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Species mitigation for a South Coast NSIP
We were awarded the contract to supply species mitigation for a South Coast NSIP, for brent geese and waders under the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy, and for slow-worm.
South Coast NSIP. Infrastructure, name withheld. Client name withheld.
- Stage
- Pre-DCO submission
- Species
- Brent goose, Solent waders, slow-worm
- Land
- Off market, on our balance sheet
- Obligation
- Habitat Regulations
The problem
The project affects land used by brent geese and waders, protected under the Habitat Regulations, and habitat supporting slow-worm, a protected reptile. Without mitigation that Natural England would accept, the project could not proceed to DCO submission.
Brent goose mitigation has to be close to the roost and the feeding areas affected, which rules out most land, and none of the suitable land was for sale.
The right land was not for sale, but we negotiated for it anyway.
What we did
Awarded the species mitigation contract
We were awarded the contract to supply the project’s species mitigation: brent goose and wader habitat under the Solent Waders and Brent Goose Strategy, and receptor habitat for slow-worm.
Found land that works for the birds
We identified sites within range of the affected roost and feeding areas, with the open, undisturbed ground that brent geese use.
Negotiated off market
We agreed the acquisition of land that was not on the market, before the promoter’s name could push up the price.
Bought on our balance sheet
The land is acquired with our capital, so the promoter does not carry the cost or the risk before consent.
Delivering the mitigation
We are now delivering brent goose and wader habitat and slow-worm receptor habitat to support the DCO application.
The outcome
For the scheme
The mitigation is in delivery and will be in place to support the DCO submission.
For good
The land is held by us, protected in perpetuity, with the long-term obligation in our name rather than the promoter’s.
Project enquiries
Send us the species, the site, the assessment and the deadline, and we’ll reply within a day.