Services
Botanical and vegetation specialist services for environmental authorisations and land decisions in the Western Cape (and selected projects further afield).
Terrestrial biodiversity & plant species assessments
Specialist input for the EIA process: sensitivity screening support, field verification, impact assessment, and mitigation aligned with national protocols and Western Cape practice.
Botanical / vegetation surveys
- Vegetation mapping and classification
- Habitat condition and sensitivity
- Baseline botanical surveys
- Due diligence / opportunities & constraints
Species of Conservation Concern (SCC)
Targeted flora surveys for threatened and protected species, with clear mapping and management recommendations.
Invasive alien plants
IAP surveys, mapping, and management plan input in line with NEMBA expectations.
GIS mapping
Field-to-map deliverables your EAP and planning team can use — vegetation units, sensitivity layers, and SCC localities.
OSCA Permits — Outeniqua Sensitive Coastal Area
If your property falls within the Outeniqua Sensitive Coastal Area (OSCA) — the coastal zone running along the Garden Route — development, vegetation clearing or land-use changes may require a permit before you start.
We help you confirm whether your site is inside the OSCA boundary, and prepare the supporting vegetation/biodiversity information the municipality needs for the permit application.
- OSCA boundary confirmation for your property
- Vegetation survey supporting documentation
- Permit application guidance for coastal developments
- Fast, plain-English help for landholders and EAPs
ECO — Environmental Control Officer for building sites
Building in or near sensitive areas often comes with environmental conditions attached to your approval — and someone has to make sure they’re actually met on site. As an independent Environmental Control Officer (ECO), Benjamin monitors construction to keep your project compliant, on schedule and out of trouble.
- Site monitoring during construction — vegetation protection, erosion control, stormwater
- Condition-of-approval compliance checks (EMPr adherence)
- Incident identification and corrective action support
- Regular ECO reports for the client, EAP and authorities
- Practical, no-drama guidance for contractors and site teams
Appoint an ECO before construction starts — many approvals require it, and it’s cheaper than a stop-work order.