Environmental Consultancy

Changing legislation means that many businesses need specialist skills to help them comply with the latest directives, we can help in three areas, Habitat Surveys;  Environmental Impact Assessment; and Waste Strategy

Habitat Surveys

Habitat Surveys to comply with current E.U. legislation - this includes

Phase 1 Habitat Surveys This classification was developed in the 1980s for the purpose of mapping terrestrial and freshwater habitats within SSSIs and nature reserves, and for larger scale strategic surveys. The classification has subsequently been used extensively for major surveys, including a Phase 1 habitat survey of Wales completed in 1996. The classification has been adopted by the Institute of Environmental Assessors as one of the standard methods for preparation of Environmental Statements under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1988.

National Vegetation Classification Scheme (NVC) This is a phytosociological classification of terrestrial and freshwater vegetation, it is therefore less comprehensive in cover than the Phase 1 classification. The NVC is employed as the main classification for terrestrial habitats in Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs and has been used to interpret Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive where relevant. The conservation agencies and others have extensive data holdings coded using the NVC.

River Corridor Surveys are a means of recording the habitat types and general health of watercourses.

Environmental Impact Assessment and Waste Strategy

Environmental Impact Assessment and Waste Strategy - this is where we look at the way a business works at present or is considering future development and assess the impact this may have locally and further afield. We can advise regarding further development as appropriate. The recommendations can be highly cost effective as well as ensuring that a business is needing its statutory and social responsibilities.