Protected Species Surveys & Assessments
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If your initial appraisal (PEA) identifies potential for protected wildlife, targeted surveys are the next step to secure planning permission. In the UK, species such as bats, great crested newts, badgers, dormice, and water voles are legally protected, and disturbing them without a license can lead to significant project delays or prosecution.
Our ecologists provide specialist surveys tailored to your site’s specific needs. These often involve emergence/re-entry watches, DNA sampling (eDNA), or camera trapping to confirm presence or absence. Because many species are only active during specific seasons—typically between April and September—early scheduling is critical to avoid missing your window and stalling your project for an entire year. We provide clear, pragmatic advice on mitigation and licensing (such as Natural England derogation licenses) to keep your development moving forward legally.