According to environmental organisations, prompt action must be taken by the EU to ensure that adequate funding is put towards conserving the diversity of nature. Failure to do so will put Europe’s species at risk, increasing the challenges of producing sufficient food and fibre and even sourcing clean water.

Recent assessments carried out by the European Red List revealed that biodiversity in Europe is disappearing, and at an alarming rate. In order to prevent species from going extinct, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 must be implemented.

The assessment outlined the number of species which are threatened at the EU level in each of the 27 member states. Whilst there are some plans in place set to address the decline in biodiversity, still more must be done to reverse the current trends.
Disturbingly, the Mediterranean region which is the richest in terms of wildlife and nature diversity is also the hardest hit by the biodiversity crisis. Of the 2,032 species assessed, 21 per cent were considered in danger of extinction.

Closely followed by Spain is Portugal and Greece who have 15 per cent of the 1,215 European species and 14 per cent of the 1,684 species considered threatened respectively.
Freshwater species like fish, molluscs and amphibians are considered most at risk, particularly the European eel and freshwater pearl mussel.

The main reason for the declining biodiversity is the loss, fragmentation and degradation of their habitat. This is due in large part to agricultural and urban sprawl, the construction of dams and also water pollution.

Whilst it is of utmost importance that the Mediterranean should act with urgency, all EU member states are urged to act to protect species and wildlife within their territory. The aforementioned Biodiversity Strategy was implemented in 2011 and calls on member states to stop their loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystem services by the year 2020.

Tools available to these states will help contribute towards halting the loss of biodiversity and protect Europe’s invaluable natural heritage. In order to do so action must be taken and now.

The development of houses and other buildings has had an alarming impact on the landscape across the United Kingdom of late which has forced conservationists to become more involved in land use planning processes and applications.

Figures released this year revealed that for every acre of land which is protected, many more are lost to poor planned development. Buildings are now being built across parks and protected areas in a bid to save money on what otherwise would be expensive land. With the price of land costing up to 40% of the price of a new build home, many are taking to purchasing land close to building boundaries in the hope that the relevant authorities will break under the pressure.

The exact numbers of endangered species is unknown. What is understood is that the drivers behind the cause of extinctions are rapidly increasing: land conversions, degradation, pollution and climate change all contribute towards diminishing numbers of animals. What’s more, the continued growth of the human population further increases consumption which is generally unsustainable.

Conservationists and land planners are learning to work together to help resolve the ecological problems which are being caused by building development. In order to improve and protect biodiversity, it is essential that the planning community make use of the services available to them.

Land planning occurs at different scales across the country, whether it be offering audits to homeowners and developers or providing tree or arboricultural surveys to woodland owners.

Habitat loss is known to be one of the most significant threats to biodiversity. One of the primary factors for the decline in numbers of wildlife and plants is the loss, degradation and alteration of habitats. It is a common misconception that habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity occurs in species-rich areas like the Tropics only, it can in fact occur across countries like the United Kingdom too.

As cities continue to grow out, the rise of uncontrolled growth which is usually referred to as sprawl risks a decrease in the number of species which live and survive in the country.

Ecological consultancies like Arbtech are working to help protect species and provide a consistent approach to land planning and applications.

According to the latest legislation’s in the UK, it is required by law that tree, bat and ecology surveys be carried out during the planning process to protect specific species of wild plants, birds and animals.

A central governmental planning document known as the ODPM Circular 06/05 dictates that local planning officers must draw planning applicants attention to the conservation and protection of protected species and their habitats.

Tree, bat and ecology surveys like those carried out by Arbtech all demonstrate to local authorities that the government’s policies have been embraced during the planning stages and as a result, protected species have been a consideration. Having these surveys carried out ensures that a planning office cannot reject an application on the grounds of insufficient information provided.

Homeowners and developers have come to learn about the necessity of taking protected species and their habitats into consideration before applying for planning permission. Whilst this is being carried out on a small scale, the work being done by consultancies like Arbtech works towards the protection of biodiversity.

There is no doubt that bats are some of the most fascinating creatures alive. Did you know for example that they are the only mammals capable of flying? Below we have compiled a list of 5 things you might not know about bats:

1)   Contrary to popular belief, bats aren’t blind. In fact, bats have very good eyesight, but also make use of echolocation, a special sonar system that allows them to perceive objects at night.

2)   Not all bats are big and scary. In fact, the world’s smallest mammal happens to be a bat. The bumblebee bat of Thailand weighs about as much as a penny and is no bigger than a thumbnail.

3)   Did you know that despite its terrifying name, the vampire bat has been known to adopt orphan bats. Vampire bats have even been known to risk their own lives to share their food with less fortunate fellow bats.

4)   Bats are one of the most endangered animals on the planet. Despite living to over 30 years of age in some cases, most bats have only one pup a year, making them extremely vulnerable to extinction.

5)   As humans, we have a lot to thank bats for. For example, 70% of bats consume insects, sharing a large part of natural pest control. For instance, a single little brown bat can eat up to 1000 mosquitoes in a single hour.

If you want more information on bats or bat surveys then call us now on 0808 115 1402.

Bats are also found in great numbers in Mother Ludlam’s Cave just outside Farnham, which provides roosts for a variety of species, including Natterer’s Bats Long Eared Bats and Dabuenton’s Bat.

With so many bats in the area, developers are required to have a bat survey carried out on their site before planning permission can be granted. Fortunately, this is something that Arbtech can complete on your behalf quickly and efficiently, and at a highly competitive price.

Arbtech – Taking the headache out of bat surveys

From our offices in Surrey and elsewhere in the country we provide bat surveys to hundreds of developers of all types every year. Every one of our bat specialists is immensely experienced and are able to carry out the survey independently and with great efficiency, so you can focus on other things. The most common type of bat survey – a scoping survey – usually takes between just one to five days.

If you’re worried about how much it will cost, take a look at the bat survey page on our website – use the link at the top of this page – where you’ll find full and transparent details of our reasonable prices. To book a bat survey in Farnham, or to find out more about Arbtech’s services, give us a call today.

Specialist Arboricultural Surveys in Manchester

We understand the importance of speed when it comes to submitting a planning application and always offer a fast turnaround of every survey commissioned. In addition to this first-class delivery service, we also give our clients a cost effective pricing structure which is transparent and contains no ‘hidden extras’, allowing customers to budget accurately for arboricultural fees.

Arboriculturist advice – proven track record

Our aboricultural experts have a detailed understanding of the requirements that govern planning applications at both individual and corporate level. The result is that clients trust our arboricultural surveys in Manchester to help them in gaining planning permission as quickly as possible.

Because Arbtech professionals are spread across England and Wales, arboricultural surveys in Manchester will not incur additional costs or take longer to complete due to location. Our clients can be confident that the cost of arboricultural surveys in Manchester will cost the same as in London, Newcastle or anywhere else in England and Wales.

All Arbtech staff are professionally qualified and highly trained to provide clients with informative surveys to augment the planning application. Check out the information online and feel free to contact Arbtech with any questions you may have. Arbtech specialists excel in providing easy to understand survey reports and will be happy to guide you through the arboricultural process step by step.

But it’s not just people who like Ewell. Bats also love it and these protected creatures have found plenty of places to roost in the suburban environment – perhaps even in the underground service tunnels of the long-since demolished Ewell House. If you’re concerned that bats in the area are going to interfere with your development plans though, there’s no need to worry. Arbtech can take care of all your bat survey needs quickly and affordably.

Arbtech – Experience bat survey professionals

The two main concerns that developers have when they realise that they need a bat survey to be carried out are the cost and the time. That’s why we endeavour to complete our surveys in just one to five days, and publish full details of our prices on our website so you know exactly how much you’re paying right from the start. It’s also worth noting that we don’t just hand over our report to you and then leave you to your own devices – we also provide you with unlimited expert advice at no extra cost.

Our aim is to help you secure planning permission as quickly as possible without any extra fuss. To find out all you need to know about our services and bat surveys in Ewell and Surrey all you need to do is browse our website, or give us a call.

Bats are rarely a nuisance, unless you’re planning on developing a property in Epsom. Even if you’re starting from scratch rather than developing an existing site you’ll still need a bat survey to be carried out to secure your planning application, and that’s where the experts at Arbtech can help.

Talk to the experts at Arbtech – unlike vampire bats, we don’t bite!

At Arbtech we like to keep it simple. We look for bats and evidence of bats, and survey the habitat value of the land surrounding your site. Then we provide you with our report, and any expert advice you need at no extra cost. Surveys take between one to five days, and all our prices are transparent. You can find a breakdown of our prices on our website (see the top left of your screen).

That is, in a nutshell, what we do. But behind this veneer of simplicity and transparency we are an experienced organisation with many years of experience between us, and we take great pride in what we do. As well as doing a thorough job, we aim to take the hassle out of the whole process for you, so you can concentrate on moving your development forward.

To find out more about bat surveys in Epsom, contact us through our website or give us a call.

A full range of arboricultural consultancy services and surveys

But we don’t just do surveys for planning applications. Mortgage and commercial loan applications, subsidence, health and safety and protected tree species reports are all undertaken quickly and efficiently by the Arbtech team of arboricultural surveyors in Manchester.

Clients choose Arbtech because of our expertise and professionalism. We can also guarantee them a rapid turnaround time on any tree report, as well as fixed rate costs across the board. These simple, straightforward procedures are standard for all our clients, making your life that little bit easier.

Simple, easy to understand reports

Another reason to choose Arbtech surveys is the concisely prepared and written report which can easily be read and understood by everyone, including those not familiar with arboriculture and its underlying biological principles. Arbtech believe that simplicity is key to providing clients with a hassle free service and, as the foremost arboricultural practice in the UK undertaking over a thousand reports a year, it looks like our clients agree.

We understand that preparing surveys and reports are only a part of the overall project, so our clients trust Arbtech to do exactly what they promise to do: deliver specialist, informative and well-written studies on time and all at an affordable cost.

Take a look at the information on the website to find out more. We’re passionate about what we do and welcome questions either online or by calling Arbtech free on the number above, today.

The presence of protected species in Englefield Green may complicate the matter of getting planning permission, slightly, but with Arbtech’s help, it needn’t be catastrophic to your development plans, your timescale or your budget.

Arbtech – Surrey bat consultants working in Englefield Green

Because we know how important it is for you to keep costs down, we strive to offer the most competitive prices we can, and to offer complete transparency in our billing structure. You can find out how much a bat survey in Englefield Green will cost you by taking a look at the relevant page on our site.

But we also realise how important it is to get the job right, first time. Our Surrey-based bat consultants have a great deal of experience, and average around 1200 hours of surveying time a year each. This means that they’re not only able to get the job done properly, but they can complete the entire process within just one to five days. The outcome is that you get a comprehensive, plain-English report to inform your plans, and more often than not, a smoother path to being granted planning permission.

To find out more about bat surveys in Englefield Green please browse our website, or call us today to arrange a day for us to visit your site.

At Arbtech we’re proud to serve a portfolio of both corporate and domestic clients who have found the Arbtech way quick, simple and worry-free. For an arboricultural report in Manchester of any type, simply contact the Arbtech specialists who will assess your requirements and work out the best way to submit your application for a positive result.

Specialist arboricultural reports in Manchester

All types of professional arboricultural reports in Manchester are quickly delivered and immediately accessible to clients, enabling you to making sure that your planning application is submitted without delay.

Arbtech has tree survey consultants in Manchester and across the country, making sure that clients from Cumbria to Cornwall are offered the same rapid and cost-effective service.

We never make additional charges to the fee quoted, so clients need never worry about any ‘hidden extras’ on the final bill. Our transparent pricing policy means that what you are quoted is what you pay – no matter what.

Our arboricultural reports contain a wealth of information to help clients and local authorities make an informed decision. Information is collected and presented in an easy to read formatted schedule so that both the client and the planning authority can get to the heart of the study in the shortest time.

Contact Arbtech consultants for further information or make an appointment today.