Changes to Species Mapping - June 2024
BRERC supplied species maps have routinely plotted species records as point data.
The point is a plot of the records grid reference, with the points aligning to the bottom left hand corner of the grid reference square they represent, as is standard with use of OSGB grid references.
However, some data users may misunderstand what is being represented by the points, and may conclude that every plotted point represents the exact location of the species record in question.
Therefore, we are moving away from plotting the data as points for maps provided by our enquiry service.
From sometime in June, species maps will instead be provided with the data plotted as either 1km squares (for four figure grid reference records) or 100m squares (for six, eight and ten figure grid reference records).
Grid references will still be shown at their full resolution in any provided spreadsheets, where appropriate, and are supplied with Eastings and Northings. This allows data users to make their own point-plots of the data in a GIS system should they so desire.
Look out for the new maps in any future enquiries you submit, and as always we welcome your feedback on these changes or any aspect of the enquiry service.
Enquiry Charges - April 2024
Charges for the base element unit costs of our data searches will increase by 6.7% on 1st April 2024.
These price increases are at the direction of our hosts Bristol City Council.
The minimum charge for enquiries will remain the unchanged at £100 ex VAT.
Habitat Data Searches
Over the past few years BRERC has been developing a new habitat map in collaboration with WECA and the West of England Local Authorities.
The West of England (Woe) Habitat Map incorporates all known habitat information from a wide range of sources and is considered to be the most comprehensive and up to date source of information for the BRERC region.
Every polygon has been assigned a UK Habitat classification, as well as legacy information relating to Priority Habitat and Phase 1 classifications where applicable.
As this is the information that local planning authorities are now referring to, it is necessary for future Habitat data searches refer to this dataset.
Due to the feature rich content of the data, we suggest that enquirers request the data in GIS format, where you have the appropriate Ordnance Survey license to do so.
Standard non-GIS data searches can interpret the maps provided using the included Map Key and BRERC Habitat Map translation spreadsheet.