Our Great Crested Newt Surveys

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At Ecology Consulting, we offer professional, licensed Great Crested Newt (GCN) surveys as part of our wider suite of ecological survey and assessment services. 

These surveys are an essential part of assessing how your development or land management project may impact local wildlife and ensure compliance with UK environmental legislation.

If you're involved in a planning application and your site includes ponds or suitable habitat, our experienced ecologists can help you determine whether GCNs are present, assess the ecological impact, and guide you through the mitigation and/or licensing process.

Why Is a Great Crested Newt Survey Necessary?

GCNs are protected under both the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. This means that it is a criminal offence to capture, kill, injure, disturb GCNs or damage their breeding or resting sites without appropriate consent. 

This legal protection applies not only to the animals themselves, but also to the ponds, scrub, grassland, and other habitats they rely on for breeding, feeding and shelter.

Planning authorities frequently require GCNs surveys in addition to broader ecological survey and assessment work required for planning applications.

If GCNs are present, a mitigation licence may be needed to ensure legal compliance and minimise ecological harm and we can advise you on whether it is necessary to obtain a licence and the most cost effective mitigation solution.

When Is a Great Crested Newt Survey Required?

You may be required to undertake a survey if:

• There are suitable ponds or water bodies on or near your development site (typically within 500 metres)
• The development site has suitable terrestrial or aquatic GCN habitat. 

It is best to seek our professional advice early in the planning process as missing key survey windows or failing to assess GCN survey requirements correctly can lead to costly project delays.

Our Step-by-Step Great Crested Newt Survey Service

At Ecology Consulting, we provide a reliable, phased approach to surveying for Great Crested Newts, tailored to the needs of your site and planning authority:

Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) Assessment

We begin with a site visit to evaluate habitat features and score the site using the HSI methodology. This determines the likelihood that Great Crested Newts may be present. 

If it is considered likely that GCNs are present, we would propose to undertake further surveys as outlined below.

GCN e-DNA Survey

We would collect water samples for laboratory analysis to confirm the likely presence/absence of GCN DNA. If GCNs are likely present, a positive result would be returned. 

In this event, we would consider the best option for your project. If impacts on GCNS cannot reasonably be avoided, this could entail use of GCN District Level Licensing (if available in your area) or undertaking further surveys to collect information for a traditional GCN licence application as described below. The approach implemented may be subject to consultation with relevant statutory conservation bodies which we would consult with on your behalf.

GCN Presence/Absence Survey and Population Size Class Assessment Survey

If e-DNA surveys cannot be undertaken then it may be necessary to undertake traditional presence absence surveys. 

If presence is confirmed via e-DNA or traditional surveys, population surveys may be required.

These detailed surveys must be conducted between mid-March and mid-June, during the GCN breeding season. A minimum of four survey visits is required for presence/absence, with six visits if a population size class estimate is needed. 

Approved methods include:

• Torchlight Surveys - Using high-powered torches to observe newts at night in ponds.
• Bottle Trapping - Setting submerged traps overnight and safely releasing captured newts the next morning.
• Egg Searches and Netting - Checking aquatic plants for folded leaves where newts lay eggs and sweeping waterbody margins for GCNs.
• Refugia Searches - Checking natural and artificial refugia for GCNs.

All of our surveys are carried out by our Natural England or NRW GCN-licensed ecologists in full accordance with the latest guidance and statutory requirements.

Mitigation Strategy and Licensing

If GCNs are found, we will work with you to avoid impacts on GCNs but if this cannot be achieved, we will apply for the necessary Mitigation Licence from Natural England (or the equivalent body in Wales or Scotland) on your behalf. We will produce a comprehensive report and recommend steps to avoid or minimise harm to the species. 

As noted above, we also support applications under the District Level Licensing (DLL) scheme, which can offer a faster and more flexible approach to GCN conservation on qualifying sites and in areas where this service is available.

Supporting Your Planning Application with Confidence

At Ecology Consulting, our role is to deliver high-quality ecological advice that meets the needs of your development and supports sustainable land use. 

We work across all sectors including residential, commercial, infrastructure, and renewable energy; providing you with the expertise to meet planning conditions and environmental obligations smoothly.

When you choose us for your Great Crested Newt survey, you also gain access to our broader capabilities in ecological survey and assessment, including:

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)
• Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA)
• Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
• Protected species surveys for bats, reptiles, badgers, water voles, and more

Why Choose Ecology Consulting?

There are many reasons as to why we are the top choice for your Great Crested Newt protected species survey in the UK, such as our: 

• Fully licensed and experienced ecologists
• Prompt, seasonally aware scheduling to avoid delays
• Planning-compliant reports and documentation
• Responsive, client-focused service from start to finish
• Clear advice tailored to your development goals

We understand the importance of meeting tight deadlines, securing planning consent, and ensuring full legal compliance. Our practical approach ensures you get the answers and support you need without unnecessary complexity.

Book Your Survey Today

Don’t leave it too late: Great Crested Newt surveys are seasonally restricted, and the window for presence absence surveys runs from March to June.

Please contact our team today for further information.