Reptile Surveys

All British reptile species are afforded protection under UK legislation. The four more widespread species, comprising slow-worm, common lizard, adder and grass snake, are encountered fairly frequently on development sites and can often exploit brownfield habitats which have been left to re-colonise with vegetation.

CSa have experience of providing reptile survey and mitigation strategies for sites ranging from small back garden developments to large urban extensions and pipeline projects. Unlike for EPS, no licence process exists to control impacts to the more widespread reptiles listed above, but CSa aim to provide a best-practice and common sense approach. Reptile Mitigation commonly involves excluding and/or dispersing reptiles (using barrier fencing or habitat manipulation) or relocating reptiles from areas to be affected by development. Where provision for reptiles cannot be made on-site, our ecologists will design off-site solutions through consultations with local authorities and landowners. CSa can guide you through the mitigation process, tailoring it to ensure that impacts to development programmes are reduced to a minimum.

Rarer reptile species, comprising smooth snake and sand lizard, are afforded full protection under European legislation and any proposals involving impacts to these species would be subject to the EPS licensing process. These species have a much more limited distribution and are less commonly encountered outside their core areas in the south. CSa can offer in-house expertise with these rarer species, as well as the more common reptiles. 

For more information, or to obtain a quote, please email us or call 01386 751100