Focus Ecology Portfolio
Since its formation in early 2010 Focus Ecology has already established a wide client base and a significant number of exciting contracts. A small selection of our current and recent projects is listed below. We have also illustrated an assortment of historical projects which form the basis of the Director’s extensive professional experience.
Ecological Consultancy:
Site: Cashes Green, Stroud Client: Housing Association (2010)
Focus Ecology was instructed to undertaken extensive ecological surveys, including Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey, full bat activity surveys, badger survey and reptile survey to update existing survey information in preparation for planning. This large re-development scheme involves the construction of 78 new residential dwelling and the re-instatement of 1.70acres of new allotment plots. A mitigation scheme for the site incorporating the protected species on-site (bats, badgers and slow-worms) is currently being drawn up in association with the housing association, architect and Focus Ecology.
Site: Didsbury Point, Manchester Client: Developer of Healthcare Facilities (2010)
Focus Ecology’s client proposed to construct a new hospital at a site in Didsbury in collaboration with architects Foster + Partners and Taylor Young Ltd. Focus Ecology was appointed to undertake an ecological appraisal of the site and third party data search.
Site: Trebandy Farm, Ross-on-Wye Client: Natural England (2010)
Natural England commissioned Focus Ecology to produce a Management Plan of an Ox-bow Lake feature to support the Higher Level Stewardship agreement for the farm. As part of the management document, baseline date was collected including an Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey, River Habitat Survey and analytical measures of both plants and invertebrates, which required the use of PSYM (Predictive System for Multimetrics) analysis.
Site: King’s Sutton Flood Alleviation Scheme Client: Parkwood Consultancy Services (2010)
The Parish Council is investigating flood alleviation scheme options for the village of King’s Sutton, Northamptonshire. In preparation for funding the project, Focus Ecology was commissioned to make an assessment of the ecological impact of the various options for the flood prevention scheme.
Site: Hinton-on-the-Green, Evesham Client: Private Individual (2010)
Focus Ecology were commissioned to carry out a protected species survey in preparation for the client’s application to convert the timber-framed stone barn into a commercial office development. With the identification of a lesser horseshoe bat roost within the barn, Focus Ecology is working with the architect to ensure that provision for this rare bat species is accommodated within the conversion proposals.
Site: Hilperton, Trowbridge Client: Housing Association (2010)
The proposals for the site at Marsh Lane are to demolish the existing residential dwelling and replace the existing garden with a new residential development comprising 18 houses. Focus Ecology was appointed to carry out any update baseline Phase 1 Habitat survey to support a Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) assessment and bat activity surveys to form the basis of a Natural England licence application.
Lecturing:
Client: Hartpury College, Gloucestershire
Delivery of guest lectures on the subjects of Endangered Species Licensing, Habitat Management and Biodiversity to undergraduate level students.
Historical Experience:
Site: Road Scheme in Bedfordshire Client: Multi-disciplinary Consultancy
Execution of bat activity surveys (hibernation visits, transaction surveys and daytime habitat assessments) for online road improvements of a major highway servicing Bedford.
Site: Bypass Scheme in Buckinghamshire Client: County Council
Undertaking of full ecological surveys and impact assessment of the bypass scheme options. Ecological input into route alignment and mitigation proposals.
Site: Motorway Widening Scheme, Watford Client: Multi-disciplinary Consultancy
Undertaking of full riparian surveys (including surveys for white-clawed crayfish, water vole, otter, aquatic invertebrates). Data acquisition included River Habitat Surveys and MTR Vegetation Survey to assess the potential impact of motorway widening on chalk streams.