Great Crested Newt Survey Information
05 Mar 2018
Ecology

Great Crested Newt (GCN) are a European Protected Species, and surveys may be required for both on site and within up to 500m of a site if suitable terrestrial habitat connects to the water body, and the site itself supports suitable terrestrial habitat.
This species can, therefore, have a wide impact and affect many development sites. Surveys are heavily seasonably restricted, with a minimum of four survey visits of any impacted water bodies being required between mid-March and mid-June, two of which have to be undertaken between mid-April and mid-May.
Aquatic Survey Season: |
15th March - 15th June | |
Terrestial Survey Season: |
15th March - 15th September | |
Environmental (e)DNA Survey
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15th April - 30th June | |
How long to allow for surveys: |
Potentially across the full survey period | |
Latest date to commence the
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25th April | |
Notes: |
All surveys are weather dependent. Four aquatic survey visits are required (two survey visits must be between 15th April - 15th May). If GCN found then a total of six survey visits are required to determine a population size, three of which will need to be between 15th April - 15th May) |
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Planning Risk: |
Survey information is required during the planning determination period, failure to provide may result in delays to determination or even refusal |
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Construction Risk: |
If found on-site GCN can cause major delays to Site works. Excavations remaining open that are subsequently flooded may result in GCN colonisation if they are present in the area. |
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Design Risk: |
Potential requirement for on-site mitigation, consideration of SUDS ponds and potential as GCN habitat requires consideration |