We conduct invertebrate surveys across East Hampshire, Fareham, Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke & Deane, New Forest, and Test Valley.
Need planning-ready invertebrate surveys in Hampshire?
We provide targeted surveys for priority species and habitats, ensuring our reports enable you to achieve planning permission.
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
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We stay with you from first call through to submission.
Hampshire’s landscape combines chalk downlands, lowland heath, ancient woodlands, river corridors, coastal wetlands, and brownfield plots — creating high potential for invertebrate interest.
An invertebrate survey is an assessment of an area to identify which invertebrate species are present. Experts search, observe, and sample habitats over time to determine species diversity, abundance, and conservation importance. The results help ensure that development or land-use changes do not harm invertebrate wildlife and comply with planning and environmental regulations.
You may need an invertebrate survey if your project involves:
flower-rich grassland or meadows, typical of Mole Valley and Reigate & Banstead
wetland edges, marshes, or ditch systems, including areas along the Thames and Wey corridors
disused quarries or gravel pits, such as those near Dorking and Leatherhead
brownfield sites with rubble, scrub, and wildflower mosaics, common in Guildford and Woking
woodland edges or species-rich hedgerows, often present in Surrey Heath and Tandridge
river corridors, including the River Mole, River Wey, and tributaries of the Thames
sites identified during a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) as having high invertebrate potential anywhere in Surrey
A simple postcode check confirms whether your LPA is likely to request invertebrate evidence.
We conduct invertebrate surveys across East Hampshire, Fareham, Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke & Deane, New Forest, and Test Valley.
In Hampshire, planning authorities may require invertebrate survey evidence where suitable habitat is present to ensure development complies with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and national planning policy. Without early, proportionate survey work, planning applications can be delayed due to validation queries, additional conditions, or seasonal restrictions linked to key invertebrate activity periods. These delays can disrupt project programmes and may result in avoidable redesign, highlighting the importance of early, targeted invertebrate assessments.
Our specialist ecology team carries out an Invertebrate Survey to assess species presence, habitat use, and any potential risks. You receive a clear, LPA-ready report outlining practical mitigation and timing recommendations, helping your project remain compliant with wildlife legislation and progress without delay.
We provide a clear, proportionate, practical approach for projects in Hampshire. This includes:
Habitat assessments to evaluate invertebrate potential
Targeted invertebrate species surveys
Use of approved methods: pitfall traps, sweep-netting, suction sampling, timed searches
Proportionate mitigation advice
Reports aligned with Hampshire LPA and BNG requirements
Practical guidance for planners, architects, ecologists, and contractors
We focus on providing clarity — not unnecessary survey escalation.
Send your site details and programme. We confirm the correct level of survey.
Walkovers or multi-visit surveys depending on your sites potential.
Planning-ready reports with impact assessment, mitigation options and timelines for site teams.
Only if needed. PEA, EIA, and Protected Species surveys
Need an Invertebrate Survey in Hampshire? Let’s confirm your site’s requirements and keep your project on track.
Many sites appear ordinary at first glance but can support valuable invertebrate populations. In Hampshire, habitats such as heathland, chalk grassland, coastal margins, ancient woodland, wetlands, flower rich meadows, mature hedgerows and naturally regenerated brownfield land can all provide suitable conditions. An ecological assessment will determine whether an invertebrate survey is required.
A habitat assessment identifies whether a site has the potential to support important invertebrates based on the habitats present. An invertebrate survey goes a step further by surveying the site during the appropriate season to identify the insects and other invertebrates using those habitats. Together, they provide robust ecological evidence for planning applications.
Hampshire contains a remarkable range of habitats, from internationally recognised heathlands and chalk downland to ancient woodland, estuaries and wetlands. These environments support diverse invertebrate communities that contribute to pollination, healthy soils and functioning ecosystems, making them an important consideration during the planning process.
No. Surveys are only recommended where there is a realistic possibility that development could affect habitats of ecological value. Many developments will not require an invertebrate survey, while others may only need a habitat assessment. The requirement depends on the characteristics of the site rather than the type of planning application alone.
Survey methods are selected according to the habitats and target species. Ecologists may use sweep nets, aerial nets, vegetation beating, pitfall traps, direct observation, hand searching and detailed habitat assessments. These recognised techniques help build an accurate picture of the site’s ecological importance.
Many invertebrate species are only active for relatively short periods during the year. If surveys are carried out outside the appropriate season, important species may not be detected. Scheduling surveys during suitable weather conditions and within the correct survey window ensures the findings are reliable and acceptable for planning purposes.
Yes. Understanding where valuable habitats and species occur enables development layouts to be refined before construction begins. This may involve retaining existing habitats, creating wildlife corridors, enhancing grassland or introducing long term habitat management that benefits both biodiversity and the proposed development.
Ecological survey requirements vary depending on the Local Planning Authority responsible for your planning application. General planning information is available from Hampshire County Council:
District, borough and unitary councils across Hampshire may also request ecological surveys where development could affect important habitats or species.
Following the field surveys, ProHort prepares a comprehensive ecological report that explains the survey methodology, habitats assessed, species identified and the ecological significance of the site. Where appropriate, the report also includes mitigation, enhancement and habitat management recommendations to support the planning process.
ProHort delivers professional invertebrate surveys throughout Hampshire for homeowners, developers, architects, planning consultants and commercial clients. Our experienced ecologists provide technically robust, planning compliant reports that help identify ecological constraints early, reduce planning risk and support sustainable development.
