Bringing you all the latest in ecological matters and news from the ECOSA team, we will keep you updated on relevant events and inform of any legislation changes that may affect your project. You can also keep up with us on the go by following us on LinkedIn!
30 June 2023
Hazel Dormouse Footprint Tunnels – Tracking Ecological Progress
ECOSA have recently been using an upcoming methodology to survey for hazel dormouse - footprint tunnels. Read more to find out about this exciting survey and the results ECOSA has obtained.
Read more »24 May 2023
The impacts of wind turbines on bats and birds
ECOSA recently looked into the recent research undertaken on the impacts of terrestrial wind turbines on bats and birds. Click on the following link to find out more.
Read more »18 April 2023
ECOSA biosecurity systems are in check for the 2023 season
Find out more on how ECOSA is implementing their biosecurity protocols for the upcoming survey season.
Read more »28 March 2023
Reaching new heights at ECOSA
Read more to find out about our recent in-house ladder training for bat and barn owl box installations.
Read more »09 March 2023
ECOSA Attends University of Southampton Careers Fair
Last week, two of our ecologists attended the University of Southampton Spring Careers Fair to promote what a career in the ecological consultancy sector involves to current students and recent graduates.
Read more »01 March 2023
The ECOSA Team are all trained up on The Biodiversity Metric 3.1
The ECOSA team recently underwent a three-day training course to get to grips with the latest version of The Biodiversity Metric 3.1. Click below to find out how it went!
Read more »11 January 2023
Phasing out Phase 1; Welcoming in UKHab
Click on the link below for further information on how ECOSA are making the exciting change from using the Phase 1 Habitats Classifiation to the UKHab (UK Habitat) Classification system.
Read more »13 April 2021
Badger Surveys, Licensing and Artificial Badger Sett Construction
ECOSA has been providing ongoing ecological survey, assessment and mitigation solution services to a consortium of developers and their planning consultants for a large-scale urban extension project within Hampshire
Read more »05 April 2021
Red List for Britain’s Mammals – One quarter of native species at risk of extinction
Last year the first official Red List for British Mammals was produced, highlighting the species most at risk of extinction in the UK. The study showed that of 47 mammals native to Britain, 11 are at imminent risk of extinction and a further 5 species are classified as 'near-threatened'. Read more below.
Read more »22 October 2020
Achieving Biodiversity Net Gain on your development site
Biodiversity Net Gain refers to the process in which all new developments must consider the environmental impact of the proposed scheme and ensure that post-development biodiversity is left in a state better than it was before, for example, providing more natural habitat than there was existing prior to development. Biodiversity Net Gain will be mandated for all new developments in England as part of the upcoming Environment Bill.
Read more »25 March 2020
District Level Licensing - an alternative to traditional Great Crested Newt licensing and mitigation
With the aim of stemming the decline of great crested newt and streamlining the existing licensing system, Natural England are implementing a new strategic approach known as ‘District Level Licensing’ (DLL). Developers now have the option between the traditional licensing route or to access a district licensing scheme, where available. So, which should you choose?
Read more »19 March 2020
ECOSA is open for business - Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In light of the ongoing pandemic, we have taken steps to ensure that our business continues whilst protecting the health of our clients, staff, their families and communities.
Read more »10 February 2020
Natural England launch charges for great crested newt and badger mitigation licences for development
If you are planning a project that will impact on great crested newt or badger, you may now need to budget for additional project costs.
Read more »18 June 2019
ECOSA joins the Trinity Consultants family
We are pleased to announce that Ecological Survey & Assessment Limited has joined Trinity Consultants, an international environmental, health, and safety consulting firm.
Read more »06 June 2019
ECOSA becomes a CIEEM Registered Practice
ECOSA has become one of the first ecological consultancies to be awarded the new Registered Practice status by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)! Registered Practices are ambassadors in their field, promoting high standards and best practice to make a positive impact on the environment.
Read more »16 May 2019
Mandating Biodiversity Net Gain
Following a consultation period between December 2018 and February 2019, the Chancellor announced in his Spring Statement to Parliament on 13th March 2019 that biodiversity net gain will be mandated for all new developments in England as part of the upcoming Environment Bill.
Read more »09 April 2019
Natural England introduces charges for European protected species licensing
A new Wildlife Licensing Service has begun operations at Natural England (NEWLS) and is now responsible for the administration and assessment of European protected species (EPS) licence applications. With this comes the phased implementation of statutory charges for licence application services from 1st April 2019.
Read more »27 July 2018
Simon Boswell achieves Chartered Ecologist status
We are pleased to announce that Simon Boswell, Principal Ecologist, has been awarded Chartered status by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
Read more »02 November 2017
Bat Low Impact Class Licence – ECOSA is meeting licensing demand with three Registered Consultants
As well as Company Director and Principal Ecologist Simon Colenutt, ECOSA Principal Ecologists Frances King-Smith and Simon Boswell are now able to register under the Bat Low Impact Class Licence (BLICL).
Read more »03 August 2017
ECOSA and Wilkins Kennedy raise over £200 for Naomi House & Jacksplace Hospices for Children
Our accountant Elizabeth Gray of Wilkins Kennedy (complete with minions costume) and her colleagues organised a fantastic ‘minions’ themed bake sale for ECOSA, as part of their efforts to raise as much money as possible for life-limited children.
Read more »29 June 2017
ECOSA Director Simon Colenutt presents RTPI Award to the City of London Corporation
ECOSA proudly sponsored the 2017 Royal Town and Planning Institute Award for Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment. We congratulate the winner and all of this year’s finalists.
Read more »14 March 2017
ECOSA deliver Ecology CPD talk to Surrey County Council
Surrey County Council building surveyors spent a lunchtime CPD session learning about ecology and the planning process with Principal Ecologist Frances King-Smith.
Read more »07 March 2017
New Natural England wildlife licensing policies
The consultation outcome report in to new wildlife licensing policies for European Protected Species has now been published. Adoption of these new policies is intended to smooth the application process for wildlife (protected species) licences for development projects, and provide greater security for protected species populations. The policy has been specifically targeted at great crested newt, although it applies to all European Protected Species including hazel dormouse and all bats species.
Read more »10 November 2016
ECOSA are proud sponsors of the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2017
We are honoured to be sponsoring the Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment category.
Read more »08 November 2016
ECOSA welcomes back Frances King-Smith, Principal Ecologist
Frankie is ready to take on new challenges on her return from maternity leave, aiming to become ECOSA’s second Registered Consultant for the Natural England Bat Low Impact Class Licence (BLICL).
Read more »08 November 2016
ECOSA meets construction professionals at Constructionline event
Samantha Munslow, Company Manager and Principal Ecologist, talks to construction industry professionals about our specialist surveying and assessment capabilities.
Read more »12 July 2016
ECOSA client wins Sussex Heritage Trust Award 2016
MH Architects Ltd and Elberry Properties Ltd take home an Award for their redevelopment scheme at the Grade II Listed former Chichester District Museum, where ECOSA provided all necessary ecological works.
Read more »08 July 2016
ECOSA ladies take on Pretty Muddy Race for Life
Laura, Georgie, Jo, Sophie and Lizzie raise just over £400 for Cancer Research UK!
Read more »05 July 2016
RTPI Planning Convention 2016 and ECOSA Competition Results
The ECOSA team attended the 2016 RTPI Planning Convention in June. We also reveal the answers to our competition...
Read more »28 June 2016
Impact of Brexit on Wildlife Legislation
An update on current wildlife legislation in light of the UK's vote to leave the European Union.
Read more »29 February 2016
Updated Bat Survey Guidelines
The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) has now published the third edition of ‘Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines'.
Read more »15 February 2016
Avoid costly delays during Great Crested Newt survey season
If there is a waterbody on your site, or within 500m of the site boundary, you may need to consider the impacts of your development on great crested newt as part of your planning application.
Read more »18 January 2016
New Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines
Potential legal, policy, design and implementation implications for developers.
Read more »07 May 2015
Changes to Environmental Impact Assessment thresholds
Government eases requirements for EIAs on developments below 5 hectares.
Read more »05 May 2015
Bat Low Impact Class Licence - ECOSA boast one of the first Registered Consultants
Principal Ecologist Simon Colenutt is now accredited for the Bat Low Impact Class Licence (BLICL) offering a fast track for some ECOSA clients affected by just one or two individuals of the more common bat species.
Read more »28 April 2015
Bat season is here! Book now to avoid project delays
If you need to provide an assessment for bats with your planning application, the short window of opportunity for appropriate surveys begins now.
Read more »27 April 2015
ECOSA team run 40km!
Richard, Laura, Sam and Simon M completed the ABP Southampton 10K - congratulations!
Read more »02 April 2015
New S106 rules may affect SPA mitigation for developers
Changes to the CIL Regulations will make some developments inviable by prohibiting larger mitigation projects including significant ecological compensation.
Read more »31 March 2015
Local Authorities no longer able to require CSH standards
Under changes to the 2008 Climate Change Act, Local Authorities' ability to stipulate ecological requirements through planning approval are greatly reduced.
Read more »30 March 2015
Barn Owl Trust reports an 'Exceptionally Good Year'
Data collated from a number of groups around the country shows 2014 to be a good year for barn owls.
Read more »27 February 2015
Make the most of the Great Crested Newt survey season
As the new great crested newt season begins, ECOSA are pleased to announce that they are ready to use new environmental DNA tests to help reduce the cost of some newt assessments.
Read more »24 February 2015
The Listed Property Show 2015 - competition answers and a winner!
Could you have got full marks for your UK wildlife knowledge?
Read more »16 February 2015
ECOSA advise listed property owners
This weekend members of the ECOSA team attended the Listed Property Show at Olympia to offer home owners and other experts on historic buildings some background on ecology in the planning process and working around bats.
Read more »18 November 2014
CPD sessions for our clients
Our senior ecologists have been spending time with some of our clients, delivering bespoke sessions on 'Ecology in Development'. Could our CPD module be useful in your organisation?
Read more »11 November 2014
ECOSA to support Médecins sans Frontières and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust
The ECOSA team have voted to support the work of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Médecins sans Fronti#232;res for the coming year.
Read more »10 November 2014
ECOSA passes third ISO 9001 audit with flying colours
We are very pleased to announce zero non-conformances reported following our annual audit.
Read more »15 October 2014
Extensive development zone deemed to affect New Forest SPA
Following a study of distances travelled by visitors to New Forest National Park, Test Valley Borough Council have upgraded their mitigation framework to meet legal obligations requiring further development in the area.
Read more »07 April 2014
Environmental DNA reducing costs of GCN detection
Tests for amphibian DNA in water are set to reduce the costs of preliminary site assessment for GCN potential.
Read more »27 March 2014
Annexed bat licences - a welcome development
ECOSA believe changes made to the EPSM licensing process by NE will be good for our clients.
Read more »04 March 2014
New service - climb and inspect tree surveys
ECOSA is now able to survey for bat roosts at height, with potential cost savings for clients.
Read more »04 March 2014
Newt season is upon us!
If your upcoming projects have the potential to affect great crested newt, now is the time to plan in the necessary surveys.
Read more »19 December 2013
Ecology CPD for Architects
Principal Ecologist, Sam Munslow, convinced architects Pringle Richards Sharratt that well planned ecological solutions need not impact negatively on architectural design.
Read more »17 December 2013
We have moved!
Due to recent growth in the company we have moved to new offices. Our address and telephone number have changed.
Read more »09 September 2013
Dramatic decline in water vole numbers
The Environment Agency has reported that surveys of water voles across the country have shown a decline of over 20% since 2011.
Read more »29 August 2013
Badgers still protected under British Law
Although pilot badger culls have begun, British law stills protects the species and their habitats elsewhere.
Read more »02 August 2013
Calls for additional protection from development for grey long-eared bat
In the light of further decline in the UK population of the grey long-eared bat, researchers push for 'priority species status' and more sensitive development within 10 km of roosts.
Read more »23 July 2013
Reducing the impact of wind turbines on bats
Following concerns about dead bats found underneath wind turbines in North America and Europe, a report promoted by Bat Conservation International offers new insight into the potential to reduce bat fatalities on wind farms.
Read more »15 April 2013
ECOSA achieves ISO 9001 Accreditation
ECOSA is pleased to announce it has been certified as ISO 9001 compliant. Read more
Read more »05 April 2013
Congratulations!
ECOSA are proud to announce the birth of Tobias Astman Colenutt.
Read more »13 March 2013
Ecobuild 2013 competition results... and the answers
The ECOSA team had a fun time at Ecobuild 2013 advising architects, contractors, planners, self-builders and many more. We reveal the winner of our competition and the answers. Read more
Read more »05 March 2013
ECOSA is at Ecobuild 2013
Once again, ECOSA will be at Ecobuild to talk to site developers of every kind about managing their ecological constraints and realising some biodiversity ambitions. Read more
Read more »14 January 2013
New year new licences
2013 is off to a great start with three additional protected species licences awarded to team members. Read more
Read more »11 January 2013
New Principal Ecologist at ECOSA
The ECOSA team are looking forward to welcoming Sam Munslow among our number as Office Manager and Principal Ecologist. Read more
Read more »02 October 2012
Biodiversity Offsetting - a pilot scheme from DEFRA
ECOSA is keen to assist developers and offset providers taking part in pilot Biodiversity Offsetting schemes. Read more about this new opportunity...
Read more »02 July 2012
ECOSA supports the Magic Wand Appeal
A bat walk guided by one of ECOSA's bat experts is to be auctioned to raise funds for the Magic Wand Appeal.
Read more »27 March 2012
Ecobuild competition winner and answers announced
Congratulations go to Sue Schwartz who will shortly be receiving her prize of vouchers for River Cottage. For those who just wanted to know if they were looking at the skull or a furze-pig or a brock read on.
Read more »13 March 2012
Natural England now empowered with civil sanctions
Natural England is now able to impose civil sanctions for infringements of European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licences.
Read more »28 February 2012
ECOSA takes wildlife competition to Ecobuild 2012
ECOSA will be exhibiting at Ecobuild 2012, 20th-22nd March. Find us on the Biodiversity Pavilion and try your hand at our competition about UK wildlife for the chance to win a fabulous foody experience at River Cottage.
Read more »14 February 2012
ECOSA experts' article on the western barbastelle bat
Recently published in the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC) Newsletter, Trevor Codlin and Tristan Norton offer advice to help in the detection of the western barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus).
Read more »23 January 2012
New guidance on dormouse survey requirements
Natural England have issued a new advice note aimed at reducing the number of inadequate surveys they are receiving with mitigation licence applications.
Read more »05 December 2011
ECOSA to exhibit at Ecobuild 2012
ECOSA will be at Ecobuild 2012. Come and discuss your ecology challenges and opportunities with us, in the Biodiversity Pavilion. Read more
Read more »01 November 2011
RenewableUK 2011 - Competition winner annnounced!
We are pleased to announce that Jon Mason of Axis has won our very popular competition about UK wildlife. Many thanks to all those who visited us on the stand, both the familiar faces and the new ones. Read more
Read more »04 October 2011
ECOSA to challenge attendees at RenewableUK 2011
Visit the ECOSA stand at the RenewableUK conference to meet with our experienced ecologists including Principal Ecologist Simon Colenutt, have a go at our competition and collect your ecological survey and works planning timetable. Read more
Read more »13 September 2011
Localism bill threatens new delays to planning consents
The Localism Bill expected to come before the House of Lords this week, has been criticised for its referendum provision by representatives of British commerce, home builders and infrastructure providers. Read more
Read more »22 August 2011
ECOSA launches new website
The ECOSA team are very proud of their new website show-casing their extensive capabilities, some of the solutions delivered for clients, their staff profiles and other useful information for our current and prospective clients. Read more
Read more »20 July 2011
First class honours for Izabel
Some of the ECOSA team took a little time out to congratulate Izabel on her graduation from Portsmouth University with first class honours in Conservation and Wildlife Management. Read more
Read more »21 June 2011
Timsbury Lake officially open for shipping and wildlife
Simon Colenutt was pleased to represent ECOSA at the official opening of the Warsash Maritime Academy's new training facility by Southampton Solent University's Chancellor, The Admiral The Right Honourable Lord West of Spithead. Read more
Read more »10 May 2011
MMO Training
The ECOSA team has received a timely refresh to their cetacean monitoring skills with JNCC Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training from the experts at Intelligent Ocean, ready for the summer survey season. Read more
Read more »24 February 2011
ECOSA booked for RenewableUK 2011
Come and see us at stand No. 4 for the UK Renewables Conference to be held in Manchester this October. Read more
Read more »