Environmental Guidance and Toolkits

Following local and national government policy and in response to scarce and hard fought resources, there is a rapidly growing need for a more strategic approach to planning. We at Penny Anderson Associates Ltd. (PAA) have worked for public bodies such as Natural England, Local Authorities and the Environment Agency on a number of such projects and possess the range of skills and knowledge necessary to tackle a wide range of topics and outputs to suite your needs.

How we can help
Here at PAA, we have a large, multi-disciplinary, experienced team with a proven track record in the collection, collation and synthesis of relevant information to provide a range of outputs, from advice and guidance to biodiversity audits, relational databases, GIS models, flow diagrams and fit-for-purpose tool kits. We have worked for a large and diverse client base to identify environmental problems and limiting factors, and provided workable, targeted solutions.

Environmental Guidance
Using our depth of specialist in-house understanding of habitats and species, PAA has the knowledge to provide clear, concise, targeted guidance documents. As a testament to our expert knowledge of European Protected Species (EPS) and the Planning Process, PAA prepared guidance for all Local Authorities in Wales. A suite of flow charts were designed for use by planners and developers to guide them through the steps involved when EPS need to be considered in planning applications. In addition, as a reflection of our long history of peatland work, PAA completed a review of methods of monitoring peatland restoration, including a questionnaire and a workshop with stakeholders. Based on the outcome of this work, guidance was developed on setting up and implementing monitoring.

Environmental Toolkit Demonstrations
Drawing on our wide range of in-house expertise, we have been responsible for providing fit-for-purpose toolkits to a wide range of clients at different spatial scales, covering landscapes, individual species/habitats and habitat creation. For example, in partnership with Natural England, Staffordshire County Council and the Green Arc Project, PAA developed a guidance framework and tool kit for prioritising habitat creation at a landscape scale, focusing on the Cannock Chase to Sutton Park Biodiversity Enhancement Area (BEA) in the West Midlands.

Biodiversity Audits
PAA has a growing reputation for excellence in the completion of Biodiversity Audits for Local Authorities. We are able to conduct field surveys, provide relational databases and GIS maps, analyse and review information, and provide clear, constructive advice for the future development of Local Wildlife Site networks, Local Development Frameworks and Regional Spatial Strategies. Such work has been carried out at a variety of spatial scales, including city-wide (Hull and Salford), Borough (The Wirral and Cheshire West and Chester) and Regional (Yorkshire and Humberside).

Multi-objective planning
At PAA we have the expertise to successfully complete landscape-scale, multi-objective planning exercises, including green infrastructure planning, opportunity mapping and multi-objective planning. We have an experienced GIS team to complement our scientific knowledge and have carried out a range of such projects including the Mersey Life Project, commissioned by the Environment Agency (EA); covering a large and complex geographical area to identify opportunities for ecological improvements and provide evidence-based arguments relating to their environmental, social and economic benefits for the River Mersey and its major tributaries.

For more details on our services relating to environmental guidance and toolkits, please contact us