Other Services
DRONE SURVEYS: SMALL UAV AERIAL INSPECTIONS & IMAGING
Drones are becoming increasingly popular in commercial activities and are an ever valuable tool for a variety of circumstances. We provide Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved pilots that have Permit for Commercial Operations (PfCO) certification. UAVs can be used to survey areas at height, provide current aerial imagery of a site and monitor changes, access unsafe areas, provide 2D and 3D images and create stunning marketing videos and photos. Drone surveys can be used as a standalone survey or in conjunction with any other surveys
​
EUROPEAN PROTECTED SPECIES LICENCES: EPSL
In circumstances where best practice guidance either cannot be followed or is not applicable, licences can be obtained to allow persons to carry out activities that would otherwise be prohibited,without committing an offence. Licences are issued by the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (SNCO), these are: Natural England (NE), the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Scottish National Heritage (SNH) and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
BAT MITIGATION CLASS LICENCE: BMCL
In certain cases (specifically for bats), a Bat Mitigation Class Licence may be sought (only in England) that provides an alternative to the EPSL. This BMCL can only be used under certain conditions, but can be an effective tool when dealing with low numbers of common bat species.
ECOLOGICAL CLERK OF WORKS: WATCHING BRIEFS & TOOLBOX TALKS
Aether Ecology provide experienced ecologists to inspect any required work at sensitive or high risk areas that could be detrimental to the site ecology. An Ecological Clerk or Works (ECoW) provides piece of mind when such activities are undertaken to help ensure that any work is carried out safely and within the acceptable guidelines to reduce the risk of committing an offence under UK and European wildlife laws. We also brief your contractors on the dos and don'ts when working near protected species with a veritable library of samples to pass around!
ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT: MANAGEMENT PLANS & ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS
Due to the ever increasing amount of protection for British wildlife, mitigation, compensation and enhancements to a site are often required to allow planning permission of a proposed development to proceed and to 'put something back' where an existing habitat is likely to be affected, particularly if protected species are a potential risk (e.g. bats, great crested newts etc.).
Aether Ecology provides advice on mitigation that may need to be incorporated into your development plans following a wildlife survey. For developments where protected species such as bats are present, mitigation and compensation advice must be provided by a Natural England licensed worker.
​
​