assessment
Not every ecological feature requires the same level of assessment. We focus the EcIA on features and effects that could be material to decision-making, while clearly explaining why other matters have been scoped out.
We work with architects, planners, engineers, landscape architects and other specialists to avoid effects through project design wherever possible. Where effects cannot be avoided, we develop practical measures to reduce, compensate for and monitor them.
EcIA, Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitats Regulations Assessment are related but separate processes. Where more than one is required, we coordinate the assessments while ensuring that the different legal and policy tests are addressed.
Key Benefits of Service
- Assessment following current CIEEM guidance
- Clear identification of important ecological features
- Proportionate evaluation of likely effects
- Consideration of cumulative and indirect effects
- Practical design and mitigation advice
- Standalone reports and Environmental Statement chapters
- Coordination with BNG, HRA and licensing