European Protected Species Surveys
Plan for Ecology Ltd regularly carry out detailed bat surveys, dormouse surveys, otter surveys and great crested newt surveys throughout the UK. These species/ species groups are European Protected Species (EPS) protected under European and National law. This legislation makes it an offence to capture, kill, injure or disturb individual animals, or to disturb or damage their resting and breeding sites.
Development projects with the possibility of affecting a European Protected Species may need to be informed by comprehensive species surveys. For example, the clearance of woodland/ scrub, or hedgerow removal, may need to be informed by a detailed dormouse survey. Works to buildings, both modern and old, may need to be informed by detailed bat surveys, as may wind turbine installation and the loss of significant areas of foraging habitat.
Where a development project will affect a European Protected Species and/or their place/s of rest a Natural England (NE) EPS licence may be required to permit works. Plan for Ecology Ltd routinely prepares, and successfully obtains, EPS mitigation licences and Bat Low Impact Licences (CL21) (sometimes also referred to as a Bat Mitigation Class Licence) on behalf of our clients.