Protected Species & Ecological Services

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb GCN. For example, developments within 500m of a pond are at high risk for GCN.

Our biggest newt, the great crested newt is almost black in colour, with spotted flanks and a striking, orange belly. It has warty skin and males have a long, wavy crest along the body and tail during the breeding season.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Listed as a European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb reptiles. For example, developments with suitable habitats (long grass, rubble piles, areas of direct sunlight).

There are six native reptile species in the UK. These comprise three species of snakes - Adder, grass snake and smooth snake and three species of lizards - Common lizard, sand lizard and slow worm.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb water vole. For example, developments with suitable habitats (rivers, streams, marshes, reedbeds or wet moorland).

The water vole has chestnut-brown fur, a blunt, rounded nose, small ears, and a furry tail. It is much bigger than other vole species.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb bats or their roosts. For example, developments with suitable habitats (buildings, trees, bridges).

The UK has 17 breeding bat species and 18 species which occupy our shores.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive. With some species a priority species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

You will need a survey if your development could potentially harm or disturb badgers or their setts.

The black-and-white striped badger is a well-known species in the UK. It is our largest land predator feeding on small mammals, birds’ eggs, worms, fruit and plants.

Protected in the UK under the Protection of Badgers Act, 1992, and the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb a barn owl or their nests containing eggs or young.

The barn owl has a mottled silver-grey and buff back, and a pure white underside. It has a distinctive heart-shaped, white face, and black eyes.

Classified in the UK as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021). Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb wild birds or their nests containing eggs or young, particular those identified in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and during breeding bird season.

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb hazel dormice or their breeding and nesting habitat. For example, developments with suitable habitats (woodland, hedgerows).

The hazel dormouse has gingery-brown fur, large black eyes and a long, fluffy tail; it is much smaller than a squirrel.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Listed as a European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

You will need surveys if your development is likely to contain or disturb roman snails. For example, developments with various habitats but specifically areas with chalky soils.

It is a big snail. It has a brown color, 3 to 5 bands or darker stripes and 4 to 5 spirals. The opening of the shell is large, with white edges.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981

You will need surveys if your development could potentially harm or disturb otters or suitable habitat. For example, developments with suitable habitats (water bodies).

The otter is a large, powerful mammal, with grey-brown fur, a broad snout, and a pale chest and throat. Otters can be distinguished from mink by their much larger size and broader face.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

Beavers are large rodents, with a stocky body and short legs. They have a broad, flat scaley tail, as well as strongly webbed hind feet. Their dense fur is usually brown but can sometimes be black. They have small eyes and large, bright orange front teeth.

Beavers are being re-introduced into different parts of Great Britain after an absence of about 400 years.

From 1st October 2022, the European beaver finally became a protected species in England, following Scotland’s lead. This means that beavers have species-level protection, and requires a license to possess, and disturb and manage beavers and their lodges, burrows and dams.