Specialist Beaver Surveys for planning and development across Berkshire, providing clear ecological assessment for projects affecting the Thames, Kennet, Lambourn and the county’s wider network of rivers and wetlands.
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Berkshire contains an extensive network of rivers, chalk streams, floodplains and wetlands connected to the wider River Thames catchment.
Important freshwater corridors include the River Kennet, River Lambourn, River Pang, River Loddon and River Thames, creating a varied ecological landscape across the county.
Although Berkshire should not currently be treated in the same way as counties with well 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
Clearance of bankside trees or vegetation
Development affecting ponds or connected waterbodies
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.
Berkshire’s freshwater environment changes considerably from west to east.
West Berkshire contains the Kennet and Lambourn chalk river systems, while the River Thames provides a major ecological corridor through and along much of the wider county.
Other significant watercourses include the River Pang and River Loddon, together with numerous smaller streams, channels and wetlands.
Depending on the location of your development, the relevant Local Planning Authority may include:
• West Berkshire Council
• Reading Borough Council
• Wokingham Borough Council
• Bracknell Forest Council
• Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
• Slough Borough Council
Where an 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 Berkshire, 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.
The River Kennet and River Lambourn provide Berkshire with a particularly important freshwater environment. Both are nationally important chalk rivers.
The River Kennet flows through Hungerford, Newbury and towards Reading, where it ultimately connects with the River Thames. The River Lambourn rises in the Berkshire Downs and flows through settlements including Lambourn and Great Shefford before joining the Kennet in Newbury. Both rivers are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, while the River Lambourn also forms a Special Area of Conservation.
Their chalk fed waters, riverbanks, floodplains, side channels and associated wetland habitats create a complex ecological environment.
Where development affects these river corridors, ecological considerations may therefore extend beyond the immediate footprint of the proposed works.
Beaver assessment, where relevant, should remain separate from other requirements associated with these designated rivers and should be based on current records, field evidence and the proposed development.
The River Lambourn has an especially sensitive ecological context.
The river is designated as a Special Area of Conservation and is recognised for its characteristic chalk stream habitat.
It flows from the Berkshire Downs through rural settlements before entering Newbury and joining the River Kennet.
Development affecting the Lambourn may already require careful consideration of designated site impacts and other ecological constraints.
A Beaver Survey would not replace these wider assessments.
Where beavers are relevant, the survey would specifically assess current activity, protected features and how the proposed works could affect the species or supporting habitat.
This keeps the assessment focused on the ecological information actually required for the project.
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 Berkshire 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 your LPA requested a Beaver Survey, or are you planning works affecting a Berkshire 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 Berkshire should not currently be treated in the same way as counties with well established populations. Current ecological records and site evidence should be considered when assessing an individual development.
Berkshire contains an extensive freshwater network including the Thames, Kennet, Lambourn, Pang and Loddon. 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 the proposed works could affect suitable habitat or protected features. Proximity to the Kennet alone does not automatically establish a survey requirement.
Yes. The River Lambourn is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. These designations create important ecological considerations for development, but they are separate from determining whether beaver assessment is required.
Potentially. The Thames provides extensive freshwater connectivity through Berkshire. Whether a Beaver Survey is appropriate will depend on current ecological records, field evidence, the proposed works and the requirements of the LPA.
No. Proximity to a river, stream or wetland does not automatically establish a survey requirement. The relevant LPA determines what ecological information is required for the planning application.
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, river engineering and flood management works may require protected species assessment where current evidence indicates beavers could be affected.
If your Local Planning Authority 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.
