Where it can be demonstrated that an assessed development, within or adjacent to an airport or similar, must restrict the ecological value of the site for reasons of aircraft safety (mitigating the risk of bird-strikes to meet local or national regulations), the approach for some issues in the Land Use and Ecology category can be adjusted. If in these circumstances, the client wishes to enhance ecological value on an external site, outside of the main development site, this can be considered in the following way for each issue:
Site selection: The development site only must be assessed.
Ecological value of site and protection of ecological features: The development site only must be assessed, but the recommendations may be tailored to suit the requirements of the relevant legislation.
Enhancing site ecology: The development site and the external site must be included in the SQE’s report and recommendations, albeit that, for the development site, the approach may to be to restrict biodiversity. Enhancements implemented in-line with the recommendations of the SQE are likely to apply to the external site.
Long term impact on biodiversity: Both sites must be considered in the SQE’s report to meet the prerequisite/first credit as applicable, albeit that, for the development site, the approach may to be to restrict biodiversity. Further credits in relation to improving and maintaining the site’s long-term biodiversity can be awarded on the basis of adopting these for the external site only, in line with the guidance.
