Thomson Ecology provides specialist
input to environmental scoping reports, environmental
statements and strategic environmental impact assessments.
We also undertake detailed species-specific surveys
and prepare and implement mitigation strategies for
protected species under licence or agreement with
the relevant statutory body.
Recent projects:
Rochester
Riverside,
South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) /
Halcrow
Rochester Riverside is a flagship regeneration
scheme in the heart of Medway, designed to respond
to the environmental and historic context of
its location and offer long term benefits for
its residents and visitors. The scheme had to
address a number of site specific issues including
upgrading existing flood defences and decontamination
of the site. An ecological impact assessment
of the new development was required, as part
of the EIA.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to undertake
a desk study and field surveys of the site. Phase
1 and NVC surveys were carried out as well as
surveys for invertebrates, breeding birds, reptiles,
amphibians, otters, badgers and bats. Thomson
Ecology was also commissioned to write the terrestrial
biodiversity chapter for the Environmental Statement.
Cambridge Guided Busway (CGB),
Cambridgeshire County Council / ARUP
In line with its wider transport strategy Cambridgeshire
County Council propose to convert a disused
railway line into a guided busway, with the
aim of providing a high quality, local public
transport system. In order to implement the
scheme the County Council was required to submit
a Transport and Works Act (TWA) Order Application
to Government. The application had to be accompanied
by an Environmental Statement describing the
environmental effects of the project and identifying
any adverse and beneficial impacts, together
with plans for mitigation measures.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to carry out
great crested newt surveys on seventy eight waterbodies
along the route of the disused railway corridor
and to provide a survey report in support of
the Environmental Statement. Where great crested
newts were found a population size class assessment
was also produced. The surveys were carried out
under licence from English Nature.
Upton Way Flood Attenuation
Area,
English Partnerships / Halcrow
Northampton Borough Council, together with English
Partnerships, propose a major regeneration development
which includes building within the defended floodplain
of the River Nene. The Environment Agency required
that adequate mitigation be provided to compensate
for the loss of potential flood storage. The
Upton Way reservoir was proposed as a means for
providing the compensation for lost flood storage
potential resulting from the development. This
would include the removal of an existing flood
levy and a bridge crossing the A45. Some channel
excavation would also be required to improve
conveyance of flood flows in the River Nene.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to undertake
surveys for aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial
invertebrates, water voles, otters, badgers and
bats. Phase 1, NVC and surveys of trees and hedgerows
were also carried out, as well as a river corridor
survey. An evaluation of the magnitude and significance
of the impacts of the creation of the flood water
storage area on the habitats, flora and fauna
present within the survey area was produced,
taking into account the value of the features
affected. With the relevant legislation and policies
in mind, avoidance, mitigation and compensation
measures were proposed to minimise the impacts
of the development on nature conservation.
Household
Waste Recycling Transfer Stations.
Viridor Waste management/Babtie Group
Viridor Waste Management, a national waste management
company, propose to develop six sites in South
East England as Household Waste Recycling Transfer
Stations. The proposed development is part of
an on-going scheme by Viridor to help municipal
clients meet recycling targets and reduce volumes
going to landfill.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to undertake surveys for great crested newts,
reptiles, badgers, water voles and trees as potential bat roosts. Where appropriate
the surveys were carried out under licence from English Nature and the results
included in a wider environmental study.
Frimley Sewer Storage Shaft Construction,
Thames Water Utilities Ltd
Thames Water propose to install a sewer chamber
within a 40m by 40m vegetated area, in which
grass snake and common lizard have been recorded.
The previous survey concluded that the area provided
suitable habitat for common lizard and was sustaining
a small breeding population of the species. It
also observed that the area fell within the home
range of a grass snake population, and that the
site could have been used for both breeding and
feeding.
The installation of the sewer chamber, which
would be 10m in diameter and 20m deep, would
require total clearance of the vegetation. Upon
completion of the project, the area will be re-instated
and allowed to re-vegetate naturally.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to devise and
implement a reptile mitigation strategy. The
primary objective of the mitigation strategy
being to avoid the killing and injury of reptiles
during the construction of the sewer chamber.
A two phase approach was adopted. An initial
site assessment was undertaken, to determine
the extent and distribution of suitable reptile
habitat within, and neighbouring, the site. A
mitigation strategy, devised to meet the above
objective, was prepared based upon the findings
of the site assessment.
Converted Railway Line Scheme
Docklands Light Railway / ERM
Docklands Light Railway is progressing a scheme
to convert an existing railway line to DLR operation.
The new DLR line would connect Stratford International
with Canning Town, with a link to the existing
DLR Beckton line. The Thames Gateway area is
identified in the London Plan (2002) as ‘The
Mayor’s priority area for development,
regeneration and infrastructure improvement’ and
this new line would serve key regeneration sites.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to undertake
an extended Phase 1 habitat survey and provide
an impact assessment as well as recommendations
for mitigation, further survey and residual
impacts. Our specialist team hold Personal
Track Safety
certificates and are experienced in dealing
with the conflicts and opportunities that
arise between
railways and biodiversity.
River Tweed, SEPA / Environment Agency, GeoData Institute
A large number of sites on the River Tweed river system in Scotland were selected for survey by SEPA. Data collected using the river habitat survey technique (RHS) allows river systems to be compared and characterised at a national scale. In addition, as part of the development of a geomorphological river habitat survey (Geo-RHS) by the Environment Agency and the GeoData Institute, each RHS site on the River Tweed was also used to field-test the Geo-RHS methodology.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to carry out a large portion of the RHS survey work. This involved reliable data collection as well as taking photographs at varied locations along the river system. In addition our surveyors collected data characterising the physical nature of the river and its wider floodplain for Geo-RHS. Thomson Ecology is among the first in the country to be accredited with this new survey technique.
Ecological Component of BREEAM Assessment,
Bennetts Associates Architects
A site within London's square-mile was proposed for a mixed-use development comprising housing, offices, retail outlets and recreation facilities, following a sustainable design.
Thomson Ecology was commissioned to conduct an extended Phase 1 habitat survey, including an assessment of the site's potential to support protected species such as bats and black redstarts, and species of conservation concern.
As part of the BREEAM Design and Procurement Assessment it was necessary to conduct an ecological assessment of the site prior to demolition of existing buildings. BRE's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is used to assess the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings. It is regarded by the UK's construction and property sectors as the measure of best practice in environmental design and management
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