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…
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.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or just want to say hello, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll get back to you soon.