A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE THRIVE TOGETHER​

Haycock and Jay Associates are an established and highly regarded group of professional ecologists working throughout the north of England, Wales and Scotland. We are specialists in survey, monitoring and advising on protected species such as bats, reptiles, amphibians, otters, water voles and also provide expert botanical input.
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As recognised ecological professionals our clients include National Trust, Forestry Commission, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Miller Homes, Natural England and a variety of developers seeking input to projects where biodiversity and sustainability are key drivers. Our ecological assessments ensure vital infrastructure such as flood alleviation schemes can proceed whilst delivering overall benefits for biodiversity.

Our Professionalism

We pride ourselves on our ability to collaborate with our clients and other stakeholders to ensure the best possible outcomes for people and wildlife. It is our priority to stay at the forefront of the dynamic field of ecology, and all key staff are members of Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. We only work on projects that deliver net gains for biodiversity.

Our Team

Our team consists of specialists in all principal protected species and habitats. We have experienced and licensed surveyors for bats, great crested newts, water vole and white-clawed crayfish, and we are also expert in large-scale habitat mapping including catchment scale river surveys, Priority habitat mapping, Condition Assessment, National Vegetation Classification (NVC) and woodland survey.

Our Role

The proposed Holiday Village at Ellel is an exciting opportunity to work with a range of stakeholders to demonstrate how sustainable living environments can provide high quality space for people and wildlife. We believe integrating existing natural features and delivering biodiversity benefits are at the heart of sustainable development and our role is to ensure that the Holiday Village concept is developed in a sensitive way.

INTEGRATING PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE

The site contains valuable habitat for nesting birds, bats, amphibians, small mammals, and invertebrates. Therefore, it is imperative that features such as old and veteran trees, woodland, ponds and hedgerows are integrated successfully to support these species.

However, we envision an opportunity to enhance these ecological features using existing high quality habitat features to connect and strengthen existing wildlife corridors such as Lancaster Canal, where otter and herons thrive, and woodland and hedgerows. Integrating people and wildlife at Ellel Holiday Village means more high quality habitat linkages through the landscape

RESILIENT HABITATS FOR ALL

A focus of the project is to achieve net biodiversity gain through development of Ellel Holiday Village, but also to promote connectivity of valuable habitats in the surrounding landscape.  This aim will be at the heart of the project design with carefully planned and managed green spaces which retain and enhance important ecological features constituting a significant proportion of the village. In addition the built environment will contain integrated features to enhance wildlife value.

Woodland on site will continue to be well managed and existing old and veteran trees will be retained so they continue to provide homes for bats and birds, and a variety of other species, enriching residents’ lives. Further native trees and shrubs will be planted in public green spaces and gardens, which will guarantee veteran trees for future generations.

Ponds will be integrated into green spaces and maintained to sustain amphibians, waterbirds and a variety of invertebrates.

Meadow and grassland areas will be spread with “green hay” and will receive a limited amount of management such as cutting each autumn to promote a diversity of plants, which in turn supports a wealth of pollinating insects, small mammals and birds of prey such as kestrel.

Hedgerows will form the basis of habitat corridors between gardens, providing homes for birds and invertebrates and commuting routes for bats. Larger mammals such as hedgehogs will be able to move through the site in safety, perhaps visiting residents gardens to feast on slugs and worms. 

Where feasible, features will also be incorporated into the design of the buildings, such as integrated bat roosts and designed gaps in tiles and bricks to allow bats to roost. In areas important for wildlife, low lux lighting will be used to light the way for humans whilst minimising disturbance to bats, owls and other nocturnal animals.
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Ellel Holiday Village will create the conditions to allow people to aspire to form a sustainable community embedded in a rich mosaic of habitats which provide a high quality of life for both people and wildlife.

MEET THE TEAM AT HAYCOCK AND JAY ASSOCIATES

GORDON HAYCOCK
CEcol ECnv MCIEEM

As a Director and Principal Ecologist, Gordon's role as a specialist ecologist has continued whilst he also takes responsibility for delivery of Ecological Impact Assessment and quality control in a number of large-scale ecological projects.
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JENNIE CADDICK
​MCIEEM AIEMA

As a Director and Principal Ecologist, Jennie Caddick has a wealth of experience working on a range of large rail, highway, energy, housing development, wind farm and quarry extension projects. She also has experience of working within local council and charity sectors including undertaking BREEAM assessment.

STEVE HEATON
MCIEEM 

Steve is a Director and postgraduate botanical ecologist whose skills encompass expert plant identification skills including the use of floral keys, plant ecology and taxonomy and systematics. Using his stakeholder assessment skills, Steve develops habitat management plans for public sites integrating people and wildlife.

 "A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE ENCOUNTER WILDLIFE EVERY DAY” 

HAYCOCK AND JAY ASSOCIATES SUPPORTS ELLEL HOLIDAY VILLAGE

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