Proposing a new development site requires strategic planning, as well as insurance, structural warranty, cost estimates and planning permission, various site surveys are required including an ecology (or ecological) survey.
Ecology surveys are used wherever a proposed development site needs to be assessed to determine its potential impact on the environment.
In this article, we explore everything you need to know about ecology surveys, including when you may need one, the benefits they provide and how they can help support the planning process for any upcoming project.
What Are Ecology Surveys?
Ecology surveys are legal reports that discuss the impact that proposed developments may have on wildlife and biodiversity within a specific area. This allows planning authorities to give the green light on potential development projects, depending on both the results of the study and steps the developer is taking to prevent harm and damage.
They provide a general outline of habitats, wildlife and biodiversity, focusing primarily on potentially protected species, like bats, badgers, dormice, otters and more.
They are often paired with biodiversity net gain assessments, which are designed to highlight how developers will ensure biodiversity present on a specific site is measurably better upon the completion of a project. Both are a legal requirement within the UK.
Why Are Ecology Surveys Required?
Ecology surveys are required as we all have a role to play in protecting the environment, and this duty extends to protecting species, habitats and biodiversity at large. It’s also a legal obligation, per the Environment Act (2021), with the Natural Environment and the Rural Communities Act (2006) alongside local regulations and the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
When Would You Use an Ecology Survey?
Ecological surveys are required wherever protected species or habitats reside. Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are required to assess whether a planning application would harm or disturb a protected species and to determine whether planning permission can be given.
What Are the Benefits of an Ecology Survey?
Ecology matters can surface in any part of the country and for projects where you would be excused for thinking that there isn’t an issue. When accompanied by the legal requirements per Natural England, you simply cannot afford to ignore this matter.
However, hiring the services of an ecology surveyor isn’t simply a box-ticking exercise. It can deliver a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to:
- Meeting all requirements in relation to ecology and biodiversity, it will cover flood risk management. Identifying any issues could save you from nightmare situations later on in the project development.
- Highlighting potential planning constraints can save you money by spotting the need for a plan B before any excavation or construction work commences. You can also earn environmental sustainability credits.
- An ecology surveyor can run full impact assessments that include Ecological Impact Assessments (“EcIA”) and Environmental Impact Assessments (“EIA”) to provide clear answers and help you understand the legal and financial obligations.
- Ecology consultancy teams can cover special protection areas (SPAs), special areas of conservation (SACs) and sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) for a truly comprehensive service.
- You can gain peace of mind so that you can act with full confidence throughout the subsequent development issues. In turn, this can help you avoid delays caused by seeking answers later on.
What Happens If You Don’t Have an Ecology Survey?
Completing projects without first submitting the survey means you may be causing irreparable damage to the local environment, and you may face legal repercussions.
The amount of time that an ecological survey is valid for can vary depending on a variety of circumstances; it is often dependent on the initial results of the report. In some cases, they are required annually, or whenever new projects are conducted on the land.
Types of Ecological Survey
Ecological surveys can vary depending on the location, size and nature of the proposed development, as well as the habitats and species that may be present. Some of the most common types of ecological survey include:
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA)
A PEA is often carried out at an early stage as the starting point for a development project to identify habitats, potential ecological constraints and the need for further surveys.
Protected Species Surveys
Protected Species Surveys are a type of ecology survey used to determine whether the site for development is also home to protected species. The type of survey required will depend on the habitats and features found during the initial assessment.
Examples of surveys include:
Bat Surveys – assessing buildings, trees and other features for bats and signs of bat activity.
Badger Surveys – identifying badger setts and evidence of badger activity
Great Crested Newt Surveys – assessing ponds and surrounding habitats for great crested newts
Reptile Surveys – assessing suitable habitats for reptiles such as common lizards, adders and grass snakes.
Breeding Bird Surveys – identifying bird species using a site during the breeding session and assessing how they may be affected by proposed development.
How Long Are Ecology Surveys Valid For?
There is no fixed validity period for every ecology survey. How long a survey remains valid can depend on the type of survey undertaken, the species and habitats identified, the findings of the original report and the requirements of the local planning authority.
Ecological conditions can change over time. Habitats may develop or change, species may move into or out of an area, and signs of protected species may no longer be present or may become apparent. As a result, an ecology survey that was accurate when it was originally completed may not always provide an up-to-date picture of the site several years later.
In some circumstances, survey information may remain relevant for several years, while in other cases an updated survey may be recommended much sooner. This is particularly important where a site has changed significantly.
Do Species Surveys Have Different Deadlines?
Yes. Different species have different seasonal patterns, which means that ecological surveys need to be carried out at specific times of the year to ensure accurate results. The length of time that survey results remain valid can also depend on the species being surveyed and the type of survey undertaken.
For example, Great Crested Newt surveys can remain valid for around 2–4 years, depending on the findings of previous surveys. In comparison, bat survey results are generally considered valid for the current survey season and the following season.
Preparing For Your Proposed Development
Understanding whether your project requires an ecology survey is an important first step, but it is only part of the process. The findings of an ecology survey may cause further questions about what needs to be done, how ecological considerations can be incorporated into a development and what steps may be needed for planning etc. This is where ecology consultancy can play an important role.
Before starting a commercial or residential development, it is imperative that you take the necessary steps to ensure that the plans are legal and safe. Ecology consultancy is unquestionably one of the most significant features for gaining the necessary permissions and avoiding problems down the line.
Here at Greenlight we can provide full ecology and environmental consultancy services for projects of varying sizes. It’s important to know what is ecology consultancy and what exactly does an ecology surveyor do?
What is Ecology Consultancy?
Ecology consultancy is the professional advice and support provided by qualified ecologists to help individuals, businesses and developers understand and manage the ecological considerations associated with a project.
An ecology consultant can help guide a project through the planning process by identifying potential ecological constraints at an early stage and ensuring that any necessary surveys, reports or mitigation measures are considered.
The role of an ecology consultant can therefore extend beyond carrying out an ecology survey. They can provide advice throughout the development process, helping to ensure that ecological requirements are understood and appropriately addressed.
Whether you need an ecology survey will depend on the nature and location of your proposed development, as well as the potential impact it could have on protected species, habitats and biodiversity. While not every project will require a survey, identifying early can help avoid delays, unexpected costs and potential issues during the planning process.
Not sure where to start? The experienced Greenlight team are here to help. We have over a decade of experience helping developers kickstart their projects as quickly as possible, all while putting the environment first. Get in touch today to find out more, or to ask any questions you may have.
