September 2011 Newsletter
Planning ahead for Landscape, Trees and Ecology
As we approach the autumn and winter months, we are entering the ideal time to make preparations for planning & development schedules for 2012.
We always say that planning ahead can give you a clear picture of what issues you face, enabling you to make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcome for those objectives, effectively ‘heading potential problems off at the pass’.
There is a vast array of landscape, tree and ecology issues that can be planned and implemented over the coming months; in many respects we are entering an optimum time for identifying and tackling many of the issues that are encountered on development projects.
Ecology issues that can be planned during the coming months include feasibility studies and Phase I Extended Habitat surveys to progress the planning process and allow programming of further species-specific surveys during optimum periods, should any protected species be an issue.
In respect of landscape, the forthcoming months can be used to prepare sites and of course carry out planting works at a time of year when plant costs should be at their lowest.
Don’t forget that the autumn is one of the best times of year for surveying trees as many fungi that affect them will at their most visible at this time of year. Overall, autumn and winter months are ideal for many landscape, tree or ecology related activities and not necessarily just a period for hibernation!
Addressing landscape, tree & ecology issues at the earliest stage can increase your chances of planning approval first time round, reduce delays with the progress of an application, and most importantly, reduce costs.
Our integrated approach to landscape, trees and ecology issues can save you time and money. Please contact us today if you have a specific project in mind.
Time to Treat Japanese Knotweed
The autumn months can be an ideal time to treat Japanese Knotweed in the most efficient and effective manner.
Through its aggressive growth, Japanese Knotweed can cause extensive damage to buildings, foundations, and roads. If addressed incorrectly, or simply ignored, this can result in significant costs, both in financial terms and in delays to projects.
Quick identification of Japanese knotweed on a site can enable you to assess and cost options for destroying, disposing of or managing it, and avoid potentially excessive damage to buildings and hard surfaces.
We are regularly instructed to advise on the management of invasive plants (including Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam & Giant Hogweed), providing clients with cost effective solutions to suit budgets and development programmes and to ensure that client teams comply with legal obligations.
Proactively dealing with invasive species will also reduce the risk of potential prosecution, as well as compensation claims from third party landowners, as there are many legal requirements to adhere to if these highly invasive species should appear on your land.
If you think that you may have Japanese Knotweed, or indeed any other invasive species either on a development or in the vicinity, please contact us for a consultation or for further information on our ecology services.
New Ecology Services
Pinnacle Environment is delighted to welcome Valerie Wheeler to the team.
Valerie is a qualified ecologist and brings many years of experience in ecology surveying and consultancy to complement the existing services that we provide.
Adding to our existing suite of ecology services, we are able to provide surveys for a range of ecological issues, including:
• Bat surveys
• Badger surveys
• Great Crested Newt surveys
• Barn Owl surveys
Early identification of any of these species will give you the best chance to work towards decreasing the costs associated with planning applications.
Forward thinking will also allow you to increase efficiency through the ability to plan a range of mitigation schemes, satisfying environmental and planning regulations and offering a proactive approach to ecology issues.
If you are interested in any of these services, please contact our ecology team on 0845 463 4404.
Last few weeks for Bat Surveys
Bat surveys can be carried out until the end of the optimum survey season, which tails off at the end of September.
The 2012 optimum Bat survey season commences in spring, so having a survey carried out within the next month can help to ensure that development plans are not unnecessarily delayed.
It is still possible to carry out surveys throughout the winter months to identify the potential for bat roosts, however winter is a sub-optimal period for carrying out bat surveys therefore results may be of limited value.
If you need further advice on bats, or any other protected species, please contact our ecology team on 0845 463 4404.
If you are interested in any of our services, or are simply interested in gaining some more information any of these topics, please email us at info@landscapetreesecology.com.
