Some invertebrate species are protected under UK legislation such as the Stag Beetle and Southern Damselfly or are Priority Species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Since local authorities and government agencies are obliged to consider these species their presence or absence must therefore be established when making a planning application and to ensure compliance with protective legislation. Other invertebrates are Red Data Book and Nationally Notable Species and it is considered best practice to consider such species in Environmental Impact Assessments.

At Keystone we employ aquatic and terrestrial specialists to advise our clients on the complexities of planning requirements, the law and the resulting constraints for any given scheme. Non-compliance with the law can lead to prosecution and a jail sentence of up to 2 years and/or a fine of up to £5000.

Survey and Assessment

Our surveyors carry out both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate surveys for a wide variety of development, conservation and research schemes.

They have extensive experience of the following:

• Preliminary invertebrate site assessments based on habitat quality
• Aquatic invertebrate surveys to assess biological water quality to ensure compliance with the Water Framework Directive
• Species specific surveys e.g. for Stag Beetles
• Monitoring invertebrate populations at designated sites e.g. SSSI's, National Parks
• Freshwater site sampling
• Kick sampling and stone turning
• Pit trapping
• Light trapping
• Site quality scores and site rarity scores

Licence Applications

A licence is not required where development activities may result in the disturbance and/or loss of invertebrate species. However, impacts to invertebrates and mitigation strategies are approved by the relevant local planning authority and statutory consultees if the scheme is the subject of a planning application. In these circumstances we act as an intermediary between our clients, the LPA and statutory consultees to achieve an outcome that is favourable to all parties concerned.

Impact Assessment

Impact assessment is required at various scales and is fundamental to the design of a successful mitigation strategy. We have undertaken impact assessments for invertebrates that range from concise reports for small scale planning applications to the ecology section of an ES for large scale projects.

Mitigation

Mitigation for impacts to invertebrates is highly species and site specific.

Our expertise covers:

• Advice on proposed works to avoid impacts
• Advise on the timing of works that may affect invertebrates
• Production of phasing plans for activities that will impact upon invertebrates
• Design and creation of compensatory habitats
• Restoration and enhancement of existing habitats to be retained within a scheme
• Advice on appropriate landscape planting
• Tool box talks and contractor briefings
• Management and monitoring plans