Crestwood environmental Landscape Architecture
Ecology
Newsletter April 2014 Environmental Consultancy
Waste Management
Air Quality
Water
CAD / Visualisation
Welcome
to our new for 2014 newsletter It has been an exciting past few months at Crestwood with several new staff joining and an increasing and varied project workload. The ecology survey season is now starting and the team is already busy working on a number of sites, with recent warm weather no doubt bringing the much maligned great crested newt out of hibernation. If you haven’t already, please do start thinking about the survey requirements on your sites. Despite spells of unseasonably warm weather, flooding has been the headline grabber, following the wettest winter on record, despite 20 million people being affected by hosepipe bans les than two years ago. Sustainable water management, dealing with resilience against our climate extremes, crosses a number of disciplines and includes provision of flood risk
assessment, SuDS design (linking to Green Infrastructure), water quality management (biological and chemical), irrigation, managing environmental permit requirements and a changing borehole abstraction regime to name a few, many with important related ecological and landscape opportunities and constraints. We have substantially increased our capabilities in these areas to provide efficient and sustainable solutions to our clients and we hope we can work with you on these and other project areas in 2014. We look forward to hearing from you soon! The Crestwood Team
London Gateway Logistics Park LDO It covers land directly next to DP World’s new six-berth port for ultra-large container ships, on the site of the former Shell Haven refinery, which the developer expects to become Europe’s largest logistics park. Crestwood Environmental Ltd. provided expert support to the Council on landscape and visual aspects of the Environmental Statement that accompanied the application and is delighted that the thorough work undertaken by the team has facilitated rapid agreement. For more information about any of our Impact Assessments, or to request a quote for our landscape services, please contact Towards the end of 2013 Thurrock Council agreed what it claims is the country's largest local development order (LDO) to support the growth of a new London Gateway port and logistics park.
Karl Jones - karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk or Neil Furber - neil@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Crestwood environmental
Planning for Housing: The Need for Landscape Capacity and Green Belt Studies On the 20th May 2013, the final Regional Spatial Strategy was abolished and with it decision-making powers with regard to housing and planning were returned to Local Authorities. The Department for Communities and Local Government published their Household Interim Projections, 2011 to 2021, England document in August 2013. This stated that “the number of households in England is projected to grow to 24.3 million in 2021, an increase of 2.2 million (10 per cent) over 2011, or 221,000 households per year.” Local Authorities should develop their Local Plans to comply with the requirements of The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Chapter 6 of the NPPF states that to boost significantly the supply of housing, local planning authorities should use their evidence base to ensure that their Local Plan meets the full, objectively assessed needs for market and affordable housing in the housing market area. To this end, Local Authorities should also have an up to date Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) and a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), to aid decision-making and develop Local Plan policies that understand local needs in terms of population increases and increases in the number of households. Draft Local Plans, moving towards public inquiry in the hope of adoption, must show to the Planning Inspectorate that the plans are sound, particularly with regard to strategically assessed housing need and housing supply. Inevitably, there is increasing pressure for housing in almost every Local Authority within England, which, in turn, will place additional pressure on environmental assets including the Green Belt. The need for a thorough, independent and professional evidence base to guide the future development of Local Plan policies has never been so critical. Crestwood Environmental Ltd have recently been working on behalf of a Local Authority in Southeast England to provide a key part of the evidence base for an emerging development plan. The instructed scope included undertaking a Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study covering potential ‘Housing Sites’ and an assessment of the relative contribution of potential ‘Housing Sites’ located in the Metropolitan Green Belt, in relation to policy objectives.
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The aim of the Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study was to assess, in landscape terms, the acceptability of 30 individual sites (‘Housing Sites’) considered by the Council to be worthy of further consideration in order to meet the strategic housing objectives of the Borough. The Green Belt Study was designed to assess all potential Housing Sites put forward as part of the SHLAA within the Metropolitan Green Belt in terms of how far each site currently fulfils the five aims of the Green Belt as set out by the NPPF: • to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas; • to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another; • to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment; • to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and • to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. These studies will form part of the developing Local Plans’ evidence base in terms of determining the most appropriate directions for future housing development across the borough. Work for both studies included:
Newsletter April 2014
• The development of a bespoke methodology to robustly assess each Housing Site in relation to each study; • Site visits (from publicly accessible locations) were undertaken for each Housing Site and on-site records made; • Each site was assessed in relation to the individual studies and the results were quantified and qualitatively assessed in terms of potential affects and constraints; and • Recommendations were made as to the appropriateness of development in relation to Landscape Capacity and the Green Belt designation, directing priorities for development. It is noted that the Green Belt study was not designed to be a Green Belt boundary review and a presumption against inappropriate development was maintained. However, many Local Authorities are struggling to accommodate their housing requirements on Brownfield and non-Green Belt designated land and these are key considerations in developing future housing strategies. It is to be expected that at some point, some Local Authorities may have to release land from a Green Belt designation in order to facilitate the demand for housing (and associated infrastructure and services) which will inevitably conflict with the largely rural countryside land uses prevalent in the Green Belt, including agricultural and recreational land uses. This is evidenced by a recent Planning Inspectors Report (January 2014) on the examination into Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy Local Plan. In this, the Inspector stated that modifications to the plan were required to “recognise that some loss of Green Belt land to housing development will be necessary, in certain sustainable locations, to meet as far as is practicable the needs of the borough”. Planning Minister Nick Boles has recently signalled that Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will consider intervening and preventing the adoption of a local plan where a Planning Inspector has recommended a Green Belt review that is not supported by the local planning authority.
This was signalled in a letter to Planning Inspectorate chief executive Sir Michael Pitt. He said “The NPPF makes clear that a Green Belt boundary may be altered only in exceptional circumstances and reiterates the importance and permanence of the Green Belt. The special role of Green Belt is also recognised in the framing of the presumption in favour of sustainable development, which sets out that authorities should meet objectively assessed needs unless specific policies in the Framework indicate development should be restricted. Crucially, Green Belt is identified as one such policy”. He added: “It has always been the case that a local authority could adjust a Green Belt boundary through a review of the Local Plan. It must, however, always be transparently clear that it is the local authority itself which has chosen that path – and it is important that this is reflected in the drafting of Inspectors’ reports.” Crestwood Environmental has a wealth of landscape planning-related expertise and our goal is to ensure that we provide independent, professional advice in support of sustainable land-use planning and future developments.
Contact Karl Jones for further info on Crestwood’s Services on Landscaping and Green Belt Studies. (karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk)
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Crestwood environmental
Smelling the City
In winter 3013, Roger Grainger, Senior Environmental Consultant, attended an “Urban Smellwalk” around Birmingham University as a representative of Crestwood Environmental and found it very valuable. The walk was led by Dr. Victoria Henshaw, Lecturer in Urban Design and Planning in the department of Town and Regional Planning at the University of Sheffield. Dr. Henshaw carries out "smellwalks" in cities to help people better understand the world around them by making sense of the smells that surround them and linking them to landscape / townscape character. Through the smellwalks she finds out more about the odours people associate with and detect in particular cities, and how this influences their pleasure of the local environment. She has run smellwalks across the UK including London, Sheffield and Manchester and in cities across Europe and the United States. The Birmingham Smellwalk passed different places around the University City Campus such as the kitchen and waste disposal areas, the garden and a vegetable open air market for students as well as the university’s laboratories. During the walk students/lecturers were asked to point out different smells and get a sense of the area.
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Dr. Henshaw demonstrated one of Crestwood’s very own Nasal Rangers™ to the 60 or so students/lecturers and much interest was shown. Dr. Henshaw has undertaken odour monitoring using the Nasal Ranger™ in the UK and will shortly be taking a Nasal Ranger™ for her forthcoming odour project in Japan. She recently did a Scandinavian TV feature on odour science and demonstrated the Nasal Ranger during the programme. Victoria was recently interviewed by “Wired Magazine” on her odour walks projects and she showed the Nasal ranger to the researcher; the article and photograph of Victoria with the Nasal Ranger will feature in the March edition of the magazine. Crestwood Environmental has a wealth of Odour monitoring and management related expertise and our goal is to ensure that we provide independent, professional advice and support to our clients. For further information on Odour monitoring and management (air quality and environmental monitoring) please contact Steve Barnes - steve@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk or Roger Grainger - roger@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk and, for townscape character assessment, Neil Furber - neil@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk or Karl Jones - karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Newsletter April 2014
Water Causing a Raft of Problems… Whilst water has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, the Landscape Institute (LI) has been working hard to get its message across, reiterating what it has been saying for some time before the winter floods. Karl Jones (Principal Landscape Architect at Crestwood), who has been Chair of the Water Sub-group of the Technical Committee of the Landscape Institute for the last two years, has been helping to progress a new water-based publication, which is due out later this year, and to launch a new Technical Advice Note on SuDS Maintenance at Ecobuild. The President of the LI has pulled together 13 professional organisations (including CIEEM, CIWEM, CIWM and IEMA) and fronted a joint letter to the Prime Minister, seeking a co-ordinated approach to water management utilising a number of approaches and techniques. Designing for water should make positive use of the opportunities it presents via good design, using the skills of Landscape Architects, starting with catchment-scale land-use masterplanning, providing multi-benefit schemes and delivered in a detailed-designed manner, within an interdisciplinary environment, alongside hydrologists, ecologists and engineers, to name but a few. At Crestwood we have pulled a team together which provides the necessary experience and skills to assess, design and manage water in the landscape (from ecological, chemical and functional perspectives) and provide solutions that clients can not only rely on, but be proud of too, and we look forward to showcasing schemes in forthcoming newsletters. To discuss water-related capabilities further please contact Karl Jones - karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Matt speaks as guest at Worcester Our Assistant Ecologist Matt has recently presented at a Careers Conference, as well as being a guest lecturer at the University of Worcester where he studied a BSc (Hons) degree in ecology. Over the last year Matt has gained a wealth of experience in various areas of ecology, including (but not limited to) protected species surveys, habitat surveys, report writing and desk studies. This experience allowed Matt to present a balanced view on what students should expect from working in ecological consultancy, as well as being able to detail the necessary skills required for entry level applicants to develop. Matt presented ‘Life as an Assistant Ecologist’ as a realistic insight into the world of ecological consultancy from the perspective of a newly appointed graduate. He covers topics such as what he did during his time in education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the importance of ‘hands-on’ ecology experience and volunteering, the pros and cons of working as an assistant ecologist, as well as giving advice about CVs, interviews and ‘job hunting’ in general. Both presentations were very well received and Matt is hopeful that these presentations will allow Crestwood Environmental to build up a good working relationship with the University of Worcester, as well as opening doors for potential future presentations elsewhere. For more information about any of our ecological surveys, or to request a quote for our ecological services, please contact Lucy Cash - Lucy@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
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Crestwood environmental
Landscape and Lighting Aspects – New Road and Bridge Scheme
Crestwood have produced a landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA), integrated with an environmental lighting assessment, and co-ordinated an arboricultural assessment, for a long-awaited new road and bridge application, as part of a multi-disciplinary design and assessment team, working for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. The scheme required working to new standards set out by the Landscape Institute, The Institution of Lighting Professionals and the BSi and in accordance with recommendations in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. The scheme required the production of isolux plans for various lighting arrangements and presentation of results in the form of daytime and night time Accurate Visual Representations (AVRs). Consideration
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of potential adjacent residential nuisance aspects (noise attenuation and lighting) and ecological issues (bats using trees and the watercourse requiring the road bridge as flight lines) was incorporated, within an extremely restricted context. The scheme is currently being considered by the planning authority and so we look to bring positive news on this project in a future newsletter. Existing and proposed: To discuss our integrated landscape and lighting assessments further please contact Karl Jones - karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Newsletter April 2014
Residential Sector Capabilities
In addition to working on a strategic level in the residential sector, Crestwood Environmental is also currently involved in a large number of other residential projects, large and small scale, across the country utilising a number of our services, including: • Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments • Ecology Surveys (Phase 1 Habitat and protected species) and assessments; • Masterplanning and urban design; • Landscape Expert Witness work; • Landscape Design: Hard and Soft detailing; • Drainage Design and Specification, including SUDs; • BS5837:2012 Tree surveys and assessments; • Landscape and Ecological Management Plans; and • BREEAM ecology, water and landscape input. To discuss Landscape, water and ecological sevices further please contact Karl Jones - karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk or Neil Furber - neil@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk.
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Crestwood environmental
Solar Update In October 2013 the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) published ‘UK Solar PV Strategy Part 1: Roadmap to a Brighter Future’. It is acknowledged that solar energy is making an increasing contribution to meet the UK’s legally binding target of 15 per cent renewable energy from final consumption by 2020. DECC reports that solar has recently received the highest public approval rating of all renewable energy technologies at 85 per cent; however acknowledges that we need to ensure that this level of support can be maintained – it goes on to state that this can be achieved by ensuring that solar PV is appropriately sited and allowing for greater community engagement. DECC is currently undertaking further work that will be completed ahead of publishing the Solar PV Strategy this Spring and Crestwood will report on the implications in our next newsletter. Whilst large scale ground mounted arrays typically have a reduced visual impact compared with some other types of renewable energy, there are a number of issues that frequently arise, namely: • Impact on Landscape Character; • Visual amenity – in particular residential visual amenity; • Concerns from the Council and local people over the potential for glint and glare; • Land being ‘taken out’ of agricultural production; and • Landscape and Ecology Mitigation.
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It is inevitable that at a site level, some degree of impact on landscape character for a greenfield solar array will occur; however through a careful and structured analysis of landscape value and susceptibility to change it can be shown that for many sites the impact will be localised. The analysis of effects is supported by preparation of a Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) which is a computer generated map of where the solar panels could be visible from the surrounding landscape (excluding screening from buildings and vegetation). It is important to remember that impacts on the landscape are always distinct from impacts of visual amenity i.e. views experienced by people. The visual amenity assessment initially identifies the receptors that could be affected, including residents, users of public rights of way, cycle routes, road users and other leisure receptors. The assessment establishes the level of effect that the proposal would have on all receptors that could be potentially significantly affected by the Proposed Development. In some cases where the perceived impact is Significant, it may be helpful for a computer generated photomontage to be prepared that will accurately illustrate how the proposal would appear from a fixed viewpoint, often agreed with the Local Planning Authority in advance. The photomontages are prepared to illustrate the proposal at ‘Year 1’ and at intervals illustrating the growth of any mitigation planting.
Newsletter April 2014
Glint and glare are typically perceived concerns rather than problems that will significantly affect people; however in some instances reflections from frames have been an issue that needs to be addressed. Should technical analysis of the sun pattern and the location of frames in relation to sensitive receptors e.g. residents, indicate a problem, then mitigation measures available include local planting proposals or potentially the specification of dark coloured anodised aluminium frames can be considered.
The issue of land being taken out of agricultural production is frequently cited; however according to Lightsource, if the UK can ultimately produce 22GW of electricity from solar, enough to power four million homes, it can be done by utilising only 0.29% of Britain's agricultural land. Solar panels typically only occupy about 30% of the field and as the panels are raised up there is no reduction on the stocking density of livestock and farmers can continue grazing sheep on the area. Mitigation proposals include avoiding the removal of mature trees and hedgerows and proposing the planting of new hedgerows, gapping up old hedgerows and enhancing grassland diversity through management regimes or new meadows. A detailed knowledge of relatively low cost landscape and ecological enhancements may offer tangible improvements that will increase the likelihood of planning consent on many Sites.
Other Renewables Capabilities Crestwood Environmental Ltd work for a wide variety of clients including Planning Consultants, Landowners and Developers to provide landscape and visual inputs across a wide variety of Renewable Energy projects. Our expertise includes: · Feasibility assessments · Liaison with Local Planning Authorities and statutory consultees, e.g. SNH and Natural England · Inputs into the iterative design process · Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment for EIA and non-EIA development · ZTV, Photomontages, Visualisations and Plan Graphics · Attendance at, and presentation material for, Community Consultation events · Landscape design and management plans and specifications to discharge Planning Conditions · Expert Witness work for Appeals including Written Representations, Informal Hearing and Public Inquiries Wind We have extensive experience across England, Scotland and Wales, covering a variety of schemes ranging from single medium-scale turbines up to 20 MW windfarms. We have particular experience in completing feasibility studies, residential visual amenity surveys, cumulative assessment and community consultation events. Neil Furber (Associate Director) has successfully defended wind turbine applications at Public Inquiry.
Crestwood have prepared technical assessments and mitigation proposals for a number of large scale solar farm proposals including sites in Carmarthenshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire and West Sussex up to 60 hectares in size. Several sites have been consented in late 2013 and early 2014 with some already under construction. Services that Crestwood offer for Solar PV developments are: • Environmental Feasibility Studies to identify any key issues at an early stage • Landscape and Visual Assessment – non EIA and EIA • Photomontages • Glint and Glare Assessments • Landscape and Habitat Mitigation Plans • Ecology assessment– non EIA and EIA • Flood risk assessment • Assistance with Public Consultation events • Appeal Statements (on landscape and/or ecology grounds). For further information on solar farm assessments (landscape and ecology) please contact Neil Furber - neil@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk or Karl Jones - karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Anaerobic Digestion The Company has had substantial involvement with projects involving energy recovery from wastes and has provided environmental support for proposed Organics Recycling and Energy Recovery Facilities in various locations in the UK, including layout design, landscape and visual mitigation, operational technical advice, drainage designs, environmental permitting work and presentation plans for public consultation and planning.
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Crestwood environmental
RICS Environment and Resources Conference Roger Grainger, Senior Environmental Consultant, is speaking at a RICS Environment and Resources Conference at Nottingham on 3rd April 2014. The agenda covers a range of topics including planning and the current debate on shale gas with Roger opening the conference with a talk on Odour Monitoring and Management. Roger will cover a range of topics including ‘How Your Nose Works’, Odour detection and current UK monitoring methods, current Planning Guidance, odour releases from a range of waste processes and typical actions taken by the Regulators.
speakers highlighted the lack of a unified front from the regulators for example planning permissions and environmental permitting regulations which can, in some cases contradict each other. It was also noted that legal proceedings were increasing almost exponentially, with no-win-no-fee solicitors actively canvassing local communities resulting in higher settlements. Odour Management Modelling can be attempted with different types of modelling software; however the inconsistency between different models is a problem highlighted at the conference. Crestwood Environmental are at the forefront of current research and are working with leading academics at the University of Wolverhampton researching and testing odour models currently available in the UK.
Roger is currently working on a number of Odour related projects around the UK and is keen to attend and meet up with other representatives to exchange information / ideas at what will be an informative event and great networking opportunity. Please let us know if you are planning to attend, need any further information on the conference or require advice for any waste management related issues.
The new H4 guidance will be redrafted this year where Crestwood Environmental have been invited to input at the consultation stage. Crestwood are busy undertaking odour surveys, and air monitoring for nuisance particulates / gasses in and around a large number of facilities across the UK covering a variety of operators and industry sectors. Crestwood is also a distributor of the Nasal Ranger™ and the European service provider for calibration
This follows hot on the heels of the best practice in odour management conference held in Nottingham in February 2014, which was held 20 years after the previous odour management conference. Dr. Dan Appasamy of Crestwood Environmental attended the conference and reports below It is clear that the UK is lagging behind many European countries including Germany and The Netherlands on many aspects of odour management. Several
For further information on Odour monitoring and management (air quality and environmental monitoring) please contact Steve Barnes - stephen@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk or Danen Appasamy - danen@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
New Members Network 13th National Event Jak Fazakerley, Assistant Environmental Consultant will be attending the CIWM New Members Network 13th National Event as a delegate representing Crestwood Environmental. The event, held 3rd & 4th April 2014 at Oxford Spires (Oxford), is sponsored by Viridor and has been organised for Students, Graduates and those new to the waste and resource industry and the Chartered Institution. The event will be a good way to enhance knowledge of the latest developments in the industry, share ideas and experiences with others that are new to the industry, and network. Topics include waste crime, waste and design and health and safety. In addition a ‘Waste Strategies’ debate and site visit to Viridor's Ardley Landfill Site and EfW Plant are set to be covered at the event. Jak is busy working on a number of waste related projects around the UK providing advice to a variety of clients and is keen to attend and meet up with other delegates to
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exchange information / ideas at what will be a great networking opportunity. Please let us know if you are planning to attend, need any further information on the conference or require advice for any waste management related issues.
Newsletter April 2014
Biodiversity Offsetting Where on site ecological mitigation is not technically possible, would unlikely to be successful or can be better accommodated elsewhere, Biodiversity Offsetting (i.e. conservation activities that are designed to give biodiversity benefits to compensate for losses where these are otherwise unavoidable) may offer the potential to both mitigate impacts of a development proposal and, more effectively, enhance or create green infrastructure networks and connections between habitats at a local and regional level. The Biodiversity Offsetting pilot scheme being trialed in Warwickshire is one of 6 national ‘biodiversity offsetting pilots’ in England, which run from April 2012 to April this year. The general aim of Biodiversity Offsetting is to produce an environmental gain. There are ten international ‘guiding principles’ for offsetting; if these are followed rigorously then biodiversity gain is assured. Biodiversity Offsetting is a useful planning tool, following the mitigation hierarchy, to determine if offsetting could be appropriate for a development site. If it is selected as an option, then a Biodiversity Offsetting impact assessment (BOIA) should be undertaken by a competent ecologist or advisor, to evaluate and calculate the biodiversity value of a site before and after development using metrics recommended by DEFRA. If the BOIA calculates a residual loss to biodiversity once the mitigation hierarchy has been followed, it could be suitable to apply the principles of biodiversity offsetting. At this stage the Developer would refer to an ‘offset broker’ who maintain a register of potential offset sites and match them to the needs of the developer. The land would be assessed and the given a credit value. The diagram below simplifies this process: It will be interesting to see the results from all 6 pilot areas in 2015 and, should Offsetting be taken forward, how the process would be integrated into the planning system. For more information about any of our ecological surveys, including biodiversity offsetting advice, please contact Lucy Cash - Lucy@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
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Crestwood environmental
New Starters Stephen Barnes Stephen Barnes joined CEL in January 2014 as an Associate Director & Principal Environmental Consultant. He has over 20 years’ experience as an environmental scientist and waste manager, gained in both the private and public sector. In his time Stephen has worked on various projects associated with waste management facilities, including: landfill sites, energy from waste plants, hazardous waste transfer stations and treatment plants, anaerobic digestion facilities, composting sites, metal recovery and vehicle depollution and household waste recycling facilities.
Trust for Scotland horticultural qualifications.
Stephen has been responsible for the preparation and project management of Environmental Permit Applications (and formerly PPC Permit and Waste Management Licence Applications) for nearly 100 sites, including 25 successful permit applications as part of the largest waste PFI Contract in the UK. He has also prepared successful permit applications for industrial facilities such as foundries, mineral processing activities and food processing factories. He is experienced in permit surrender applications, PFI bid support, feasibility studies, due diligence and intrusive site investigations and monitoring.
Ian joined Crestwood Environmental in March 2014 as an Environmental Consultant. He holds an MSc in Environmental Management, a BSc in Geography and a PGDip in Wastes Management. He has worked for a local authority as Waste and Recycling Officer gaining hands on operational experience including the roll out of a residual and organic kerbside system. Prior to joining Crestwood, for 9 years he worked as a Wastes Research Consultant, working on a range of waste and recycling projects that covered the public, private and third sectors. This included waste compositional analysis, public consultations, behaviour change campaigns and scheme performance evaluations. In addition he also has experience in wider environmental topic areas including energy and flooding evaluations.
Stephen has undertaken compliance audits of waste facilities in the UK and overseas, including landfills sites and pyrolysis and gasification plants. He is a former Chair of the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association’s (ADBA) Planning and Permitting Group and prepared the Permitting Section of ADBA´s ´Practical Guide to AD´, which is the industry’s guidance to its members. He is a Member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and the Society for the Environment.
Candida Diamond Candida is a Chartered Landscape Architect with seven years’ experience in design and environmental consultancy. She gained a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, following a ten year career in professional horticulture working for private clients and three historic gardens. She holds RHS and National
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Candida serves on the Landscape Institute Advisory Council, for three years as the branch representative for the Landscape Institute Wales, and has been a member of the LI Appointments and Selections Committee since 2012. Her experience includes LVIA for major infrastructure schemes and developments throughout Wales, landscape designation, strategies, management plans and specifications, landscape monitoring, detailed planting plans and the design of private and public schemes including parks and gardens, primary and secondary schools, hospitals and the public realm.
Ian Stone
And Finally... Congratulations to our colleague Nicole Walker on the safe arrival of baby Freddie! May you cherish this special time and may it make for lots of wonderful memories.
Newsletter April 2014
Crestwood offers a range of consultancy services including:
Waste & Minerals Management: • Environmental Permit Applications • Strategies, Planning & Licensing • Risk Assessments • Landfill and quarry engineering • Strategic marketing Project Management:
Ecological Surveys: • Phase One Surveys & Mapping • Protected Species Surveys & Licences • Habitat Management & Mitigation Plans • BREEAM Assessment • Clerk of works • Arboricultural Assessment • Conservations Management Plans
• Preparation of contract documentation • Site supervision • CQA reporting Contaminated Land Assessment:
Environmental Monitoring Services:
• Identification • Assessment • Remediation & Restoration • Baseline CQA
• Boundary and Personnel Bioaerosol monitoring • Boundary and Personnel Dust monitoring • Odour monitoring, reporting & assessment • Dust Monitoring Water:
Landscape Architecture: • Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment • Landscape & Historic Landscape Characterisation • Landscape Planning • Green Belt Reviews • Restoration, Soil & Aftercare Management Plans • Photomontage & visualisations • Landfill settlement & volume calculations • Landscape contracts
• Flood Risk Assessments • Drainage design (SuDS) • Discharge and borehole consents • Water treatment – Chemical and Ecological Assessments
Training: • COTC Assessment • Waste Awareness Certificate Training • Odour Training • Bespoke Training Courses
CEL has the following Accreditations: • Practice registered with the Landscape Institute • BS EN ISO9001:2008
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Crestwood environmental
Key Contacts Sid Lambert
Managing Director sid@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk • Waste Management Consultancy • Environmental Management and Engineering Consultancy
Karl Jones
Neil Furber
• Landscape Architecture & Landscape Visual Impact Assessment • Waste and Mineral Development & Restoration Plans • Ecological Impact Assessment • CAD and Graphics
• Landscape Architecture & Landscape Visual Impact Assessment • Landscape Expert Witness • Renewable Energy • EIA Co-ordination
Stephen Barnes
Lucy Cash
• Minerals and Waste Planning • EIA Co-ordination • Environmental Monitoring and Management • Environmental Permitting
• Phase 1 Habitat and Protected Species Surveys • Protected Species Licence Applications • Ecological Impact Assessment • BREEAM / CfSH Ecology assessment
Director & Principal Landscape Architect karl@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Associate Director & Principal Landscape Architect neil@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Associate Director & Principal Environmental Consultant steve@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Roger Grainger
Senior Environmental Consultant: Permitting
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Candida Diamond Landscape Architect
Senior Ecologist lucy@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Adam Collinge Landscape Architect
Danen Appasamy Environmental Scientist