Ecological Surveys London

At Ecological Surveys London, we provide professional, planning-compliant ecological surveys across London, helping homeowners, developers, architects, and planning consultants meet local authority requirements with clear, robust ecological reports.

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London Ecological Surveys

We provide professional ecological surveys in the Greater London, supporting planning applications, development projects and environmental compliance across the region. Our experienced ecologists regularly undertake ecological surveys throughout the Greater London, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark.

Our strong local knowledge allows us to produce clear, council-compliant ecology reports that meet the requirements of Greater London planning authorities and reflect site-specific environmental constraints. All surveys are completed in line with UK planning policy and ecological legislation, helping to reduce delays and support successful planning outcomes.

Whether you are planning a new build, house extension, conversion, demolition or land development, we provide proportionate ecological advice and planning-ready ecological reports, tailored to your location, development type and local authority requirements.

Ecological survey site visit field

Ecological Surveys across London

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BNG
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Bat Surveys
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PEA

Professional ecological surveys and reports to support planning applications across the UK.

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Ecological site visit summers day

Ecology Services Across London

The Greater London includes a diverse mix of landscapes, from urban centres such as Westminster and Camden to historic cities like Islington, and extensive rural land across County Islington and Greater London.

Due to this environmental diversity, ecological surveys in the Greater London are frequently required to support planning permission, particularly where development sites contain natural habitats, protected species, or are located near rivers, woodlands or designated sites.

We support developments of all sizes across the region, from residential projects in Tower Hamlets, Southwark and Bishop Auckland to commercial and infrastructure schemes in Hackney, Croydon and North Tyneside, providing planning-ready ecological reports that align with local authority requirements.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA) for Planning in London

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) is often the first ecological survey required to support a planning application. It identifies potential ecological constraints, assesses the likelihood of protected species or habitats, and determines whether further ecological surveys are required to meet planning conditions.

PEAs in the Greater London are commonly needed for developments in urban areas such as Westminster, Camden and Hackney, as well as edge-of-settlement and rural sites across County Islington, where mature trees, grassland, watercourses and historic buildings may be present.

A professionally prepared PEA report for planning helps reduce delays and provides local planning authorities with the ecological information required to validate and assess development proposals.A PEA typically includes:

  • A desk study reviewing ecological records and designations
  • A walkover survey of the site and surrounding land
  • Identification of habitats and potential protected species
  • An assessment of likely ecological impacts
  • Clear recommendations for next steps
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Ecological survey site visit winter

Bat Surveys for Planning Applications in London

Bat surveys in the Greater London are among the most frequently required ecological surveys for planning applications, particularly for developments involving older buildings, roof structures, barns and trees that may support roosting bats.

We regularly carry out bat surveys across the Greater London, supporting projects in Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney and Greater London, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark.Bat surveys may be required for:

  • Barn conversions and agricultural buildings
  • Roof works and loft conversions
  • Demolition of older properties
  • Tree removal or pruning

Our bat survey services include:

  • Preliminary bat roost assessments
  • Dusk and dawn emergence surveys
  • Tree roost inspections
  • Mitigation advice and licensing support where required

Great Crested Newt Surveys for Planning Applications London

Great crested newts are present in suitable habitats across many parts of the Greater London, particularly around ponds, wetlands, watercourses and rural land. As a European Protected Species, surveys are frequently required to support planning applications where development sites may affect breeding, resting or foraging habitat.

Great crested newt surveys in the Greater London are commonly needed for developments across County Islington, Greater London and Greater London, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark.

Our great crested newt survey services include:

  • Habitat suitability assessments
  • Presence / absence surveys
  • Population size class assessments
  • Mitigation strategy advice
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Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for Planning Applications in London

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now a key consideration for many developments across the Greater London. Most planning applications are required to demonstrate a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain, in line with current planning policy and local authority requirements.

We provide Biodiversity Net Gain assessments for residential and commercial developments across the Greater London, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark. Our assessments help clients demonstrate compliance while identifying practical, deliverable biodiversity enhancements that support planning approval.

Our Biodiversity Net Gain services include:

  • Baseline habitat assessments
  • Biodiversity metric calculations
  • On-site and off-site enhancement options
  • Clear reporting for planning submission

Breeding Bird Surveys in London

Breeding bird surveys are often required for developments involving site clearance, vegetation removal or demolition, particularly during the bird nesting season when legal protections apply.

We regularly support projects requiring breeding bird surveys across the Greater London, covering both urban developments and rural land.Our surveys assess nesting bird activity and provide clear, practical advice on timing, constraints and mitigation, helping ensure compliance with UK wildlife legislation while avoiding unnecessary delays to development.

Ecological site visit June
Nesting bird survey

Towns and Cities Covered by Our London Ecology Services:

  • Westminster
  • Camden
  • Islington
  • Hackney
  • Tower Hamlets
  • Southwark
  • Lambeth
  • Wandsworth
  • Croydon
  • Bromley
  • Greenwich
  • Lewisham
  • Ealing
  • Hounslow
  • Hammersmith

Seasons, Next Steps and Getting a Quote

If you have been told you need an ecological survey, the best next step is to share your site address, a brief description of the proposed works, any planning reference or ecology-related comments, and, if you have them, photos or plans of the building or trees in question.

We will review the information, advise what survey is appropriate for your project and provide a clear fixed-fee quote for the survey and report.

Request Your Free Quote Now

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