Hazel Dormouse Surveys
Hazel dormice and their habitats are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended). It is a criminal offence to injure, kill, capture or disturb a dormouse. Their habitats are also protected against damage, destruction or obstruction.
Hazel dormice are also listed as Species of Principle Importance (SPI) under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, 2006. This act places a duty on any local or regional authority to further the conservation of dormice.
Protected species and SPI are a material consideration within the planning process and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) have a duty in exercising their function to consider the impact of a development on dormice prior to the determination of any application.
Hazel dormice are usually associated with woodlands and species-rich hedgerows. However, they can occur in a wide variety of habitats including rural gardens, scrub and reed beds especially where there is sufficient connectivity to a range of other habitats.
If your development is reasonably likely to encounter these habitats then dormouse surveys may be required to ensure you project proceeds lawfully.
Hazel Dormouse Surveys
Nut Search
Hazel dormice leave characteristic markings when opening hazelnuts, allowing experienced ecologists to detect their presence through searches within a defined study area.
The optimal period for nut searches is between September and December when nut shells and tooth marks are fresh.
This survey is normally undertaken first as it offers quick determination of presence or searches can be combined with visits to monitor nest tube/box surveys.
Nest Tube/ Box Surveys
This survey consist of deploying artificial habitat in the form of tubes or boxes for dormice to build nests in. A minimum of 50 nest tubes should be installed. The tubes or boxes are then checked for the presence of hazel dormice and their nests.
Nest tube and box surveys require a whole season of monitoring to be in accordance with best practice guidance. Installation ideally takes place in April-May. The nest tubes or boxes should be checked at least once every 2 months.
Survey Effort
Proportionate surveying effort for hazel dormice is dependent upon the extent a scheme is likely to impact hazel dormouse habitat. For example:
- Where a small area of bramble or scrub is being cleared, it may be sufficient to undertake a nut search and a visual inspection of the area to be removed.
- Where a scheme involves more significant habitat loss, the survey effort required is based upon an index or ‘thoroughness score’. The thoroughness score is dependent upon the number of tubes, and for how long they are deployed. A score of 20 must be achieved to determine presence or likely absence.
What you need to know about hazel dormouse surveys
Where will you find out if you need a hazel dormouse survey?
Any suitable habitat recorded for hazel dormouse that is relevant to the development will be outlined within a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report (PEA), as will any local records of hazel dormice which may indicate that they are using the site.
Our approach
To ensure a standardised approach to data collection our Hazel dormouse surveys are always carried out in line with the then English Nature’s (now Natural England) Dormouse Conservation Handbook.
This is the trusted approach for Local Planning Authorities and regulatory bodies such as Natural England, providing assurance that any Hazel dormouse Survey carried out by Arun Ecology will meet the expectations of these bodies.
The Arun team
We have an in-house team and extended network of staff of ecologists registered to use the Class Licence to Survey Hazel dormice, whose wealth of experience means we are more than qualified to carry out the job.
Our experience means that even in the most challenging situations, we are able to quickly find bespoke solutions, where safe to do so, to capture data efficiently.
Planning your surveys ahead of time
The one thing we can’t guarantee is the Local Planning Authority or regulatory body, Natural England, accepting survey data carried out at a sub-optimal time of year. It is therefore vital that surveys are timed appropriately in line with the dormouse surveys season.
What you can expect from Arun Ecology is an honest approach from the offset to find the best solution for your project schedule – no false promises that could result in unexpected delays and costs to your project.
What next?
If it has been concluded following a proportionate survey effort that hazel dormice are likely absent from the site, Arun Ecology can provide a report for submission with your planning application demonstrating that your scheme can proceed lawfully.
Should the presence of hazel dormice be confirmed and they are likely to be impacted by the proposals, a mitigation licence for a European Protect Species (EPS) will need to be obtained from the regulatory body (Natural England in England) for the scheme to proceed lawfully.
FAQs
The hazel dormouse is afforded strict protection, which reflects the severe decline that the species has undergone across the UK in the last century. The loss and fragmentation of hazel dormice habitat remains one of the key drivers of their decline. Without appropriate regulation their populations are particularly vulnerable to development.
Local Planning Authorities have a legal duty to assess the potential impacts of a proposed development on protected species (such as the hazel dormouse) before giving consent for a planning application. You will need to demonstrate that appropriate care has been taken to avoid any impacts to hazel dormice. This may include undertaking hazel dormice surveys (to determine their presence/likely absence) if there is suitable dormice habitat present that could be impacted by the development. Hazel dormice surveys would also inform any mitigation plans that may be required if impacts to dormice cannot be avoided.
In line with biodiversity and geological conservation: circular 06/2005 protected species surveys (such as hazel dormice) should be completed prior to the granting of planning permission and should not be conditions of planning except in exceptional circumstances.
At Arun Ecology we will provide you with a questionnaire prior to any survey on the information we require to complete the survey, predominantly focusing on land access and health and safety. As an insight we require the following information:
- Land parcel access
- Any land tenants present informed of the survey
- Any other hazards that might be present at the site (such as livestock or plant activity)
Helping to address the ecological
and climate crisis
At Arun Ecology it’s not all just about driving business. We want to contribute to addressing the challenges of our time to ensure a prosperous future for the next generation.
So, as part of our service, each time you commission us we are committed to planting one tree within the UK, through our partnership with Creating Tomorrow’s Forests.
Watch this space to find out more about how we are contributing to nature recovery and tackling climate change.
Contact us
Contact us today or request a call back at a more convenient time to discuss your project.
Whether you wish to request a quote or ask us a question, our friendly and experienced team will always be happy to advise and will endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.