Do you know what surveys you need?

If you’re looking to develop a piece of land, you’ll have to undertake some ecological surveys. Are you asking: “Which ones?”

There are 600 protected species in the UK; from bats and badgers to fungi and lichen. Wildlife law exists to protect these wonders, and land development cannot fall foul of it.

For this reason, it’s a legal requirement in planning law to submit relevant ecological surveys to the local authorities when you apply for planning permission.

Surveys help planning progress faster

You might fear that ecological surveys will highlight problems and hinder your application. This is generally not the case at all. If you’re aware of any environmental constraints from the outset, you can develop your application with these in mind.

Such proactivity will actually speed your planning application through faster. You’ll have made provision for any important habitats. They might even enhance your site!

Start with an overview

In most cases, your planning department will initially request something called a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA). Or it could be described as a Phase 1 Habitat Survey (or just a habitat survey).

This survey provides a snapshot of your landscape and the surrounding area. It identifies the likelihood of potential constraints and highlights the need for any further surveys.

Possible to undertake throughout the year, conditions are always best in the spring, when new growth is more evident. You have some flexibility in your timing though – surveys are valid for 12 months from completion.

What does a habitat survey involve? One of our ecologists arranges to visit your land. They identify, map and record any evidence of flora and animal habitats. From this work, a report is compiled, meeting the requirements of your local authority. We follow a strict structure for this survey, developed in accordance with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and professional institutes.

Learn more about Phase 1 Habitat Surveys

Specific surveys to suit your conditions

Having achieved an overview of your land, it will be clear if further surveys are necessary.

There are many reasons this could be the case. For example, if there’s evidence of a protected species (such as bats, badgers or Great Crested Newts). Or, if a particular environment is evident, such as woodland (arboricultural surveys) or watercourses (river habitat surveys).

Only necessary and relevant surveys need to be carried out. They give you answers that allow your planning application to progress.

It might all seem rather cumbersome. But, here’s the benefit to remember. By better understanding your ecological conditions, you’re armed with the facts needed to assess your application thoroughly. And surveys can eliminate constraints, as well as identify them.

Learn more about our ecological surveys

What if a protected species is found?

It can be the dread of a developer to discover bats on his land. Or owls nesting in the trees. But it doesn’t mean your planning permission will be thrown out.

When constraints are identified, there’s no need to be left high and dry. Your ecologist should help you find the solution.

An experienced ecology consultancy will never leave you with problems. They’ll provide guidance and support, liaising with local authorities on your behalf.

If you have bats on your land, specific surveys will determine the extent of this. They’ll identify any roosts (in trees, buildings or underground), the number present, and the species.

From here, you can propose mitigation measures to the authorities. For example, the installation of bat boxes to rehome certain roosts.

The earlier you have this information, the more easily you can accommodate it into your development plans. By the time you’re talking to the planning department, you can highlight the solutions you already have in place.

The same process can be achieved for any protected species. And let’s face it, some species and habitats can actually enhance your site and become a feature of interest.

 

Would you like to have a chat about your ecological survey needs? We’d be very happy to hear from you.