Question: What is a Protected Species Survey?
Answer: A Protected Species Survey is a targeted ecological survey to establish whether legally protected animals or plants are present on or near a development site, how they use the site and how they may be affected by the proposals. Surveys follow species-specific methodologies and are carried out by licensed and experienced ecologists during the appropriate season.
Surveys are required where a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal identifies suitable habitat and are used to design mitigation, obtain protected species licences and satisfy planning requirements.
Question: Which species are protected in the UK?
Answer: Commonly encountered protected species include:
- Bats, all species of which are European Protected Species
- Great crested newts, also a European Protected Species
- Badgers, protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992
- Reptiles including slow worms, grass snakes, adders and common lizards
- Nesting birds, with additional protection for Schedule 1 species such as barn owls
- Dormice, otters and water voles
- Certain plants and invertebrates
It is a criminal offence to kill, injure or disturb these species or to damage or destroy their breeding sites or resting places.
Question: When can protected species surveys be carried out?
Answer: Survey seasons are strictly constrained:
- Bat emergence and re-entry surveys: May to September, with two or three visits typically required
- Great crested newt surveys: mid-March to mid-June, or eDNA sampling from mid-April to June
- Reptile surveys: April to June and September to October, with seven visits
- Breeding bird surveys: March to July
- Badger surveys: any time, with best results in spring and autumn
- Dormouse surveys: April to November
Missing a survey window can delay a planning application by up to a year, so early commissioning is essential.
Question: What is a bat survey?
Answer: A bat survey normally begins with a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) of buildings and trees to assess their potential to support roosting bats. Where potential is identified, emergence and re-entry surveys are undertaken at dusk and dawn using bat detectors and, increasingly, infrared or thermal cameras, following Bat Conservation Trust Good Practice Guidelines. Results determine whether a roost is present, its type and importance, and whether a Natural England licence and mitigation are required.
Question: What is a protected species mitigation licence?
Answer: Where development will unavoidably affect a European Protected Species such as bats or great crested newts, a mitigation licence must be obtained from Natural England (or Natural Resources Wales) before works begin. The licence application requires survey data, a method statement and mitigation and compensation measures, and can only be granted after planning permission is obtained. District Level Licensing is available for great crested newts in many areas as a simpler alternative.
Question: What happens if protected species are found?
Answer: Finding protected species does not necessarily prevent development. The ecologist designs mitigation to avoid harm, such as timing works outside sensitive periods, creating replacement roosts or habitat, translocating reptiles, installing exclusion fencing and providing enhancement. Measures are set out in a mitigation strategy or method statement submitted with the planning application and, where necessary, a licence application.
Question: Why choose Syntegra Group for protected species surveys?
Answer: Syntegra Group's licensed ecologists undertake protected species surveys for bats, great crested newts, reptiles, badgers, birds, dormice and other species across the UK, following Natural England and professional good practice guidelines. We design proportionate mitigation and prepare licence applications, helping clients achieve planning permission and lawful construction without unnecessary delay.
Our ecology team works alongside our arboricultural, lighting and landscape specialists to ensure bat-sensitive lighting, tree protection and habitat creation are fully integrated into the scheme.
