BCM Environs undertakes the following:

Undertaking, assessing and managing species and habitat surveys

Capabilities include:

Phase 1 Habitat Survey for cataloguing ecological resources over large areas, including extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey for baseline ecological descriptions in Environmental Assessment;

Hedgerow surveys to determine the importance of hedgerows under the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 and other hedgerow evaluation systems;

National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys;

River Corridor and River Habitat Surveys;

Bird surveys including breeding, passage and wintering bird surveys;

Mammal surveys including badger, bat, otter and water vole; and,

Licensed amphibian and reptile surveys including great crested newt.

Liaising with the appropriate statutory and non-statutory bodies in relation to wildlife and landscape protection and conservation

Throughout the past 15 years, Brian Minshull has actively engaged with the relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies on all of the pipeline projects with which he has been involved throughout the United Kingdom. From often difficult beginnings mutually beneficial relations were established and commitments were delivered upon, contributing to the successful completion of projects. This experience can now be applied to future projects as necessary.

Managing construction activities from an environmental perspective

During approximately half of the time with which Brian Minshull has been involved with pipeline projects in the United Kingdom, this has entailed providing environmental management and supervision of construction activities during “live” projects. This “hands-on” involvement with the “workforce” and the workforce provides him with much experience of putting the principles into practice, and equally making sure that the principles and the practice are closely aligned. In addition, whilst working on international pipeline projects, Brian Minshull has had the role of liaising between the engineering team and the environmental team, exploiting his practical understanding of the construction and environmental management aspects of such projects.

Undertaking and supervising habitat restoration / pipeline reinstatement

Unlike almost all other infrastructure projects United Kingdom pipelines, in principle, leave no visible evidence of their construction on completion. Throughout each pipeline project with which he has been involved, the prime concern of Brian Minshull has been appropriate reinstatement of affected areas, and as such, he has gained a large amount of experience regarding habitat restoration and creation. Working on the basis of “minimising impacts on the way in and maximising recovery on the way out” he has been involved with the reinstatement of Dorset heathlands, high-profile nature conservation sites in St. Helens, Merseyside, mosslands and moorlands in Dumfries and Galloway, coastal cliffs and beaches in Edinburgh, Galloway and Antrim and many other semi-natural habitats.

Writing management plans, completing environmental impact assessments, producing environmental impact statements and designing and managing wildlife habitats

The range of capabilities offered here include:

Desk studies and literature reviews;

Baseline description, ecological survey and assessment;

Assessment and evaluation of ecological impacts;

Mitigation advice regarding habitat enhancement, restoration, creation and translocation schemes;

Site specific management plans following development as part of mitigation process; and,

Ecological aspects of site management plans.

Ecological Advice and Mitigation (including protected species licences)

Mitigation advice regarding habitat enhancement, restoration, creation and translocation schemes;

Preparation of licence applications for work involving protected animal species; and,

Advice on ecological policy and guidance.

In addition, site specific licences have been regularly obtained to undertake work with other protected species, such as badger, water vole and barn owl.

Additional services

Preparation of guides, handbooks, fact-sheets, flyers, posters and public information boards:

Provision of illustrated talks and guided walks for interest groups, schools, schools etc: and,

Provision of wildlife survey and management equipment and other related materials.

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