example projects
Windfarms
Windfarm
photo: Tony Cross
ecologymatters Staff have been working on windfarm assessments since the early days of commercial developments in the late 1980's. We are currently working on over 20 sites across the UK. These range from small community schemes to large projects on forestry and moorland sites, and on sites from Cornwall to Northumberland and Lincolnshire to Northern Ireland.
We have recently seen consent given to the Brenig windfarm in North Wales. We were involved in this scheme from the start and took the ecology assessment through scoping, surveys and assessments. We undertook detailed survey for birds, vegetation, bats and other mammals including red squirrel, dormouse and pine marten. A commuting route for bats was found across the site and mitigation developed involving the creation of new hedgelines to maintain a corridor for the bats.
We have been developing habitat management plans for several large sites to provide mitigation and large scale habitat enhancement as well as developing specific mitigation packages for individual species such as great crested newt.
Surveys and site assessment
We have carried out surveys for several housing schemes. One of these has included slow worm survey and removal, including reptile fencing around the site. Other sites have included detailed badger and bat surveys.
We have also recently carried out a number of surveys for protected species at proposed road schemes and culvert replacements. These involved surveys for otter, water vole, badgers and otters. We were able to carry these out at short notice where emergency road repairs were required.
Working in difficult environments
Ecologymatters staff are highly experienced at working in remote and difficult environments - from the middle eastern deserts to arctic Greenland we have undertaken research in a wide variety of remote areas. We are able to put together experienced teams for such work and carry out research and survey to high standards of science and safety.
Clients
Current and recent clients include:
- Airtricity
- Brenig wind Ltd
- Ceredigion County Council
- Corndean Properties
- Coronation Power
- Countryside Council for Wales
- Dulas Ltd
- Energiekontor
- Gwynedd County Council
- Infinergy
- Natural Power Consultants
- Nuon
- RES
- Shawater Ltd
- Tegni Cyf
Recent comments
"In fact I can say that the ES could not be faulted"
"The quality, experience and skills of observations are very important attributes in ensuring good and reliable data is collected. Therefore, RSPB Cymru welcomes the fact that you are employing experienced companies such as Ecology Matters."
"The ES benefited from a very comprehensive bird survey"
"Just a note to say how very pleased I am with your consultant's statements about the two sites which we visited together. She has summed up the situation very clearly and helpfully"
"I must say how very cooperative and realistic I found your staff to be, a very good balance between scientific integrity and pragmatism, and I certainly hope that there will be future opportunities to involve you in our work"
"I've had to read a few consultancy reports recently for planning and these were like a breath of fresh air, they were SO much better, I actually enjoyed reading them, so thank you"
