A Case Study

National Grid’s Southwest Development Project

We are the appointed ecologist for National Grid Electricity Distribution strategic redevelopment of the Devon and Cornwall electric grid. This includes the following projects:

Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol, BS2 0TB
Moor Lane, Exeter, EX2 7JF (Exeter City Council)
Sowton Ind Estate, Exeter, EX2 7WP (Exeter City Council)
Elliott Road, Plymouth, PL4 0SD (Plymouth City Council)
Wakehams Quarry, Plymouth, PL9 7JT (Plymouth City Council)
Pavor Road, Torquay, TQ2 8BQ (Torbay Council)

The Overview

Our original instruction was to support the Moor Lane project through planning. Moor Lane entailed drawing together the ecological history of the site to prepare reporting to support the planning permission. This included Bat Emergence Surveys, a Hazel dormouse survey, and technical notes on badgers and invasive species.

Services Provided Include…

A hand-drawn graphic of the Luscinia Ecology Dormouse, representing our Dormouse survey provision.

Hazel Dormouse Surveys

Bat Emergence Surveys

A hand-drawn graphic of the Luscinia Ecology Badger, representing our Badger survey provision.

Badger Surveys

Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment

River Condition Assessment

Hazel Dormouse Surveys

Hazel dormouse was not identified as requiring survey by previous ecological reports at the Site. However, through careful negotiation, we were instructed to undertake the relevant survey, and the presence of hazel dormouse was rapidly confirmed. This is likely to have saved the client and future contractors from lengthy delays at the point of commencement. We managed to secure planning permission with a reduced survey in relation to hazel dormouse using Natural England’s ‘Policy 4’. This avoided a ~6-month delay.

Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment

A significant component of the work was the Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment and associated River Condition Assessment. Our experienced and accredited surveyors undertook this work in line with Biodiversity Net Gain rules around Degradation, Additionality, and Trading.

Our work at Moor Lane, lead to our instruction on a further five National Grid Sites. Where we have undertaken Preliminary Ecological Appraisals and Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments.

The Challenge

The challenge on the Moor Lane project was the interaction between various ecological and seasonal constraints, along with the public nature of the Site, the site’s security, and the presence of TPOs across much of the woodland. We worked closely with the project team and client to agree methods which worked in tandem with these constraints and limited delays and costs.

The Outcome

At Moor Lane, much of the poor-quality non-native shrubs and habitats will be removed and replaced with native scrub. This will deliver a Biodiversity Net Gain and maintain the Favourable Conservation Status of hazel dormouse at the Site.

We continue to support each of these projects, with many recently receiving planning permission and subsequent discharge of conditions.

      
   Luscinia Ecology
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   conor crossan 
 
 
 
  We’ve now used Greg and Luscinia on a number of our projects. He’s very helpful throughout and the reports and information he provides is very detailed. We’ve relied on him numerous times for information for future projects
  
 
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   Oliver Galliford 
 
 
 
  We have worked with Greg and his team on a variety of complex projects, ranging from small, highly constrained applications to large major residential schemes. In all cases, their pragmatic and detailed approach has been first class. I would highly recommend them, as their dynamic and hands-on involvement has been invaluable in navigating the ecology and biodiversity complexities associated with bringing planning projects forward. Principal Planner Progress Planning
  
 
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   Bev Kennard 
 
 
 
  The team are super helpful and extremely knowledgeable and pragmatic. I have no hesitations recommending for any ecological needs.
  
 
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   Charlotte Watkins 
 
 
 
  The team at Luscinia Ecology are excellent. They are proactive, responsive and professional. They always deliver very thorough and detailed reports and are a pleasure to work with.
Charlotte Watkins - LP Planning
  
 
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   The Avisons - Timber Lodge 
 
 
 
  We commissioned Luscinia Ecology to produce an ecology report and biodiversity calculation for our planning application. Greg was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and accommodating throughout. His expertise and clear communication made the process seamless. Highly recommended
  
 
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   Joe Erskine 
 
 
 
  As a small volunteer-led organisation, we embarked on a building replacement project to better serve our community. Midway through planning, we encountered an unexpected hurdle: new legislation required a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric calculation and report to assess the ecological impact of the changes to our building footprint.
With limited resources and no in-house expertise in ecological reporting, this requirement posed a serious threat to the viability of our project.

At our hour of need, Greg and Jen from Luscinia Ecology stepped in. Understanding the constraints of our budget and the urgency of our situation, they provided expert guidance and produced the required biodiversity metric report with professionalism and empathy.
Their support not only ensured our compliance with the legislation but also helped us understand the ecological implications of our project—empowering us to make more informed decisions going forward.

Outcome:

Thanks to Luscinia Ecology:
We successfully met the biodiversity reporting requirements.
Our project remained on track without compromising our budget.
We gained valuable insight into ecological stewardship.

Greg and Jen’s support was a lifeline. Their expertise and kindness turned a daunting challenge into a manageable task. We’re incredibly grateful for their help and would recommend Luscinia Ecology to any organisation navigating biodiversity compliance.
  
 
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   steven 
 
 
 
  Greg and his team were great in assisting me with my project.
Very professional and responsive to all requirements.
Highly Recommended.
  
 
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   Gary Sewell 
 
 
 
  Greg and his Team are top of the Game, knowledgeable. quick and really understand ecology & BNG .. I cant recommend them enough Gary Sewell MD Clovercourt
  
 
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   Lyndsay Davis 
 
 
 
  Emmaus have been working with Luscinia Ecology over the last two years and throughout that time we have found them to be  professional, consistently going above and beyond with their role for us, their knowledge and advice has proven invaluable and we consider ourselves very lucky to have them working alongside us.
  
 
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   Wesley McCarthy 
 
 
 
  It’s been truly a pleasure to work with Greg for the last 6 years!  He is extremely knowledgeable and helpful in finding solutions for difficult sites, particularly when it comes to BNG.  Apart from being an expert in his field, a ‘problem solver’ and very skilful in explaining complicated ecological matters in ‘plain English’,  he is a genuinely a great person.  I was therefore delighted when Greg started Luscinia Ecology Ltd and I can highly recommend Greg for your projects.

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