Project Examples

NVC surveys of a SSSI

WFE was commissioned by Norfolk Wildlife Trust to conduct an NVC survey of an extensive SSSI in central Norfolk – Rush Meadow. This is a substantial area of swamp, wet woodland and species rich grassland recently acquired by the Trust. The NVC survey was required to inform management decisions and influence grazing and scrub removal.

The site was examined using aerial photographs, and divided into areas of homogeneous vegetation. These areas were ground-truthed and quadrat sampled over several visits. Although visits were undertaken in good weather, there were treacherous ground conditions across the site and copious biting insects – a bit like the jungle had come to Norfolk!

The data was analysed using a number of different tools, including the NVC volumes, constancy tables and statistical tools to provide satisfactory assessment of vegetation communities. The final maps show complex geographical patterning through the site, with several important vegetation communities demonstrably present.

NVC survey

The final NVC map of Rush Meadow SSSI showing the complexity of habitats on the site

Assessing invertebrates along a new road route

Wild Frontier Ecology was commissioned to provide an assessment of invertebrate populations along the route of a new road scheme in Norfolk. The entire route was walked and appraised for habitat quality, and subsequently four selected areas were investigated in depth for terrestrial invertebrate diversity.

assessing invertebrate populations

Invertebrates sampled are brought back for identification

Vacuum sampling, sweep netting, aerial insect netting and beating tray sampling were used to collect specimens. These were preserved and identified using the relevant literature and online resources.

Over 380 species of invertebrate were recorded across four selected sites along the route. The assemblages were analysed using the Pantheon online tool, and the sites were assigned a geographic value. This led to a balanced assessment and proposal of suitable mitigation strategies for the scheme, including potential net gain scenarios.

Arboricultural report for 10km pipeline in Thetford

A project to install a new water pipe around the perimeter of Thetford was being designed. Wild Frontier Ecology were able to survey all the trees, groups, hedges and woodlands along the route to provide maps of these features. Within the zone of influence of the development around 200 individual trees were surveyed, as well as around 30 groups/woodlands and more than 10 hedgerows. WFE appraised the arboricultural value of these trees and any potential impacts from the proposal. Possible impacts such as root damage and removal of trees/hedgerows were identified.  

Trees Thetford pipeline

An impact assessment was carried out for trees along the pipeline route

Using WFE’s findings, the scheme was designed to minimise the impacts on trees. WFE provided advice on suitable mitigation methods such as tree protection fencing and ground protection. Methods of construction, tree protection and on site ‘tool box talks’ were also advised to ensure the identified trees were protected throughout the project.  

By working with the client from the early stages, WFE were able to minimise arboricultural impacts without delays to development.

Arboricultural Impact Assessment for 160 new homes

Wild Frontier Ecology provided an initial tree constraints plan at a large site where an 160 home development is proposed. The survey found 300 individual trees on the site, and 23 groups of trees – many of which are protected by Tree Preservation Orders. These included a large variety of species such as silver birch, common lime, sycamore, red horse chestnut, horse chestnut, ash, and whitebeam. The initial tree survey and maps allowed for the homes to be designed amongst the trees to ensure maximum retention.

arboricultural impact assessment

There were 23 groups of trees on site

There were a number of additional issues to be considered on this site, such as the need to remove contaminated soil. WFE provided advice on this, so that no tree roots were damaged in the process, as well as on creation and upgrade of roads and paths which could affect tree roots. To prevent any damage during construction WFE provided information on suitable working methods, such as hand digging and fencing to protect trees. 

Many of the trees set to be removed on site had little arboricultural value, and were estimated to have a remaining lifespan of less than 10 years. However, old trees tend to have features such as cracks and crevices which provide suitable habitat for roosting bats. Experienced ecologists from WFE appraised the trees on site, and found that several trees earmarked for removal had significant roosting potential for bats. Licensed bat experts from WFE will be carrying out further bat activity surveys in the summer to inform an EPS license. Here, WFE’s joint arboriculture and ecology expertise were invaluable, as our ecologists were able to work together with our arboriculturalist to assess overall impacts of tree removal and give the client a broad picture of the site’s trees. 

Once the design had been finalised, an Arboricultural Impact Assessment was produced alongside a Tree Protection Plan and Method Statement. This will be used to instruct the developers in how to mitigate any tree removal on site and how to protect those that remain. The Arboricultural Impact Assessment also specifies in detail new tree plantings on site, which will enhance the arboricultural and ecological value of the site in the long term. 

Ground Source Heat Pump

tree survey heat pump

Semi-mature woodland trees were protected by tree protection fencing

Wild Frontier Ecology (WFE) provided a Tree Protection Plan (TPP) and Method Statement for the installation of a ground source heat pump. WFE conducted a tree survey adjacent to an area which would need to be excavated to install a ground source heat pump. The survey found two individual trees on site, an oak in poor condition and a horse chestnut tree in good condition and with moderate landscape value. There was also a small area of semi-mature planted woodland on site with silver birch, sycamore, oak, sweet chestnut, field maple, and hazel. The development had been designed so that all the trees on site could be retained. 

A map was produced showing where the tree roots were likely to be, and found the pipework would pass through the Root Protection Area of the horse chestnut tree which was assessed to have moderate landscape value. WFE were able to specify measures such as hand digging and an impermeable root barrier material to protect this tree. WFE also provided best practice methods for avoiding rooting areas, including lining the boundary of the pipework with impermeable root barrier material to prevent root ingress as trees in the area mature. This will prevent roots from the woodland area interfering with pipework as the trees grow and mature. 

By working with the client, WFE were able to ensure that trees would not be affected by the development and that the pipework would not be damaged by tree roots in the long term.

The report was submitted to the local planning authority to fulfil a condition of planning permission.

Restoration of derelict barns in North Norfolk

Restoration of derelict barns in North Norfolk, for conversion into residential accommodation.

WFE undertook an initial assessment followed by protected species surveys for bats and barn owls, and following planning permission, worked closely with the developer to obtain an EPS licence for the bats roosting within the main barn.

A nearby pond was also surveyed for great crested newts, although none were found, and thus removed the need for further consideration of this species.

Appraisal of two golf courses

Preliminary ecological appraisal of two golf courses

Golf course, Norfolk

Persimmon Homes commissioned WFE to provide a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of two golf courses in Norfolk. We conducted a desk study and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey. These were used to provide detailed ecological constraints and opportunities mapping and to help identify key ecological features on the two sites.

Further protected species surveys were advised, including bat surveys, reptile surveys and breeding bird surveys. These were used to further inform the design and development of the sites, and future Ecological Impact Assessment screening.

Demolition in progress

  • April 22, 2019
  • Bats
Demolition in progress

Demolition in progress

WFE was commissioned on behalf of a developer to undertake a protected species survey on a derelict house, associated outbuildings and property near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The appraisal ruled out the potential for great crested newt impacts, but identified bats using the house to roost. Therefore, an EPS license was needed to legally carry out the demolition of the house. WFE’s licensed bat workers completed further bat activity surveys to satisfy the conditions for an EPS license application. 

WFE’s ecologists assisted the client in detailed negotiations with Huntingdon District Council to obtain planning permission for the project and to agree suitable planning conditions.

Once planning permission was granted, WFE successfully applied for an EPS license on behalf of the client. Bat exclusion measures were enacted and the demolition was carried out to schedule under the supervision of an ecologist, as per the license agreement with Natural England. Compensatory bat boxes were erected on trees within the site and three more boxes have been mounted on the completed new builds, which will provide additional bat habitat on the developed site.

Heathland habitat assessment for stone curlew

stone curlew habitat survey

Stone Curlews

Wild Frontier was commissioned by the RSPB and Natural England to conduct a survey and assessment of heathland habitat for stone curlews in the Norfolk and Suffolk Breckland. Stone curlews are a rare summer visitor in East Anglia, and are afforded special protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. 

The survey involved visiting each site and categorising the habitat based on vegetation height – an important factor in determining suitability for stone curlew nesting. WFE then mapped the habitats on site and calculated which areas were suitable for stone curlew. 

The assessment provided an indication of site condition and potential population capacity for stone curlew, which can now inform conservation efforts and habitat management for the species. 

EPS licence

Euston Estate

Newt fencing in place

WFE obtained an EPS mitigation licence for great crested newt on behalf of the Euston Estate in Suffolk, to temporarily exclude newts during construction of a reservoir.

Surveys were completed to established the presence of great crested newts on the site and surrounding area and assess pond suitability. This found newts were breeding in a pond within the footprint of the development and were in other adjacent ponds. Therefore mitigation was required, and the project was completed under an EPS licence.

The works involved the erection of exclusion fencing, trapping of the site, draining of the pond within the footprint and translocation of any animals found to a suitable release site.

To compensate for the loss of terrestrial newt habitat and the pond, two new ponds were dug, ponds and 6 hectares of land adjacent to the site were enhanced to improve connectivity for newts around the site.

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