As professional ecologists we are full or associate members of the Chartered Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We are therefore recognised as suitably qualified ecologists by the local planning authorities, as we follow a professional code of conduct and meet the strict level of academic qualifications and professional experience to become associate or full members of CIEEM. We hold the required protected species licences from Natural England to survey for great crested newt, Dormice, white clawed crayfish and we work closely with licensed bat workers who have good relations with Natural England to obtain licences on projects where bat roosts have been identified.