CPD Specifier May 2015 issue January 2015 | Page 38

Outdoor Engineering

Spring Eco-Opportunities
not to be missed - Think Newts!
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
by James B. Lloyd, Managing Director - The Herpetosure Group
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 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 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.

There are many protected animal species which we 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 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.

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.

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 HERPETOSURE GROUP

TEL: [phone]

The simple message is this; if you don’t have a Phase One Habitat
Survey, you need one; if you have one, and potential new habitats have
been identified, you need to get your GCN survey completed before the
survey window closes, so don’t delay.

WWW.HERPETOSURE.COM

READER ENQUIRY NO: 47

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