Planning ready beaver surveys and habitat assessments across Surrey, providing clear ecological evidence, proportionate recommendations and practical support for developments affecting rivers, streams, wetlands and riparian habitats.
Calls answered in 2 rings, emails replied to within the hour.
Clear guidance before you commit.
Working in partnership with clients to ensure planning approval first time
Industry Leading Standard
We stay with you from first call through to submission.
Surrey contains an extensive network of rivers, streams, wetlands and floodplain habitats, with the River Wey and River Mole forming the county’s two main river catchments.
Beaver recovery is also progressing across England, with reintroduction already taking place within the wider River Wey system.
A Beaver Survey may be requested where proposed works could affect beavers, their breeding or resting sites, or habitats they rely upon.
This may include:
• Works within or alongside rivers and streams
• Riverbank excavation or engineering
• Bridge, culvert, outfall or watercourse crossing works
• Drainage or flood management works
• Clearance of bankside trees or vegetation
• Development affecting wetlands or connected waterbodies
• Infrastructure close to suitable riparian habitat
• Changes to water levels, drainage or hydrology
• a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal identifying potential beaver habitat or activity
The presence of a river or stream does not automatically mean a Beaver Survey is necessary.
Where an LPA requests further ecological information, ProHort can undertake the appropriate assessment and provide clear ecological evidence to support the planning application.
Surrey combines extensive freshwater habitats with significant residential, commercial and infrastructure development.
The River Wey and River Mole form the county’s two principal river catchments and both eventually connect with the River Thames. Surrey also contains the River Thames itself, River Blackwater, River Eden and numerous smaller streams, brooks, ponds and wetlands.
Depending on the location of your development, the relevant Local Planning Authority may include:
• Elmbridge Borough Council
• Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
• Guildford Borough Council
• Mole Valley District Council
• Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
• Runnymede Borough Council
• Spelthorne Borough Council
• Surrey Heath Borough Council
• Tandridge District Council
• Waverley Borough Council
• Woking Borough Council
Where development could affect beavers or protected breeding and resting sites, the LPA may require sufficient ecological information to understand the potential impacts before determining an application.
Potential impacts can include habitat loss, disturbance, damage to protected features, clearance of bankside vegetation and changes to water quality or hydrology.
Early ecological input can help provide the information requested by the LPA and reduce the risk of protected species matters causing avoidable delays.
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 Surrey, 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.
Beaver recovery is already relevant to Surrey through the wider River Wey catchment. An enclosed beaver project was established on a headwater of the River Wey near Haslemere, close to the Surrey and West Sussex border.
Surrey Wildlife Trust is also working towards the future return of beavers within the county and has identified the potential for the species to spread through suitable riverside and wetland habitats if established. This makes Surrey an important county to monitor as beaver recovery and licensed releases continue across England.
For planning and development, however, the existence of suitable habitat or wider beaver recovery does not mean every Surrey watercourse requires a Beaver Survey. Current ecological records, evidence of activity, habitat suitability and the nature of the proposed works remain important when considering a particular site. Where an LPA requests further information relating to beavers, ProHort can provide the appropriate ecological assessment and reporting to support the application.
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 Surrey 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 do you need ecological support for development affecting a Surrey watercourse?
ProHort can undertake the appropriate assessment and provide clear, planning ready reporting to help keep your project progressing.
Beaver recovery is already relevant to Surrey through an enclosed project on a headwater of the River Wey near Haslemere. Surrey Wildlife Trust is also working towards further beaver reintroduction within the county. Current ecological records should be used when assessing whether beavers are relevant to a particular development site.
A Beaver Survey may be requested where development could affect suitable freshwater habitat and current information indicates beaver activity within or near the relevant catchment. Further assessment may also arise following findings from a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.
Surrey County Council Planning: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/land-planning-and-development/planning
Potentially. The River Wey provides an extensive freshwater corridor through Surrey and beavers have already been introduced within the wider Wey system. Whether a survey is required for a particular development will depend on current ecological information and the requirements of the LPA.
The River Mole and its tributaries provide extensive freshwater and riparian habitat through Surrey. A Beaver Survey is not automatically required, but current ecological information should be considered where development could affect suitable habitat.
No. Being close to a river, stream or wetland does not automatically mean a Beaver Survey is required. The LPA determines what ecological information is necessary for the planning application.
Our ecologists can look for evidence including gnawed or felled trees, feeding remains, tracks, slides, scent mounds, burrows, lodges and dams, together with how beavers may be using the surrounding habitat.
Potentially. These works can affect riverbanks, freshwater habitat and wildlife movement. Where beavers or protected features could be affected, the LPA may request appropriate ecological information.
Beaver Surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, although October to March normally provides the most accurate conditions for identifying field signs.
No. Beaver presence does not automatically prevent development. Potential impacts can be assessed and avoidance considered first. Where impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate mitigation and potentially a Natural England licence may need to be considered.
