Protected species surveys and monitoring
A number of species present in the UK are legally protected
to varying degrees. The protection generally extends to a species' habitat and resting place also.
The most common protected species encountered in the UK include:
Great Crested Newt, Dormouse, all Bat species (including their roosts), Water Vole, Otter, Reptiles, Birds, Badger (setts),
White-clawed crayfish.
If a habitat survey and record search indicate
that protected species may be present on or in the vicinity of the site, further species surveys are indicated. It is important
to plan for this as early as possible, as many species can only be surveyed at a certain time of year.
The surveys will be used to determine what action needs to be taken to avoid causing an offence -
whether this be avoiding a disturbance by timing or physical location, or applying for a licence and implementing
mitigation.
Monitoring is used to check the status of a population
over time and is sometimes a condition of a development licence.
