A Phase 1 Habitat survey or Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is often the initial ecological survey requirement for a project.

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is an initial assessment of any potential ecological impacts that might be caused by a project, and an exercise to determine what type of further surveys will need to be carried out.

A PEA may form the basis for an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), which is the completed assessment, taking into account all of the required further survey work and mitigation strategies.

Typically a PEA will include the following elements.

• A desk study to find out existing biological information about a site and its locality, included nearby sites designated for wildlife, and existing records for protected species. Most projects require a records search from a local biological records centre, for which a fee is charged;
• A Phase 1 habitat survey to identify the habitat types present on site and within the zone of influence of the project, as well as identifying ecological features and habitats with the potential to support protected species;
• Recording of animal, bird and plant species actually noted on site, especially protected or notable species or exotic, invasive plants;
• An appraisal of the anticipated ecological impacts of the project;
• Recommendations for further survey – where not enough information exists to determine potential impacts (usually in relation to protected species);
• Recommendations for mitigation strategies – how adverse ecological impacts can be avoided or minimised;
• Recommendations for habitat enhancement – measures integrated into the project design to provide gains for targeted species and wider biodiversity.

For smaller projects a full assessment of habitats present may not be appropriate, but a scaled down approach with an emphasis on protected species scoping may still be required.

For planning purposes, a PEA will often need to be supported by the results of any recommended further survey work, or relevant mitigation strategies (Hence forming a full Ecological Impact Assessment).

However, in some cases (where there are minimal risks to protected species, and any mitigation is simple), it may be suitable as a stand-alone document.

Please contact Gould Ecology if you require a Phase 1 Habitat survey, Preliminary Ecological Appraisal or Ecological Impact Assessment. We will be happy to answer any questions and provide a quotation.