Simply Ecology: Species.

Our clients rely upon Simply Ecology to undertake surveys and provide them with advice upon protected species in order to ensure they comply with nature conservation legislation.

Example 1

The Issue : Sites with populations of great crested newts required conservation measures in order to permit development. Newt mitigation measures were required to gain planning permission.

Solution : Proposals were presented to the client to ring-fence and trap the newts on-site. This enabled safe removal of the population which was then translocated to adjoining or newly created habitat. After the newts had been successfully cleared the developments were permitted to commence.

Example 2
The Issue : Development of a former industrial site required full assessment of buildings for roosting bats. The buildings were due for demolition.

Solution : Full survey of all the buildings was undertaken to search for signs of bat activity and also to assess the buildings for their potential suitability for bats. Recommendations included careful hand-removal of roof tiles prior to demolition, retention of suitable habitat and mitigation measures to enhance both habitat and roosting potential of the site within the development.

Example 3
The Issue : Development site had reptile population of slow worms and common lizards.Mitigation was required to remove the reptiles and release the site for development.

Solution : The reptiles were captured and moved to suitable adjacent habitat. Grass-strimming was used to reduce habitat and artificial refuges facilitated reptile capture.

Example 4
The Issue : A strategy was required for the conservation of the endangered red squirrel in northern England. Choosing red squirrel conservation areas and then planning a range of conservation measures within these areas would enable the effective implementation of the strategy.

Solution : A selection process for 16 red squirrel forest reserves was written and followed-up with management plans for each forest. The ideas presented in the plans facilitated landowner liaison and provided a basis for ongoing conservation measures, including advice on tree species planting and grey squirrel culling.