Spring Eco-Opportunities Not to be Missed
James B. Lloyd, Managing Director, The Herpetosure Group
The spring season is packed with key dates and eco- opportunities for developers to get ahead, yet year on year many in the industry fail to take the initiative and suffer expensive consequences.
Most developers are aware that finding protected species on-site comes with costs and obligations, but the majority have little knowledge of the set-in-stone timetable to which they must adhere in order to ensure their scheme’s progress.
Ecologists start getting noisy at this time of year, impressing on project teams the importance of commissioning ecological surveys before the spring window closes – they are touting of course, but they’re right! Survey data is a crucial part of the planning application process; in most instances, no survey data means, no planning application - a long and often frustrating wait follows.
There are many protected animal species which we are obliged to consider, but particularly at this time of year developer’s attention should be drawn to European Protected species’ the Great Crested Newt (GCN)!
It’s a given fact that through the course of the year there will be projects delayed by GCN; after all, despite recent declines of this species, England is thought to support a significant number of newt breeding sites on a European scale, and therefore their appearance on Green and Brownfield developments is extremely frequent.
Some developers are surprised to be told that they need a newt survey on their seemingly concrete-covered and inhospitable site; but what is often not realised is that if ponds capable of supporting GCN are found nearby (within 500 metres) a survey may be necessary before planning approval can be given. With ecology, often what surrounds the site is as important as what is on it! Recent advice from Natural England has opened the door for survey areas to be reduced but this is very dependent on the type and nature of the proposed development. This is something a good ecological consultant will advise on.
The big questions are - where do I start and how do I know what surveys I have to do?
The first step is always a Phase One Habitat and Protected Animal Species Survey; this can be done at any time of year and is designed to map the potential habitat |130| ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
features in and around your site. This information gives developers their first insight as to what protected species could affect their project and prescribe which further ‘species specific’ surveys are going to be required before moving forward. A Phase One survey usually asks more questions than it answers and in 99.9% of cases will not be sufficient to support a planning application.
If this survey indicates a potential GCN population you will need a GCN survey. If this is you then make a start now; GCN surveys can only be carried out between Mid- March and Mid-June (with a number of visits having to be carried out before Mid-May) and missing this window will mean a 12 month wait before you can get planning.
The GCN survey is fairly intensive and involves a minimum of four visits to each water body. If GCN are found then an additional two visits will be necessary.
If
all six visits are not completed, within the prescribed survey window, it is unlikely that Natural England will grant a European Protected Species (EPS) licence and your project could be delayed by at least 12 months.
The major issue is that protection extends to GCN habitat as well as the newt itself; this means that if GCN use or access your site as terrestrial habitat you will not be able to carry out any works without an EPS licence. You should also know that EPS licences are not issued without planning approval and this is where developers often go round in circles.
The simple message is this; if you don’t have a Phase One Habitat Survey, you need one; if you have one, and potential newt habitats have been identified you need to get your GCN survey completed before the survey window closes, so don’t delay.
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