Ecology

Feasibility studies and pre-acquisition audits provide clients with objective advice and an early understanding of a site’s ecological viability and potential constraints. They help inform strategies for the retention, enhancement, and creation of habitats and species opportunities, with these insights shaping client requirements and guiding the development of the project brief.

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) assesses the biodiversity value of a site, the potential impacts of proposed development or activities, and identifies mitigation requirements and opportunities for ecological enhancement, including Biodiversity Net Gain. It typically combines a desk study with a field survey carried out by an ecologist and highlights any need for further surveys to establish a full ecological baseline.

The PEA provides early-stage advice to developers and project teams on ecological constraints and requirements. While it does not usually provide enough detail to fully support a planning application, it is a valuable tool for informing design decisions and helping to manage programme timelines and budgets.

Keystone has been delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) surveys and strategies since 2016, supporting clients across a wide range of sectors throughout England. Our expertise spans BNG assessments for planning applications, habitat banking opportunities, and site enhancement strategies, helping clients achieve compliant, measurable, and lasting biodiversity improvements.

We offer a comprehensive range of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) services, from pre-acquisition audits and baseline habitat assessments through to the preparation and implementation of Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs). Our support includes habitat surveys and condition assessments, BNG calculations, strategy development, habitat creation and enhancement, and the delivery of habitat offsetting solutions.

The introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements for Town and Country Planning Act developments in February 2024 established a new benchmark for development projects, requiring measurable improvements to biodiversity as part of the planning process.

Equivalent requirements for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) were introduced in 2026, with legislation allowing for ongoing review and the potential for increasingly ambitious targets over time. Together, these regulations ensure that development delivers demonstrable and lasting benefits for biodiversity.

We undertake protected species and habitat surveys to inform all stages of the development process and project delivery.

We maximise efficiency in data collection and presentation, through blended use of technology and personnel. With drone pilots, tree climbers and IRATA operatives we collect survey information including difficult to access sites. We present data in a variety of ways, including live outputs to benefit client programming.

An Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) follows a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and is used to evaluate the potential ecological effects of a proposed development, or other actions.

An EcIA report is a key requirement of the planning and decision-making process, providing an understanding of the current ecological baseline of a site and the surrounding area. It presents an assessment of the potential changes from proposed development, and sets out the mitigation strategy to avoid, mitigate, compensate or offset the impacts.

Competent Authorities must protect European designated sites through a Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA), which may include:

Stage 1: Screening

Stage 2: Appropriate Assessment

Stage 3: Derogation

If likely significant ecological effects cannot be ruled out at screening, an Appropriate Assessment is required to identify mitigation measures. In exceptional cases, derogation may allow projects with adverse effects to proceed if strict criteria are met.

Projects must provide sufficient information, including baseline ecological data and assessment findings, to enable the competent authority to carry out the HRA.

We provide cost-effective GIS, remote sensing, and data management services to diverse clients, including public bodies, utilities, developers, and landowners.

Our CIEEM accredited ecologists combine field expertise with advanced technology, working collaboratively to deliver efficient data collection, analysis, and visualisation.

Our team includes drone pilots and specialists in remote data capture tools such as thermal imaging, camera traps, and bioacoustic recorders. We use advanced software and techniques including; photogrammetry, AI, and machine learning, to process and interpret data effectively.

We provide expert advice on species licensing and site consents to minimise project impacts, ensure legal compliance, and maintain best practice. Our ecologists hold protected species survey licences and are named on site, and project specific licences, with strategies delivered by our in-house contracting team and supported by experienced Ecology Clerks of Works (ECoW).

We secure licences and consents for planning, construction, and habitat management, and support their implementation on site. Our team also uses alternative evidence approaches, where appropriate, to reduce standard survey requirements, particularly when driven by programme or budget constraints.

We have developed particular expertise in supporting clients with Policy 4 Licence Applications, helping to streamline the process while ensuring robust and compliant ecological justification.

We produce Ecology, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans for a wide range of sectors and purposes, including planning, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), protected species licensing, and site management.

The plans are produced by our ecologists and informed by our in-house contracting team to ensure that methods are practical, and objectives are met in accordance with legislative, policy and best practice requirements.

We have extensive experience of designing and delivering ecology mitigation strategies for a range of purposes, including Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and planning applications, discharging planning conditions, site management, licensing and consents.

Our strategies address species and habitat mitigation requirements, on a site-based to landscape scale.

Our ecologists undertake monitoring and auditing of sites for a range of purposes, including planning, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), licensing and consents, and to inform ongoing habitat management.

We ensure that the level of monitoring and auditing is proportionate to the needs of the project, whilst staying robust and acceptable to stakeholders and regulators.