Protected Species Surveys
Development certainty begins with protected species clarity.
If protected species are likely, survey timing and licensing requirements must be addressed before planning decisions are secured. Managed early, these constraints become structured milestones — not unexpected barriers.
We define the appropriate survey scope, seasonal requirements and any licensing pathway at the outset, aligning evidence with local authority expectations and your wider scheme. The result is compliant, predictable progress and planning decisions supported at first submission.
Which Survey Do I Need?
A Quick Guide
Different species carry different survey windows and licensing requirements. Identifying the correct survey early protects both planning strategy and programme timing.
Use the guide below to identify which protected species survey may apply to your proposal.
Badger Surveys
When: scrub, woodland edges, or embankments show sett signs.
Purpose: identify sett activity, territory use and protection requirements.
Timing: most of the year (avoid sett disturbance Feb–June); year-round for scoping (PEA).
Great Crested Newt (GCN) Surveys
When: ponds, ditches or wetlands occur within 250m of proposed works.
Purpose: assess breeding presence, terrestrial use and mitigation needs.
Timing: mid-March–June (eDNA April–June; traditional surveys mid-April–June); year-round for scoping (PEA).
Reptile Surveys
When: rough grassland, brownfield, or sunny scrub provides potential habitat.
Purpose: record presence, population and define proportionate mitigation.
Timing: April–September (weather-dependent); year-round for scoping (PEA).
Bird Surveys
When: vegetation clearance, tree works or demolition overlaps nesting season.
Purpose: confirm nesting activity, inform timing and avoid offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act.
Timing: nesting activity March–August; year-round for scoping (PEA)
Invertebrate Surveys
When:brownfield mosaics, meadows or wetlands may host notable assemblages.
Purpose: evaluate habitat structure and invertebrate value for BNG and planning.
Timing: May–September (weather-dependent; early scoping reduces BNG risk on high-distinctiveness sites); year-round for scoping (PEA).
Your Next Step
Provide your site details and we will structure the appropriate survey and licensing pathway from the outset.
Protected Species Survey FAQs
What is a protected species in UK planning?
A protected species in UK planning is a plant or animal safeguarded under wildlife legislation. It is unlawful to harm, disturb or damage certain species or their habitats without appropriate survey evidence and, where required, a licence. Planning consent must demonstrate lawful compliance before development begins.
Do I need a protected species survey for planning permission?
You may need a protected species survey where development could affect habitats used by bats, great crested newts, badgers, breeding birds or reptiles. Local planning authorities require proportionate ecological evidence before determining applications. Identifying survey requirements early allows timing and licensing to be integrated into the programme.
When are protected species surveys required?
Protected species surveys are required before planning determination where species are likely to be present. Each species has defined seasonal survey windows. Missing these windows can delay submission by several months, which is why early ecological review is critical.
What happens if protected species are found on site?
If protected species such as bats, newts or badgers are confirmed, development can usually proceed with appropriate mitigation or licensing. This may include timing restrictions, habitat protection, ecological supervision or species relocation under licence. Addressed early, these measures are structured into the programme rather than imposed unexpectedly.
Can development still go ahead if bats or great crested newts are present?
Yes. In most cases development can proceed lawfully where bats or great crested newts are present, provided survey evidence, mitigation design and any required licence are secured. The focus is structured compliance, not prevention of development.
What is a protected species licence?
A protected species licence permits activities that would otherwise be unlawful, such as disturbing a bat roost or relocating great crested newts. Licences are issued by the statutory authority and require robust survey data and detailed mitigation proposals. Licensing follows confirmed impact — it does not replace survey work.
Are all birds protected in the UK?
Most wild birds are legally protected, particularly during the nesting season. It is unlawful to damage or disturb active nests. Breeding bird surveys confirm whether vegetation clearance or demolition can proceed lawfully and at the appropriate time.
How long are protected species surveys valid?
Survey validity depends on species and site conditions. Many protected species surveys remain valid for up to two years, provided habitat conditions have not materially changed. Planning authorities may request updates if circumstances differ from the original assessment.
What is the difference between protected and endangered species?
A protected species is safeguarded by law under UK legislation. An endangered species refers to conservation status and does not automatically determine planning requirements. Planning decisions are based on legal protection rather than conservation ranking alone.
Why is early protected species assessment important?
Early protected species assessment confirms survey scope, seasonal timing and any licensing requirements before planning submission. This protects programme certainty, supports lawful development and reduces the risk of avoidable delay.