Ecology Consulting Services

A Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), comprising Appropriate Assessment and, where required, Screening for Likely Significant Effects, is required when a project may have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 designated site (Special Protection Area or Special Area of Conservation). Governed by the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. HRA is mandatory regardless of project size if a Natura 2000 site is within the zone of influence.

Required surveys depend on site characteristics and project type, but commonly include Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, breeding and wintering bird surveys, bat activity and roost surveys, badger surveys, great crested newt surveys, and water vole assessments. Surveys must be conducted by qualified ecologists and are constrained by seasonality, meaning an incomplete survey programme can delay planning submission by up to 12 months. Early ecological scoping is essential for programme certainty.

Yes. Protected habitats, designated sites, and the presence of legally protected species can restrict developable areas, trigger additional survey and mitigation requirements, or in extreme cases make a site unviable. Constraints such as proximity to a SAC or SPA, the presence of priority habitats, or a high-density bat roost can increase costs significantly and delay consent. Pre-acquisition ecological appraisal is Entrust’s recommended approach for any site under active consideration.

Many ecological surveys can only be conducted during specific seasonal windows. Bat transect surveys run April to October, breeding bird surveys run March to July, and great crested newt surveys run mid-February to mid-May. A full survey programme across all relevant species and habitats can span 12 months. Infrastructure projects should commission ecological scoping and baseline surveys at the earliest stage of site assessment to avoid programme delays caused by missed survey seasons.