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Reptile Surveys in Derbyshire

Reptile Surveys in Derbyshire

Do I need a reptile survey for my development in Derbyshire?

If your project may affect a reptile habitats, a professional survey is essential — we provide compliant reports to support planning consent.

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Fast, Clear, Planning-Ready Support

Fast response 

Calls answered in 2 rings, emails replied to within the hour.

Free expert advice

Clear guidance before you commit.

Cost-effective

Working in partnership with clients to ensure planning approval first time

Typical 10-day turnaround

Industry Leading Standard

Expert Team

We stay with you from first call through to submission. 

Do you need a Reptile Survey in Derbyshire?

Derbyshire contains a diverse mix of habitats that often support common reptile species such as grass snakes, slow worms and occasionally common lizards.

A reptile survey assesses an area to determine which reptile species are present and whether they could be affected by development. Ecologists search, trap, and record reptiles over time to understand their distribution. The findings help ensure that construction or land changes avoid harming wildlife and comply with planning regulations.

Planning officers in Derbyshire often require reptile surveys when development could disturb suitable habitats or areas where reptiles may be present.

You may need a reptile survey if your project involves: 

  • Heathland or moorland fringes in the Peak District, Bakewell, or Matlock

  • Scrub, bramble, or unmanaged grassland around Chesterfield, Bolsover, or Alfreton

  • Old quarry workings or gravel pits near Buxton, Wirksworth, or Glossop

  • Brownfield land with warm, sheltered areas in Derby, Ilkeston, or Swadlincote

  • Railway alignments (active or disused) across Clay Cross, Long Eaton, or Belper

  • Wet grassland, marshy zones, or drainage features in Ripley, Ashbourne, or Heanor

  • Pastureland undergoing natural regeneration across rural Derbyshire

  • Any site flagged in a PEA as having a reptile potential in Derbyshire

A quick postcode check confirms whether your Local Planning Authority requires reptile evidence before works begin.

We provide reptile surveys across Derbyshire, covering key areas including Derby, Chesterfield, Matlock, Buxton, Bakewell, Alfreton, Belper, Ilkeston, and Swadlincote.

 
 
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Why Planning Officers in Derbyshire Request Reptile Surveys

Derbyshire planning authorities require reptile survey evidence where suitable habitat is present to ensure development complies with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and national planning policy. Without early, proportionate evidence, applications are frequently delayed through validation queries, additional conditions, or seasonal survey requirements that can disrupt project programmes and lead to avoidable redesign.

Local Case Insight

A redevelopment area near Buxton contained rough grassland, disused quarry rubble and pockets of scrub, all of which offered potential reptile habitat. Early ecological advice highlighted the need for targeted survey work, and presence/absence checks confirmed a low-density slow worm population on site. With this clear, proportionate evidence in place, the project team worked with the LPA to agree a straightforward phased-clearance strategy and practical site-working measures that met legal requirements without introducing unnecessary complexity. This allowed vegetation removal and ground preparation to be scheduled confidently within the appropriate seasonal window, avoiding delays or redesign. As a result, the planning application moved through validation smoothly and construction was able to begin on programme with no additional ecological conditions.
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How Reptile Surveys Work

Our specialist ecology team carries out a Reptile Survey and confirms presence or risk. You receive a clear, LPA-ready report setting out mitigation and timing controls to keep your project moving.

Key Deliverables for projects in Derbyshire:

We provide a clear, proportionate, practical approach which includes: 

  • Reptile habitat assessment

  • Presence/absence surveys (April–September)

  • Clear, achievable mitigation strategies

  • Method statements for vegetation clearance

  • Reporting aligned with Derbyshire LPAs and the National Park

  • Practical next steps tailored to rural and redevelopment contexts

We help you plan works across Derbyshire safely around reptile habitats, ensuring compliance while keeping your project on schedule.

Step 1

Schedule

Send your site details and programme. We confirm the correct level of survey.

Step 2

Fieldwork

Site walkovers, habitat suitability assessments, refugia checks, and activity monitoring for reptiles.

Step 3

Reporting

Planning-ready reports with impact assessment, mitigation options and timelines for site teams.

Step 4

Integration with other Surveys

Only if needed. PEA, EIA, and Protected Species surveys 

Next Steps

Need a reptile survey in Derbyshire? Let’s confirm your site’s requirements and keep your project on track. 

0800 494 7479

[email protected]

FAQ - Reptile Surveys in Derbyshire

Do rural sites automatically need reptile surveys in Derbyshire?

 Not automatically — but habitat structure is often suitable.

For planning checks and guidance: 

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 Yes. They often provide warm basking sites and shelter features.

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Can surveys be rushed in Derbyshire?

 No — surveys depend on weather and season (April–September).

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Not if checked early. Most delays stem from late PEA findings.

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