Need an Ecology Survey?
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Simply upload your site on the RenKap platform for FREE to:
Instantly receive a minimum of 3 quotes from our vetted surveyors
- Reduce your time managing surveys by 90%
- Get national coverage across England
- Quick, quality reports every time – guaranteed
Try us out for FREE
Just upload your site details and instantly receive multiple bespoke quotes from our vetted surveyors. You can request quotes for just an Ecology Survey or for all your survey needs on your project.
Need a Ecology Survey?
Get 3 Instant Prices From Vetted Surveyors
Simply upload your site on the RenKap platform for FREE to:
- Instantly receive a minimum of 3 quotes from our vetted surveyors
- Reduce your time managing surveys by 90%
- Get national coverage across England
- Quick, quality reports every time – guaranteed
Try us out for FREE
Just upload your site details and instantly receive multiple bespoke quotes from our vetted surveyors. You can request quotes for just an Ecology Survey or for all your survey needs on your project.
Need an Ecology Survey?
Get 3 Instant Prices From Vetted Surveyors
Simply upload your site on the RenKap platform for FREE to:
- Instantly receive a minimum of 3 quotes from our vetted surveyors
- Reduce your time managing surveys by 90%
- Get national coverage across England
- Quick, quality reports every time – guaranteed
Try us out for FREE
Just upload your site details and instantly receive multiple bespoke quotes from our vetted surveyors. You can request quotes for just an Ecology Survey or for all your survey needs on your project.
What is an Ecology Survey?
An ecological survey (or Preliminary Ecology Appraisal – PEA) is an assessment of the ecological value of a site.
The goal is to identify any protected species, important habitats, and potential impacts of a development on the local environment.
The assessment typically includes a Phase 1 Habitat Survey (Preliminary Ecological Appraisal) and, if necessary, an in-depth Ecological Impact Assessment (EIA).
Its a walk around the development site to identify if further specific surveys are required for any flora and fauna of interest. It can thus lead to several more surveys depending on what is found.
For this reason, we always recommend that you complete an Ecology Survey at the earliest on your project in order not to delay you scheme.
Why is a Ecology Survey Important?
An Ecology Survey is required to ensure that a proposed development site complies with legislation designed to protect the environment such as the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2019 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
These regulations not only safeguard our ecosystems but also provide a legal framework to identify, avoid, and mitigate negative impacts on the natural world.
An Ecology Survey will be required in order to satisfy the local planning officers.
Local Authorities are very careful to ensure that the environment is protected when carrying out new developments and certain ecology surveys will be a requirement of the local planners.
When is an Ecology Survey Required?
An ecology survey will be required on any development where there is a risk of affecting the existing ecosystems or habitats of protected species. As a general rule, it will be required if any of the following is found on your site:
- Heathlands
- Lakes or bodies of water
- Ponds or ditches
- Woodland, scrub or hedgerows
- Parkland, pasture or meadows
- Complex tree structures, caves or cave like spaces
- Coastal habitats
- Large rural or suburban gardens,
- Derelict and dilapidated buildings
- Existing derelict buildings and farm buildings
If you’re planning to develop a site, an Ecology Survey is usually required at the initial planning stage. In many cases, local planning authorities will make this a condition of planning consent.
It’s a good idea to complete an ecology survey as early as possible on your project because this survey is usually one of the main culprits for delaying the planning application.
The reason for this is that if additional surveys are required on the back of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal then you will need to allow for time to gather quotes, instruct surveyors and for them to complete and return the reports.
And add to this, some of the additional surveys for specific protected species can only be done at certain times in the year. If you miss the window for those surveys, you will need to wait for next year.
Getting the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (Ecology Survey) done early is essential.
How Long Does an Ecology Survey Take?
The duration of an Ecology Survey varies depending on the site’s size, complexity, and any challenges identified during the survey process. A basic assessment might take a few days, while more complex surveys and subsequent impact assessments can take several weeks.
This does not just depend on the size of your site but also the ease of access across the site. A empty site for example would be a lot quicker to survey than a site of the same size with many obstructions and vegetation.
How Long is an Ecology Survey Valid For?
An Ecology Survey is a snapshot in time. Since ecological conditions can change rapidly, especially surrounding species populations, the findings of a survey are generally valid for up to 12 months, though this can vary.
We suggest that you complete an ecology survey less than 12 months before you will require the information for your planning application.
What is Included in an Ecology Survey?
The survey will typically include a Phase 1 Habitat Survey, which provides an overview of the site’s habitats and potential to support protected species, as well as recommendations for further surveys if required.
It also includes details on any identified species and guidance on how to protect and manage them during and after development.
At RenKap we also always recommend that a Preliminary Roost Assessment (PRA) is conducted at the same time as the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA). The Preliminary Roost Assessment will identify the potential for bats on the site. If a risk is highlighted, bat surveys will be required.
It is worth doing the Preliminary Roost Assessment and Preliminary Ecological Appraisal during the same site visit as it is more cost effective than separate visits.
What are the Key Pieces of Information that Surveyors Need From a Client to Complete an Ecology Survey?
To undertake an Ecology Survey, surveyors need detailed information about the project, this includes:
Site location
Redline boundary (A drawing of the perimeter of the site)
Site access instructions (How can the access the site)
A scope of survey (i.e. a brief of exactly what they need to include)
Unencumbered access to the site
Access to the lofts for the Preliminary Roost Assessment
What are the key items that would affect the cost of an ecology survey?
The cost of an Ecology Survey is influenced by factors such as the size and complexity of the site, the requirement for any additional surveys, and the need for remediation measures.
It’s important to work with your surveyor to understand these variables and how to mitigate costs without compromising the survey’s effectiveness.
How to identify competent ecology surveyors?
Look for chartered ecologists or consultancy firms with a strong track record in conducting surveys and providing sound ecological advice. They should be familiar with local and national environmental legislation and have experience working on projects of similar scope and scale.
As a minimum they should:
- Abide by the construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015)
- Abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Have an appropriate level of professional indemnity insurance (Ideally £1m MIN)
- Have an internal quality assurance procedure
- Have suitably trained and quality staff
What Are the Key Stages of an Ecology Survey?
The four key stages of an Ecology Survey are scoping, fieldwork, analysis, and reporting. Each stage is equally important and involves careful planning, thorough investigation, and clear and comprehensive documentation of findings.
What is a Phase 1 Habitat Survey?
It’s the same as an “Ecology Survey” or Preliminary Ecological Appraisal”. It’s also sometimes called a Phase 1 Habitat Survey.
It is the standard method for classifying and mapping wildlife habitats in the UK. It identifies the ecological potential of a site, the habitat types present, and the likely presence or absence of protected species.
What is an Ecological Impact Assessment and When is it Required?
If the initial survey raises concerns about potential significant effects on the environment, an EIA will be required. This more in-depth assessment evaluates the potential impacts of the development and proposes measures to mitigate or compensate for them.
What Risks Could an Ecology Survey Identify?
An ecology survey could identify a range of issues, including the presence of protected species like bats, great crested newts, and barn owls. It could also uncover invasive species or high-value habitats that must be considered in the development plans.
Potential Protected Species
Otter Surveys
Dormouse Surveys
Water Vole SurveysBadger Surveys
Great Crested Newt Surveys
Reptile Surveys
Bat Surveys
Bird Surveys
Barn Owl Surveys
Potential Invasive Species and Vegetation
National Vegetation Classification (NVC) Surveys
Problematic Species Management Plans
Giant Hogweed Surveys
Himalayan Balsam Surveys
Injurious Weed Surveys
Problematic Species Audit
Japanese Knotweed Surveys
How is an Ecology Survey Carried Out?
Ecology Surveys are typically carried out by a qualified ecologist who conducts a site walkover, examines habitats to detect the presence or potential presence of any protected species.
What's the Ecology Survey Calendar and Why is it Important?
The time of year can significantly impact the findings of an Ecology Survey. For instance, certain species may only be present or detectable during specific seasons, so the survey calendar is essential to ensure the survey is comprehensive and accurate.
How to Get Multiple Preliminary Ecological Survey Quotes Instantly via RenKap
RenKap is an online marketplace for managing all your survey needs.
Our clients upload a site and instantly get multiple comparable prices from our list of pre-vetted surveyors. You can then easily instruct them online, arrange their site visits and manage multiple surveyors in one place.
This simple, efficient process puts you in control of managing your surveys in just a few clicks.
How RenKap Pre-qualifies Our Surveyors
RenKap ensures that the surveyors on our platform are competent and professional. they all need to pass our thorough pre-qualification process. This guarantees that they have the adequate certification, training and insurances to deliver great outcomes for our clients.
What's Next?: Watch Our Live Demo and Try Us Out for Free
For a firsthand look at how RenKap can streamline the process of finding an ecology surveyor for your project, watch our live demo and register to try us out for FREE.
Discover the new standard in survey management and ensure the success of your development by using RenKap.
Try us out for FREE
Just upload your site details and instantly receive multiple bespoke quotes from our vetted surveyors. You can request quotes for just an Ecology Survey or for all your survey needs on your project.
Try us out for FREE
Just upload your site details and instantly receive multiple bespoke quotes from our vetted surveyors. You can request quotes for just an Ecology Survey or for all your survey needs on your project.
Try us out for FREE
Just upload your site details and instantly receive multiple bespoke quotes from our vetted surveyors. You can request quotes for just an Ecology Survey or for all your survey needs on your project.