Great Crested Newt Surveys
The team at Pioneer Environment has expert knowledge in surveying and protecting great crested newts (GCNs) and their habitats. If your development project includes ponds or wetlands within 500m of the site, GCNs could affect your plans. To prevent potential delays, contact us to learn what steps you may need to take.
Why Do You Need a Great Crested Newt Survey?
Great crested newts Triturus cristatus (GCN) are fully protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Developments that are known to impact habitat within 500m of a confirmed GCN population will require a European Protected Species Licence (EPSL), which is issued by the governing body (Natural England or Natural Resources Wales).
Legislation covers all newt life stages which means that GCN eggs, juveniles and all adults are equally protected. ​It is an offence to:
Capture, kill, or injure GCN
Damage, destroy, or disturb them in a place used for shelter or protection
Obstruct access to such areas used by GCN for shelter or protection
Egg Searching
Bottle Trapping
Torchlight Searches
Netting
When to Carry Out a Survey
The survey window for great crested newts runs between March and June when GCNs are most likely to be in their breeding ponds
Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveying is a cost-effective way to detect GCNs through water sampling. If great crested newts are present within a pond, they will deposit DNA, which is analysed in the lab. This eDNA method can save time and survey effort by scoping out ponds without GCN presence.
In the absence of eDNA analysis, or if the results come back positive, then up to six visits using traditional methods may be required. These methods are guided by best practice, including Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK (ARG UK) Advice Note 5, Natural England Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines, and the Natural England Standing Advice, and include:
Take a look at our survey calendar for more information.
What Will Pioneer Supply?
Survey requirements will generally be identified at the time of a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) or walkover survey. If GCN populations cannot be retained in situ, our ecology specialists can carry out translocations (relocation of the species) providing there is a good reason for a mitigation licence.
Our report will present the GCN survey results and a summary of the legal implications of their presence or absence. If required, mitigation recommendations will be designed to assist your planning application, whilst ensuring that conservation measures are in place to protect this vulnerable species.
District Level Licencing
Natural England District Level Licencing (DLL) scheme, introduced in 2016, is an alternative approach to site-by-site licencing and is intended to streamline the licencing process for GCN. Under the scheme, developers can invest a financial contribution to enter the programme which aims to create compensation habitat focusing on increasing biodiversity, wildlife connectivity and maintaining monitoring over a 25-year period.
Pioneer Environment can help you by undertaking GCN surveys, writing licence applications, designing and implementing mitigation, habitat design, creation, restoration, or by providing sensitive management under licenced ecological clerk of works supervision.
About Great Crested Newts
Great crested newts Triturus cristatus can be found throughout lowland in Great Britain (they are absent in Ireland) and are the largest native newt species, growing up to 17cm long. GCN do not maintain specific territories but require suitably sized, vegetated, fish-free ponds for breeding, and a variety of terrestrial habitats for foraging and overwintering. Over the last 100 years, GCN numbers across Europe have declined, and this has mainly been due to a reduction in the number of ponds through agricultural intensification.
For more information on great crested newt surveys, download our factsheet.
