Great Crested Newt Surveys
Great crested newts (GCN) are afforded protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. It is a criminal offence to deliberately kill, injure or disturb a GCN as well as destroy their places of rest (habitat).
GCN are also listed as a Species of Principle Importance (SPI) under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006. This ensures that Local Planning Authorities (LPA) should have regard for such species when determining planning applications.
Protected species and SPI are a material consideration within the planning process and LPAs have a duty in exercising their function to consider the impact of a development on GCN prior to the determination of any application.
Great crested newts can be found in both aquatic and terrestrial habit types. They use freshwater ponds, ditches and other aquatic workings as breeding habitat. Terrestrial habitat such as deciduous woodland, mature hedgerows and undisturbed grassland are important habitats outside of the breeding season.
If your development is reasonably likely to impact GCN and damage or destroy their breeding habitat or terrestrial habitat within 500m of a GCN breeding pond, you may need to undertake GCN surveys to ensure that your development proposals are able to proceed lawfully.
Great Crested Newt Surveys
Presence/ absence and population surveys
The aim of these surveys is to determine the presence or likely absence of newts using a combination of traditional survey techniques, such as bottle and aquatic funnel trapping, torching, hand netting and egg searching.
Up to six survey visits may be required if GCN are detected to estimate population size. Likely absence can be determined after four negative surveys for each pond.
Presence/absence and population surveys are time restricted and are undertaken between mid-March to mid-June. At least two of the first four surveys must be undertaken between mid- April to mid-May to follow best practice.
Environmental DNA survey
Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys aim to determine presence or likely absence by collecting a water sample from a pond and analysing the sample for sequences of GCN DNA, providing either a positive or negative response.
The eDNA surveys are time restricted and can be undertaken between April 15th – June 30th each year. It is worth noting that eDNA does not negate the need for population based estimates, should this be required to inform a mitigation licence for a European Protect Species (ESP).
HSI assessment
The aim of this survey is to record the environmental parameters of ponds identified within a study area (normally up to 500m from the proposed site). The parameters are used to provide a score indicating the suitability of the habitat present within the pond for GCN.
This survey cannot conclude the likely absence of GCN and is normally undertaken simultaneously with conventional presence/absence surveys to compare ponds and provide context for future management and great crested newts mitigation schemes.
What you need to know about great crested newt surveys
Where will you find out if you need a great crested newt survey?
Any suitable habitat recorded for GCN that is relevant to the development will be outlined within a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report (PEA), as will any local records of GCN and designated sites which may indicate that GCN are reasonably likely to be impacted by the development.
Our approach
To ensure a standardised approach to data collection, our GCN surveys are always carried out in line with industry best practice guidelines.
This is the trusted approach for Local Planning Authorities and regulatory bodies such as Natural England, providing assurance that any GCN surveys 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 highly experienced in designing and undertaking GCN surveys. We also have staff who hold the Level 1 Class Licence to survey for GCN.
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 reptile data efficiently.
Planning your GCN 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 GCN 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?
Scenario 1: If it has been concluded following a proportionate survey effort that GCN 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
Scenario 2: Should the presence of GCN 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.
There are a number of licencing options for GCN. See our dedicated page for more information.
Dependent upon location your scheme may be eligible for the GCN district licencing scheme, a fast tracked process.
FAQs
The UK population of GCN is considered a stronghold within its European range, making it of European and International importance. Even within this UK stronghold, GCN have undergone a significant decline across its range despite its strict protection, resulting from the loss and degradation of the GCN’s habitat.
District licencing for GCN is a scheme that is being rolled out by Natural England in collaboration with Local Planning Authorities and other third parties. The aim of district licencing is to offer a landscape-scale compensation strategy that offers site assessments all year round for developers and put funds into long-term protection of GCN. The benefit for developers is the removal of time constraints of seasonal surveying and upfront mitigation costs.
The answer to this question has become somewhat complicated. If your proposed development falls within a district licensing scheme for GCN then the answer might be no; however, some areas within the district licencing schemes still require you to undertake GCN surveys. If your scheme is outside a district licensing scheme, then you might need to undertake GCN surveys if local records and habitats suggest it is reasonably likely that GCN are present on site and will be impacted by the proposed development.
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.