Protected species surveys

If the council or an earlier survey has flagged a protected species, you'll need a survey for it. Each one has a season, so book early.

Great crested newts

Needed if there are ponds near your site. A quick eDNA water test gives an answer between mid-April and June. Full surveys run from March to June and are led by a Natural England licence holder.

Badgers

We check for setts and signs of badgers, and tell you how close you can safely work. Possible most of the year.

Reptiles

Slow worms and lizards often turn up on rough grassland and brownfield sites. Surveys run from April to September. If we find them, we'll plan how to move them safely.

Nesting birds

Active nests are protected. Before clearance or tree work between March and August, we check the site just before work starts.

Dormice and water voles

Dormouse surveys are for hedgerows and woodland, from April to November. Water vole surveys are for works near rivers, ditches and ponds, in spring and late summer.

Invasive plants

Japanese knotweed and similar plants can delay a project and add cost. We confirm what's there and how to deal with it.