Protected Species Surveys & Licensing

Expert Phase 2 assessments, population monitoring, and Natural England licensing across the West Midlands to discharge planning conditions and protect site biodiversity.

Get A Free Quote

Why You Need Protected Species Surveys?

Fulfilling Planning Conditions & Legal Compliance

When a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) or initial desk study identifies potential habitat for protected wildlife, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) require targeted Phase 2 species surveys before granting full planning consent.
Under UK wildlife legislation—including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017—it is a legal offense to disturb, injure, or destroy protected species or their habitats. We provide fast, compliant assessments that keep your project moving legally and on schedule.

Key Benefits:

  • LPA Approval: Fulfill pre-commencement planning conditions without unexpected delays.
  • Licensed Specialists: Fieldwork conducted by experienced, licensed ecological surveyors.
  • Proactive Mitigation: Clear, pragmatic advice on timing, site design, and Natural England licensing (EPSL).

Species Surveys We Offer

Badgers

European badger standing on a log in lush green forest, Niedersachsen, Germany.

Sett identification, activity monitoring, bait marking, and licensed sett closure/exclusion strategies.

Reptiles

adder snake uk 2026 2027

Artificial refuge (matting) surveys to establish presence/absence for adders, grass snakes, slow worms, and common lizards.

Bat Surveys & Acoustic Monitoring

A detailed close-up of a bat resting on a log, showcasing its texture and habitat.

Preliminary Roost Assessments (PRA), dusk/dawn emergence counts, and static detector deployments tailored to natural history and BCT guidelines.

Great Crested Newt (GCN) Surveys

Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessments, eDNA water sampling, and detailed population surveys to satisfy planning and licensing conditions.

Nesting & Breeding Birds

Graceful barn owl soaring with wings spread, captured in Bargo, New South Wales.

Pre-clearing vegetation checks, breeding bird surveys, and barn owl roost evaluations.

Water Voles & Otters

Wild otter resting near a pond, detailed close-up in natural habitat.

Bankside habitat mapping, field sign searches (latrines, feeding remains), and impact assessments for watercourse developments.

Important Planning Tip: Seasonal Constraints

Unlike baseline habitat assessments, most protected species surveys are strictly seasonal and can only be conducted during specific months (e.g., Bats: May–September | GCN eDNA: mid-April–June | Reptiles: April–May & September).
Contact us early in your project timeline to lock in survey dates and avoid waiting up to a full year for the next open window.

Need a Protected Species Survey for Your Site?

Please share a few details about your site below so we can give you a fast, accurate quote.

Request Your Free Quote

Enquire About A Protected Species Survey or Licensing