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Major Projects in 2006

Byley Gas Cavity Storage Project

We continued to be involved with this project, providing ecological advice and overseeing the amphibian mitigation works for E-On

Stublach Gas Cavity Storage Project

This site is adjacent to the Byley Gas Cavity Storage project in Cheshire. After the solution mining of salt from below ground, the created cavities will be utilised for storing gas at off-peak times. We prepared the Ecology Section for the Environmental Impact Assessment and will be implementing the required mitigation and providing ecological advice throughout the construction period.

Peatland Restoration

During 2006 we continued our work monitoring water vole populations at Lindow Moss and also accepted another contract to look at peatland restoration work at Crowle.

Sideway Stoke-on-Trent

Our involvement with the nature conservation mitigation continued throughout 2006 and into 2007 with new applications to Natural England for the development of part of the site for warehousing and distribution, with the remainder of the site dedicated to nature conservation and recreation. For more information visit http://www.prologisparksideway.com.

Midpoint 18, Middlewich

Ecological surveys and mitigation for new warehousing and distribution units. We have been involved with protected species survey, amphibian mitigation, badger mitigation and habitat creation advice to ensure that there is nature conservation connectivity throughout the site.

Bat Surveys

During 2006 we undertook 65 surveys of buildings for bats. Many of these where of rural buildings which are to be converted
to houses or offices.
Where bats were found, Defra licences were obtained for appropriate mitigation. This included the design of four bat roosts and the incorporation of bat roosting opportunities on several properties.

Great Crested Newt Surveys and Mitigation

In contrast to previous years we only undertook surveys for great crested newts on seven sites; however one of these had over 100 ponds!

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Major Projects in 2005

A34 Aldereley Edge and Nether Aldereley Bypass for Cheshire County Council.

Attendance as Expert Witness for Public Inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Orders for the new road scheme.

Sideway, Stoke-on-Trent for Advantage West Midland

Obtaining DEFRA licence for amphibian mitigation works and implementation of the mitigation. click to see details

Lindow Moss

Survey of peat extraction site to map distribution of water voles within the channels and also surveys for amphibians and reptiles.

Proposed In-vessel composting site

Preparation of Ecological, Landscape and Hydrology sections for new green waste composting site in Cheshire

Northwich Vision Project

Ecological Survey and Impact Assessment of new road scheme and river crossing in Northwich Town Centre on the edge of the Northwich Community Woodlands. Habitat and protected species surveys undertaken.

Pickerings Cut Footpath

Ecological Impact Assessment along
the River Weaver to assess potential
impacts that may occur with the
upgrading of the existing footpath

Proposed Marina Developments

Two projects involving ecological surveys and impacts assessments
for private clients in relation to new marinas in Cheshire.

Nature Conservation Audit on
Blackley Forest, Bury

A flora and fauna survey of community
woodland for Groundwork Manchester.
Botanical, ornithological & invertebrate
surveys throughout the year to provide
baseline data for future management.

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Major Projects in 2004

A34 Aldereley Edge and Nether Aldereley Bypass for Cheshire County Council.

Sideway, Stoke-on-Trent for Advantage West Midland

Byley Gas Cavity Storage Project for Scottish Power

Basford West - Rail link Distribution Centre

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Major Projects in 2003

Wintering and Breeding Bird Surveys

• At Fleetwood
• Along the A595 in Cumbria
• At Denshaw, nr Oldham
• At Oswaldtwistle
• On the Lleyn Peninsula

Amphibian Surveys in over 300 ponds including sites near

• Northwich – over 100 ponds
• Wigan – over 60 ponds
• Chester – 10 ponds
• Upholland – 10 ponds
• Fleetwood – over 30 ponds

Amphibian Mitigation at five sites

Reptile Surveys

• At Machynlleth
• On the Lleyn Peninsula
• Helsby Allotments

Bat Surveys

In conjunction with several proposed road schemes and barn conversion projects

Bat Mitigation

Including the construction of
a purpose built bat barn for United Utilities

Invertebrate Surveys

• At three sites in Snowdonia
• At two sites on the Lleyn Peninsula
• At two sites in Greater Manchester

Badger Surveys

Throughout the Northwest of England

Biodiversity Action Plans –

We are involved in the following Cheshire Region Biodiversity Action Plans

• Barn Owl
• Farmland Birds
• Re-introduction of Harvest Mice
• Dingy Skipper
• Club-tailed Dragonfly
• White-faced Darter
• Downy Emerald
• Variable Damselfly

Radio Tracking

Roy Leigh tracking small mammals

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Major Projects in 2002

Ecological Impact Assessment at Basford West

for storage and distribution site including rail terminal. Protected Species surveys.

Ollerton Grange, Knutsford

Nature Conservation proposals for grounds, including protected species surveys.

Marbury Country Park and Dairy House Meadows, Northwich.

Nature Conservation Audit and management recommendations

Merry Dale Golf Course

Ecological Impact Assessment for reversion of former golfcourse back to open parkland. Protected species surveys and mitigation proposals

Baseline Ecological Surveys of United Utilities Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) throughout Cheshire.

Botanical and Protected Species Survey at St Joseph’s College, Upholland, Lancashire

Ecological Impact Assessment at Offley Wood, Sandbach Amphibian Surveys and Mitigation at thirteen sites in Cheshire and two in Lancashire

Bat and Barn Owl Surveys at twelve sites in Cheshire, mainly in association with planning applications for conversion of farm buildings to dwellings

Bat Survey and Mitigation at Springfield Festival Gardens, Spalding, Lincolnshire

Survey for Welsh Clearwing along proposed line of A490 near Dolgellau

Phase I and NVC Mapping of proposed line of A490 near Dolgellau

Assessment of SSSI at Shell Island, Gwynedd Herpetofauna survey along line of proposed A487 re-alignment, Machynlleth

Invertebrate Survey along line of proposed A498 improvements, Abererch to Llaystumdy

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Major Projects 2000 - 2001

Amphibian Survey and Mitigation for Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

Surveys for great crested newts on land designated for business use and development, followed by applications for disturbance licenses from Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Implementation of amphibian trapping programme and habitat creation under licence. Area to be used as receptor area and managed as a great crested newt reserve

Amphibian Survey for A5 Nescliffe Bypass for Catherine Bickmore Associates.

Survey for Great Crested Newt and other amphibians along the route of the proposed A5 Nescliffe Bypass, Shropshire.  

Barn Owl and Bat Survey, Sheppenhall Hall.

Farm Survey for protected species and mitigation proposals to relocate bats and barn owls prior to conversion of farm buildings to dwellings. Work licenced by DEFRA. Barn Owl and Bat boxes at Sheppenhall Hall Farm

Ecological Impact Assessment of damage caused by Brine Spillage in Marbury Country Park.

Establishment of damage caused to botanical interest following brine leak and recommendations for restoration work and mitigation.  

Ecological Survey and Assessment – A34 Alderley Edge Bypass for Cheshire County Council.

Ecological Survey and Assessment for new road through woodland and farmland. Surveys included amphibians, lesser-silver diving beetle, reptiles, water voles, badgers and white-clawed crayfish. Assessment of impacts and recommendations for mitigation proposed  

Nature Conservation Audit of Little Budworth SSSI Country Park for Cheshire County Council.

Complete audit of ecological importance of Little Budworth Common SSSI. 6 month project to cover botanical, entomological, amphibian, reptile mammal and bird surveys on this lowland heathland site, together with NVC of key areas and final report compilation.

Projects in 2000 – 2001

Baseline Entomological and Botanical Survey of Ashton’s and Neumann’s Flashes, Northwich.

Design and establishment of long-term monitoring of vegetation changes and changes in invertebrate communities on disused industrial land near Northwich.

Amphibian Survey and Mitigation, Cuckoo’s Nest, Pulford, Chester.

Survey of disused brickworks and surround land for amphibians, with particular emphasis on great crested newts. Mitigation plan prepared and licensed by Department of Environment, Transport and Regions and implemented.  

Ecological Survey and Assessment - Crewe Green Link Road for Cheshire County Council.

Ecological Survey and Assessment for new road through woodland and farmland. Surveys included amphibians, lesser-silver diving beetle, reptiles, water voles, badgers and white-clawed crayfish. Assessment of impacts and recommendations for mitigation proposed.

Protected Species Survey for ICI No 4 Water Main, Northwich.

Survey for badgers, bats, great crested newts along the route of the proposed No4 Cranage Water Main for ICI. Great crested newts present and mitigation plan prepared and licensed by DETR. Mitigation plan implemented.  

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Projects in 2000

Ecological Survey and Assessment - Gas Cavern Storage Project for ScottishPower.

Ecological survey and assessment of land for salt extraction and subsequent gas storage and associated pipeline and gas processing plant. Surveys included breeding birds, amphibians, water voles, badgers and Phase I. An assessment and evaluation of the probable impacts was also undertaken along with recommendations for mitigation.  

Nature Conservation Audit of Anderton Nature Park for Cheshire County Council.

Complete audit of ecological importance of Anderton Nature Park near Northwich. 6 month project to cover botanical, entomological, amphibian, mammal and bird surveys together with NVC of key areas and final report compilation.

Protected Species Survey - A538 Road Widening Scheme for Cheshire County Council.

Survey for badgers, great-crested newts and bats prior to widening if road. Mitigation plans also drawn up for great crested newts.

Reptile Survey for A5 Nescliffe Bypass for Catherine Bickmore Associates.

Survey for Common Lizard, Grass Snake, Smooth Snake and Adder along the route of the proposed A5 Nescliffe Bypass, Shropshire

Projects 1998 - 2000

Local and Regional Action Plans - for Butterfly Conservation and Local Butterfly Action Group as part of the Biodiversity Work including the compilation of Species Action Plans for White-letter Hairstreak, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Silver-studded Blue, Ringlet, Dingy Skipper and White-faced Darter including supervision of team of surveyors and report writing.

Projects 1997 – 2000

Amphibian Survey and Mitigation for Cheshire County Council on derelict land near Northwich.

Survey for amphibians, especially protected Great-crested Newts on land earmarked for Community Forest reclamation. Survey revealed presence of all three species of British Newt and Common Frog and Common Toad. Survey followed up with mitigation works - licence approved by English Nature. Resulted in capture of over 400 great-crested newts, 11,500 common toads, 1,000 smooth newts and 250 common frogs

Summary Of Other Projects

• Amphibian Survey and Mitigation for pipeline installations for power companies and ICI

• Amphibian Survey and Mitigation prior to quarrying operations

• Breeding Bird Survey on floodplain.

• Butterfly Conservation in the North West Conference for local branch of British Butterfly Conservation Society. Organised a one-day conference for 80 people on varying aspects of butterfly conservation in the North West of England. Speakers from English Nature, Royal Society for Protection of Birds, British Butterfly Conservation Society, Local Authorities and Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Copies of Conference Précis available.

• Butterfly monitoring on Heritage Lottery Fund nature reserves for Cheshire Wildlife Trust - five year medium term monitoring project

• Cheshire Roadside Verge Survey for Cheshire County Council. A Review of 90 verges identified in the early 1970’s as being of importance for nature conservation, together with the compilation of a register of existing verges of natural history value and recommendations for their future management.

• Common Bird Census on restored mossland after clear-felling and re-flooding

• Consultation on the Control of Ruddy Ducks in the UK. A short-term contract with English Nature consulting with landowners for permission to enter land to control Ruddy Duck. This was a consultation exercise to assess the response of landowners to the proposal.

• Design and construction supervision of birdwatching hides and screens

• Design and construction supervision of wetland nature reserve

• Design of Interpretation Materials for Nature Reserves and Country Parks

• Ecological Assessment of lowland heathland and mitigation / restoration proposals for Brine pipeline

• Ecological Assessment on various sites for ICI in association with pipeline establishment and replacement operations, complete with recommendations for amphibian mitigation.

• Landscape Proposals for ICI - for submission to County Council as part of planning permission to provide details of screening of brine extraction points in rural Cheshire.

• Local and Regional Action Plans - for Butterfly Conservation and Local Butterfly Action Group as part of the Biodiversity Work including the compilation of Species Action Plans for White-letter Hairstreak, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Silver-studded Blue, Ringlet, Dingy Skipper and White-faced Darter including supervision of team of surveyors and report writing.

• Odonata monitoring on Heritage Lottery Fund nature reserves for Cheshire Wildlife Trust - five year medium term monitoring project

• Ports of Entry Motorway Verge Survey for Department of Transport via Cheshire Ecological Services. Assessment of important grassland areas on Motorway embankments in Cheshire and Lancashire prior to mowing and provision of management guidelines as required. (1997)

• Preparation of Management Plans for Countryside Stewardship Applications for Cheshire Wildlife Trust

• Provision of Training Days on Lepidoptera and Odonata monitoring and identification for various organisations including Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and Warrington Ranger Service.

• Survey for breeding hobby and other Schedule I breeding birds for power company

• Vale Royal Nature Conservation Audit - a review of all the natural history resources within the Borough of Vale Royal in Cheshire. This work includes the mapping of all natural habitats, together with appropriate species lists and mana

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Client List

•  Alfred McAlpine Civil Engineering
•  Bannatyne Fitness
•  Barnes Walker Partnership
•  Bell Meadow Pulford Ltd
•  Bower Edleston Architects
•  British Waterways
•  Butterfly Conservation
•  Capesthorne Developments
•  Catherine Bickmore Associates
•  Central Science Laboratory
•  Cheshire Building Services
•  Cheshire County Council Countryside Management  Services
•  Cheshire County Council Engineering Services
•  Cheshire County Council Environmental Planning
•  Cheshire Wildlife Trust
•  Congleton Borough Council
•  Conservation Consultancy
•  Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council
•  Crosby Homes
•  Define Design
•  Duchy of Lancaster
•  English Nature
•  Environment Agency
•  F. Parks Construction
•  Fitzsimmons
•  Forest Enterprise
•  Grasscroft Homes
•  Greenleaf Projects
•  Gresty Developments
•  Grosvenor Estate
•  Groundwork – Stoke-on-Trent
•  Groundwork – Vale Royal and Macclesfield
•  Groundwork - St Helens
•  Groundwork - Manchester
•  Haslam Homes
•  HBG Properties Ltd
•  Hurstwood Developments
•  Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd
•  Hyder Consulting Ltd
•  ICI Halo-chemicals
•  Ineos Chlor
•  Ingenco
•  Intertechnic
•  JM & P Architects
•  Lancashire Wildlife Trust
•  Landmark
•  Miller Developments
•  Mouchel Parkman
•  National Power plc
•  Netley Hall Holidays
•  Oakhill Management
•  Penmarric plc
•  Pochin
•  PowerGen CHP
•  RGP Architects
•  Ryder Architects
•  SKM
•  Scottish Power
•  Shell Island
•  Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
•  STRI
•  Taylor Woodrow
•  Thomas Jones and Sons
•  Thornfield Developments
•  Tilcon (South) Ltd
•  United Utilities
•  Vale Royal Borough Council
•  Vian Homes
•  Warrington Borough Counci
•  WS Atkins

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