Peat Management Services

The stage of a project’s development impacts the detail and requirements for the associated Peat Management Plan (PMP). The PMP can be classed into three types:

• Stage 1 PMP (or Outline PMP) – Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Stage 2 PMP – Post-Consent / Pre-Construction
• Stage 3 PMP – Construction Stage

Our team of peat specialists, along with our civil engineers, can support on all three stages. Recently, we have undertaken PMPs for Cogle Moss Wind Farm, Crathaith Wind Farm and Swinlees Wind Farm. We are also actively involved in a number of projects where we are providing the peat surveys and PMPs to support our EIA chapter assessment or provide the PMP as a standalone report to support the planning application.

Stage 1 PMP

A Stage 1 PMP (or Outline PMP) aims to demonstrate to relevant stakeholders that, through comprehensive site investigation and iterative design, the proposed development minimises, as far as reasonably practicable, the volume of peat to be excavated. The primary goal is to reduce the environmental impacts associated with peat excavation through a structured hierarchy of design principles:

1. Prevent excavation of peat
2. Reduce the volume of peat excavated
3. Reuse excavated peat in a manner to which it is suited

We conduct thorough peat surveys to assess the distribution, depth, and quality of peat across the site. This process typically involves two phases:

• Phase 1: A broad, low-resolution survey across the entire site to inform early-stage layout decisions and avoid areas of peat where possible.
• Phase 2: A more detailed, high-resolution survey focused on areas with high potential impact, such as proposed tracks, hardstandings, compounds, substations, and borrow pits, helping to refine the site design.

Peat cores are taken from representative locations to assess the physical properties of the peat, including the classification of acrotelmic and catotelmic material. Additional observations on peatland condition, restoration potential and peat instability are recorded to support the PMP and inform other environmental assessments required for the EIA.

As well as detailing the results of the peat surveys and how the hierarchy of mitigation has been followed, the Stage 1 PMP provides;

• Estimations of acrotelmic and catotelmic peat volumes to be excavated
• Identification of potential on-site reuse opportunities aligned with best practices and estimation of reuse volumes, including a breakdown of acrotelmic and catotelmic peat
• Opportunities for peat reuse in habitat restoration, where applicable
• Methodologies for peat excavation, storage, reuse, and ongoing monitoring

Stage 2 PMP

The Stage 2 PMP is developed following project consent, prior to the commencement of construction, to refine the Stage 1 plan. Key actions during this stage may include:

• Further site investigations to inform detailed design, such as additional peat probing, coring, and laboratory testing, as required by planning conditions
• Iterative design updates based on infrastructure supplier requirements, micrositing adjustments, and development of an indicative earthworks model
• Refinement of peat volume calculations, considering additional mitigation measures and feasible reuse options

Stage 3 PMP

The Stage 3 PMP is prepared during the construction phase, incorporating updates based on tender design validation. The tender validation stage can involve the following which may affect the PMP:

• Detailed topographic surveys and confirmation of infrastructure supplier requirements
• Reassessment of site layout based on actual ground conditions encountered on site and any other constraints
• Detailed earthworks models

The PMP may need to be updated to reflect the actual construction conditions and peat management strategies.

Peatland Restoration Services

Whether you are incorporating peatland restoration into your development proposal or considering restoration as a landowner, our team provides comprehensive support. We offer expert surveys and GIS analysis to inform peatland restoration plans and feasibility studies, including:

• Mapping of degraded peatland areas (e.g., hags, gullies, bare peat, artificial drains) using aerial imagery
• Comprehensive peat surveys to assess peat depth, condition, confirm presence of mapped features, assess degradation features to inform restoration techniques (e.g. feature dimensions, exposure of mineral substrate)
• Habitat Impact Assessments (HIAs)

Our peatland restoration plans are tailored to meet project requirements and can include:

• Detailed survey outputs and GIS maps
• Recommendations for restoration including techniques, materials, and phasing strategies
• Assessment of site suitability for machinery, personnel access, and watercourse crossings
• Identification of key constraints, such as land management requirements, development restrictions, habitat/species protection, and sensitive work scheduling
• Recommendations for future monitoring, such as vegetation, water quality/quantity assessments, and drone surveys
• Cost analysis of restoration techniques and options
• Estimation of the carbon reduction potential from restoration activities, using the IUCN emissions calculator and field protocol