Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which surveys are required?
Surveys will be required if the proposed development is going to potentially cause harm to a protected species or their habitat. A preliminary ecological appraisal (hyperlink link to pea) is normally the first survey to take place on all developments, this has many uses, one of which is to access the need for additional species and habitat surveys.
Why do I need so many bat surveys?
When the potential assessment is carried out the suitability of the structure or tree is decided, if it comes back as low to negligible you will only need one, medium will require two and high will require three. If your development is going to make changes on a landscape level additional surveys and data collection may be required.
When can I have my surveys done?
A preliminary ecological appraisal can be carried out at any time of year, and in some instances, this is the only survey that is required. When conducting protected species or botanical surveys there are guidelines that must be followed, and the surveys are season specific, more information about this can be found in our survey calendar (link to calendar).
How much will my survey cost?
The cost of surveys will vary depending on the nature of the project and the level of work required, please contact (link to contacts) us with details of your requirements and we will create and individual quote based on your needs.
What happened if I don’t have ecological surveys?
Bats and great crested newts are well known for being contributing factors to delays in the building industry, but there are many other plants and animals that are afforded the same level of protection (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). Failure to take this into account and mitigate accordingly can lead to prosecution with substantial fines and potentially a custodial sentence.
Who will undertake my surveys?
Here at BlueJay we have a team of experienced ecologists, and a wide selection of specialisms, this enables us to ensure that you always have the right ecologist to meet the specific needs of your project.
How long is my report valid for?
Once a report has been issued it is valid for two years from the date of issue, if the development can’t begin within this time additional surveys and reports will be required.
Will I need a licence before I can begin?
This depends on the species present on your site, if protected species are found during the surveys, then in most instances and Natural England mitigation licence will be required.
I keep hearing acronyms what do they mean?
As with any industry there are many abbreviations used within ecology, these are a few of the most common ones you will encounter:
BNG – Biodiversity Net Gain
EPS – European Protected Species
EPSML – European Protected Species Mitigation Licence.
GCN – Great Crested Newt
LPA – Local Planning Authority
PEA – Preliminary Ecological appraisal
PRA – Potential Roost Assessment
Is there any way to avoid having ecological surveys?
Generally, no.