Evolution Ecology

European Protected Species

Wildlife in the United Kingdom is protected by several key pieces of legislation and government guidance.
•	Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
•	Regulation 39 of the European Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (Habitats Directive).
•	Protection of Badgers Act (1992)
•	PPS 9 (Planning Policy Statement 9)

Great Crested Newt

When would I need a great crested newt survey?
A great crested newt survey will be required for any development within 500 metres of a standing water body.

When can you survey for great crested newts?
Great crested newt surveys can only be carried out between March and June (inclusive) with at least two of the four required surveys being carried out between mid-April and mid-May.

Great crested newts have been found within 500 metres of my (re)development. What can I do?

You will need to apply for a development licence from Natural England if your project will damage or destroy a pool that supports a great crested newt population. A licence will be required for the translocation of the newt population to a suitable receptor site and to provide some mitigation to compensate for the loss of newt habitat. In cases where the pool is not being destroyed and the estimated impact on newts is low, it may be possible to employ reasonable avoidance measures to prevent foraging newts from entering the development site as an alternative to mitigation and the translocation of the newts.

Badgers

When is a survey required?
Surveys are required if a known badger sett is located within 30 metres of the proposed (re)development or if there is any evidence of badgers in the area, since setts can frequently go unnoticed.

When can you survey?
Badger surveys can be undertaken at any time of the year, but they are more effective during the winter months when vegetation has died back.

I have a badger sett close to my development. What can I do?
You may need to apply for a developmentl licence from Natural England depending on what activity is being undertaken and the level of disturbance. Work can only be carried out between July and November (inclusive) to minimize disturbance to the badgers. In some cases it is possible to relocate the badgers to an artificial sett.

Bats

When would I need a bat survey?
Generally you will need a bat survey in any situation when a (re)development will effect a building that may be used by bats. This will include any barns or outbuildings as well as your main house. Just because you haven't seen them, it doesn't mean they are not there.

When can you survey for bats?
Bat Detector surveys can only be undertaken between May and September. Tree roost surveys are best undertaken in autumn and winter. Surveys for evidence of hibernation roosts are restricted to November and March.

I have roosting bats within my (re)development. What can I do?
Despite the general attitude having bats is not an insurmountable obstacle to development.

It will be necessary to apply for a development license from Natural England and provide a mitigation strategy to compensate for the impacts on the bats.

White Clawed Crayfish

When would I need a white clawed crayfish survey?
You will need to survey if you are undertaking any activity that will affect a water body that supports, or may support, a population of white clawed crayfish. Generally this is flowing water.

When can a survey be undertaken?
Surveys of white clawed crayfish must be undertaken between July and October Inclusively.

I have white clawed crayfish in a stream/pool on my (re)development.
What can I do?
You will need to apply for a development licence from Natural England, before work can begin. Efforts should be made to avoid disturbance of their habitat and negative impacts on the local crayfish population. Where impacts are unavoidable these should be minimised as far as is practicable. Mitigation proposals devised by a crayfish specialist must be submitted to, and agreed by, Natural England before a development licence can be issued.

Dormouse

When would I need a dormouse survey?
If you are undertaking any work that will result in the destruction or disturbance in mature woodland.

When can you do a dormouse survey?
Surveys for dormice can be undertaken at any time of year, although at least one survey will need to be carried out between May and October. Surveys must be conducted by a suitably experienced ecologist. Where survey methods involve the capture, handling or disturbance of dormice a survey licence must be obtained from Natural England.

I have dormice in my (re)development. What can I do?
Where dormice are found to be present, all efforts must be made to avoid disturbanceor where disturbance is unavoidable, a development licence will be required and appropriate mitigation measures will have to be put in place prior to the commencement of works. Trees known or suspected to be utilised as nesting sites by common dormice should be clearly marked and should not be felled. If selective tree lopping is required, this should only be undertaken in May and during the period September to early October, as this is outside of the dormouse breeding and hibernation seasons.

Water Vole

When would I need a water vole survey?
Water voles utilise watercourses and the adjacent banks, with foraging areas extending out no more than 2 metres from the watercourse. It may be necessary to have a survey if yuor development has a steam or river flowing through the footprint.

When can you survey?
Surveys for water voles should be undertaken between March and October by a suitably experienced ecologist.

I have water voles on my (re)development site. What can I do?
If water voles are present on a site all efforts

should be made to avoid disturbance. This is relatively easy since their activity is mostly confined to a two-metre corridor around the watercourse. If habitat disturbance cannot be avoided then consideration should be given to the creation of an alternative habitat, preferably close at hand. All works within or near water vole habitats should be supervised by a suitably experienced ecologist.

Otter

When would I need an otter survey?
You will need an otter survey if there is a suitable water course running through your (re)development which may affect an otter holt or threaten individual otters using this water course.

When can you survey for otters?
Otter Surveys can be carried out any time of the year.

I have a known otter holt wiithin my (re)development. What can I do?
When there is no alternative but to disturb an otter holt or resting space as part of development appropriate working methods and mitigation must be devised and agreed with Natural England before a development licence can be obtained and works can proceed. Only in extreme circumstances will the licensing authority permit the destruction of holts, couches or other otter resting places.

Invasive Species

What is Japanese Knotweed?
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica, Reynoutria Japonica or Polygonum Cuspidatum) is a large, herbaceous perennial plant, native to eastern Asia in Japan, China and Korea. In North America and Europe the species is very successful and has been classified as ' invasive' in several countries.Nowadays it has spread throughout the UK colonising roadside verges, railway embankments, wasteland and watercourses.

Why is it a problem?
The plant causes untold damage to infrastructures such as foundations, flood defences and roads. It can also prevent access to paths and property by its thick stems attracting vermin and rubbish, and because it damages the eco-system by overgrowing an area it can cause bank erosion on railway embankments/ canals and river banks.

Under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Japanese Knotweed is now a controlled species and, as such, it is an offence to allow it to spread from your property to ‘other’ land. These factors will have a significant impact of the value of any property.

How can Evolution Ecology help?
Evolution Ecology’s team of highly specialised ecologists have extensive experience of identifying and controlling Japanese knotweed and all other invasive plant species and can help at all stages of the eradication process.
• Pre site acquisition survey and identification
• Site survey and field identification
• Bespoke development of an eradication strategy
• Liaison with statutory bodies and water authorities
• Eradication process selection and design
• Eradication process risk assessment
• Application of control measures
• Eradication cost benefit analysis
• Verification surveys