To determine the existing ecological value associated with the site, including surrounding areas, and the risks and opportunities for ecological protection and enhancement as part of the project.

• Ensure that the site contributes to local biodiversity.
• Align ecological solutions with current and future local and national government policies on biodiversity protection and enhancement as well as public opinion.
• Ensure that an appropriate level of expertise is used to identify risks and opportunities for increasing ecological value in a way that accounts for the nature of the site, the project’s construction and operational viability.
• Avoid negative impact on the wider environment.
• Minimise impacts on natural assets by influencing construction works effectively.
• Understand, maximise and demonstrate ecosystem benefits including wellbeing, amenity and community by adopting appropriate ecological design and management practices.

Conserving habitats and biodiversity is important for life on earth. It supports the variety of living organisms on the planet as well as the interdependence that exists between them. Development and landscape management can have a significant impact on the broader environment that it supports and can have a potentially positive impact on ecological value. Therefore, it is important to understand the existing ecological value and condition of sites and where possible, use of land that has low value and strive to minimise damage where this is not practical. It is also important to make decisions and take actions that support and, where possible, enhance the ecological value of the site and surrounding areas.