Ecology Brochure by orsbuildingconsultancy

Supporting your projects with proven ecological expertise

About Us

At ORS, we offer a comprehensive range of ecological services designed to support sustainable development across sectors, including renewable energy, conservation, infrastructure, construction, engineering, and biodiversity management. Our goal is to help you navigate the planning process seamlessly, ensuring your project’s success.

Our team of expert Ecologists work with private individuals, developers, landowners, corporations, government bodies, County Councils and bluechip businesses, delivering a full suite of ecological assessments and survey services. We focus on understanding and managing ecological risks, leveraging our skills, expertise, and experience to provide tailored solutions.

From meeting planning laws and licensing requirements to minimising liability, we guide your project through every step of the process. Most importantly, we partner with you to deliver excellence, ensuring your project stays on track, on time, and free from ecological hurdles.

OUR VALUES

As Ecologists, our values are rooted in a commitment to sustainability, collaboration, and excellence. We prioritise delivering environmentally responsible solutions that support the long-term health of ecosystems, while ensuring that our clients’ projects are compliant and successful.

By fostering strong partnerships with stakeholders, we work together to navigate complex ecological challenges and drive positive outcomes. Our dedication to continuous improvement and innovation enables us to provide cutting-edge solutions and create lasting impacts for both our clients and the environment.

End-to-End Ecological Services Regulatory Expertise Proven Track Record

From initial assessments and surveys to long-term environmental management, we provide comprehensive ecological support throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.

Our deep understanding of local and national planning and licensing legislation helps clients navigate complex regulations with ease.

Our team has a demonstrated history of successfully guiding projects through the planning and permitting process, minimising ecological risks and ensuring timely approvals

Services

At ORS, we provide a full suite of ecological services designed to support sustainable development and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Our experienced team specialises in a wide range of services, including habitat mapping, biodiversity surveys, invasive species management, and detailed assessments for legally protected species. From bird and bat surveys to freshwater, terrestrial, and marine mammal studies, we are equipped to provide expert support for your project, no matter the scale.

Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)

Evaluates the potential impacts of proposed developments on the site and the surrounding environment. Our assessments cover habitats, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invasive species, providing valuable insights to support the planning process and ensure sustainable development.

Appropriate Assessment Screening

Natura Impact Statement (NIS)

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The Appropriate Assessment Screening (Stage 1) is the first step in determining the potential impacts on any protected sites within the zone of influence of a proposed project or plan. This is now a mandatory requirement for all planning applications If mitigation is needed, we proceed to Stage 2 (NIS).

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A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is the second stage in the Appropriate Assessment process. If the AA Screening identifies the need for sitespecific mitigation measures, the NIS outlines the necessary actions to address these requirements for your plan or project.

Environmental Impact Assessment Report

Preliminary Ecological Assessment Report

Habitat Surveys and Mapping

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For projects requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), we provide expert biodiversity chapters, comprehensive surveys, and reports, ensuring seamless cross-team collaboration and project management.

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Protected & Specialist Species Surveys

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We conduct detailed habitat and species surveys to assess ecological features on or near your site, with a focus on those requiring legal protection, such as otters, badgers, and certain bird species. Our expertise spans bird surveys, freshwater and terrestrial ecology, bats, marine mammal observation, and benthic analysis.

A Preliminary Ecological Assessment (PEA), often accompanied by a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report (PEAR), serves as a quick assessment tool to identify potential ecological concerns early in the pre-planning and design stages.

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Invasive Species Surveys & Management Plans

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We conduct invasive species surveys. Where invasive species are identified, we provide a management plan for their removal or avoidance in accordance with industry guidelines. This is crucial to prevent the spread of invasive species.

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We offer habitat mapping and surveys using FOSSITTS classifications to create a detailed map of the habitats present at your proposed site This includes full species identification for everything found, presented with visual representations.

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Sustainability

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We offer up-to-date building sustainability certification for compliance. This will become increasingly important as reports like BNG, BREEAM, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) gain prominence.

Sectors & Projects

Renewable Energy

Project in Focus:

Renewable Biogas Facility, Co. Meath

ORS delivered ecological consultancy for a proposed anaerobic digestion (AD) biogas facility in County Meath. Acting on behalf of the developer, our team conducted a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) followed by detailed seasonal surveys to support the design and statutory reporting process.

Surveys included bat activity monitoring, wintering bird surveys, and habitat mapping to establish a strong ecological baseline. The findings informed a full Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening report, ensuring legal compliance and reducing planning risk.

ORS applied a best-practice strategic approach to guide project design and ecological risk management, including: Early Constraints Identification Seasonal Survey Planning Appropriate Assessment (AA) and Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA)

Early engagement allowed for the integration of avoidance and mitigation measures, reducing potential impacts on nearby designated sites and helping the project meet rigorous An Bord Pleanála requirements.

ORS also supports renewable projects across the solar, wind, and battery storage sectors, with scalable ecological input tailored to project size and complexity.

Data Centres

Project in Focus:

Data Centre Development, Co. Meath

Retail & Residential

ORS has long supported Ireland’s retail and residential sectors through early-stage ecological assessments. These developments are frequently located near sensitive habitats or protected species, requiring careful appraisal to meet planning requirements and biodiversity obligations.

On a recent residential scheme, early ecological input from ORS helped to identify sensitive habitats and inform the layout and landscaping strategy ensuring compliance while also enhancing biodiversity value on site.

Project in Focus:

Residential Developments

ORS was engaged to undertake ecological assessments for a large-scale housing project, including a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), habitat mapping, and Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening. The site included hedgerows, treelines, and seminatural habitats of moderate ecological value, with the potential to support protected species such as bats and nesting birds.

Working closely with the design team, ORS identified ecological constraints early and recommended layout modifications to retain key habitat features and buffer zones. This informed both planning compliance and biodiversity enhancement opportunities.

A targeted, best-practice methodology was applied to streamline planning and reduce ecological risk:

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal and habitat classification

Appropriate Assessment screening and Natura Impact

Statement (if required)

Species-specific surveys and risk management

Biodiversity Management Plans and Ecological Impact Assessment

ORS also advised on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) opportunities, including native planting schemes, pollinator-friendly landscaping, and green infrastructure to leave the site in an improved ecological state post-development. .

Flood Relief & Infrastructure

Flood relief and large-scale infrastructure projects often intersect with sensitive habitats and protected species, particularly in riverine and coastal areas. These projects — including road greenways face increasing scrutiny under planning and environmental assessments to inform design, avoid delays, and meet biodiversity obliga

ORS provides ecological consultancy for infrastructure and flood risk sch survey methodologies, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies to sup

Project in Focus: Flood Relief Scheme, Co. Limerick

Community & Recreational Developments

ORS supports local authorities and design teams in delivering high-quality community and recreational infrastructure. These developments are often located near sensitive ecological areas or within the range of protected species, requiring early-stage ecological input to de-risk the planning process and ensure legal compliance.

For example, on a recent project in Mullingar, ecological surveys identified protected wintering bird species under EU directives a crucial step in avoiding planning delays and implementing mitigation from the outset.

Project in Focus: Regional Sports Centre, Co. Westmeath

Responsive. Practical. Nationwide.

Our ecology team partners with you to deliver smart, compliant solutions—working at pace, embedded in your design team, and focused on moving your project forward.

What Our Clients Say?

“Our company has benefited from the multidisciplinary approach of ORS, working in close collaboration with John Spain Associates. ORS’s ability to integrate planning, environmental, ecological, civil and structural engineering, and traffic expertise under one roof has been instrumental in progressing our proposed biomethane developments. Combined with the planning expertise of John Spain Associates, this partnership has delivered a comprehensive and coordinated service that supports our strategic rollout of renewable gas infrastructure in Ireland.”