It is important for planning decisions to be made based on up-to-date information. It will vary by site, but generally ecological surveys are valid for 12-18 months. After this time updating surveys may be required.

Phase 2 bat emergence/re-entry surveys will be required for a site where suitability and/or evidence of roosting bats is identified during the PRA survey. An absence of evidence does not equate to an absence of bats; therefore, suitability alone also triggers the need for surveys. Where bats are present, a mitigation licence from Natural England is required before the works can proceed. The licences are granted on the provision of evidence-based results and cannot be granted based on the worst-case scenario, so survey data is required.

Please see our survey calendar for when specific surveys can be carried out.  View Surveys Calendar

Ecological surveys are often required to be submitted as part of a planning application to allow ecological constraints to be considered. They identify habitats and/or species present on/within proximity of the site that may be impacted by the proposals and allow appropriate mitigation to be incorporated into the design stages and methods of work.

If nesting birds are present, they must be left undisturbed until the birds have left of their own accord. It is best to time the clearance of suitable nesting habitat for outside the breeding bird season i.e., undertake clearance between September and February, inclusive. If this is not possible, an ecologist can carry out an inspection of the habitat to check for nesting birds. If occupied nests are present then work must stop in that area, a suitable (approximately 5m) stand-off maintained, and clearance can only recommence once the nest becomes unoccupied of its own accord.

If we are within the correct season for the type of survey required, we can usually carry out the survey and return the report within 3-4 weeks of instruction.

Where protected species will be impacted by proposed works, a protected species mitigation licence may be required before works can commence. The need for this can be assessed during ecological appraisals of a site.

It is beneficial to get an ecologist involved in a development as early as possible to allow the results to be incorporated into other aspects of the project without causing delays and to be cost effective. Consideration should be given to the expected timeframe of the development as ecological surveys have a limited validity period.

In most cases the results of the surveys will not stop your development, however, some delays may occur due to factors such as seasonal constraints on surveys and mitigation. It is beneficial to involve ecologists from the start to incorporate the surveys into the project schedule without causing unexpected delays. The legislation that protects protected species is designed to allow development to proceed, while also ensuring that impacts to the affected species are also properly addressed.

PRA: Preliminary Roost Assessment
PEA: Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
BNG: Biodiversity Net Gain
EPSML: European Protected Species Mitigation Licence
EcIA: Ecological Impact Assessment
EIA: Environmental Impact Assessment
LPA: Local Planning Authority
Ext Ph1: Extended Phase 1 Ecological Assessment

This will vary site to site and is dependent on what species and habitats are present and what the proposals comprise, but they will follow a structure similar to the below  VIEW CHART

The number of Phase 2 bat surveys required will depend on the surveyed structures suitability for roosting bats. Negligible suitability = no further surveys required. Low suitability = one Phase 2 survey. Moderate suitability = two Phase 2 surveys. High suitability = three Phase 2 surveys.

Phase 2 bat surveys can only be carried out during the active survey season (May to September). If multiple surveys are required, these must be spaced a minimum of two weeks apart from each other.

An initial visit is required to deploy the refugia two weeks before reptile checks can commence. Following this period, a minimum of 7 site visits are required to establish their presence/absence, species, distribution and population size.