Ecology Advisory Services

For Further information and Tender documents please visit www.the-chest.org.uk ↗.

West Lancashire is a largely rural authority with some of the most valuable habitats for a wide range of protected species, many of which are designated as important international and national habitats. As part of its development management function the Council is keen to ensure that the impacts of development on protected sites and species are recognised and mitigated and that biodiversity is enhanced. The Council seeks expert advice from Ecological Consultancies to help achieve this through an Ecological Development Advice Service.

West Lancashire Borough Council receives a diverse mix of planning applications from rural barn conversions to major residential development schemes, which have wide-ranging ecological impacts. Over the last 3 years, the Council has on average made 55 consultation requests per annum to our current ecological provider and our current contract provides for 1000 hours of ecology service officer time. West Lancashire Borough Council supports and contributes to the maintenance of the Lancashire Environmental Records network, hosted by Lancashire County Council and the Council's ecological consultants will have access to this record for development management purposes.