Late liaison and collaboration of project team with representative stakeholder

Where it can be demonstrated that liaison and collaboration between the project team and the representative stakeholder occurred later than the early design stages (typically post-RIBA Stage 2 or equivalent), the criteria may still be met if a suitably qualified ecologist confirms that these late discussions have not compromised the site’s ability to achieve its optimal ecological outcome, in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy of action:
1. Avoidance.
2. Protection.
3. Reduction or limitation of negative impacts.
4. On-site compensation.
5. Enhancement considering the capacity and feasibility within the site, or where this is not viable, off-site.