Examples of Our Work

• Proposed Development at Lyde Road, Yeovil, Somerset
  This development is one of three designated Key Sites for the future expansion of Yeovil planned by South Somerset District Council. BCE has managed a team of specialist consultants carrying out an EIA of the proposed development and produced an ES to accompany a planning application for outline planning permission for approximately 700 new dwellings, a primary school and other community uses on a total of about 33 hectares. The housing will be built within a mixed development that includes a riverside park adjoining the River Yeo, and the scheme seeks to create a sustainable, more socially inclusive and better-serviced local community, whilst minimising the impact of development on the natural environment.
   
  
• New Research Hub With Road Realignments at Farnborough (DERA)
  Lead consultant for 80,000m² development in an area affected by SPA, SSSI, SINC and Conservation Area designations. Carrying out negotiations with Hampshire County Council and English Nature and producing an environmental assessment.
   
  
• Proposed Hoe Valley Improvements, Woking, Surrey for Woking Borough Council
  The proposed Hoe Valley improvements comprise a number of different but related developments on two adjacent sites at Woking Park and the Former Westfield Tip, in the southern part of Woking. A major flood protection scheme will protect approximately 300 homes from flooding and the scheme will clear up the limited residual contamination in parts of the former Westfield Tip, which is both on and adjacent to the floodplain.
  
  The relocation of community uses from the Former Westfield Tip to the Woking Park and other locations will enable development of houses and flats at the former tip. Proposed community uses at Woking Park include provision of a new community building, a new football pavilion and boxing club, a new floodlit football pitch and two training pitches (one floodlit) on the site.
  
  The proposed development of around 150 new dwelling units for the Former Westfield Tip generated a concern from Natural England that an increase in visitor pressure to the nearby Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) might have an adverse impact on ground nesting birds. We assessed the quality and quantity of ‘Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space’ (SANGS) that would be required to attract recreational users away from the SPA and satisfy Natural England methodologies and standards. The project is currently progressing through the planning process but has been given positive reviews by Natural England in response to what they have described as a constructive approach.
  
  Working in partnership with Mayer Brown Limited, BCE has managed a team of specialist consultants carrying out an EIA of the proposed developments and is producing an ES to accompany planning applications for outline planning permissions. Most of the studies have been completed, and Woking Borough Council has been advised that the proposed developments will, in combination, have a significant beneficial effect on social, economic and environmental conditions in and around the study areas, and on Woking as a whole.
   
• Screening the need for Appropriate Assessment of SACs for Woking Borough Council
  In partnership with Mayer Brown Limited and Bioscan
  BCE undertook a screening assessment to determine the need to carry out Appropriate Assessments, under the Habitats Directive, of policies within the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. This involved identifying and investigating pathways for possible significant impacts on nearby Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
  
  The process resulted in a large number of Core Strategy policies being ‘screened out’ from further consideration following the determination that they were unlikely to have a significant effect (either alone or in combination with other plans or programmes) on SACs. The remaining policies were then examined individually to determine whether or not they could be altered to remove any likelihood of them causing a significant effect to an SAC, without affecting the objective of the policy.
  
  Where it was not possible to determine that a policy would have no likely significant effect on an SAC, advice was provided on the scope of more detailed work considered necessary to establish more precisely what the effects of the policy might be and to make more reliable determinations.
  
  The screening procedure now forms part of the Council’s LDF research base, and was well received by Natural England.
   
• Boughton Lane, Maidstone – Alternative Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Sustainability Appraisal (SA).
  Bell Cornwell Environmental, acting on behalf of Persimmon Homes, assembled a team of subject specialists and carried out an alternative SA/SEA of an area of search not adequately identified in the Local Development Framework Core Strategy. This assessment was intended to establish the relative sustainability of the area of search in the absence of a comparative analysis of such areas in the Council’s own Sustainability Appraisal. Representations regarding the outcome of the assessment will be made at the Core Strategy examination.
   
• Land East of Brighton Road, Crawley – Alternative Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Sustainability Appraisal (SA).
  This project again involved the production of an alternative SA/SEA as a means of representing an area of search that had not received adequate consideration in the SA of the LDF Core Strategy. The assessment demonstrated that the area of search was inherently sustainable and would contribute to overall sustainability of the LDF if shown as such on the proposals map.
  
   
• The Mount Hospital, Eastleigh – Environmental Report
  This project involves addressing possible constraints to redevelopment proposals for the site of the former Mount Hospital, Eastleigh. In consultation with Natural England and the Environment Agency, BCE is drawing together a team of specialists and will collate the information necessary to accompany a planning application, and for the local authority to carry determine the need for, and if necessary carry out, an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive. This was due to the site of the redevelopment proposal being near to the River Itchen SAC. Collecting the information involves coordinating effort between specialists to devise suitable habitat management plans for a woodland buffer and the banks of the river itself, in addition to targeted site investigations designed to eliminate the possibility of residual ground contamination from reaching the river.
   
• Liphook, Hampshire – Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). Environmental Report.
  BCE, acting with our associate company the Bell Cornwell Partnership, prepared an Environmental Report for the proposed development of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) on the site of a former Ordnance Supply Unit in Liphook, Hampshire. The scheme consists of a bespoke design for the independent living of elderly persons including those both within a nursing home setting, those within independent/assisted living units and those who are elderly frail or elderly mentally infirm.
  
  The environmental report covered the identification and provision of the relevant specialist information necessary to demonstrate that there was not likely to be a significant impact on the nearby Wealden Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA), and therefore it was concluded that an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive was not required.
   
• Monkton Lane Sports and Leisure Facility with the relocation of Farnham Rugby Union Football Club, Farnham, Surrey for STAX (Farnham) Ltd.
  BCE carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of this proposed sports and leisure development near Farnham to assess the possible environmental effects of the development. The proposals make good use of a sustainable site that minimises the need to travel, integrates land use and transport to fill a gap in both local and sub-regional provision of sporting, leisure and recreation facilities at a location within a number of highly populated settlements.
  
  Due to its location, the site represents a strategic focus for the proposed activities and an opportunity to improve the quality of life for about 200,000 residents living within about 15 minutes.
   
  
• Proposed Opencast Coal Sites in England and Scotland (RJB Mining UK Ltd)
  The project management of environmental impact assessments for a number of potential opencast coal sites in England and Scotland. Drawing together the results of baseline studies, identifying significant impacts and introducing mitigation measures to achieve sustainable development. Work also included the analysis of planning policy guidance and the preparation of proofs of evidence.
   
  
• Brownfield Regeneration, Greater Manchester
  (Regeneration Unit of the Forestry Commission and UK Coal Ltd)
  Carrying out site investigations of soils, overburden and spoil materials in derelict colliery areas within the Greater Manchester urban fringe, to evaluate the availability of soil-forming materials for landscaping and forestry within the Red Rose Community Forest, and to advise on land restoration schemes.
   
  
• Advance Ecological Works, A2/M2, Kent (Highways Agency)
  Carrying out a soil survey and producing a method statement for the translocation of ancient woodland soils from a number of donor sites to a 7 hectare receptor site. Supervising the soil handling operations in advance of the motorway widening.
   
  
• Diesel Oil Spillage, Hillingdon (RAW Consulting)
  Carrying out a detailed survey of a contaminated nature reserve, advising on the ecological implications of a diesel oil spillage incident, and the remedial measures necessary to regenerate species diversity.