Weedington Road – Complex Residential Development
Protecting bats while delivering complex residential development
The Challenge
This residential project involved a large, long-term residential development with multiple phases spanning over 16 years. One of the key challenges was ensuring the protection of bats, a legally protected species, in parallel with the planning application needing to be submitted prior to completion of the full suite of necessary surveys. Missing the seasonal window for bat surveys had already created potential delays and uncertainty for the client, while the site still needed to be assessed for biodiversity impacts in line with planning and environmental regulations.
Our Approach
Ecology by Design delivered a pragmatic and proportionate ecological strategy that balanced regulatory requirements, development timelines, and wildlife protection. Services included:
- Targeted assessment: we scoped bats as the only species with potential to be significantly impacted, using existing data and habitat surveys to establish a defensible baseline.
- Worst-case scenario planning: the Environmental Statement assessed the maximum potential impact, ensuring that decision-makers had confidence in the findings even before new bat surveys could be undertaken.
- Phased assessment: we structured the ecological impact assessment (EcIA) to reflect the project’s eight-phase construction programme, providing clarity on baseline, interim, and operational scenarios.
- Adaptive mitigation: post-submission bat surveys were conducted to refine mitigation measures, ensuring no pre-commencement works would occur until appropriate protections were confirmed.
- Broad biodiversity safeguards: best practice measures for nesting birds, invasive species, and general wildlife were integrated into the construction methodology.
Outcomes
This approach delivered tangible benefits for both the client and nature:
- For the client: avoided a 12-month planning delay, provided clear and defensible ecological evidence to support the application, and reduced risk of refusal or legal challenge.
- For biodiversity: ensured bats and other wildlife were protected, mitigation measures were embedded throughout construction, and the scheme was designed to enable opportunities for biodiversity enhancement.
- For sustainable development: allowed a complex, phased development to proceed in a commercially viable manner without compromising environmental standards.
This project demonstrates Ecology by Design’s commitment to provide high-quality, practical ecological advice that supports development while protecting wildlife. By combining robust science with pragmatic solutions, we help clients meet regulatory requirements, manage risk, and create developments that are better for people and nature.
For further information contact:
Laura Grant BSc (Hons) MCIEEM
Associate Director, Ecology by Design Ltd
Tel: 01865 893348
Mob: 07495 00213
