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Environmental Planning & Assessment Consultants
Corvus Consulting was formed in 2001 to provide high quality environmental planning and management services throughout the UK & Republic of Ireland.
We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver projects to tight deadlines and our services provide excellent value for money for our clients.
Since our inception, we have advised on over £9 billion of capital development projects throughout the UK, Ireland & the Middle East. Click on the menu above for more details on our Company & Services.
Corvus Consulting Corvus Consulting Corvus Consulting
Suite 9, Herbert Hall Campbell House 272 Bath St
16 Herbert Street 83 Saintfield Road Glasgow
Dublin 2 Belfast Scotland
Tel: 00 (353) 1 6190278 Tel: 00 (44) 2890 794266 Tel: 00 (44) 141 353 9306
Fax: 00 (353) 1 6190279 Fax: 00 (44) 2890 709377 Fax: 00 (44) 141 353 9307
Corvus Environmental Consulting Ltd. Registered in Northern Ireland #NI066299 Corvus Environmental Consulting (Scotland) Ltd, Registered in Scotland #368466
Ecological Survey & Assessment
A FEW WORDS about US
We offer the following range of ecological services: all surveyors are fully licensed for all major plant and animal groups as required:
Ecological Site Assessment, Ecological Impact Assessment, Article 6 Assessment, Mitigation Plans & Contracting,
Phase 1 and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, National Vegetation Classification Surveys,
Aquatic Invertebrate Surveys and Water Quality Assessments,
Hedgerow Surveys, River Corridor Surveys, BTO Common and Breeding Bird Surveys, Brown & Shepherd Upland Surveys, Vantage Point Watches, Collision Risk Modelling
Protected Species Surveys (e.g. badgers, bats, hares, lizards, newts etc.) to Government Standards, Protected Species Relocation
Development of site management plans, Provision of specialist advice on habitat or species management issues.
Design of ecological impact mitigation measures, Habitat creation and restoration, Provision of Ecological Clerks of Works
The Practice is registered with Constructionline (70597) for all relevant survey & assessment services
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Provision of EIA/AA/SEA Services and Review
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Article 6 Appropriate Assessments (AA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) have become an integral part of the planning process since the relevant European Directives have come in to force throughout recent years.
In order to obtain a positive outcome where major development sor area plans are concerned it is crucial to ensure that assessments are undertaken in a thorough manner, using best scientific practice, to ensure that all potentially significant impacts are assessed and mitigated if required. It is also essential that the resulting statements can withstand the scrutiny of members of the public and statutory consultees. Increasingly, Assessments must be capable of withstanding attacks by experts retained by objectors and competing organisations. Failure to carry out a thorough Assessment process, which can withstand the scrutiny of consultees and the general public, will almost certainly lead to delays in the planning process and is increasingly likely to result in legal challenge.
Corvus Consulting is part of an established Network of experienced EIA/AA/SEA professionals and has access to a large number of experienced EIA /AA/SEA managers and professionals in core disciplines throughout the UK & Ireland. Company & Network personnel have had significant input into and project managed EIA works for some of the largest projects in the transport, waste, energy water and property sectors. Methods utilised by Corvus personnel and associates are compliant with and in some cases exceed best industry practice. Techniques developed for recent assessments have recently been requested for inclusion in the most up to date academic texts in the field.
In addition, Corvus and Associates have significant experience of opposing development plans and proposals by means of review of EIAs submitted in support of 3rd party projects. The practice has an enviable track record in this field. In addition to EIA review, the practice maintains a strong track record in the review of Article 6 Appropriate Assessments and Strategic Environmental Assessments, and has provided expert witness services to several successful Judicial Reviews pertaining to these procedures. The practice is currently one of the leading source of expert opinions on European Directive obligations pertaining to Environmental Assessment in the UK & Ireland.
Consultant & Associate Profiles
The availability of significant expertise in house enables us to respond rapidly to the survey and assessment needs of our clients without costly delays associated with the management of teams of external sub-consultants.
In addition to our permanent staff, Corvus maintain close working relationships with selected Associates of unparalleled experience in the fields of Environmental Impact Assessment, Article 6 Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment.
All permanent Corvus staff and associates are at Director, Principal or Senior Consultant Level, having over 100 years combined experience in the Environmental Planning Sector throughout the UK & Ireland. Principal client contacts for various work sectors are listed below. Click on the name to send an email to the relevant consultant.
Dr. James K. O'Neill B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D., M.S.B., M.I.E.E.M. Managing Director
Andrew Taylor B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc., M.S.B., M.I.E.E.M. Principal Ecological Consultant (Mammals & Aquatic Ecology)
Gareth Grindle B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. M.I.Env.Sc., M.I.E.E.M. Principal Environmental Consultant (Planning Policy & Environmental Legislation)
Catherine Shields B.Sc. (Hons), M.I.E.E.M. Senior Ecological Consultant (Ecology & Sustainability)
Catherine Finlay B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. Ecological Consultant (Botany & Designated Areas)
Dr. Daniel Bennett B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D. Senior Ecological Consultant (Mammals & Herpetology)
June Finlay Office Manager
Elizabeth Graham Administration Manager
Previous Clients
Corvus are pleased to have been selected as ecological consultants by the following organisations and companies:
Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, Turley Associates, The Farningham McCreadie Partnership/WYG Planning, Pragma Planning, Strategic Planning, Drivers Jonas, GVA Grimley, Michael Burroughs Associates, Development Planning Partnership, Building Design Partnership, Tom Philips Associates, Currane Stratton Reynolds, Ross Planning, Tom Stokes Associates, Diligentia PLC, Amey, Atkins, Colin Buchanan, Faber-Maunsell AECOM, Entec UK, Jacobs Engineering UK, WYG, RPS, Scott Wilson, RSK-ENSR, ARUP, Borehams, Consarc, Dome Oilfield Services LLC, (Dubai), Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Alan Patterson Design, Park Hood, Cooper Cromar, Knox & Clayton
Bowen Group, Farrans, H & J Martin, Galliard Group, Fraser Homes, McGinnis Group, Patton Group, Deramore Group, Lagan Group, Carvill Group, Cyril Sweet PLC, Turkington Holdings, Murdock Group, Graham Construction, McNicholas Construction, Robertson Capital Projects, Leaside Properties, ING Real Estate
The University of Ulster, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast Schools Partnership, South Eastern Regional College, Northern Regional College
British Waterways, Scottish & Southern Renewable Energy, Belfast City Airport, Belfast International Airport, Highway Maintenance & Management, Translink, B9 Energy, Fermac, Airtricity, Sorne Wind, An Carn Consulting, Phoenix Natural Gas, Firmus Energy
Strategic Investment Board, Defence Estates, Rivers Agency, Roads Service, Eastern Health & Social Services Board, South West Hospital Trust, Belfast Hospitals Trust, Invest Northern Ireland, National Trust, National Health Service, Northern Ireland Water, Ministry of Defence, Roads Service, Sustrans, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Gaelic Athletic Association, North Down Borough Council, Craigavon Borough Council, Belvoir Park Golf Club, Cliftonville Golf Club.
Tourism Development & Infrastructure Corporation (UAE), Tesco PLC, Wal-Mart, Junction One, Lough Erne Golf Resort, Desmond Motors, B & Q , Irwin Glenbank
Ecological and Sustainability Assessment
Corvus have unparalleled experience in the provision of "Land Use & Ecology" aspects of the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
We have several years experience in supporting BREEAM assessments including the Code for Sustainable Homes, Offices, Further and Higher Education, Schools, Healthcare, Retail, Industrial and Bespoke. In 2008 the practice carried out Land Use & Ecology assessments for the £1.2bn Belfast Schools Project, the largest PFI project to date in Northern Ireland.
In April 2007, the Code for Sustainable Homes replaced Ecohomes for the assessment of new housing. The Code is an environmental assessment method for new homes based upon BRE Global's Ecohomes and contains mandatory performance levels in 7 key areas including ecology.
The Code aims to protect the environment by providing guidance on the construction of high performance homes built with sustainability in mind. BRE Global and CLG have worked closely together to ensure that the Code meets the latest regulatory requirements and addresses issues that emerged during an earlier industry-wide consultation.
Our ecologists are suitably qualified under BRE guidance to carry out site assessments and provide advice on the maximisation of ecology credits.
Our clients and associates for BREEAM Ecology projects include Housing Associations, Private Developers, Schools, Education Authorities, BREEAM assessors & Universities.
Wildlife Management
Corvus Consulting are licensed to carry out protected species relocations throughout the UK and Ireland.
The following groups can often be relocated, subject to the grant of a site specific Licence from the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Authority
Bats (all species), Otter, Irish Hare, Red Squirrel, Pine Marten, Red Squirrel, Viviparous Lizard, (NI) Great Crested Newt (GB), Smooth Newt (NI), Natterjack Toad, Vascular Plants
All these groups regularly occur on development sites and the protection they are afforded varies according to species.
Often, licences are required for mitigation programmes to be implemented. Should this be the case, Corvus will handle your licence application, including negotiation and liaison with statutory authorities, providing a convenient single point of contact for individuals or organisations.
Often, recognised relocation techniques may not be applicable to a particular site due to engineering, ground conditions or other constraints. In these cases a survey solution will be custom tailored to site requirements and all methodologies agreed with statutory bodies before surveys commence.
Japanese Knotweed Identification
Early Season Growth
Red buds begin to emerge from the base of the plant (the crown) during February-March. They develop into shoots, maintaining a reddish appearance with furled leaves.
Spring Growth
Maturing stems are hollow, somewhat like bamboo. They are green with characteristic red speckles. The canes grow rapidly through the spring and summer, reaching a height of 2-3 metres. In spring, the newly expanded leaves are a yellowish green, becoming darker as they mature through summer. They alternate along the stem forming a zigzag pattern.
Flowering Season
The plant flowers towards the end of the growing season (August-October), producing clusters of small, creamy-white flowers at the points where the leaves join the stem.
Autumn & Winter
Towards the end of autumn, leaves begin to turn a yellowy-brown and eventually drop, revealing feathered branches from the remains of the flowers. Hollow canes shed the darker outer skin exposing a lighter, smooth cane that is quite brittle.
Invasive Weed Management & Eradication
Invasive and injurious weeds can give rise to a range of development liabilities and legal obligations. Weed control and/or eradication is increasingly a condition of planning permissions. These pages highlight problems associates with Japanese Knotweed, however a range of other weed control services (e.g. Giant Hogweed, Ragwort, Himalayan Balsam, Rhododendron etc.) are also provided by Corvus. For information on these species contact us directly.
Why control Knotweed?
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) a rhizomatous perennial, was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the 1850's and quickly established itself throughout the British Isles. The plant does not produce seeds, but regenerates from a rhizome (root). As little as 0.6g of the rhizome is sufficient to enable the plant to grow in any given area. This astonishing regenerational ability results in soil containing the rhizome being classified as controlled waste, increasing the costs of removal & landfilling from any given site.
The plant causes harm by its ability to exploit flaws in engineered structures. Hard surfaces such as foundations, brick, concrete & tarmac can all be penetrated with relative ease by the plant, causing a loss of cohesion and ultimately, structural failure. The cost of removing Japanese Knotweed from any given development site can be significant. However the liabilities accruing from ignoring the problem are certain to prove much more costly in the long term.
Time frames for chemical removal (3+ years) can be incompatible with other site requirements and physical removal or on site containment & treatment may be required in some instances. Corvus have significant experience of the delivery of Knotweed Management Plans compliant with the Environment Agency's Knotweed Code of Practice and all relevant staff hold NPTC (City & Guilds) Certification in the safe use of pesticides (PA2, PA6 & PA06A). Staff also undertake CPD compliant with the Requirements of the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO).
If you are a development professional you should be able to identify Japanese Knotweed on sight. Click on the image to the right for our Japanese Knotweed Identification guide.
Information on treatment and eradication techniques practised by Corvus, please contact us directly.
Knotweed Eradication
A variety of control methods are available in relation to each species. Corvus will assess a number of factors, including species present, immediacy of removal requirement, site specific factors & cost; before presenting our clients with a range of options which can be further tailored to suit their requirements. For eradication of other invasive or injurious weeds, please contact Corvus directly. Corvus Consulting are registered with ConstructionLine for all services.
Manual control of knotweed is the cheapest method of preventing the species from spreading. Manual cuts at an appropriate time of year can delay the spread of the species and can sometimes all that is required. This method will not remove the species from the site, however the method has the advantage that the weed can be monitored on a regular basis, and future costs can be reduced significantly should removal become a requirement.
Management with herbicides (spraying) is the cheapest and most cost effective option for knotweed control. Herbicides must only be applied by contractor with a recognised NTPC Certificate of Competence. Readily available agricultural herbicides are effective on the species, however 100% control is rarely if ever achieved in the first year, with three years generally required for complete control. Spray programmes are thus the most economic option for sites where urgency is not an issue.
Corvus are also one of the few UK companies to offer direct stem injection of herbiceds directly into the plant stem. This method is highly effective and can often be utilised in areas where spraying in inappropriate (e.g. near watercourses and in areas subject to TPOs). Stem injection can be implemented without impact on surrounding biodiversity, as the target species only is impacted by herbicides. As always, stem injection must only be carried out by contractors with a recognised NTPC Certificate of Competence (All Corvus personnel are NPTC certified)
If removal is urgent and site conditions permit, the material can be excavated and treated on site. This option avoids landfill costs and can result in significant savings, however considerable areas can be required for on site soil treatment, which can last for up to three years. The material to be treated should be excavated to a depth of 3m below ground level and at least 7m around the periphery of the Knotweed stand.
If no space is available for on site treatment, contaminated material can be buried on site after consultation with the relevant statutory authority. Again the material (after at least one phase of chemical treatment) should be excavated to a depth of 3m below ground level and at least 7m around the periphery of the knotweed stand. This material should then be buried to a depth of at least 5m and covered with a layer of suitable geotextile material before infilliing.
The most rapid solution to quickly remove this species from a site is to excavate as described above and remove directly to landfill. Landfill costs for controlled waste make this option uneconomic except in the most urgent cases.
