Following community consultation events held over the summer, the application will now be reviewed by the council, with a decision expected early next year. If approved, the development will bring new employment and supply chain opportunities to the local area, alongside contributions to education and healthcare facilities.
Baker Consultants carried out the initial ecological assessment of the site, identifying the need for a range of protected species and habitat surveys. Our team undertook barn owl checks of the buildings, badger surveys of the site and surrounding land, great crested newt eDNA, water vole and MoRPH river surveys of the on-site stream, as well as acoustic surveys for breeding birds and bats.
We also completed Biodiversity Net Gain calculations, working closely with the client to ensure the proposed scheme would deliver a 10% net gain for biodiversity through habitat creation and enhancement measures. Having worked with the Banks Group on previous projects, we’re delighted to be involved in another scheme and to support their ongoing commitment to developments that bring the right mix of social, economic and environmental benefits.
This project demonstrates how early ecological input and collaboration can help shape sustainable developments that balance new housing needs with meaningful biodiversity outcomes. We look forward to continuing our work with the Banks Group on future projects that prioritise nature-positive design.
The Baker Consultants team is highly experienced and we are passionate about what we do. If you need advice related to ecology, surveys or conservation, then please get in touch with us via our contact form on the website, or you can call us on +44 (0)1629 593958 or email us on info@bakerconsultants.co.uk.