Do you find the idea of overcoming environmental constraints daunting? Do you want to save time and money? Changing legislation, added expense and drawn out applications can take a toll on the rapidity and success of your development. But the good news is there are ways to make it easier – here are some great hints to help you…

Get on the ground and get to know what is on your site, comparing it to the available maps (known as ground-truthing) and get a second opinion of the likely hold-ups. Much of the Government mapping can have over 25 m of discrepancy which can create problems in desktop searches.

Don’t leave it too late to assess your environmental constraints. Policies can change, making it more difficult and expensive to deal with.

Be open to all of the options that are available to you. Consider things such as:

1. Using government mapping to determine offset direct payment (quick and easy, but often the most expensive)
2. Ground-truthing to define the site values and using the government calculator to find out your offset direct payment (a little more time consuming with some risk in convincing government to accept redefined values, but can reduce the costs of inaccurate mapping)
3. Undertake ground- truthing and provide a direct offset in another location (this method may be the highest risk and is the most complex approach, but this is also the least expensive)

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Take a look at this article for an interesting case study or see what other recent projects Natura Consulting have worked on or other services we offer that may suit your needs.

Even better, Natura Consulting are offering an obligation-free review of your development to advise you on the environmental contraints you may face and the potential offset that may be required.