We provide invertebrate assessments across Sussex, covering Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Horsham, Worthing, Haywards Heath, and surrounding areas.
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Looking for expert invertebrate surveys and habitat assessments in Sussex?
We provide targeted surveys for priority species and habitats, ensuring our reports enable you to achieve planning permission.
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Working in partnership with clients to ensure planning approval first time
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Sussex’s varied landscape—including chalk downlands, heathlands, woodlands, wetlands, and coastal habitats—supports a rich diversity of invertebrate species.
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 in Sussex if your project involves:
Loss of chalk grassland or heathland habitats in Brighton
Impact on brownfield sites, former quarry areas, or mosaic habitats in Crawley
Drainage alterations, ditch works, or wetland disturbance in Eastbourne
Activities near ponds, streams, or wetland margins in Horsham
Removal of woodland, scrub, or hedgerows in Worthing
Sites flagged in a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) as having potential for notable invertebrates in Haywards Heath
A simple postcode check can help confirm what your local planning authority typically requires.
We provide invertebrate assessments across Sussex, covering Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Horsham, Worthing, Haywards Heath, and surrounding areas.
In Sussex, 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 surveys 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
A clear, proportionate, planning-ready approach in Sussex which includes:Â
We focus on what your project genuinely needs — not over-inflated survey demands.
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 surveysÂ
Need an Invertebrate Survey in Sussex? Let’s confirm your site’s requirements and keep your project on track.Â
You may need an invertebrate survey in Sussex if your site contains habitats that could support notable insects or other invertebrates. This can include chalk grassland, coastal habitats, heathland, woodland, wetlands, brownfield land, old trees, scrub and species rich grassland. A survey helps establish whether the development could affect important invertebrate populations before planning permission is decided.
Invertebrate surveys help planning authorities understand the ecological value of a site. Sussex contains a wide range of sensitive habitats, and some sites can support rare or locally important species. Survey findings can inform mitigation, design changes, habitat protection and Biodiversity Net Gain measures, helping the application meet ecological planning requirements.
Habitats most likely to require further assessment include chalk downland, coastal grassland, heathland, wetland margins, river corridors, ponds, ancient woodland edges, traditional orchards, brownfield mosaics and mature trees. The requirement is based on habitat quality and ecological potential, not simply the size of the development site.
Most invertebrate surveys are carried out between April and September, when many species are active and easier to identify. Some species have short flight periods, so timing can be important. Booking early allows suitable survey windows to be used and reduces the risk of planning delays caused by missed seasonal opportunities.
An ecologist will assess the habitats present and select suitable survey methods for the site. These may include sweep netting, beating vegetation, direct observation, hand searching, pitfall trapping, aerial netting and habitat condition assessment. The methods used will depend on the habitats, target species and planning requirements.
A survey may consider butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, beetles, dragonflies, damselflies, grasshoppers, crickets, hoverflies, spiders and other important invertebrate groups. The aim is to identify species or assemblages that indicate ecological value, habitat quality or potential conservation importance.
Yes. Invertebrate surveys can provide useful evidence for Biodiversity Net Gain by identifying valuable habitats and opportunities for enhancement. The results can help shape habitat creation, grassland management, woodland edge improvements, wetland features and long term management measures that support invertebrate diversity.
Planning requirements depend on whether your site falls within East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, or a district or borough planning authority. Useful starting points include East Sussex County Council at https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk and West Sussex County Council at https://www.westsussex.gov.uk. Your Local Planning Authority will confirm the exact ecological information required for your application.
The report will set out the survey methods, habitats assessed, species recorded, ecological importance of the site and any recommendations needed for planning. Where relevant, it may include mitigation, habitat protection, enhancement measures and advice to help the development remain compliant with ecological planning requirements.
