Reptile
Surveys
Surveys that establish whether reptiles are present on your site and how development can proceed lawfully, supporting your planning application.
What is a reptile survey?
Widespread reptiles such as common lizard, slow-worm, grass snake and adder are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. A reptile survey establishes whether they are present on a site that could be affected by development.
Presence or absence is assessed using artificial refugia, such as roofing felt or tins, checked over a series of visits in suitable weather. Surveys rely on warm conditions and, with reference to survey guidance, should be carried out within March to October, with optimal periods of April to May and September. Where reptiles are found, we design proportionate mitigation, which can include habitat management or translocation.
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1
Refugia placement
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2
Survey visits Mar to Oct
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3
Assessment
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4
Mitigation if required
Why you need a reptile survey
Where a site has rough grassland, scrub, brownfield land, hedgerows or other suitable habitat, your Local Planning Authority will often require a reptile survey.
Reptiles are protected
It is an offence to kill or injure reptiles, so their presence must be established before works.
A spring to autumn survey
Surveys rely on warm conditions and, with reference to survey guidance, should be carried out within March to October, with optimal periods of April to May and September.
Mitigation & translocation
Where reptiles are found, we design proportionate mitigation so development can proceed lawfully.
Reptile FAQs
When can reptile surveys be done?
In suitable weather between March and October, with optimal periods of April to May and September.
How many visits are needed?
A presence/likely absence survey typically uses around seven survey visits, depending on the site and conditions.
Why do I need one?
To establish whether protected reptiles are present where suitable habitat could be affected by development.
What if reptiles are found?
We design proportionate mitigation to support the planning application, which can include sensitive habitat management or translocation to a receptor site.
Ready to discuss your project?
Our ecologists will review your site details and respond within one working day with a clear, no-obligation quote.