Case Studies

Case Studies

This Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) has a large great crested newt population associated with the ponds located through the overall site. When it became apparent in 2014 that a wall restoration project could potentially impact upon great crested newts, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. was able to implement a precautionary mitigation strategy, to facilitate the continuation of the works and avoid the risk of impacts to the species, without the need for a European Protected Species mitigation licence to be applied for.

GreenLink Ecology Ltd. has been involved with this Sevenoaks School on various planning applications since 2012 and most recently undertook bat survey work to inform a European Protected Species mitigation licence application. Planning permission for this site also required the installation of multiple bat, bird and dormouse boxes throughout the grounds, which will be monitored to assess their effectiveness.

In 2014, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. undertook survey work in accordance with BS5837:2012 “Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations” for this small School site in Islington. Detailed protection measures were designed into the scheme, along with calculations to ensure that the proposed works would not result in a long-term reduction in overall canopy cover.

Detailed survey work conducted in accordance with the Bat Conservation Trust 2012 guidelines, recorded the presence of maternity roosting brown long-eared and common pipistrelle bats at this site in 2015 and therefore, to comply with the legislation a European Protected Species mitigation licence was successfully applied for. The method statement was implemented by appropriately experienced and licensed ecologists from GreenLink Ecology Ltd. on time and within budget.

A local resident informed local media about the presence of breeding swifts in a building to be demolished in Maidenhead and the client worked in conjunction with GreenLink Ecology Ltd. to monitor the nesting sites during the 2015 breeding season, until the birds migrated back to Africa. In compensation for the loss of the building, the client agreed to install multiple “built-in” swift nesting features on the new buildings, contributing towards a local conservation group’s objectives of increasing the number of breeding opportunities available for swift in the town.

To inform a planning application, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. undertook a variety of detailed protected species survey work during 2014 for badger, dormouse, great crested newt, breeding birds, reptiles and bats at this large site in the east of Dorking. Discretion was an important element of this work, as was sensitive liaison with local residents who were concerned about the impacts of the proposed scheme.

In 2012, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. undertook baseline ecology survey work for this site and further to planning permission being granted, implemented a complex mitigation strategy during 2015 for reptiles and other protected species. This involved habitat modification and creation, exclusion fencing, trapping and translocation of slow worms, common lizards and grass snakes, with the work being completed on time and under budget.

In 2010 GreenLink Ecology Ltd. successfully undertook a large great crested newt survey of over 100 sites throughout Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, working to a very tight deadline but completing the work on time and within budget.

To facilitate a small housing development in the village of Horsmonden, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. conducted a reptile mitigation strategy for an old orchard that had reverted to scrub, carefully relocating hundreds of common lizards and slow worms during 2011.

Graham Chiesman House was a derelict ex-care home located outside of Chislehurst that is currently undergoing reconstruction.

GreenLink Ecology Ltd.undertook reptile, bat and badger survey work for the site during 2013, subsequently applied for a licence from Natural England and implemented the mitigation/enhancement measures.

To allow for a leachate lagoon to be repaired within a 1970s landfill site, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. undertook great crested newt and reptile survey work in 2009, to inform a subsequent European Protected Species licence application. The site proved to be a challenge for all concerned but the mitigation measures were successfully implemented on time and within budget.

Ensden Oast was a derelict property located in Chilham, Kent with a resident population of brown long-eared bats. GreenLink Ecology Ltd. undertook detailed bat survey work in 2012 to inform a European Protected Species licence application. The property has since been carefully converted and due to the successful implementation of mitigation/enhancement measures, the bat population remains in residence.

Fountains Park is located outside Westerham, off the A25 in Kent. GreenLink Ecology Ltd. undertook great crested newt and reptile survey work for the site during 2011, subsequently applying successfully for a European Protected Species licence. 2012-present monitoring of the great crested newt population has revealed that our habitat enhancement measures have resulted in a dramatic population increase.

To avoid an approximate 8 month delay to a housing scheme in St Leonards, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. provided an experienced Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to supervise the careful removal of building with low bat roost potential, prior to survey work conducted in 2011 to inform a European Protected Species licence application.

Treetops is a private residential property located close to Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. GreenLink Ecology Ltd. was instructed to undertake an ecological scoping survey and subsequent detailed protected species surveys during 2013. Due to planning permission being refused, we assisted with the appeal process via the Planning Inspectorate in 2014.

Since 2009, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. has worked with Bracknell Forest Council on a number of School redevelopment projects involving baseline ecology surveys, bat surveys, BREEAM assessments, tree removal, mitigation strategies and habitat enhancement work.

Wye Campus is located in the heart of rural Kent. To inform a planning application GreenLink Ecology Ltd. was instructed to undertake a variety of surveys for the site during 2009, confirming the presence of great crested newts and a common pipistrelle maternity colony.

In preparation for a planning application and prior to the use of the site during the London 2012 Olympics, GreenLink Ecology Ltd. conducted detailed bat scoping and dusk emergence/activity surveys for a large area of SE London around Sugar House Lane.

Colville Hall is a significant group of historic buildings dating back to the 13th century. To inform a planning application GreenLink Ecology Ltd. was instructed to undertake a variety of surveys for the site in 2011 and subsequently a European Protected Species licence for bats was successfully applied for in 2012. The buildings have now been renovated and the population of bats is confirmed to be still present due to the implementation of careful mitigation and enhancement measures.