Protected Species Survey Checklist for Developers A practical checklist covering pre-application, survey requirements, licensing obligations and on-site construction mitigation. Always obtain site-specific ecological advice and refer to current guidance from Natural England, NatureScot or Natural Resources Wales.
Stage Action required Responsibility Pre-application Obtain site history and any existing ecological reports Developer Pre-application Commission a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) before submitting any planning application Developer Pre-application Confirm whether the site falls within or is adjacent to a designated site (e.g., LNR, NNR, MCZ, SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar) Ecologist Pre-application Check local planning authority biodiversity requirements and relevant local plan policies Legal / Agent Pre-application Identify which protected species are potentially present based on PEA findings Ecologist Pre-application Commission targeted protected species surveys within appropriate seasonal windows Developer Pre-application Allow sufficient time in the programme for surveys - some species require multiple visits across several months All parties Pre-application Ensure survey reports are less than two years old at the time of planning submission Developer
Stage Action required Responsibility Surveys Bats - commission roost assessment including emergence and re-entry surveys where roosts are suspected Ecologist Surveys Great crested newt - commission eDNA survey (April to June) or traditional four-visit survey if eDNA not viable Ecologist Surveys Reptiles - commission presence / absence surveys using artificial refugia over minimum six visits Ecologist Surveys Breeding birds - commission survey between April and July and check for Schedule 1 species Ecologist Surveys Badger - commission badger sett survey noting that sett interference requires a separate licence from the relevant statutory body Ecologist Surveys Otter and water vole - commission survey of all watercourses and riparian habitat on or adjacent to the site Ecologist Surveys Dormouse - commission nest tube or nut search surveys where suitable hedgerow or woodland habitat is present Ecologist Surveys White-clawed crayfish - commission survey of watercourses where suitable habitat exists, August to October Ecologist Surveys Retain all survey reports and ensure they are submitted with, or referenced in, the planning application Developer
Stage Action-required responsibility Licensing Confirm whether a European Protected Species mitigation licence is required before works begin Legal / Agent Licensing Ensure for Reasoned Statements that the three licensing tests are met – (1) no satisfactory alternative, (2) imperative reasons of overriding public interest and (3) favourable conservation status maintained Ecologist Licensing Appoint a named ecologist as Ecological Clerk of Works for the construction phase Developer Licensing Submit licence application to the appropriate Statutory Nature Conservation Body (i.e. Natural England, NatureScot or Natural Resources Wales) - allow minimum eight weeks for processing Legal / Agent / Ecologist Licensing Do not commence any works affecting protected species or their habitats until the licence is in hand All parties Licensing Ensure all contractors and site managers are briefed on licence conditions before works start Developer Licensing Retain copies of all licences on site throughout the construction programme Developer Licensing Report immediately to the Ecological Clerk of Works any incidental findings of protected species during works All parties
Stage Action-required Responsibility Construction Implement a Method Statement approved by the ecologist before any vegetation clearance or ground works begin Ecologist Construction Undertake vegetation clearance outside the bird nesting season (March to August) where possible Developer Construction Check structures for bat roosts immediately before demolition and appoint a licensed bat worker to be present, if necessary Ecologist Construction Install exclusion measures for badger, otter or reptiles under ecologist supervision before works commence Ecologist Construction Retain and protect habitat features including hedgerows, trees and ponds within fenced exclusion zones Developer Construction Avoid works within or immediately adjacent to watercourses during fish spawning season (March to June) Developer Construction Provide wildlife-friendly features in the design including bat and bird boxes, log piles and native planting where required Developer Construction Comply with all licence conditions throughout the construction programme and record any deviations All parties Construction Commission post-construction monitoring surveys where required by the licence or planning condition Ecologist Construction Submit scheduled monitoring reports to the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Body Legal / Agent
This checklist is a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements vary by location, species and planning authority.
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