The Phase 1 Habitat Survey

By Author: Abbey smith
Total Articles: 362
Comment this article

There are many factors to take into consideration when considering a new development. Whether you're looking to extend existing property, renovate old buildings, or start completely afresh with a new build, environmental surveys should be considered an integral part of the planning process. A phase 1 habitat survey will, for example, identify the habitats of any protected species and will provide documented evidence from a professional environmental surveyor that can be submitted with your planning applications.

The majority of local councils require that you submit certain surveys with a planning application. If these surveys are not included then you will need to have them done at a later date which can cost more and delay the overall planning process. Having the survey done early will give you peace of mind while ensuring that you are covered legally. Damaging the habitat of protected species is illegal and it can attract hefty fines and even prison sentences.

The phase 1 habitat survey goes under a variety of different guises. It may be referred to as a protected species survey or a biodiversity survey as well ...
... as other names but they are all the same thing. They all aim to survey a particular plot of land for the existence of protected species and to determine whether any protected species use the land for breeding, feeding, or living.

One local council was successfully prosecuted for not successfully and rigorously completing the necessary habitat checks and ensuring that they were enforced in those applying for planning permission. This means that councils up and down the country take these laws even more seriously than ever before and not having one completed can lead to fines of several thousands of pounds. In some cases, it could even lead to a prison sentence so avoiding the survey is definitely not advised.

A phase 1 habitat survey may be considered necessary if you are looking to extend property or if you aim to build a new property on a plot of land. It will identify any protected species that might use the plot, for what purpose, and what can be done about it.