For housing developers, ecology can have a significant impact on the planning process. Understanding the ecological value of a site, identifying protected species and addressing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements early can help reduce risk, avoid delays and support the delivery of sustainable developments.
Ecological considerations are increasingly becoming an integral part of the development process. Rather than being something to address once a planning application is underway, ecology should be considered from the earliest stages of site assessment and design.
So, what ecological surveys might a housing development require, and why is it important to plan them early?
Why are ecological surveys important for housing developments?
Before development can begin, it is important to understand what habitats and species are present on a site and how they could be affected by the proposed works.
An ecological survey can identify potential constraints and opportunities, allowing developers and their professional teams to make informed decisions about site layout, construction methods, mitigation and habitat creation.
Getting this information early can be particularly valuable.
If a protected species is identified late in the planning process, for example, additional surveys or mitigation measures may be required. Some surveys can only be undertaken at certain times of the year, potentially resulting in significant delays to a project.
Early ecological advice can therefore help developers:
- Identify ecological constraints at an early stage
- Inform site layout and design
- Understand planning requirements
- Identify protected species
- Meet Biodiversity Net Gain requirements
- Reduce the risk of unexpected delays
- Build appropriate mitigation into the development programme
- Identify opportunities to enhance biodiversity
What ecological surveys might a housing development need?
The surveys required will depend on the location, size and characteristics of the site, as well as the habitats and species potentially present.
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is often an important starting point.
A PEA provides an overview of the habitats present on a site and assesses the potential for protected or notable species. It can help establish whether further detailed surveys are likely to be required.
The findings can then inform the next stages of planning and design.
For developers, this early assessment can provide valuable information about potential ecological constraints before significant time and resources are committed to a scheme.
Protected species surveys
Certain species receive legal protection, meaning their presence can have implications for development proposals.
Depending on the characteristics of the site, surveys may be required for species such as bats, badgers, great crested newts, reptiles, breeding birds or other protected species.
Importantly, protected species surveys are often seasonal.
This means that if surveys are identified as necessary too late in the development process, developers may have to wait for the appropriate survey window before the work can be completed.
Understanding survey requirements and timings at the beginning of a project can therefore be critical to maintaining the development programme.
Habitat and botanical surveys
Understanding the habitats and plant communities present on a site can help establish its ecological value and inform both planning and biodiversity assessments.
These surveys can also identify areas of higher ecological value that may need to be retained, protected or enhanced as part of the development.
Biodiversity Net Gain and housing developments
Biodiversity Net Gain has become an increasingly important consideration for development projects in England.
The principle behind BNG is that development should leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before development takes place.
For developers, this means considering biodiversity not simply as a constraint, but also as an opportunity.
The design of a housing development can incorporate features such as:
- New native planting
- Wildflower grasslands
- Hedgerow creation and enhancement
- Wildlife habitats
- Sustainable drainage features
- Ponds and wetland habitats
- Tree planting
- Habitat enhancement within green spaces
Considering these opportunities early can help ensure that biodiversity forms part of the overall design rather than being added as an afterthought.
It can also help developers understand the potential implications of BNG for land use, project costs and long-term management.
Why survey timing matters
One of the most important considerations for developers is when ecological surveys can be undertaken.
Not every survey can be completed at any time of year. Different species have different periods when they are active or when surveys are most effective.
For example, bat, reptile, amphibian and botanical surveys can have specific seasonal windows. This creates a potential programme risk.
If a planning application requires survey information that cannot be collected until a particular time of year, the development programme could be affected.
For this reason, ecological survey requirements should ideally be identified as early as possible.
EMEC’s Protected Species Survey Calendar provides a useful overview of survey seasons and can help development teams understand when different surveys may need to be undertaken.
Ecology should be considered alongside design
Ecology does not have to be a barrier to development.
In many cases, early ecological input can help shape a better scheme by identifying opportunities to incorporate biodiversity into the development from the outset.
For example, retaining existing mature trees, hedgerows or valuable habitats may influence the layout of a site. However, incorporating these features into the design can also create attractive green spaces and contribute to the overall sustainability credentials of a development.
Early collaboration between ecologists, architects, planners, landscape designers and developers can therefore result in more integrated solutions.
What happens if ecology is considered too late?
Leaving ecological considerations until late in the planning process can create unnecessary risks.
Potential consequences can include:
- Planning delays
- Programme delays
- Additional costs
- Design compromises
- Planning risk
For developers working to tight programmes, identifying these issues early can make a significant difference.
Turning ecological constraints into opportunities
Good ecological planning is not simply about identifying what cannot be developed. It is also about understanding what can be achieved.
A site with ecological constraints may present opportunities for habitat creation, landscape enhancement and biodiversity improvements that can add value to a development.
For example, areas of land that may not be suitable for housing could potentially be incorporated into green infrastructure, habitat creation or sustainable drainage schemes.
This can help create developments that work for both people and nature.
Working with an ecologist from the outset
Every development site is different, which is why ecological requirements should be considered on a project-by-project basis.
Engaging an experienced ecological consultancy early can help developers understand what surveys may be required, when they need to be undertaken and how the findings could influence the development.
At EMEC we work with developers, planning consultants, architects and other professionals to provide ecological advice throughout the development process.
From preliminary assessments and protected species surveys through to biodiversity assessments, habitat creation and land management, our team can help identify ecological requirements and opportunities at an early stage.
Planning a housing development?
Don’t wait until your planning application is underway to consider ecology.
Early ecological advice can help you identify potential constraints, plan surveys around seasonal requirements, address BNG and build biodiversity into your development from the start.
Good ecology starts early.
Useful resources:
Biodiversity Net Gain and the future of development
Protected Species Survey Calendar