Thomson Ecology - Ecological impact assessment for Scottish and Southern Energy |

Scottish and Southern Energy

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Scottish and Southern Energy planned to undertake extensions to their Coal Fired Generating Station at Fiddler’s Ferry, near Warrington, in order to include a Gas Desulphurising Plant.

Thomson Ecology was commissioned by ERM, who were co-ordinating the Environmental Impact Assessment, to undertake an extended Phase I habitat survey of the land within the Fiddler’s Ferry Power Station site. This survey identified suitable habitat for a number of protected species, including great crested newts. Further surveys found that great crested newts were indeed breeding in the waterbodies located to the north-east of the site in an educational resource which included a nature reserve. As these were within 500m of the development site boundary it was highly likely that the site could be used by the newts for foraging and over wintering. Without appropriate ecological mitigation, there could be a risk of killing and injuring great crested newts (a criminal act which can carry a maximum fine of £5000 per great crested newt).

Scottish and Southern Energy commissioned Thomson Ecology to undertake mitigation for the proposed works. A licence was granted (on the condition that the mitigation works would follow the approved method statement precisely) and work commenced.

In the first ten days of trapping 25 newts were caught and a total of over 100 were caught by the end of the 90 days trapping period (a Natural England methodology requirement). The newts were transferred to the nature reserve and then work at the power station could commence.

Scottish and Southern Energy also commissioned our sister company, Thomson Habitats, to create new habitat for the newts, including new ponds and woodland, greatly benefitting the local newt population and increasing the nature reserve in size. A win: win for power supply and the great crested newts!