At the practice we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver cost effective projects from inception to completion on time and on budget. We routinely encourage our clients to identify potential ecological constraints at the outset since in doing so costly delays to the programme can often be avoided. Our in-depth knowledge of current legislation and environmental policy means we can devise strategies to avoid conflict and achieve positive conservation gain, a useful marketing tool.

With rational planning and guidance we act as an intermediary between our clients, the LPA and statutory consultees to achieve an outcome that is agreeable to all parties in the shortest possible time. Our approach has previously been commended.

A range of legislation and policy guidance covering ecological issues exists and this differs throughout the UK. Surveys for protected species are generally a material consideration in planning applications and it is often essential for detailed information to be obtained at outline application stage. Large schemes may require a full ecological impact assessment as part of an EIA and where an SSSI, SPA, cSAC etc. is likely to be affected, an appropriate assessment may be required.

What Keystone can do for Developers...

• We carry out pre-purchase ecological appraisals to identify development constraints. Depending on the outcome our clients may decide to avoid the purchase or negotiate a reduced price to cover the necessary mitigation
  
  
• We undertake terrestrial, freshwater and coastal habitat surveys
  
  
• We carry out species specific surveys specialising in protected, rare and endangered species
  
  
• In consultation with statutory organisations we undertake appropriate assessments
  
  
• We liaise closely with all parties involved to ensure that all relevant information is submitted as part of the planning application. We have always been successful in this approach
  
  
• We conduct ecological impact assessments which can be used to form part of an ES
  
  
• We can apply for European Protected Species and Badger sett closure/disturbance licenses on behalf of our clients
  
  
• We design innovative mitigation schemes that combine ecology and nature conservation with development to fulfil sustainable development policies
  
  
• Our in-house contracting department can implement mitigation schemes on site thereby reducing the risk of miscommunication, delays and the costs associated with third party involvement
  
  
• We conduct during and post development monitoring, often as part of a licence condition, to provide feedback on the success of mitigation schemes