BSG was once again present at our stand at the Renewables UK conference this year in Manchester. Dr Peter Shepherd presented a paper to the conference session on ecological evidence titled “A Review of Ecological Issues at Wind Farm Public Inquiry Decisions”. The paper arose out of research Peter undertook in support of appearances over the last few years as an expert witness for appellants at public inquiries into wind farm applications.
Baker Shepherd Gillespie is now recruiting a Principal Consultant for its Oxford office. The successful candidate will: provide evidence of practical field skills and an understanding of ecological principles; demonstrate clear thinking about the policy, legislative and political drivers that shape our professional advice; and have excellent client-facing and management skills. The ability to produce clear, unambiguous verbal and written advice to clients and co-professionals is essential.
Dr Peter Shepherd recently took part in a series of interviews for a new exhibition at the Brussels Natural History Museum. The interviews are screened as part of a new exhibit at the museum on urban biodiversity. Peter’s contribution to the exhibition is about the wildlife found in urban parks.
In recent years considerable research has been undertaken looking at the impacts of wind turbines on bats. In May researchers gathered at a conference at Trondheim, Norway, to talk about their work, which has implications for the renewable energy industry.
We have recently extensively updated our Renewables website with new information, including reviews of wind farm monitoring papers, our initial thoughts with regard to the Bat Conservation Trust survey guidance and information on the services we offer to the renewables industry.
Jersey’s Island Plan came into force in June 2011, carrying with it clear statements about the importance of protecting, promoting and enhancing the natural environment. It also makes clear a requirement to support planning applications that might affect important or protected biodiversity sites with an appropriate level of ecological information.
James Gillespie and Kirsty Kirkham attended the Infrastructure Show on Monday 17 October in Birmingham where they took in some fascinating talks about major project delivery across rail, road, water and other infrastructure sectors.
The first European conference about onshore wind energy and wildlife impacts took place in Trondheim, Norway, earlier this year. The Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts (CCW 2011) brought together experts from all over the world to share experiences on how wind power affects wildlife.
A major conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts was held at Trondheim, Norway in May 2011. This event brought together many of the leading international researchers on wind farm-wildlife interactions. BSG is in the process of collating and reviewing many of the studies that are most pertinent to the UK.
Our work with organisations like the National Trust, English Heritage, Cadw and the Wye Valley AONB project means that we regularly undertake ecological surveys of historic buildings and their grounds. The sometimes unique nature of these sites means that successful survey can require some creative thinking and the development of non-standard approaches.
