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Services
Cresswell Associates provide the following services:
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Statement (ES) Production
Cresswell
Associates have undertaken a large
number of EIA projects for a range of
public and private clients since 1995.
Several of our staff hold higher degrees
in EIA and the two directors teach
Environmental Assessment, Strategic
Environmental Assessment, Environmental
Auditing and Environmental Statement
Review as visiting lecturers at the
University of Bristol. We are members of
the Institute of Environmental
Management and Assessment (IEMA) and
keep at the forefront of developments in
EIA.
Ecological Surveys and Site Appraisals
Cresswell Associates offers a full service in ecological surveys and assessment for terrestrial, freshwater and coastal habitats. We have undertaken over 700 contracts involving assessment of nature conservation value in the past six years. Our permanent staff offers the full range of expertise in-house including higher and lower plants, fungi, terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals. We are competent in the objective evaluation of ecological data against established criteria and are familiar with UK and local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species throughout the UK.
Soil and Hydrological Surveys and Assessments
In
addition to, and complementing our
expertise in protected species and
habitats, we have extensive experience
in the survey and assessment of other
environmental attributes, such as soils,
hydrology (both surface and
groundwater), geomorphology and
contaminated land. This is of particular
value in relation to ecological features
and function, and for the production of
habitat creation, restoration and
translocation options. We are also able
to undertake detailed, targeted soil
surveys in order to produce Agricultural
Land Classifications, required to assess
the quality of agricultural land to be
affected by development proposals. We
can produce soil handling protocols to
suit specific site conditions and works
programmes, and can advise on the
particular requirements where land is to
be returned to agriculture.
Sustainable Drainage Systems
Cresswell
Associates are active in promoting the
use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
as an alternative to the more
traditional sub-surface piped systems
for proposed new developments. The
Environment Agency and Local Authorities
view SuDS as an integral part of the
overall aim of sustainable development.
We have extensive experience of
providing design options for a wide
variety of development schemes. This,
combined with our ecological expertise,
allows us to link ecological mitigation
and drainage requirements to produce
fully integrated schemes that can have
wide-ranging benefits for the local
environment, landscape and the local
community.
Strategic Biodiversity Projects
We
are regularly asked by our clients to
undertake strategic reviews of their
land-holdings or to review the
ecological constraints associated with a
potential purchase. We can then provide
clear advice on constraints and legal
implications that may guide their
business decisions. As part of a
Framework Arrangement with the Highways
Agency we have reviewed the evidence of
the presence of species of conservation
concern within the entire UK motorway
and trunk road network and developed a
Biodiversity Action Plan for the
network.
Mitigation Design and Implementation
One
of the strengths of our practice is our
ability to turn mitigation and habitat
creation requirements into practical
solutions. This has proven particularly
helpful to our clients in the
construction industry, where we have
worked closely with engineering
colleagues to develop effective and
economical solutions to environmental
constraints that have minimal effects on
programme.
Monitoring Projects
Due to recent changes in the interpretation of European legislation, the requirements for licensing of impacts on protected species have become much more onerous. Significant monitoring of the effects of development and the effectiveness of mitigation is now required. Due to our wide experience and the strong academic background of our team, we are particularly well-placed to carry out rigorous scientific monitoring, sometimes resulting in publication. Our clients benefit from the publicity associated with positive environmental action.
Public Inquiry, Communication and
Presentation
The ability to communicate clearly,
concisely and effectively is an
important aspect of our work as
consultants. This is particularly
relevant at Public Inquiry and both of
our Directors have significant
experience of expert witness work. We
also undertake consultations, press
releases for environmental schemes,
public exhibitions and specialist
briefings.
Teaching and Research
Cresswell Associates is a teaching practice and we undertake an extensive in-house and external training program. Our directors teach EIA, Environmental audit and ES Review to post graduate level. We have also developed and taught courses for consultants, the Statutory Authorities, the Highways Agency, local authorities and other interested parties on protected species, soils, hydrology and sustainable drainage systems. We undertake contract research of environmental issues for a range of public and private bodies and support the necessary library, statistical and computer resources.