With spring just around the corner, we can look forward to seeing more of our spectacular British wildlife as the temperature rises, daylight hours increase, and flora begins to grow again. For those looking to submit planning applications, or working on new development proposals, it’s important to think ahead at this time of year, to ensure you’re not caught out by ecological surveys with a restricted season.
Species including bats, badgers, hazel dormice, great crested newts, and wild birds are protected by law, as are their breeding sites and resting places. It’s best to talk any projects through with an environmental consultant at the very earliest stages, as most surveys must be carried out at certain times throughout the year.
For example, the smallest window for surveys of any of the protected species is that of the great crested newt. For these amphibians, at least four survey visits are normally spread between March and June. So, if your development has ponds on site, or nearby, it is worth bearing in mind that these surveys may be required. If great crested newts are present and considered to be affected by any proposal, it may take a month or more to receive a development licence from Natural England.
Be Prepared
Often, a lot of preparation is required to ensure the level of evidence collated and assessed from field surveys meets the requirements of the consenting authority, for example, a Local Planning Authority (LPA), or statutory consultee, such as Natural England.
You can get ahead and assess risks by conducting initial scoping surveys to establish what further detailed information might be required. It is wise, and cost-effective, to scope sites at this time of year for wildlife, and to organise the detailed surveys needed. The field survey period builds in intensity from April and peaks into the summer months, with most surveys finalising in October.
Field survey guidelines are strictly interpreted, and providing sufficient evidence on protected species for a planning application is a legal requirement. If a survey season is missed, there is often no substitute for this missing information in a planning application, which may invalidate it.
A Closer Look at Some Protected Species
Badgers
In parts of Britain, badger numbers are on the decline, while elsewhere they’re relatively common. Their bad road sense and sensitivity to certain diseases make them vulnerable to a range of threats, including road traffic, the construction of new roads and other developments, and disease control programmes.
Badgers are strictly protected by law under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Badger surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, but sett surveys are best performed during February to April whilst vegetation has not yet sprung back, so setts and runs are more easily identified. Surveys can also be carried out from September to November when badger activity is again at its height.
Mitigation can include creation of sett protection zones, construction of artificial setts, planting and management of badger habitats, supervision of any work taking place alongside occupied sets and the design of badger corridors. Any work involving the closure of an existing badger sett must be carried out under licence.
Bats
Bats make up one third of the UK’s total number of land-based mammal species and are found throughout the country, although they are more common in the south west. There are 17 species of bat in Britain, and they, and their roosts, are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Rights of Way Act 2000.
Bat numbers have decreased significantly in recent years, with the greater and lesser horseshoe bats being endangered. The mouse-eared bat became extinct in 1991, although the Bat Conservation Trust announced in January 2023 that there are now two such bats in the UK. Intensified agriculture, land use changes, lighting, mobile phone masts and wind turbines all have an impact on bats.
Survey methods include initial habitat assessments, roost inspections (such as buildings, churches, trees, and roof voids in old farm buildings), activity surveys, emergence and re-entry surveys and remote monitoring. Mitigation includes the design of bat friendly buildings, the creation of roosting opportunities, habitat management and enhancement.
Bat roost assessments for development can take place at any time of year, however, if signs of bats are found, further investigations are best carried out between April and September.
Planning ahead by getting advice now on what will be required during the survey season can help prevent delays later on. It can also reduce the risk of projects having to be put on hold because surveys must be carried out the following year instead.
Getting all necessary surveys completed at the correct time of year improves the chances of a smooth and efficient planning permission process. To ensure you’re one step ahead, contact us on 01225 459564 or email enquiries@engain.com