Bringing you all the latest in ecological matters and news from the ECOSA team, we will keep you updated on relevant events and inform of any legislation changes that may affect your project. You can also keep up with us on the go at LinkedIn
27 February 2015
If there is a waterbody on your site, or within 500m of the site boundary, you may be required to consider the impacts of your development on great crested newt (GCN) as part of your planning application.
Ecological surveys are very seasonal, and we understand there is nothing more frustrating than having to put your project on hold whilst waiting for the findings of a survey. Therefore, we are reminding all our clients that we will soon be entering the GCN survey season, which runs from mid-March to mid-June.
We are also able to offer environmental DNA (eDNA) testing where water samples can be tested for the presence or likely absence of GCN. If a water sample proves positive for GCN presence, further surveys will be required. However, if a water sample proves negative, additional GCN surveys can be avoided and costs significantly reduced. The lead times for this service mean that it is not suitable beyond the very start of the season.
Please visit our survey timetable to review the survey seasons by species, and see those months in which mitigation and other works which may affect them can be conducted. You can also read more about the great crested newt and the associated survey regimen in our Resources section.
