Been told you need an ecology survey?
Don’t worry. For many homeowners, this is the first time they have ever needed an ecologist.
You might be planning an extension, converting a barn, renovating an older property, demolishing a building or building a new home. Your architect or planning consultant may have recommended an ecological survey, or the council may have asked for further ecological information before your planning application can progress.
It can all sound rather complicated.
Our job is to make it simple.
We’ll look at your property and proposed works, explain what ecological work you actually need and why, and then guide you through the process.
You don’t need to become an expert in bats, planning policy or protected species legislation.
That’s our job.
Start by finding out what you actually need
Not every project needs the same ecological work.
The surveys required depend on factors such as the property, surrounding habitats, location and the work you are proposing.
Before recommending surveys, we want to understand the project.
If you send us the property address, plans and any ecology-related comments from your architect, planning consultant or council, we can review the information and advise on the appropriate next step.
That might be a preliminary ecological assessment, a bat survey or another protected species survey.
Equally importantly, we won’t recommend ecological work simply for the sake of doing more surveys.
Why has the council asked me for an ecology survey?
Local Planning Authorities have a responsibility to consider biodiversity and protected species when determining planning applications.
If your proposed works could affect a protected species or an important habitat, the council may need enough ecological information to understand the potential impact before making its decision.
This commonly arises with bats because they can roost in buildings, including houses, barns, garages and other structures.
Being asked for an ecology survey does not mean the council believes protected species are definitely present. It means there is enough potential risk for further information to be needed.
Once we understand what the council is asking for, we can help establish the most appropriate way forward.
What happens if bats are found?
Finding bats does not automatically mean your project cannot go ahead.
This is one of the most common concerns we hear from homeowners.
Bats and their roosts are protected by law, so if they are using a building that will be affected by your project, the works may need to be designed and carried out in a particular way.
Depending on the circumstances, this could involve further surveys, changes to the timing of works, retaining part of a roost, creating replacement roosting opportunities or obtaining an appropriate licence.
Our role is to establish how bats are using the property and then look for a practical solution that allows the project to proceed while meeting the relevant ecological requirements.
Find out more about Bat Surveys
Some ecology surveys are seasonal
This is one of the most important things to know when planning a project.
Some ecological surveys can be undertaken throughout much of the year. Others need to take place during particular seasons when the species can be reliably detected.
Bat surveys are a common example.
If additional seasonal surveys are required, leaving ecology until immediately before you want to start building can sometimes affect your timetable.
That’s why we recommend contacting us as soon as your architect, planning consultant or council indicates that ecology may be relevant.
Even if a survey cannot be completed immediately, we can explain the likely process so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.
We’ll guide you through the process
1. Send us your project details
Tell us what you are planning and send us the property address, drawings and any relevant planning or ecology information you already have.
2. We’ll establish what’s likely to be needed
We’ll review the project and explain the ecological work we recommend, why it is required and any important timing considerations.
3. We undertake the survey
One of our ecologists visits the property and completes the appropriate ecological assessment or survey.
4. We explain the findings
We’ll tell you what we found, what it means for your project and whether anything further needs to happen.
5. We prepare the ecology report
Where a report is required for planning, we’ll prepare the ecological information needed to support your application.
6. If there’s an ecological issue, we help resolve it
If protected species or another ecological constraint is identified, we won’t simply hand you a report and leave you to work out what to do next.
We’ll explain the options and help find a practical route forward.
Ecology for extensions and home improvements
Ecology can sometimes be relevant to extensions, loft conversions, roof works and other alterations to existing homes.
Bats are often the main consideration because they can roost in roof spaces, beneath tiles, behind hanging tiles, within wall cavities and in other small features of buildings.
Whether a bat survey is required will depend on the property and the nature of the proposed works.
If you’re unsure, send us your plans and we can advise on the likely next step.
Ecology for barn conversions
Barns and other traditional rural buildings can provide suitable roosting opportunities for bats and may also support nesting birds or other wildlife.
Ecological assessment is therefore commonly required where these buildings are being converted, substantially renovated or demolished.
Finding bats does not necessarily prevent a conversion. The important thing is understanding how the building is being used and developing an appropriate mitigation strategy.
Early ecological advice can also help your architect incorporate any necessary mitigation into the design rather than trying to accommodate it later.
Ecology for demolition and replacement dwellings
If an existing house, garage, outbuilding or other structure is being demolished, the Local Planning Authority may require ecological information where the building has potential to support protected species.
We can assess the relevant buildings, establish whether further surveys are necessary and advise on any mitigation that may be required.
Where protected species are present, we can also help with licensing and the ecological requirements associated with demolition and construction.
Ecology for new homes and self-build projects
Building a new home can involve ecological considerations beyond the building itself.
Habitats such as hedgerows, trees, ponds, grassland and watercourses may need to be considered, and protected species could also be relevant depending on the site.
Early ecological advice allows these features to be considered alongside the design of the house, garden, access, lighting and landscaping.
For applicable developments, Biodiversity Net Gain may also need to be considered as part of the planning process.
Find out more about Biodiversity Net Gain
We’ll work with your architect or planning consultant
You don’t need to act as the middle person between all the professionals involved in your project.
Where appropriate, we’re happy to work directly with your architect, planning consultant or other members of the project team.
If an ecological requirement affects the design, we can explain the issue to your architect and discuss practical options. If the council’s ecological adviser raises a question, we can help respond to it.
The aim is to resolve ecological matters with as little unnecessary complication for you as possible.
We understand that this is your money
For a homeowner, ecological surveys are a real project cost.
We recognise that.
Our approach is to recommend the ecological work that is justified by the property, proposed works and planning requirements rather than treating every project in the same way.
Where further work is required, we’ll explain why and what it means before moving to the next stage.
We want you to understand what you’re paying for and why it’s necessary.
Ecology services for homeowners
Bat Surveys
Assessment and surveys for extensions, loft conversions, barn conversions, demolition, renovation and other works that could affect bat roosts.
Ecological Appraisal
An assessment of habitats and potential ecological constraints for new homes, self-build projects and other developments involving land as well as buildings.
Great Crested Newt Surveys
Assessment and survey advice where ponds and suitable terrestrial habitat mean great crested newts could be relevant to a proposed development.
Badger Surveys
Survey and mitigation advice where badger setts or activity could be affected by building works, access or development.
Reptile Surveys
Assessment and survey advice for sites containing suitable habitat that could support reptiles.
Protected Species Licensing
If your project affects a protected species and a licence is required, we can help prepare the application, develop the mitigation strategy and guide you through the process.
Why homeowners choose Crossman Ecology
We keep things simple
Most homeowners don’t speak the language of ecological consultancy – and you shouldn’t need to.
We explain what is required, why it is required and what happens next in straightforward language.
We look for practical solutions
Finding an ecological issue isn’t the end of the conversation. We look at how it affects your particular project and help identify a practical and compliant way forward.
We don’t recommend work unnecessarily
Our recommendations are based on the property, proposals and ecological evidence. We aim to undertake the work genuinely needed to progress your project.
We’ll work with your other consultants
Where helpful, we can communicate directly with your architect or planning consultant so that ecological requirements are incorporated into the wider project.
We can stay involved
If further surveys, mitigation or protected species licensing are needed, we can continue supporting the project rather than leaving you to find another consultant for the next stage.
The Crossman Ecology Three-Part Client Guarantee
When you’re spending your own money on a project, you should have confidence in the consultants you’re appointing.
That’s why our work is backed by the Crossman Ecology Three-Part Client Guarantee, providing greater certainty around planning outcome, pricing and timescales.
Discover our Three-Part Client Guarantee
Frequently asked questions from homeowners
Why has the council asked me for a bat survey?
The council may request a bat survey where proposed works could affect a building or habitat with the potential to support bats.
This does not mean bats are definitely present.
An initial assessment can establish whether the building has features suitable for bats and whether any further survey work is required.
If you have received a request from the council and are unsure what it means, send it to us with your plans and we can help explain the next step.
Will finding bats stop my planning application?
Not necessarily.
Bats and their roosts are protected, but development can often still proceed where appropriate measures are put in place.
The solution depends on the type of roost, species involved and how your proposed works will affect it.
This may involve changes to timing, appropriate mitigation, replacement roosting opportunities or a protected species licence.
Do I need a bat survey for an extension?
Not every extension requires a bat survey.
Whether one is needed depends on factors including the part of the building being affected, its suitability for bats, the nature of the works and the surrounding habitat.
If your architect, planning consultant or council has advised that a bat survey may be required, we can review the project and recommend the appropriate assessment.
Do I need a bat survey for a loft conversion?
A bat survey may be required where a loft conversion or associated roof works could affect areas of a building that bats may use for roosting.
The first step is usually to assess the building and determine whether there is evidence of bats or features with potential to support them.
Further surveys are only required where the findings justify them.
Do I need an ecology survey for a barn conversion?
Barn conversions commonly require ecological consideration because traditional buildings can provide suitable habitat for bats and nesting birds.
The requirements depend on the building, proposed works and its ecological context.
An early assessment can establish what further work, if any, is required and allow ecological measures to be incorporated into the conversion design.
When can bat surveys be carried out?
Different types of bat survey have different timing requirements.
An initial assessment of a building can often be undertaken throughout much of the year, but if further emergence or activity surveys are required, these need to take place during an appropriate survey season and under suitable conditions.
Contacting an ecologist early is therefore important if your project has a fixed planning or construction timetable.
How long does an ecology survey take?
It depends on the survey required.
Some projects may only need an initial site or building assessment and report. Others may require further seasonal surveys before the ecological position can be confirmed.
When we review your project, we’ll explain the likely stages and any important timing constraints so you know what to expect.
What happens if the ecologist finds something?
We’ll explain what has been found, what it means for your proposed works and the options available.
Finding a protected species does not automatically mean your project has to stop.
Depending on the circumstances, the solution might involve a relatively simple change to timing or design, specific mitigation measures or a protected species licence.
Our focus is on helping you find the most practical compliant route forward.
Can I start building before the ecology work is finished?
You should not start works that could affect a protected species or its habitat until any necessary ecological assessment, permissions and mitigation requirements are in place.
There may also be ecological requirements attached to your planning permission that need to be completed before particular works begin.
If you’re unsure, ask us before starting. It is much easier to check the position beforehand than to resolve a problem once work is underway.
Will you speak to my architect or planning consultant?
Yes.
We’re happy to work directly with your architect, planning consultant or other relevant members of the project team.
That can be particularly helpful where ecological findings affect the design or where technical information needs to be incorporated into a planning application.
What should I send you to get an ecology quote?
Send us as much information as you currently have.
Ideally, this will include the property address, a brief description of the proposed works, any drawings or plans, and any ecology-related comments you have received from the council, your architect or planning consultant.
Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. We can tell you if we need anything else.
Not sure what ecology work you need?
You don’t need to work it out before contacting us.
Send us your property address, your plans and any ecology-related information you have received from the council or your other consultants.
We’ll review what you have, explain the likely next step and help you through the process.
Clear advice. No unnecessary complexity. A practical route forward for your project.