Specialist Beaver Surveys for planning and development across Buckinghamshire, providing clear ecological assessment for projects affecting rivers, streams, wetlands and connected freshwater habitats.
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Buckinghamshire contains an extensive network of rivers, chalk streams, smaller watercourses, floodplains and wetlands connecting the county with the wider Great Ouse and Thames river systems.
Although Buckinghamshire should not currently be treated in the same way as counties with established beaver populations, beaver distribution across England is changing.
A Beaver Survey may be requested where current ecological information, field evidence or the characteristics of a development indicate that beavers could be affected.
This may include:
Development alongside rivers, streams or wetlands
Riverbank excavation or engineering
Bridge, culvert, outfall or watercourse crossing works
Drainage and flood management schemes
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Clearance of bankside trees or vegetation
Development affecting ponds or connected waterbodies
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Infrastructure close to suitable riparian habitat
Changes to water levels, drainage or hydrology
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal identifying relevant habitat or field signs
The presence of suitable freshwater habitat does not automatically mean a Beaver Survey is required.
Where an LPA requests further ecological information, ProHort can undertake the appropriate assessment and provide clear ecological evidence to support the planning application.
Buckinghamshire sits across two major river basin systems.
The northern part of Aylesbury Vale drains towards the River Great Ouse, while much of the remainder of the county forms part of the wider Thames catchment.
Important watercourses include the:
• River Great Ouse
• River Thame
• River Ray
• River Ouzel
• River Chess
• River Misbourne
• River Wye
• River Colne
• River Thames
These watercourses pass through very different landscapes, ranging from the open floodplains of Aylesbury Vale to the chalk valleys of the Chilterns and more developed areas around High Wycombe and the south of the county.
For most development, Buckinghamshire Council is the Local Planning Authority.
Where the LPA considers that development could affect beavers or protected breeding and resting sites, it may request appropriate ecological information before determining the application.
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended)
Eurasian beavers are a European Protected Species. The legislation protects beavers from deliberate killing, injury, capture and disturbance, and protects their breeding sites and resting places from damage or destruction.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
Provides additional legal protection relevant to beavers, including controls relating to certain methods of capture and their release into the wild.
For development in Buckinghamshire, proposed works that could affect beavers, their breeding or resting sites, or important supporting habitat may require appropriate ecological assessment, mitigation and, in some circumstances, a Natural England licence.
ProHort provides proportionate, evidence-led advice and reporting to help support a compliant route through planning.
Northern Buckinghamshire forms part of the Great Ouse catchment, creating an important freshwater connection with neighbouring counties. The River Great Ouse passes through the north of Buckinghamshire around Buckingham, accompanied by the River Ouzel, River Ray and numerous smaller watercourses.
Further south, the River Thame rises north of Aylesbury before flowing through the Vale and eventually joining the Thames in neighbouring Oxfordshire. Aylesbury Vale therefore contains a substantial network of rivers, streams, floodplains and drainage features. This connectivity is relevant when considering species capable of dispersing through freshwater systems.
However, suitable habitat or catchment connectivity should not be treated as evidence that beavers are present.
For individual developments, current records, field evidence, habitat suitability and the proposed works should determine whether further assessment is appropriate.
Southern and eastern Buckinghamshire have a very different freshwater character.
The River Chess and River Misbourne are chalk streams flowing through the Chilterns, while the River Wye passes through the High Wycombe area.
Chalk streams are distinctive freshwater environments fed substantially by groundwater and can support valuable aquatic and bankside habitats.
The Chess rises around Chesham before flowing towards the River Colne, while the Misbourne passes through areas including Great Missenden, Amersham and the Chalfonts.
For development affecting these river corridors, ecological considerations may extend beyond the immediate development boundary.
Bankside vegetation, connected wetland habitat, watercourse crossings, drainage and changes to hydrology can all influence how a development interacts with the freshwater environment.
Where beavers become relevant to a planning application, these site specific characteristics should form part of the assessment.
Our specialist ecology team assesses suitable habitat and identifies evidence of beaver activity, including feeding signs, tracks, burrows, lodges and dams.
You receive clear, planning ready advice identifying any ecological constraints and the appropriate recommendations for your project.
Beaver activity and habitat assessment
• Mapping of relevant burrows, lodges, dams and field signs
• Development impact assessment
• Clear mitigation and avoidance recommendations
• Natural England licensing advice where required
• LPA ready ecological report with practical next steps
Our reports provide the ecological information needed to help you respond to planning requirements and progress your Buckinghamshire project.
We review your plans, site location, freshwater habitats and available ecological information to understand the project and any ecological issues that may need to be addressed.
Our ecologists survey suitable watercourses and connected habitats for beaver activity, including feeding signs, tracks, burrows, lodges and dams.
We assess how the proposed works could affect beavers, protected features, movement routes and supporting habitat.
You receive a clear, LPA ready report setting out the findings and any appropriate avoidance, mitigation, monitoring or licensing recommendations.
Has Buckinghamshire Council requested a Beaver Survey, or are you planning works affecting a river, stream, wetland or bankside habitat?
ProHort can undertake the appropriate ecological assessment and provide clear, planning ready reporting to help you respond to the LPA’s requirements and progress your project.
Beaver populations are expanding across England, but Buckinghamshire should not currently be treated in the same way as counties with established populations. Current ecological records and site evidence should be considered when assessing an individual development.
Buckinghamshire contains an extensive freshwater network including the Great Ouse, Thame, Ray, Ouzel, Chess, Misbourne, Wye, Colne and Thames. Habitat suitability varies considerably and suitable habitat alone does not demonstrate that beavers are present.
Potentially, where current ecological information indicates beavers may be relevant and proposed works could affect suitable habitat or protected features. Proximity to the Great Ouse alone does not automatically establish a survey requirement.
Potentially. The River Thame and its associated watercourses provide freshwater connectivity through Aylesbury Vale. Whether further assessment is needed will depend on current ecological evidence, the proposed works and the LPA’s requirements.
The Chess and Misbourne are important chalk stream environments within the Chilterns. Development affecting their banks, riparian habitats or hydrology may require ecological assessment. A Beaver Survey would only be appropriate where beavers are relevant to the site or requested by the LPA.
No. Proximity to a river, stream or wetland does not automatically establish a Beaver Survey requirement. Buckinghamshire Council determines what ecological information is required for a planning application.
https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/
Our ecologists can look for gnawed or felled trees, feeding remains, tracks, slides, scent mounds, burrows, lodges and dams, alongside evidence of how beavers may be using the surrounding habitat.
Beaver Surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, although October to March normally provides the most accurate conditions for detecting field signs because bankside vegetation is reduced.
Potentially. Bridges, culverts, drainage infrastructure, flood management and other works directly affecting watercourses may require protected species assessment where current evidence indicates beavers could be affected.
If Buckinghamshire Council requests further information relating to beavers, ProHort can undertake the appropriate ecological assessment and provide a clear, LPA ready report to support your planning application.
Where activity or protected features are identified, our ecologists can provide proportionate recommendations for avoidance, mitigation, further monitoring or licensing where applicable, helping you respond to the LPA’s requirements and keep your project progressing.
