Environment

The ecological report, also known as an ecological appraisal, forms a central part of your planning application. The impact your development will have on biodiversity will be scrutinised by the planning authority, as it is part of their statutory duty when considering if plans can be approved.

If you need planning permission, you may need a bird survey if there’s a chance your development will affect a protected species. In the UK, all wild birds are protected by law, including their eggs and nests, so a reliable survey on which to base reports and any mitigations is critical.

Trees are often, quite rightly, referred to as the ‘lungs of the Earth’ but trees and their wider habitats are critical to our lives in so many more ways. The UN has designated 21st March International Day of the Forests to recognise just how important they are.

From providing raw materials for building and manufacture, to providing a home for plants and creatures that are the source of life-saving medicines, we all rely on forests to sustain our way of life.

Bats are a protected species across the UK and Europe, so if you’re planning to do any work that might disturb them, their breeding sites or resting places, you need to be sure how many bats there are and of what species before doing anything.

If you’re planning any work, you will need to commission a bat survey – as whether it’s stated outright in your planning consent or not, it’s a legal requirement to make sure your project won’t affect any bats.

It’s the duty of every planning authority to consider whether it’s likely that your proposals will have an impact on bats, and they need detailed and robust evidence about how bats use your site, and what measures you will be taking to mitigate any impact on them.

From a young age, we’re taught that some animals go to sleep for the winter and wake up again in the spring – but do you know why? The answer might be more surprising than you think.

Land reclamation means creating land either by removing water from muddy areas or raising the level of the land. With an increasing demand for land, it can be a good solution for creating areas for building, agriculture and other uses, but there are lots of things to think about before going ahead.

Phosphates are essential nutrients for animals and plants. They are commonly used in artificial fertilizers, phosphate-based detergents and are a by product of sewage treatment.

Engain and the Land Rover at large this week conducting ecological and environmental site surveys - whilst keeping a safe distance.....

Engain is excited to be working again on one of the South West's most iconic projects, the re-development of Drake's Island.

Congratulations to our consultant Jonny, who is now fully BRE qualified as a CEEQUAL assessor.

More good news for UK renewable energy, following significant changes to Scottish planning policy.

While Nikki and Tom are in London for the 2019 Global Offshore Wind event, today’s announcement of a £100m investment into UK offshore promises significant growth for the sector.

Makers of a new BBC series have worked with Frome-based environmental advisors, to produce footage they hope will change consumer and big business behaviour.

Nikki’s in Aberdeen this week, for the Decom North Sea’s annual one-day conference and exhibition

Following extensive environmental scoping and planning, the Gibraltar Government has announced it will progress with a major land reclamation project, for mixed use development.