Ash Ecology

Ecological & Environmental Assessments for Planning

Expert Appropriate Assessment Screening, Natura Impact Statements, Bat Surveys and Flood Risk Assessments for planning applications nationwide. CIEEM Registered Practice with fast turnaround for planning and Further Information requests.

Get a Quote or call 089 499 1181
Ecological survey in progress
1000+ Reports Completed
18+ Years Experience
CIEEM Registered Practice

Council Asked for an Ecological Report?

Whether you're preparing a planning application, responding to a Further Information request, or need specialist surveys for protected species — we provide comprehensive ecological and environmental assessments that satisfy planners' requirements.

From single dwellings to large developments: We've worked on residential housing, farm developments, commercial projects, road construction, schools, solar farms, stadium redevelopments, GAA grounds and large-scale infrastructure across Ireland.

Our experienced team provides customised assessments tailored to your project, guiding you through the planning process with reports that are thorough, clearly written, and delivered on time.

Tight deadline? We regularly accommodate urgent Further Information responses. Contact us to discuss your timeline.

Our Services

Comprehensive ecological and environmental assessments for projects of all scales:

Appropriate Assessment Screening

Stage I screening to determine whether your project may affect Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas). Required for most developments within 15 km of European sites.

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Natura Impact Statement

Stage II detailed assessment with bespoke mitigation measures where significant effects on European sites cannot be ruled out. Each NIS is tailored to the specific qualifying interests and conservation objectives of the relevant sites.

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Ecological Impact Assessment

Comprehensive EcIA covering protected species under the Wildlife Acts, including badger, bats, pine marten and red squirrel. Prepared in accordance with CIEEM (2024) guidelines.

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Bat Surveys

Preliminary Roost Assessments and full emergence/re-entry surveys for all nine Irish bat species, including Lesser Horseshoe Bat. Static detectors deployed over multiple nights with detailed species identification. Licensed bat ecologist.

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Badger Surveys

Comprehensive surveys for sett locations, activity levels and foraging habitat. Mitigation strategies including buffer zones, timing restrictions and sett exclusion where required.

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Habitat Surveys

Phase I Habitat Surveys classified according to Fossitt (2000) and cross-referenced with Smith et al. (2011). Essential baseline for ecological assessments and conservation planning.

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Bird Surveys

Breeding bird surveys, wintering bird surveys and Barn Owl assessments. Timing-sensitive — plan ahead to avoid delays to your planning application.

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Rare Species Surveys

Surveys for species protected under the Flora Protection Order (2022), Red Data Books and Habitats Directive annexes.

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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

EIA Screening and preparation of ecology and biodiversity chapters for Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR). Experience contributing to multi-disciplinary EIA teams.

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Construction Environmental Management Plans

Preparation of CEMPs setting out environmental protection measures for the construction phase, including surface water management, invasive species protocols and biodiversity protection.

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Need a Flood Risk Assessment?

We're one of the few consultancies offering both ecology and Flood Risk Assessment under one roof. Our dedicated flood risk service provides Stage 1, 2 & 3 assessments with proper OPW methodology — design flood levels, design level comparison and climate change allowances. Ecology and FRA often go hand in hand for planning applications, and we can deliver both together, saving you time and coordination.

Visit floodriskreport.ie →

Counties We Cover

We complete ecological assessments for planning applications nationwide. See our dedicated pages for local information on Natura 2000 sites, protected species, and planning requirements:

Dublin Cork Galway Limerick Kerry Clare Mayo Tipperary Kildare Meath Wicklow Waterford Wexford Donegal Kilkenny

Don't see your county? We cover all of Ireland — get a quote for any location.

Plan Ahead: Survey Seasons

Many ecological surveys can only be carried out at specific times of year. Planning ahead avoids costly delays to your project:

Bat Surveys: Activity surveys April–September only

Breeding Birds: April–July

Wintering Birds: November–February

Badger Surveys: Year-round (best Feb–April, Oct–Nov)

Appropriate Assessment Screening, NIS, Habitat Surveys: Year-round

Not sure what surveys you need? Contact us early in your project and we'll advise on timing and requirements.

Expertise You Can Rely On

  • CIEEM Registered Practice — professional standards guaranteed
  • Over 1,000 reports completed across 29 counties
  • Experience from one-off dwellings to major public infrastructure
  • Fast turnaround for Further Information responses
  • Clear, well-structured reports that planners can follow
  • Competitive fees with fixed-price quotes
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance
  • Licensed bat ecologist

Aisling Walsh

Director / Lead Ecologist, MCIEEM, AMILP

MSc Biodiversity & Conservation (TCD)
BSc (Hons) Zoology (NUIG)
PgDip Statistics (TCD)
BSc Applied Aquatic Science (GMIT)
Certificate Environmental Noise Measurement (IoA)

Aisling founded Ash Ecology in 2018 after over a decade of freelance ecological consultancy. She has extensive experience in Ecological Impact Assessment, Appropriate Assessment Screening, Natura Impact Statements, EIAR chapters, bat surveys, badger surveys, habitat surveys and environmental noise monitoring. Aisling is a licensed bat ecologist, a Full Member of CIEEM, an Associate Member of the Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP), and a member of Bat Conservation Ireland.

Robert Morrison

Technical Director / Flood Assessment Lead

PgCert (L9) Water Engineering & Hydrology
MSc Life Sciences
MSc Social Sciences
PgDip (L9) Cell Biology
BSc (Hons) Applied Biological Sciences (1.1)
CPD - Flood Risk Assessment for planning
CPD - Flood Risk and Resilience
Member of CIWEM

Leads our Flood Risk Assessment service with expertise in hydraulic modelling (1D, coupled 1D/2D, and 2D, HEC-RAS etc), GIS analysis, and CFRAM/NIFM/NCFHM data extraction. FRAs and Drainage Impact Assessments (DIA) completed for sites across Ireland, from single dwellings to larger commercial developments.

What Our Clients Say

"Working with Aisling was a pleasure. She provided us without delay, in a very professional manner and at very competitive fees with the required information, in a crystal clear and well structured format. Should we need again the services of an environmental consultant, we would approach Aisling without any hesitation."

— Dana Hayes, Architect, Dublin

"We needed a Bat & Badger Survey completed with a fast turnaround for our planning application. After explaining our complex planning application, Aisling showed sincere understanding and empathy. She exceeded our expectations and delivered on her word. We would highly recommend Aisling."

— Annette & Alan, Cork

"The report was done within a very tight time frame, quicker than promised, was precise and of an exceptionally high quality. In terms of cost and speed of drafting no other company can beat that of Ash Ecology & Environmental Ltd."

— Damian Daly, St. Patrick's Boys AFC

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ecological assessment for planning?
If your site is within 15 km of a Natura 2000 site, or if the council has requested ecological information, you will likely need at minimum an Appropriate Assessment Screening. We can quickly check your site and advise what's required.
What's the difference between Appropriate Assessment Screening and a Natura Impact Statement?
Appropriate Assessment Screening (Stage I) determines whether significant effects on European sites can be ruled out. If effects cannot be excluded, a Natura Impact Statement (Stage II) is required, which includes detailed assessment and mitigation measures.
What is a Further Information request?
When a planning authority needs more detail before making a decision, they issue a Further Information (FI) request. This often includes a requirement for ecological reports such as an Appropriate Assessment Screening, Natura Impact Statement or bat survey. There is usually a strict deadline to respond, and we can help you meet it.
How long does a report take?
Appropriate Assessment Screening typically takes 5–10 working days. Natura Impact Statements and EcIA typically take 2–3 weeks depending on complexity. We can often accommodate urgent Further Information deadlines — contact us to discuss.
When can bat surveys be done?
Activity surveys (emergence/re-entry) can only be carried out between April and September. Preliminary Roost Assessments can be done year-round. Plan ahead to avoid missing the survey window, as this can delay your planning application by months.
Do I need a bat survey?
A bat survey is typically required where a development involves the demolition, renovation or conversion of buildings, the removal of mature trees, or works to structures with features that could be used by roosting bats. All Irish bat species are protected by law. If you're unsure, we can carry out a Preliminary Roost Assessment to determine whether further surveys are needed.
What is the difference between an EcIA and an EIA?
An Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) focuses specifically on ecology and biodiversity. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a broader process covering all environmental topics (noise, air quality, landscape, traffic, etc.) and is typically required for larger developments. We prepare standalone EcIA reports and also contribute ecology chapters to multi-disciplinary EIA teams.
What do you need to provide a quote?
A site address or Eircode and a brief description of your project. Site drawings and planning reference (if responding to a Further Information request) are helpful but not essential for an initial quote.
Can you help with invasive species?
Yes. We can identify and map invasive species on your site (such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed) and advise on management measures to comply with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.
Do you cover the whole of Ireland?
We're based in Co. Limerick and work regularly across Galway, Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Clare, Tipperary and many other counties. If your project is further afield, get in touch and we'll let you know if we can help.

Get a Quote

Send your project details — we'll respond with a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.

Prefer to talk?

089 499 1181