Ecological Advice

Corporate contract with customers in departments including but not limited to Environment (Parks), Housing (Asset Development) and Engineering. This service is required to appraise the ecological impact of plans, policies, programmes or projects. The service includes but is not limited to: • Review and validation of ecological information received in support of planning applications, including for example on bio-diversity net gain, Environmental Impact Assessment and those requiring an Appropriate Assessment. • Preparation of Appropriate Assessments to accompany planning applications. • Ecological advice on Local Plan Biodiversity Policy scope and content. • Preparation of a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for any plan, policy, programme or project requiring an HRA including but not limited to HRA for the BCP Local Plan. • Expert witness support at Local Plan public examination and public inquiries. • Ecological advice on the BCP Local Plan assessment under any relevant legislation, current and future, including that which may take effect as a result of the UK leaving the European Union. • Evaluation of and advice on reports and other documents submitted to BCP Council in relation to the development of the Local Plan and planning applications.