Habitat Creation
Design and construct habitats...
If you need to construct specific habitats for protected species to fulfil planning requirements or enhance biodiversity, here at JPR Environmental, we have the skills to do this work. We have the resources and equipment to design and construct specific habitats based on our clients’ needs, locations, and the species present.
Our staff have many years of experience working with protected species including great crested newts, slow worms, badgers, water voles and crayfish to name a few. We are highly proficient at creating ponds, scrapes, swales, wildlife corridors, hibernacula and wildlife fencing to ensure the targeted species can flourish.
Enhancing biodiversity
JPR are experts in the provision of new, or the extension of existing ecosystems with the aim of enhancing biodiversity and the associated benefits that come from that.
We can manage your habitat creation project including the restoration or creation of valuable habitats and install features on site for use by protected species.
Specifically, we can advise on, manage, and carry out the following habitat creation works:
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Create wildlife corridors across development sites
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Create habitat for biodiversity net gain
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Create hibernacula for protected species and protected habitats
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Supply and plant to create habitat and in particular, marginal aquatics
We can evaluate and interpret your needs, work out a plan of action and provide ongoing, practical management of the site. We have the experience, plant, and equipment to carry out the required earthworks or supervise other contractors. We work collaboratively with other contractors on site and have built relationships over the years with other suppliers and contractors to cover all aspects of a project.
Get in touch by either phone (01453 822584) or email us to discuss your needs. Alternatively complete our contact form.
If you are considering a habitat project for your land, then be sure to check out the information we have put together on the various funding sources available.
Habitat case studies:
Why is habitat creation so important?
We have heard a lot recently about the loss of habitat in the UK – some 90% of UK wetlands have been destroyed in the last 100 years for example.
Wetlands are the most effective carbon sinks on the planet and provide food and habitat for 40% of the world’s plants and animals. Establishing functional habitats for certain species allows both the organisms and the environment to progress in a mutually beneficial way. Creating habitat to increase biodiversity is not only beneficial to the environment but can be a planning requirement for development. Connectivity through habitats is a vital aspect of this, where proper project management can allow for multiple species to thrive in one area.
Related Services:
A Guide to Biodiversity Net Gain
The Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) principle is aimed at ensuring that any development that impacts the environment will eventually have a net positive effect. Once passed into law with the new Environment Bill, biodiversity net gain will be an essential part of any new development that impacts the environment.
Developers will need to show that either within their developments and/or by creating offset land away from the development, they have produced a net gain to the environment of at least 10%. An ecologist or landscape architect will be able to help put plans together that fulfil the requirements to ensure that developments pass through the planning stage with local authorities. It is wise to get plans in place early in the development lifecycle – the earlier a plan is in place for biodiversity net gain, the more it will become a natural part of the development.
JPR Environmental can help developers once plans are in place with the following services:
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Site clearance, particularly where there are sensitivities due to protected species
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Habitat creation including planting and wetland creation
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Habitat translocation including hedgerows and grasslands
We are experienced at working with ecologists and landscape architects with the aim of accurately interpreting plans and designs and making them a reality on the ground. Our staff have many years of experience working with protected species and the company has a wide variety of plant and equipment that is both efficient but has minimal impact on the environment.
Biodiversity Net Gain FAQs
How will biodiversity net gain be measured?
Planning policy will require the achievement of an increase in biodiversity as measured using a biodiversity metric such as Natural England’s Biodiversity Metric. This metric is used to assess the baseline biodiversity unit value of a site, and then to calculate the predicted unit value of the developed site based on the proposed plans. It allows different on-site and offsite compensation scenarios to be modelled and the creation and long-term management costs to be compared.
What are the Standards of Practice?
The British Standard BS 8683 - Process for designing and implementing Biodiversity Net Gain. BS 8683 is a new British Standard that sets out a process for implementing biodiversity net gain (BNG), which is an approach to development and land management that leaves biodiversity in a measurably better state than before. CIEEM have developed, along with other organisations, a good-practice guide for implement BNG: C766a Good Practice Principles for Development. Many ecological consultancies adhere to these principles.
Can the net gain be offset?
If it is not possible to achieve a net gain in biodiversity on site whilst still delivering a viable project, developers will be able to contribute at a local or regional project to offset their development. This might actually result in greater gains for biodiversity overall and could be easier for the developer to work into their plans. However, the metrics used to measure biodiversity net gain for planning will favour plans that are either on site or very close to the site and score them accordingly.