Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is a type of biodiversity survey, and they are often required to accompany planning applications. This may be as a result of a NI Biodiversity Checklist.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal is sometimes referred to as an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey and is the first stage in assessing the ecological value of a site and enables identification of features of particular ecological interest.

The appraisal comprises a rapid assessment to identify features of ecological interest on-site or within the vicinity of the site to understand the potential ecological impacts that may be caused by a proposed project.