Otter Surveys
Otters 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 an otter as well as destroy their places of rest (habitat).
Otter 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 otters prior to the determination of any application.
Otters occur broadly around freshwater habitats such as rivers, canals and lakes as well as coastal areas located near to freshwater.
If your scheme is reasonably likely to impact an otter and/or their habitat, you may need to undertake otter surveys to ensure that the development proposals are able to proceed lawfully.
Otters Surveys
Field Signs Survey
This survey consists of a suitably qualified ecologist walking over a defined study area to search for signs of otters.
Typical signs include searching for spraints, tracks, feeding remains, otter slides, holts and couches.
Holt Monitoring
A holt is an underground den otters use to rest and raise their young. An otter holt may require monitoring if the development proposals have the potential to impact the holt or the supporting habitat the otter population may be dependent upon.
Holt monitoring consists of deploying camera traps. The extent of the monitoring will depend upon the scheme and the likely impacts, but typically at least one month of monitoring is required to determine if a potential holt is being used.
Survey Timings
Otters are active all year round which means there are no time restrictions for surveys.
However, May-September provides the optimum period when water levels tend to be less variable.
What you need to know about otter surveys
Where will you find out if you need an otter survey?
Any suitable habitat recorded for otters that is relevant to the development will be outlined within a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report (PEA), as will any local records of otters which may indicate that they are using the site.
Our approach
To ensure a standardised approach to data collection, our otter surveys are always carried out in line with the then English Nature’s (now Natural England) Monitoring the Otter Lutra Lutra publication.
This is the trusted approach for Local Planning Authorities and regulatory bodies such as Natural England, providing assurance that any otter surveys carried out by Arun Ecology will meet the expectations of these bodies.
The Arun team
We have an in-house team and an extended network of ecologists, highly experienced in designing and undertaking surveys for otters.
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 otter 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 otter 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 is concluded following a proportionate survey effort that otters are likely absent from the site, your development proposals should be able to proceed lawfully. A survey report provided by Arun Ecology will confirm this to the Local Planning Authority.
Should the presence of otters 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
Local Planning Authorities have a legal duty to assess the potential impacts of a proposed development on protected species (such as otters) before giving consent for a planning application. You will need to demonstrate that appropriate care has been taken to avoid any impacts to otters and their holts. This may include undertaking otter surveys (to determine their presence/likely absence) if there is suitable otter habitat present that could be impacted by the development. Otter surveys would also inform any mitigation plans and licencing that may be required if impacts to otters and their holts cannot be avoided.
In line with biodiversity and geological conservation: circular 06/2005 protected species surveys (such as otters) should be completed prior to the granting of planning permission, and should not be conditions of planning except in exceptional circumstances.
Habitat is usually assessed for its suitability to support otters as part of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA). Surveys for otters will normally be recommended in a PEA report if there are local records or habitat that suggest there is a reasonable likelihood of otters being present and impacted by the proposed development.
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 over the duration 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.