SHARPE ECOLOGY
An Independent and Professional Ecology Consultancy
About Us
Sharpe Ecology is a Worcestershire-based independent ecological consultancy, founded in 2012 and incorporated in 2023. We provide a range of ecological services from ecological appraisals and assessments, phase 1 and phase 2 habitat surveys, protected species surveys, biodiversity net gain (BNG) assessments, specialist ecological reports, mitigation and enhancement strategies to ecological advice and support for planning applications.
Sharpe Ecology has been responsible for the delivery and management of a variety of ecology projects across both public and private sectors. Clients have included local authorities, large- and small-scale consultancies, housing developers, commercial organisations (including highways, railways and industry), private landowners and individual householders.
Sharpe Ecology, with the services of licensed and highly experienced surveyors and field ecologists, offers a personal and pragmatic service aimed at providing sustainable and integrated solutions in line with client expectation, legislation and best practice.
Based in Pershore, Worcestershire our ecologists are ideally located to cover projects throughout the West Midlands and beyond.
Who are we?
Fiona Sharpe BSc (Hons) PhD MCIEEM
Fiona is the founder and company director and has over 17 years of ecological experience within the ecological consultancy sector and in conservation research.
Fiona holds a first class BSc (Hons) degree in Animal Biology from the University of St Andrews, a PhD in Avian Ecology from the University of Bath and is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). She is a licensed surveyor for bats and great crested newts.
Fergus Henderson BSc (Hons) MCIEEM
Fergus is a highly experienced field ecologist with over 25 years experience within the ecological consultancy and nature conservation sectors, and who has been associated with Sharpe Ecology for 10 years. Fergus has a degree in Environmental Science and is a full member of CIEEM. He is a licensed surveyor for bats, great crested newts and hazel dormouse and is a Natural England Registered Consultant for bats.
Our Services
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is usually the starting point for most projects. A PEA is used to establish the baseline, existing ecological conditions of a site. A PEA will usually involve a desk study and site walkover survey and is usually used to inform detailed design and the need for further ecological assessment and protected species surveys.
Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to development and/or land management that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state that it was before. A minimum 10% BNG is mandatory for major developments from January 2024, minor developments from April 2024 and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) from 2025. Having worked with a local planning authority to produce BNG policies, guidance and procedures, we are best placed to assess BNG and advise of the best approach for your project.
Bat Surveys
Bat surveys can be required for a range of projects. A Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) is usually undertaken to determine if bats are likely to be present, followed by detailed activity surveys if required. We have extensive experience in dealing with bats in buildings, particularly listed and historic buildings, and provide the full range of services from PRA to mitigation, licensing and monitoring.
Protected Species Surveys
We offer surveys for a range of protected and priority species, including great crested newt, hazel dormouse, reptiles, birds (breeding and wintering), badgers, barn owl, otter, water vole and white-clawed crayfish. All surveys are carried out at the appopriate time of year by suitably qualified and experienced surveyors, who hold the relevant survey licences where required.
The results of these surveys are used to inform site design, appropraite mitigation schemes and the need for licensing.
Ecological Impact Assessment
Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) is a more detailed, in-depth assessment usually required where potentially significant ecological effects are likely to arise from a project. An EcIA will typically collate information from the PEA, protected species surveys and/or other detailed surveys, and will assess the value of existing ecological features, consider potential ecological effects (adverse and beneficial) of the development, and assess any residual impacts.
Habitat Surveys
We offer a range of habitat surveys from phase 1 surveys using both the JNCC Phase 1 and UK Habitats Classifications, to more detailed phase surveys such as National Vegetation Classification (NVC), hedgerow surveys and BREEAM assessments. This list is not exhaustive so if you have any other requirements please do get in touch.
Mitigation, Management and Other Services
It is important that projects are deliverable and protect and enhance biodiversity features. We are able to provide a range of additional services including (but not restricted to):
- Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategies
- Ecological Management Plans
- Construction Environmental Management Plans
- Precautionary Working Method Statements
- Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW)
- Nesting Bird Checks
- Toolbox Talks
- Licensed Supervision
- Bat Sound Analysis
- Review of Technical Reports
Projects
Below is a sample of the diverse range of projects undertaken by Sharpe Ecology
Woodland Creation Schemes
Breeding bird surveys and preliminary ecological appraisal in relation to two proposed woodland creation sites in Cheshire and Merseyside
Client
- Forestry England
Barn Conversion
Detailed bat surveys, design of roost replacement features, bat mitigation licence and licensed supervision of works for a barn conversion impacting five species of bat (common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, Natterer's bat and lesser horseshoe bat) near Pershore, Worcestershire
Client
- Householder
Highways Scheme
The provision of ecology support for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). A Highways England dualling scheme in Somerset required additional ecology support, which included the review of technical reports, production of a Bird Strike Risk Assessment relating to a nearby RNAS base, field surveys and amendments to barn owl and breeding bird reports, production of protected species mitigation strategies, input into Environmental Statement and bat call sound analysis covering at least 14 species of bat including Annex II species
Client
- Arup
Local Authority Ecology Support
To help ensure the local planning authority was prepared for the mandatory BNG requirements for development, a review of existing plans, policies and processes was undertaken. Updated/new policies (as part of the local plan review) and BNG guidance (external and internal) were produced, along with the provision of BNG training sessions and development of appropriate processes to deal with BNG applications from pre-application to post-permission
Client
- Cannock Chase District Council
Grade I & Grade II Listed Building and Park Ecology Support
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and input into a Conservation Management Plan for Witley Court, as well as the provision of working method statements and watching briefs for great crested newts and bats in relation to fountain and tunnel repairs of Grade I & Grade II listed structures at Witley Court, Worcestershire
Client
- English Heritage
New Caravan Park
Ecological Impact Assessment and protected species surveys (bats, breeding birds, reptiles, great crested newt eDNA, polecat and invertebrates), and the production of Construction Environmental Management Plan and Biodiversity Enhancement Plan in relation to the development of a new caravan park near Pershore, Worcestershire
Client
- Allens Caravans
White Water Canoe Course
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and production of a Water Framework Directive screening/scoping report in relation to a proposed community-based canoe course on the River Avon near Pershore, Worcestershire
Client
- Avon Navigation Trust
Listed Building Renovation
Detailed bat surveys, design of innovative incorporated roost replacement features, bat mitigation licence and licensed supervision of works for the renovation of a Grade II listed 17th century farmhouse near Hanley Castle, Worcestershire. The building supported five species of bat including a lesser horseshoe bat maternity roost and brown long-eared bat and lesser horseshoe bat hibernation roosts.
Client
- Lechmere Estate
Brownfield Site Development
Ecological Impact Assessment, protected species surveys (bats, birds, white-clawed crayfish, reptiles) and invasive species survey (Japanese knotweed), production of a detailed design for bat mitigation and working method statements, and ecological clerk of works (reptiles and Japanese kntoweed) in relation to the development of a brownfield site for commercial and trade use near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Client
- Dowdeswell Estates
Get in Touch
If you have any questions or concerns, we're always ready to help!
Registered Address: 40 High Street, Pershore, WR10 1DP
Registration No: 15311432
All content and images copyright © Sharpe Ecology Limited 2024