Project Description
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) | Northern Ireland
One of the UK’s largest solar farm developers commissioned us to complete ecological appraisals on six separate solar developments in Northern Ireland, ranging from 5-26MW. Each required a succinct and robust ecological appraisal (PEA) report, which was informed by targeted field surveys and a comprehensive desk study. These enabled a rapid progression into planning for 5 of the 6 sites. One site, lying on the periphery of an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) designated for breeding lapwing required us to undertake pre-application consultations with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and RSPB. Informed by our in-house local knowledge and expertise and our established good working relationships with these bodies, we were able to successfully address all concerns and the project was able to progress into planning without delay.
We are now undertaking pre-construction checks at the first consented site while awaiting planning decisions on the remaining applications.