Ecology surveys are needed because they are an important part of ensuring compliance with UK legislation and mitigating environmental risks. Understanding your legal obligations around environmental protection is essential for staying compliant. Failing to do so can result in project delays or financial penalties.

How to Achieve Legal Compliance with an Ecological Survey

Many species and habitats are protected under UK and European legislation, and failure to comply with these laws can lead to significant consequences. Key pieces of legislation include: 

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: This act provides legal protection for a wide range of species, including Great Crested Newts, badgers, birds, and bats. For example, disturbing a bat roost or interfering with a badger set is an offence. This law mandates that developers must assess the presence of protected species before commencing work on a site. 

Source: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

• The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (known as the Habitats Regulations): These regulations are key to the protection of European Protected Species (EPS) like Great Crested Newts and otters. Under these rules, it is illegal to harm or disturb these species, and developers must carry out thorough surveys to check for their presence before proceeding with any work. 

Source: The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 

• The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006: This act focuses on the conservation of biodiversity in England and Wales, creating duties for public bodies to consider biodiversity in their decision-making processes. It also includes measures for biodiversity conservation and aims to reduce the decline of species. It includes a published list of species and habitats which are of ‘principal importance' for the conservation of biodiversity in England. 

Source: The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 

• The Planning Act 2008: This act ensures that ecological considerations are embedded in development planning processes. Developers must demonstrate that biodiversity impacts have been considered as part of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) or Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) for certain projects. 

Source: The Planning Act 2008 

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Legislation (Environment Act 2021): The Environment Act introduced mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for developments in England in February 2024. Developers must now demonstrate that their projects deliver a net gain for biodiversity, improving on the baseline ecological value by a minimum of 10%. Ecology surveys are essential for gathering the necessary data to meet BNG requirements. 

Source: The Environment Act 2021 

How You Mitigate and Reduce Risks with an Ecological Survey

Ecology surveys are essential for identifying potential risks to protected species and habitats early in the planning process. These surveys help to: 

• Identify whether protected species are present on your site and guide any necessary mitigation measures. 
• Avoid unnecessary delays in development by ensuring compliance with relevant regulations before the project begins. 
• Enable developers to integrate mitigation or enhancement measures into project designs, avoiding costly redesigns or the need to halt work due to unexpected ecological issues. 

Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability 

For developers and landowners, conducting ecology surveys demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. In addition to legal obligations, these surveys contribute to: 

• Protecting and enhancing local biodiversity, which in turn supports healthier ecosystems and contributes to broader sustainability efforts and regional nature recovery. 
• Enhancing the public perception of your business as one that prioritises environmental responsibility, which is increasingly valued by stakeholders, investors, and customers. 

Do Ecological Surveys Help to Secure Planning Permission? 

Many planning authorities require comprehensive ecological assessments before granting permission for developments. Surveys such as PEA (Preliminary Ecological Appraisal), Species Surveys, and Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) are integral to this process. These assessments help local authorities understand the potential impact of the development on local wildlife and habitats, ensuring that: 

• Projects meet planning regulations regarding biodiversity and habitat protection. 
• The planning process is not delayed due to a lack of necessary ecological assessments. 

Why Choose Tomson? 

• Expert Team - Our dedicated ecologists bring extensive knowledge and practical experience to each project. 
• Regulatory Compliance - Our services ensure that your projects comply with environmental laws and regulations, avoiding delays and ensuring smoother approvals. 
• Tailored Solutions - We understand that every project is unique, and our services are designed to meet your specific ecological needs.
• Custom Reporting – Our team have collaborated with several clients to create bespoke pieces, needed for specific applications and projects.  
• Sustainable Practices - We are committed to promoting biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, and creating sustainable solutions for the future. Not only this, we actively seek to improve our sustainable practices within our workplace.  

Start Your Ecology Survey Journey with Tomson 

Ready to discuss your Ecology Survey needs or begin a consultation? Get in touch with our team today to start your project with a clear ecological strategy.