The Corvus team have recently completed or engaged upon the following projects. Click on the arrows above to scroll through some recent Corvus projects.
Ravenhill Redevelopment Ulster's Ravenhill Rugby Stadium to get multi-million pound upgrade
Client: Ostick & Williams & the Irish Rugby Football Union.
Plans for a major redevelopment of Ravenhill rugby stadium have been given the green light, Assembly ministers confirmed
SDLP Environment Minister Alex Attwood said he has backed planning permission for improvements at the south Belfast ground, including three new stands.
Mr Attwood said: "This is a tremendous boost for rugby and for sport here. Planning approval will now lead to the creation of a stadium that is fit for the 21st century".
Corvus are pleased to have provided a variety of survey and assessment services to this flagship project.
CEF Awards 2011 CEF Construction Excellence Awards 2011
Corvus are pleased to have provided environmental assessment services to the following category winning projects at the CEF Construction Excellence Awards 2011.
Housing
Greenfield Housing Award
Mastercraft Construction Assoc: Readers Park Phase 1A, Westlands, Ballyclare
Infrastructure
Education Infrastructure Award
Farrans Construction: Belfast Boys’ Model School
Environmental Sustainability Award
J.H. Turkington & Sons: Tesco Extra, Rushmere Craigavon
We are delighted to congratulate Farrans Construction on their overall winning project, the Belfast Boys' Model School, for which we provided a range of environmental survey, design and assessment services.
Overall Winner
Farrans Construction: Belfast Boys’ Model School
Lidl GMBH 
Successful Retail Planning Appeal
Client: Lidl Gmbh/Michael Burroughs Associates
Corvus provided a range of ecological and environmental services to a recent Planning Appeal in respect of a proposed Lidl Retail Store at Antrim.
The successful appeal further cements Corvus' reputation for serving the retail sector as expert witnesses in Northern Ireland.
For further information on the environmental aspects of Planning Appeals and Expert witness services in the UK & Ireland please contact Gareth Grindle on 02890 794266.
The Decision details can be viewed at
http://www.pacni.gov.uk/index/digest/digestcasedetails.htm?id=2010/A0307
FP McCann Successful Mineral Extraction Planning Appeal
Client: FP McCann/Elevate Planning
Corvus provided a range of ecological and environmental services, including survey, assessment, preparation of statements of case, Article 6 Appropriate Assessment, Habitat Management Planning and allied services to a recent Planning Appeal in respect of a major proposed sand and gravel extraction project at Tullybrick.
The successful appeal further cements Corvus' reputation for serving extractive industries as expert witnesses in Northern Ireland.
For further information on the environmental aspects of Mineral Extraction in the UK & Ireland please contact Catherine Finlay on 02890 794266.
The Decision details can be viewed at
http://applications.pacni.gov.uk/reports/26808R.pdf
2011 RICS Top building projects in Northern Ireland shortlisted for 2011 RICS Awards
Impressive local building projects large, small, new and reborn have been shortlisted for Northern Ireland's most prestigious awards for excellence in the built environment.
Twenty five entries ranging from the creation of a state-of-the-art mountain centre in the Mournes to the refurbishment and extension of an historic Belfast arts centre have been shortlisted for the RICS Northern Ireland Awards 2011.
The projects are competing for four category prizes - Regeneration, Sustainability, Community Benefit and Building Conservation - with an overall winner then selected.
The four Northern Ireland category winners also go forward to the RICS Awards to compete against projects from across the UK and internationally.
Corvus are please to have provided environmental services to the following shortlisted projects
Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast Belfast Schools Strategic Partnership (5 schools) Titanic Quarter, Belfast Public Record Office Northern Ireland 
DONG D1 Project Belfast Harbour Aims to Become Leading UK Renewables Hub
Client: Belfast Harbour Commissioners
DONG Energy is progressing a number of offshore wind farm projects in the Irish Sea and its intention is to use Belfast Harbour as a base for their construction and operation.The letter of intent was announced at a meeting in Belfast Harbour Office attended by representative from the Northern Ireland Executive, Peter Gedbjerg, Vice President and UK Country Manager of DONG Energy, and Len O’Hagan, Belfast Harbour’s Chairman.
As part of the proposal Belfast Harbour is to fund and build a new £40m, 450m quay and 50-acre logistics space, roughly twice the size of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, on the County Down side of the Harbour.
The project has created up to 300 full time jobs and 150 construction posts. DONG Energy will use the facility to pre-assemble both the turbines and their foundations. The scheme represents one of the Harbour’s largest ever capital investment projects.
Corvus have provided survey, liaison and assessment services to Belfast Harbour Commissioners in support of the proposals. Construction commenced in July 2011.
PRONI PRONI success in RTPI/RSPB Sustainable Planning Awards 2011
Client: Public Records Office of Northern Ireland
This year’s winners of the RTPI/RSPB NI Sustainable Planning Awards have been announced!
The awards recognise developers and individuals who have followed a 'green' planning process from start to finish. There are four categories: Sustainable Communities and Regeneration, Rural Areas and the Natural Environment, Urban Development and the Built Environment, and a Judges’ Choice award, which was new this year.
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland won in the Urban Development and the Built Environment category. The judges were particularly impressed by the commitment of the team from the outset to achieve a sustainable building, made that bit more difficult by the stringent demands of creating a space suitable for storing and viewing public records.
Corvus are pleased to have provided ecological assessment services to the PRONI design team.
Philippines Bat Surveys & Inventory Works, Republic of the Philippines
Corvus Consultants Dr. Daniel Bennett & Dr James O'Neill are assisting local bat scientists in the Republic of the Philippines with the implementation of large scale echolocation surveys using the most technologically advanced equipment yet deployed for the purpose in the Philippines.
The world's second largest archipelago after Indonesia, the Philippines includes more than 7,100 islands covering 297,179 km² in the westernmost Pacific Ocean. The Philippines lies north of Indonesia and directly east of Vietnam. The country is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a hotspot and a megadiversity country, placing it among the top priority hotspots for global conservation.
The islands are one of the Philippines one of the world's top ten biodiversity "hotspots" and home to a diverse and invaluable community of at least 74 species of bats. But their very existence is threatened every day. Philippine bats are relentlessly hunted as bushmeat, and their cave roosts are lost to improper guano mining, recreational caving and the commercial harvesting of swiftlet nests used in bird-nest soup. Their populations are declining throughout the islands.
Corvus are working with leading conservation organisation Mampam Conservation providing survey equipment, analysis services and expertise to Filipino Scientists to enable the true diversity of insect bats in the Philippines to be measured.
The project is carried out on a pro-bono basis and represents a small part of our committment to the conservation of biodiversity.
Survey works carried out by Corvus personnel in the Philippines have included bat surveys and reptile surveys.
Pictured here are a flying fox (Pteropus spp.) and a flying lizard (Draco volans) encountered by our surveyors during works on Polillo.
Solas Third Level PPP Programme - Bundle One
Clients: Solas Education for Life (Robertson Capital Projects, AIB, O’Hare & McGovern Limited, Bennett (Construction) Limited)
On 11 December 2005, the then Irish Minister for Education & Science, Mary Hanafin T.D. announced a plan to develop buildings and development projects in third level institutions across the country by means of public private partnership (PPP) arrangements (the Third Level PPP Programme) .
Bundle One of the programme comprised the following facilities:
* Limerick Institute of Technology - Library Information Resource Centre
* University of Limerick - Library Phase 2
* Cork Institute of Technology - Library Extension
* Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology - Digital Media Teaching Building,
Consolidated Workshops and Multi Purpose Hall.
Corvus provided ecological survey and assessment services, BREEAM Ecological Assessments and ecological sustainability advice to the Solas Education for Life Consortium.
Update (26/01/2011): Solas Education for Life has been selected as the preferred tenderer in relation to the above projects. Corvus offer our sincere congratulations to the entire project team.
Interconnector 
Tyrone to Cavan 440 kV Interconnector Objection & Public Inquiry
Client: SEAT/Michael Burroughs Associates
EirGrid and Northern Ireland Electricity have announced a new North-South interconnector, intended to connect the electricity systems of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Three years of campaigning by local action group SEAT (Safe Electricity Armagh Tyrone), public representatives and all the 5000 people along the 45km route of the 400 kV proposed interconnector line have successfully ensured that any decisions regarding this project are carefully considered in a public local inquiry. This campaign enjoys the support of all local politicians and all political parties.
Corvus have been engaged by SEAT and leading UK planning consultancy, Michael Burroughs Associates, to provide a ranges of environmental services of relevance to the community objection to the proposal and the public inquiry.
Corvus previously provided evidence to the An Bord Pleanála hearings into the project at which the Eirgrid proposal in the Republic of Ireland was withdrawn for a range of reasons including the inter-relationship between the proposal and the EIA Directive.
Pictured is John Woods from Armagh, a key campaign leader for the opposition of a proposed N.I.E. North-South Overhead Electricity Inter-Connector, which will extend via East Tyrone to South Armagh if the planned corridor route goes ahead. John firmly believes that the overhead grid will adversely affect the lives and health of local families, as well as having a detrimental economic and environmental impact.
TCI Dunmore Successful Planning Appeal: Dunmore Windfarm
Client: TCI Renewables
Corvus have assisted TCI renewables in securing a succesful outcome to their Dunmore Windfarm Project Planning Appeal.
We provided bat surveys, Article 6 Assessment services and negotiation with statutory auhorities with the result that all ecological reasons for refusal were withdrawn by the Department of the Environment on the day of the Appeal.
The proposal consists of seven 3MW wind turbines on lands at Dunmore, Limavady and is notable in that it is the first successful Windfarm Planning Appeal in Northern Ireland.
TCI were represented by William Orbinson QC, Mr Gary McGhee of Carson McDowell Solicitors and Mr Alan Farningham.
Corvus are pleased to have been of assistance.
Bradford Southgate Southgate Bradford Ecological Sustainability Assessment
Client: McAleer & Rushe
Corvus have provided ecological sustainability assessment and advice for the iconic £45m Southgate Centre in Bradford.
The offices in the McAleer & Rushe development will become the new headquarters for one of Bradford's leading employers, Provident Financial, which is to relocate its 650 staff to the new development. There will also be a basement car park providing 200 spaces and 150 employees will receive Metrocards.
The 200-bed three to four star hotel will be run by the Jurys Inn chain.
Stephen Davey, of McAleer & Rushe, said: "We are committed to delivering this landmark project in Bradford, as part of the high-profile regeneration taking place in the city."
British Waterways British Waterways: Canal Environmental Framework Tool
Client: British Waterways
Corvus, in association with a consortium of CASA Planning & Environment, Glasgow University Archaeological Research Department, Forest Research and Circle Design; are undertaking the development of a Canal Environmental Framework Tool to assist British Waterways with the sustainable development of the Forth & Clyde Canal.
The Forth & Clyde Canal is a scheduled ancient monument and one of the most important urban wildife refuges in the UK. Corvus are providing ecological surveys, protected species surveys, Integrated Habitat Network (IHN) modelling and invasive species surveys to the project.
Britsh Waterways is the public corporation that cares for the 2,200-mile network of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales, whose role it is to ensure that the waterways can be used for all to enjoy, now and for many years to come.
Rathgael Rathgael New Neighbourhood
Client: McGinnis Group & Others
Corvus have provided ecological sustainability assessment, EcIA, Ecological Management Planning and mitigation design for the iconic Rathgael New Neighbourhood in Bangor, County Down. The project received Planning Permission in March 2010.
Corvus worked with Pragma Planning, Cooper Cromar Architects & others to ensure that the proposed 690 unit residential scheme had a lower ecological impact than the 400 unit scheme originally proposed for the site.
The proposal retains all features of significant ecological interest and involves a radical landscape redesign to improve ecological connectivity and ensure the long-term enhancement of the site for protected and priority species
TDIC UAE Ecotourism & Nature Based Tourism Development: United Arab Emirates
Client: TDIC (UAE) / Dome Oilfield Services LLC (Dubai)
Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), established in 2006, is a master developer of major tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, and a key contributor to the economic and cultural progress of the UAE.
TDIC is fully committed to the highest international standards of wildlife protection and sustainable development.
Corvus Consulting were recently engaged by TDIC to provide protected species surveys and consulting services in relation to the provision of ecotourism, nature based tourism, wildlife protection and related areas in Abu Dhabi.
Our consultants discovered mammal species previously unrecorded in the UAE and provided advice in relation to forward planning of development projects and the optimisation of existing natural and semi-natural areas for Abu Dhabi's native species.
Sandale Successful Judicial Review: Sandale Developments Limited
Corvus Consulting, acting at the request of Mr Gary McGhee of Carson McDowell Solicitors, have been successful in a recent High Court Judicial Review Challenge against DOE Planning Service.
The Judicial Review was lodged by Carson McDowell on behalf of a private client primarily on the grounds that DOE Planning Service had acted unlawfully and in breach of the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 in making a determination of the planning application without full regard to all material impacts/considerations;.
The case centred upon potential direct impacts upon protected species on the site and potential indirect impacts acting upon Atlantic Salmon breeding adjacent to the application site but outwith the formal boundaries of the Foyle & Tributaries SAC/ASSI/Ramsar site, located some 35km from the application site. The existence of these impacts was disputed by DoE but proven by Corvus personnel.
Upon consideration of the contradictory positions, Justice Weatherup ruled that DOE was not in receipt of sufficient information to make a determination as to whether the proposal was EIA development and that the applicant should have been requested to provide such information to determine the effects on potential ecological receptors.
Mr. Stewart Beattie QC and Ms. Jill Comerton BL appeared for the client in the Judicial Review proceedings.
The case has implications for all major developments in Northern Ireland and elsewhere and highlights the importance of ensuring adequate EIA determination (and the utility of EIA based objections) when considering major development projects.
For further information regarding the above case or in regard to Environmental Judicial Review in general, please contact Dr James O’Neill or Mr Gareth Grindle on 02890 794266.
More information on the case can be found here: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/judge-quashes-plan-to-build-secondary-school-14749956.html
BCA Runway Belfast City Airport Proposed Runway Extension
Client: Belfast City Airport & Strategic Planning
Corvus Consulting carried out Ecological Impact Assessment of Belfast City Airport's Proposed 590m runway extension.
Located adjacent to Belfast Lough SPA, extensive bird surveys and a range of ecological impact assessments were carried out by Corvus personnel.
The current length of the runway restricts the amount of fuel and number of passengers permitted to be carried by some aircraft. The result is that the airlines can only fly from short-haul destinations mainly within the UK at less than full passenger capacity.
An extended runway will facilitate flights to a wider range of European destinations.
Knockroon Knockroon Exemplar Sustainable Community Initiative
Client: The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment
Corvus carried out EcIA & Mitigation design for the Knockroon New Neighbourhood on behalf of the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment.
Selected as an exemplar project by Government's Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative, Knockroon will be more than a housing estate.
It will be a neighbourhood: a neighbourhood incorporating homes, shops to serve local and daily needs and workplaces for people wishing to start small businesses. The new community will be built as a walkable neighbourhood with a mix of types and sizes of housing. It will include sustainable urban drainage, renewable energy, local food strategies, building and heritage skills training and education, natural landscaping using native plants and architecture and urban spaces derived from a study of towns throughout Ayrshire.
Ballyclare WRR Ballyclare Western Relief Road & Sustainability Masterplanning
Client: KPL & Turley Associates
Corvus Consulting carried out EcIA, Appropriate Assessment and mitigation design for the consented Ballyclare Western Relief Road and assisted with spatial and sustainability masterplanning for the associated urban extension.
For the first time in Northern Ireland, a major infrastructure project and associated urban extension will be designed with ecological sustainability at the heart of the design ethos. The ambitious £400 million project will see the construction of a by-pass road to the west of the town, and more than 2,000 new homes built in the area over the next 15 to 20 years.
Danny Kinahan, Ulster Unionist MLA for South Antrim, has welcomed the announcement by Environment Minister Edwin Poots that planning approval has been granted for a road and housing scheme in Ballyclare.
"At such a difficult economic time, investment like this is especially welcome. I would also like to congratulate KPL on their work in seeing this scheme to fruition as well as their cooperation in working with local fishermen over all the matters relating to the Six Mile Water.
"I have been very impressed by their environmental skills and knowledge," he said.
DBFO Env Management DBFO1 Environmental Management: M1/M2/M3/M5
Client: Highway Maintenance Management JV
Corvus are retained as Environmental monitoring and management consultants to the DBFO1 network in Northern Ireland. Comprising 75km of the most trafficked motorways in the area, bespoke environmental management GIS tools and databases have been designed and implemented.
The practice has worked with HMM to develop and launched a GIS system designed to improve environmental management and communications between all team members involved in the M1/M2/M3/M5 motorways.
Designed to be straightforward to use, the system provides for the simple dissemination and integration of environmental information of importance to network designers.
Lough Erne Golf Resort Lough Erne Golf Resort
Client: Lough Erne Golf Resort
Corvus were engaged to carry out detailed protected species surveys, EcIA,mitigation design and protected species relocations during the planning and construction of the prestigious Lough Erne Golf Resort and 5 Star Hotel.
Located next to the ecologically sensitive Lough Erne complex, ecological and habitat management plans were negotiated with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and artificial otter holts, badger setts and bat hibernaculae constructed.
Since opening in 2008, the Nick Faldo designed Lough Erne Resort has quickly become the premier golfing destination in the North of Ireland.
Comber Greenway Comber Community Greenway
Client: Sustrans
Corvus provided a range of ecological and environmental services to the Comber Community Greenway Project. Covering a 7 mile route through ecologically sensitive terrestrial and riverine habitats, a sensitive approach to route selection and environmental protection was required. Corvus carried out detailed survey works for bats, badgers, otters and birds, and provided licensed relocation works and mitigation design as required.
In order to ensure that no environmental damage arose from the proposal, Corvus liaised closely with the appointed contractor to develop appropriate construction management plans, method statements and appropriate environmental protection measures.
Works carried out by Corvus were recognised in 2009 when the project was awarded first prize in the Mobility Category of the IV European Greenways Awards organised by the European Greenways Association.
The award aims to promote the best of Europes routes that are designed to take non-motorised traffic, otherwise known as greenways. The Comber Greenway was selected from 21 nominations from 10 countries. The judges particularly praised the quality of the route, the environmental protection measures applied during construction, and the links that were made with local communities.
Hilden Mill Hilden Mill Redevelopment
Client: Galliard/Turley Associates
The NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has given planning approval for 600 homes to be created at the former Barbour thread factory near Lisburn. The project will involve converting the listed parts of the factory in Hilden and demolishing other buildings. Corvus provided EcIA, protected species surveys, invasive species survey and eradication services and mitigation design to the project.
As well as apartments the scheme is due to include offices, light industrial units and a museum. The development is ultimately owned by Galliard Homes, an Essex-based property developer. Mr Poots said the £100m scheme will help generate jobs as well as improving public amenities along the River Lagan.
Clyde Shanks, of Turley Associates (lead planning consultants for the project), said his clients were delighted that the scheme had been given the go-ahead. "The development will put vitality back into the area and provide an excellent modern living and working environment that will reflect the historical importance of the site yet inject an exciting new future" he added.
Sirocco Sirocco Quays Mixed Use Development
Client: Turley Associates/Carvill Group
Corvus provided EcIA, Appropriate Assessment and mitigation design services to the £600m Sirocco Quays redevelopment in Belfast.
The ambitious, 16-acre waterfront scheme by award-winning developers The Carvill Group is to transform a rundown factory site into a "unique riverside community" in the east of the city.
The scheme will eventually include a hotel, childcare facilities, a care home for the elderly, a supermarket and doctors' surgery all on-site. Sirocco Quays has impressive 'green' credentials, too, with waste management systems which will encourage recycling, ecological enhancements for birds and other wildlife, the use of renewable technologies and a subsidised car club for residents.
In addition, the development was planned around open spaces, one of which will be a public park within the city centre - second only in size to the grounds of the City Hall. The historic Sirocco site is the last in the city centre with river frontage and completes the Laganside project - one of the most prestigious in Europe.
Planning Permission was granted in early 2010.
Glasgow Paddlesports Glasgow Paddlesports Centre
Client: Isis Waterside Regeneration/Glasgow City Council
Corvus were engaged to carry out protected species surveys, EcIA,mitigation design and protected species relocations during the planning of the proposed Glasgow Paddlesports Centre.
The Centre will be located on an island site and will provide changing accommodation, showers and other communal facilities. In addition, individual organisations and clubs who have expressed an interest in becoming residents will be afforded the opportunity to provide their own storage and facilities alongside, based on a co-ordinated container system design.
The Centre will provide excellent opportunities to develop general kayaking and canoeing skills, whilst enabling canoe polo and slalom to be developed at competition scale.
SW Acute Hospital South Western Acute Hospital
Client: FCC/Interserve & Strategic Planning
Corvus were selected by FCC/Interserve PLC/Cyril Sweett PLC to provide ecological surveys, impact assessments and mitigation design services for their £290m South Western Hospital PFI Bid.
Assessing the proposed ecological impact of the proposed hospital was carried out in tandem with the provision of design advice aimed at enabling the requirements of the client to be met within an overall key design requirement of significantly increasing biodiversity on site while attaining a high BREEAM rating.
Surveys indicated that ecological interest on site was lower than would ordinarily be expected for the site. The problems giving rise to this situation were identified by Corvus and addressed by planning mitigation within the operational framework required of a major regional hospital.
The design put forward by the team was selected as the best option in open competition and the project awarded to FCC/Interserve PLC/Cyril Sweett PLC in September 2008. The design was praised by planners for effective integration of planning, operational and sustainability issues.
Titanic Project Titanic Signature Project Ecological Sustainability Assessment
Client: Harcourt Construction
Corvus are providing ecological sustainability assessment and advice to the iconic Titanic Signature Project.
In an area steeped in history, the signature Project forms a central part of the development of Titanic Quarter. The state-of-the-art building, designed by leading international architects and designers will include a Titanic Experience' exhibition, a Flying Theatre' which allows visitors a birds eye view across Northern Ireland, a Titanic-themed banqueting suite and a community arts facility for local exhibitions, performances and conferences.
The project will also include the restoration of the Titanic and Olympic slipways, the Thompson Dock and Harland and Wolff's former Headquarters building. The Titanic Signature Project will bring alive the area's history, and will attract visitors from across the world.
Belfast Harbour Commissioners and the Northern Ireland Executive have committed £65m to create the £90m landmark Titanic Signature building at the head of the Titanic's slipway. It is anticipated that construction on this iconic £90m project has commenced in early 2009 and is expected to be completed by the first quarter in 2012 in time for RMS Titanic's centenary.
Lisanelly Barracks Lisanelly Shared Educational Campus
Client: Strategic Investment Board/Bovis Lend-Lease
Corvus have been appointed by SIB/BLL as ecological consultants to the exemplar design team responsible for the the proposed Shared Education Campus in Omagh.
The design process is due to be completed by March 2011.
The team is lead by Bovis Lend Lease (BLL), one of the world's leading fully integrated property solution providers. BLL have an extensive portfolio of projects in all areas of design and development including significant education projects such as the current £1.2billion Birmingham Schools for the Future project.
Also included on the successful team are Masterplan Architects and Design Champions Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) who carried out a similar role on the Stratford City Regeneration and were architects on the recently completed Westminster Academy, awarded 2008 Public Building of the Year.
Local architectural firms HMD Architects and Isherwood & Ellis will imbue each school with the evolution and development of an individual and distinctive vision for themselves. Both firms have considerable experience of working on education projects.
Other team members include planning & community development consultants, Strategic Planning; cost managers, Moore McDonald; civil & structural engineers, Taylor & Boyd; services engineers, Caldwell Consulting; landscape architects, MWA Partnership and traffic consultants, JMP Consultants.
Hazel Jones has been appointed by DE/SIB as Programme Director for the project. An engineer and town planner, she has held posts at senior management level in both the public and private sector and was most recently Development Director of Ballymore Properties (Ireland)
Royal Exchange Royal Exchange
Client DPP LLP/Corbo/Leaside Properties/ING Real Estate
Corvus, engaged by DPP LPP is advising ING Real Estate and Leaside Properties on a major £300m regeneration scheme for Belfast City Centre. The Royal Exchange scheme, in Belfast’s North East Quarter, represents the next phase of a programme of regeneration promoted by the Department of Social Development who has selected ING Real Estate and Leaside Properties as preferred developers for the project. The scheme will deliver a mixed use package of around 45,000 m2 of high quality retail floorspace. This will include a new department store, 15,000 m2 of offices, residential space, a city centre hotel and arts/cultural uses with new public realm and supporting access and parking infrastructure.
The proposed development is located in one of the most historically significant quarters of Belfast City within the city centre and Cathedral Conservation area, and contains many historic frontages and listed buildings. It is also within the City’s main shopping area but underinvestment has resulted in a deteriorating physical fabric coupled with social and economic decline. The intention is to create a new vibrant quarterthrough retail led regeneration, re-connecting with important neighbourhoods and other areas including the cathedral, and completing a strong city wide retail circuit.
Image by Hopkins Architects & Chapman Taylor
CEF Awards 2010 CEF Construction Excellence Awards 2010
Corvus are pleased to have provided environmental assessment services to the following category winning projects at the CEF Construction Excellence Awards 2010.
Housing (Greenfield)
Carvill Group Ltd. Woodbrook, Brokerstown Village
Housing (Brownfield)
McHenry Bros (Magherafelt) Ltd. Duncan's Road Housing Project
Infrastructure
Farran's (Construction) Ltd. Belfast Model School for Girls
Utilities
Morgan Farran's JV Belfast Sewers Project
Most Outstanding Entry
Morgan Farran's JV Belfast Sewers Project
Sprucefield PI Successful Judicial Reviews: Sprucefield Phase 2
Clients: House of Fraser, Leaside, Corbo, Bow Street Mall & Ors.
Instructing Solicitors: Carson McDowell (House of Fraser & Ors.), Mills Selig (Bow St Mall).
Corvus were engaged by a variety of blue-chip retail/development clients to provide expert witness services and allied input into a range of Judicial Reviews challenging the controversial Sprucefield Phase 2 proposal. As a result of these challenges Environment Minister Edwin Poots has relinquished all involvement in the decision-making process surrounding the application.
His department has also agreed to reconsider whether more information is required on the environmental impact of development at Sprucefield, near Lisburn. The moves, confirmed at the High Court in Belfast, brought an end to the legal challenges brought by businesses opposed to the 500,000 sq feet retail scheme.
Lawyers for the rival retailers who brought the case welcomed the position taken by the Department.
William Orbinson QC, appearing for the House of Fraser and other businesses in Belfast, said: "We have in essence achieved what we sought to achieve in our application."
More information can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11719601
Mr. William Orbinson QC and Mr. Greg Jones BL appeared for House of Fraser & Others
Mr. Stewart Beattie QC and Ms. Jill Comerton BL appeared for Bow Street Mall
Binn Farm Binn Farm Eco Innovation Park, Perthshire
Client: CASA Planning & Environment
Corvus provided Ecological Survey, EcIA, Ecological Management Planning and mitigation design for the Binn Woods Horticultural Growing Space associated with the Binn Farm Eco Innovation Park in Perthshire.
Planning permission was obtained in December 2010.
Corvus worked with CASA Planning & Environment to ensure that the project had minimal ecological impact.
The Binn project is intended to define the drivers for a new approach to industrial ecology, using renewable low cost heat as the synergy to drive other businesses on the park including food production and other sources of renewable energy.
The project will make a significant contribution to regionalised food and energy self sufficiency and sustainability
Camel's Hump Approval for 'most significant' Strabane Investment Plan
Client: Turley Associates/Riverside Developments Ltd.
Planning approval has been granted for a major development project for Strabane.
The 23.5 acre mixed-use development project in an area between Strabane and Lifford known as "the camel's hump" has been given the go-ahead by environment minister Edwin Poots.
The multi-million pound development is set to transform the site of a former British Army base.
Niall McAteer, spokesperson for Riverside Building and Development Ltd which worked on the plans, said the site had the potential to define the future economic development of Strabane.
West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty said that the planning approval has now "unlocked the potential for biggest economic investment in the area for generations".
The proposal includes a 167,000 sq ft employment park, a 100 bedroom hotel and a leisure centre, measuring 50,000 sq ft.
Corvus provided Survey, Mitigation Design, EcIA, Article 6 Assessment and Statutory Negotiation to the project
NRA Roads Protected Species Licensing for NRA
Client: National Roads Authority / Doran Consulting Ltd.
The presence of bats in road bridges and the consequent implications for maintenance and refurbishment projects is an increasingly common problem for roads authorities.
Recently, Corvus assisted the NRA and Doran Consulting in obtaining a variety of European Protected Species Licences for bats in relation to bridge strengthening projects throughout Donegal & Connemara.
Licenses were obtained from NPWS and works can proceed on schedule.
A range of other surveys for European Protected Species (Otter & Freshwater Pearl Mussel) were carried out however Corvus were able to prove that no impacts would arise on these species as a result of proposed works.
Connswater Greenway 
Connswater Community Greenway
Client: East Belfast Partnership
Corvus provided a range of ecological and environmental services to the Connswater Community Greenway Project.
The Connswater Community Greenway is a £32 million investment in East Belfast. The project has been developed by the East Belfast Partnership and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Belfast City Council and the Department for Social Development.
The Connswater Community Greenway will create a 9km linear park through East Belfast, following the course of the Connswater, Knock and Loop Rivers, connecting the open and green spaces and remediating the Connswater River itself. The Greenway will reconnect the communities of East Belfast and restore the rivers as community assests. It will create vibrant, attractive, safe and accessible parkland for leisure, recreation and community events and activities.
Corvus carried out EIA screening negotiations with the Department of the Environment prior to the granting of consent, and have since been retained by the East Belfast Partnership to act as consulting ecologists throughout the construction process.
Gareth Grindle of Corvus will liaise with the Build Contractor's retained ecologists to ensure the highest standard of ecological and environmental protection is applied thoughout the construction process.
