TEP was commissioned by the Co-op to carry out ecological surveys of farmland at Basford East in Crewe ear-marked as a Strategic Site in the Northwest Regional Economic Strategy.
Some of the ponds on the site were identified from an initial walkover as being suitable for the rare lesser silver water beetle. This species had been found to be present on a nearby site and all suitable ponds in the development site were surveyed by an entomologist.
An experienced licensed ecologist also carried out a crayfish survey of Gresty Brook and associated ponds using a combination of torchlit and bait techniques. The rare native white-clawed crayfish was found to be present in Gresty Brook and Protection measures were formulated in the EIA for the proposed development.