Protected species are animals and plants that receive legal protection under UK and international legislation due to their conservation importance. This protection often extends not only to the species themselves but also to their habitats—such as bat roosts, badger setts, or great crested newt ponds—and can include safeguards against disturbance or damage.

The presence of a protected species does not usually prevent development, but it does mean that their needs must be carefully considered during the planning process. Local planning authorities are legally required to take protected species into account when deciding on applications.

To support your planning application, you may need to commission ecological surveys to assess the presence of any protected species on your site. If they are found, a mitigation strategy will be required to demonstrate how impacts will be avoided, reduced, or compensated for. This information is often essential before your application can be validated or approved.

A protected species survey is an ecological assessment used to determine whether legally protected animals or plants are present on or near a proposed development site, and if so, how they might be affected by the works.

These surveys typically follow a two-stage process:

1. Preliminary Habitat Assessment: This initial stage involves a site visit by an ecologist to assess whether the habitat is suitable for any protected species. This can usually be carried out at any time of year.

2. Detailed Species Surveys: If suitable habitat is identified, further targeted surveys may be required to confirm the presence or likely absence of specific species. These surveys use specialist techniques tailored to the species in question and often need to be carried out at specific times of year—such as between May and August for bats, when they are active and not hibernating. Multiple visits may be necessary depending on the species and the survey guidelines.

The aim of these surveys is to confirm whether protected species are present and, if so, to estimate their numbers. This information helps assess how a proposed development might impact them and supports the design of appropriate mitigation strategies to avoid, reduce, or offset any harm.

A wide range of species in the UK are legally protected under both domestic and international legislation, primarily due to their conservation status. While some protected plants may be relevant, it is protected animals that are more commonly encountered in relation to development projects.

Species frequently requiring consideration include:

• Bats (all species)

• Badgers

• Birds (particularly nesting birds)

• Great crested newts

• Hazel dormice

• Otters

• Reptiles (such as slow-worms, common lizards, and grass snakes)

• Water voles

• White-clawed crayfish

The level and type of legal protection varies depending on the species. For example, bats and great crested newts are protected against both harm and disturbance, including impacts on their habitats, while badgers are protected primarily through legislation concerning their setts.

The presence of a protected species does not necessarily prevent development, but it does mean that appropriate ecological surveys and mitigation measures may be required to ensure compliance with the law.

Timing is crucial when it comes to protected species surveys. Many species can only be surveyed during specific times of the year, usually when they are active or visible—for example, bats during their active season (May to August), or plants during their growing period. Weather conditions can also affect when certain surveys can be carried out.

To avoid delays, it is advisable to start with a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA), which can be done at any time of year. This initial assessment identifies the potential for protected species to be present on your site and outlines whether further, species-specific surveys are needed—along with the appropriate timescales for carrying them out.

By planning early and understanding seasonal constraints, you can keep your project on schedule and ensure compliance with planning and wildlife legislation.

Contact us for tailored advice on survey timing and to help build a clear ecological timeline for your development.

The best time to involve an ecologist is at the earliest stage of your project, ideally during the pre-planning phase. Early input allows potential ecological constraints—such as protected species, sensitive habitats, or designated sites—to be identified upfront. This enables you to make informed decisions about your project’s design, timeline, and budget from the very beginning.

Early engagement can help you avoid common planning delays and unexpected costs related to biodiversity considerations. It also ensures that any required ecological surveys are scheduled within the appropriate seasonal windows.

It’s true that some protected species surveys require multiple visits across specific times of the year, which can impact both project timelines and costs. However, with the right advice and early planning, these impacts can be managed effectively.

At Swift Ecology, we follow best-practice survey guidelines while using our professional judgement to ensure surveys are proportionate to your project’s needs. We focus on delivering only the necessary survey effort to support your planning application—no more, no less.

Our rates are highly competitive, and we aim to provide excellent value by:

• Identifying ecological issues early to avoid surprises later in the process.

• Advising on survey timing to help you avoid seasonal delays.

• Working closely with local planning authorities to ensure a smooth and informed planning process.

• Collaborating with your wider project team to integrate ecological requirements into your design and schedule from the outset.

By involving us early, you can reduce both costs and delays while remaining fully compliant with ecological legislation. We are here to help you keep your project moving, on time and on budget.

In most cases, no - ecological surveys should be completed before planning permission is granted. Protected species and habitats are considered a material consideration in the planning process, meaning local authorities are legally required to assess any potential ecological impacts before making a decision.

If ecological surveys are delayed until after permission is granted - typically via a planning condition - you run a significant risk. If protected species are later found, you may be required to amend your approved plans or even reapply for permission, leading to costly delays and design changes.

To avoid this, it's essential to address any ecological requirements early in the planning process. Our team can guide you through the necessary steps to ensure your application is fully informed and compliant from the start, helping to keep your project on track.

Your ecological survey will be carried out by a qualified, professional ecologist with specific experience in surveying the relevant habitats and protected species associated with your site.

All our ecologists are members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), the leading professional body for ecologists in the UK. Where required, they also hold the appropriate Natural England licences for conducting protected species surveys—such as for bats, great crested newts, or dormice.

We match each project with the right expertise to ensure surveys are conducted to the highest professional and technical standards, giving your planning application the best possible support.

Ecological survey data, particularly for mobile species like bats, badgers, or birds, is typically considered valid for up to 12 months. This is because animals often change the places they use for shelter, foraging, or breeding, and habitats can evolve over time.

However, the exact validity period can vary depending on the species, habitat type, and site conditions. In some cases, data may remain usable for longer, or it might need updating sooner.

If your survey data has become out of date, you may not need to start from scratch. A targeted update or 'top-up' survey may be sufficient, depending on the circumstances and the requirements of the local planning authority.

Our ecologists can review your existing survey information and advise on whether further work is needed to keep your project compliant and on schedule.

Not necessarily. If protected species have been identified on your site, ecological considerations don’t end with planning permission. In most cases, a mitigation strategy will have been submitted as part of your application and may be secured as a planning condition. This means certain ecology-related actions will still need to be completed before you can begin development.

In some situations, particularly where European Protected Species such as bats, great crested newts, or dormice are involved, you may also need to obtain a protected species licence (e.g. from Natural England) to proceed lawfully. This licence can only be applied for after planning permission is granted but before any works that could affect the species or their habitat begin.

Licence applications may require additional survey work and can take up to 2 months to process—though in some cases, faster routes such as the Bat Earned Recognition (BER) Licence may be available.

For projects involving protected species, early and informed planning is key to avoiding costly delays.

The Bat Earned Recognition Licence is a licensing process introduced by Natural England with the aim of improving the speed of licensing decisions. Swift Ecology are Accredited to use the BER licence which has been designed allow more proportionate licensing requirements and to enable faster turnaround times by Natural England. This can provide significant benefits in terms of avoiding unpredictable delays in licensing decisions (compared to traditional licensing routes) and allowing for more efficient project planning and scheduling of works.

Swift Ecology Ltd staff are accredited at Level 3 under the BER which covers the majority of roost types and species in the UK. Natural England aim to process the majority of BER site registration requests within 10-15 working days (noting that only the most complex sites may require some additional assessment time).