Enims helps clients to achieve the highest level of biodiversity net gain possible for their project.

We have supported a number of clients, from landowners to developers, on both highways and housing projects, to recognise and incorporate biodiversity net gain into their projects.

We are able to assess the needs and demands of the site and support clients in establishing enhancements at varying parts of their project. 

At Enims, we are very versatile and have over 16 years experience in supporting clients on highways projects. 

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·         Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) including vegetation clearance supervision

·         Environmental Assessments: Phase 1 and Phase 2 Protected Species surveys, including eDNA

·         Secondment Services 

·         Ecological Structural Assessments 

·         Aerial Tree Inspections 

·         Biodiversity Enhancements 

·         Ecological Method Statements 

·         Protected Species Licence Applications 

​We provide ecological support for a range of highways projects and schemes. This includes ECoW works where we are able to provide on site ecological and environmental support ensuring compliance in a timely fashion as the works are completed. In addition to this we are able to provide targeted species surveys to inform of any potential constraints and requirements for mitigation. We are able to undertake structural assessments and have confined spaces trained ecologist able to assess sites for any potential ecological or environmental impact. 

Enims is able to support clients to facilitate becoming accredited under ISO 14001.

We are able to provide full environmental management systems and manuals for a client's organisation.

We are able to assist in internal and external auditing processes and provide carbon reporting services. 

A preliminary roost assessment (PRA)  focuses on the potential for bats to be utilising the site. This can be buildings, trees, outbuildings or barns. This survey provides information on the likely absence or presence of bats on the site before works are commenced into order to ensure that no bats or their roosts are disturbed by any works. This is an important survey for any works which is likely to impact on buildings regardless of the current repair of them. In conducting a PRA the ecologist can establish how many targeted bat surveys, if identified as needed, will be required in order to support planning applications and the surveyors required to assess the use of the roost and the site by bats. 

A preliminary ecological appraisal is a survey which is conducted to enable an understanding of what potential constraints may be present on site and to consider what impact any development may have on the environment and ecology of the site. This survey provides a base line understanding of what, if any further targeted species will be required. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to consider the plans for the site and to, at the earliest opportunity, consider and implement improvements such as biodiversity net gains and enhancements 

Enims is expert in providing landscape management for woodlands, hedgerows, wetland, waterways and grasslands. 

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We provide the following Landscape Management Services:

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Landscape Management Plan Creation and Implementation 

Habitat Management Plans 

Invasive and Injurious Weed Management Plans 

Ground Maintenance contract specific tendering and procurement services

Landscape Strategies 

Site Clearance Plans and Specifications 

Site Clearance Supervision 

Bats and their roosts are protected by law. Therefore, bat surveys are required if it is considered that bats are either confirmed as being present or if there is potential for bats to be utilising the site or area for development. 
The survey will provide information as to the characteristic of the roost or how bats are utilising the site and areas surrounding. It will provide information on the type of bat species and will establish the size of roost. 
Bat surveys are required by the Local Planning Authority to inform them of the type and status of the bat roost and will be able to establish what impact the development and the mitigation will have upon the roost. 

Bat surveys can only be conducted at certain times of the year and in certain weather conditions. They are conducted usually at dusk and dawn and require surveyors to monitor the areas which hold potential for bats and to analyse the activity and use during the periods of when bats are active, which is for foraging at dusk and dawn. 

Great Crested Newts ( GCN's) are protected by law as is their habitat. Therefore, any proposed works which are likely, or have potential, to disturb or impact  them or their habitat, will then require a survey. This is to provide information of how  GCN's are using the site and what impact on their habitat and how to mitigate against this. 

We can offer a wide range of aquatic surveys, assessments and mitigation strategies if required. 

In the UK there are six native species of reptiles which are all protected by law. Which means that they are protected from any reckless or deliberate act which may cause them harm. Additionally, the smooth snake and sand lizard have further protection which extends to it being an offence to disturb them and their habitat being protected. Therefore, should any project or scheme have potential to impact on reptiles then targeted species surveys will be recommended in the first instance.  

In England and Wales badgers and badger setts are protected under legislation. This means it is unlawful to kill, injure, take or cruelly ill treat a badger or to damage, destroy or obstruct their setts or to disturb badgers in their setts. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct badger surveys to establish how badgers are utilising the site and local areas in order to implement appropriate mitigation measures for badger. 

Fungi Surveys are conducted when proposed works have potential to impact on Schedule 8 protected fungi species, BAP species or assemblages of importance. When suitable habitats are present on a site, for example undisturbed grassland or veteran trees. Works have the potential to disturb the mycelium of the species preventing future growth, destroy the substrate or to have a great impact on disturbing the growth of such species

Dormice are a protected species as is their habitat. Dormouse are species which can be found in boundary hedgerow as well as other areas and therefore must be considered before any works are undertaken which could have an impact on their habitat. Surveying for dormice is conducted by a qualified ecologist. By conducting the survey the ecologist can establish how the site is utilised by dormice and what appropriate mitigation measures can be implemented to manage or eliminate impact on the wider dormouse species. 

Water Vole and Otter are both protected species and therefore must be protected and adequately mitigated against before any works can commence. Survey's are undertaken which provides the ecologist with information to assess how water vole or otter are utilising the site, including feeding holts or areas and what the likely population is for the species. In doing so, appropriate measures can be implemented into proposed works to ensure that the species are not harmed and that their habitat is protected. 

The barn owl is a schedule 1 protected bird species. Therefore, it is afforded a higher level of protection in England and Wales. Due to the higher level of protecting appropriate survey's should be conducted to confirm if a barn owl is utilising a site and to enable further information about the type of use the site has for the protected species. In doing so, the information can enable appropriate mitigation to be implemented and ensure that the barn owl remains protected. 

Bird Surveys are carried out to establish what birds are utilising the areas around the development works. This is important as birds are protected, with some species being in decline in the UK and some birds in the UK protected further. All nests are protected from being disturbed and therefore any bird that is nesting cannot be disturbed by any works, regardless of how invasive they maybe. Therefore, it may be necessary to have nesting bird checks and assessments or supervision of any works which could disturb a nest.