Ecology
Great Crested Newt surveys
Great crested newts (GCN) and their habitats (aquatic and terrestrial) are legally protected. They use ponds and other still water-bodies to breed during spring and summer, but spend the rest of the year on land, usually travelling up to 500m from their breeding ponds. As such, this species needs to be taken into account when suitable water-bodies are nearby, even if none are present within your site.
A number of survey methods and mitigation options now exist for GCN, including new licensing options from Natural England; these aim to remove some of the ‘red tape’ and make mitigation more pragmatic, whilst focussing conservation effort of the species at the population level, rather than absolute protection for each individual newt.
If surveys are required, these are seasonally constrained. ‘Traditional’ survey methods are limited to mid-March to mid-June, with half the surveys required between mid-April to mid-May. Environmental DNA (e-DNA) surveys are limited to 15th April to 30th June.
A derogation licence is needed from the relevant statutory body prior to any works that may impact individual GCN or their aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Contact us now with any ecology queries: Claire Munn, Principal Ecologist: claire@davidarcherassociates.co.uk
Our ecological consulting services
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)
A PEA provides an initial overview of how the proposed development might impact legally protected wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)
We can provide ecological information reports to support all stages of the Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) for both development projects and local plans.
Bat surveys
Bats and their roosts are legally protected, so we recommend carrying out a Preliminary Roost Assessment (scoping bat survey) of trees, buildings and structures that proposed works may impact.
Dormice surveys
If you're proposing works in areas and habitats known to lie within the dormouse range, you may need a presence/likely absence survey to show how you’ll manage any harmful effects on this protected species.
Ecological Impact assessment
An EcIA can be a stand-alone document for any planning application and can help identify any significant ecological impacts on the development project.
Great Crested Newt surveys
Great crested newts and their habitats are legally protected. These creatures can travel up to 500m from their breeding ponds, so a great crested newt survey should be undertaken when water bodies are nearby.
Reptile surveys
The more widespread reptile species are legally protected. If you’re conducting work that may impact reptiles, you’ll likely need presence / likely absence and population assessment surveys.
Nesting bird surveys
If you’re building at a location and time of year when birds may be nesting, we can conduct a nesting bird survey to find out if active nests are present.
Badger surveys
If you’re planning works within the vicinity of a confirmed or potential badger sett or in a habitat that is suitable for badger setts to be present, it’s worth contacting us for advice.
Water Vole surveys
If you’re planning works near a watercourse, you may need a water vole survey to assess how they will be impacted. Water vole surveys can be carried out between April and October.
Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW)
We can provide you with an Ecological Clerk of Works service, and field ecologists are on hand to help ensure that your building works stay legally compliant and wildlife habitats aren’t impacted.