Following recent ecosystem services review work undertaken by BSG Ecology, Steven Betts, a partner in our Berwick Upon Tweed office, recently attended the IEEM spring conference where the topic was under discussion.
Senior Ecologist Vicky Armitage, a founder member of the Northumbria Mammal Group, has recently contributed to an important new publication – the culmination of an ambitious project to produce a book about the mammals of North East England. It is the first account of all the mammal species across the region since 1864 – a gap of 150 years.
There is currently considerable uncertainty as to the extent to which bats migrate in and out of the UK from Continental Europe, although many experts in UK bat ecology consider that some degree of migration occurs
Working in conjunction with Hanson Aggregates Ltd and the RSPB, BSG Ecology staff have created an otter holt at a gravel pit in Oxfordshire. The site has been chosen by the RSPB as a Nature After Minerals case study site, and is in the process …
BSG Ecology regularly provides ecological input to BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Home (CfSH) assessments. It is our experience that the ecological (biodiversity) aspects of BREEAM and CfSH are an area where clients are often unaware of what is required. In the viewpoint below, BSG …
Introduction Biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of disease in UK amphibian populations were a topic of discussion at the Herpetofauna Workers Meeting 2012, attended by BSG Senior Ecologist Natalie White. This article presents an overview of the symptoms of, and research on, the two …
Sian Mitchell and Kate Vincent attended a very stimulating Ecobuild 2012 last week in London where views were exchanged with a whole range of co-professionals, in particular architects and planners working in organisations large and small. Sian reports, “It was very interesting to find that …
BSG Ecology has been delivering ecological survey and assessment in support of wind farm and large single turbine applications for a considerable time. Over the past year, however, we have begun to field a considerable number of queries about small-scale turbines, typically to provide electricity …
In 2011 BREEAM updated its guidance for new building assessment registrations and certifications. This has implications for those tasked with carrying out ecological assessments where BREEAM is an issue.
A decision by the Secretary of State (SoS) on a public inquiry into residential development at land south of Wallisdown Road, Poole was published on 28th February (PINS Ref: APP/Q1255/V/10/2138124). This was a key case called in by the SoS as it involved residential and associated development within 400m of Talbot Heath, which is part of the Dorset Heaths SPA. Understandably Natural England and the RSPB had maintained an objection to the scheme throughout the planning process as this represented a significant departure from their published guidance on development near heathland sites. The decision to grant planning permission by Borough of Poole Council has been overturned by this decision.
