Summary
On this page we need some basic information about the competent person who was responsible for undertaking the site survey. This may be you. You have previously confirmed that you either had a competent person or a qualified ecologist undertake your site survey.
What is the Competent Person?
The Small Site Metric (SSM) can be completed by a "competent person". The Government definition (opens in a new tab) is as follows: "a competent person [is someone who] has the knowledge and skills to perform specified tasks to complete and review SSM calculations. You obtain this through training, qualifications, experience, or a combination of them"
With the Joe's Blooms tool, if you are eligible to use the Small Site Metric (SSM), we will allow you to demonstrate that you have either training and/or qualifications and/or experience.
Natural England has said, during the development (download link) of the Biodiversity Metric, that, for a small site, a competent person can be "project managers and architects on many sites"
For reference, these are the three types of people in the BNG process. They may, or may not, be the same person.
The Applicant: The person putting in the planning application.
The Competent Person: The person responsible for the site walkover and site survey
The Responsible Person: The person responsible for filling in the metric
Detailed Guide
What is their name: This should be the name of the person who completed the site survey.
What is their job title?: If there is no title (e.g. because the person is an individual, please put "n/a")
What best describes them: Please pick what you think is the best description
A competent person is not necessarily an ecologist but is competent to complete the metric because they have relevant qualifications, or training, or experience.
A qualified ecologist is an individual who holds a degree or equivalent qualification (e.g. N/SVQ Level 5) in ecology or a related subject Is a practising ecologist, with a minimum of three years’ relevant experience (within the last five years). Such experience must clearly demonstrate a practical understanding of factors affecting ecology in relation to construction and the built environment, including acting in an advisory capacity to provide recommendations for ecological protection, enhancement and mitigation measures. Examples of relevant experience are ecological impact assessments, Phase 1 and 2 habitat surveys, and habitat restoration Is covered by a professional code of conduct and subject to peer review.
Questions and Answers
I am not sure which person to name
I am not sure which person to name
If you are unsure you can always put "n/a" and return to edit this page later.