Ecological surveys in Cardiff
If your planning application in Cardiff involves land, trees, hedgerows, ponds or older buildings, Cardiff Council will usually want ecological surveys before it decides. We can introduce you to one vetted ecologist who covers your site in Cardiff.
Beatrice Vasey is a horticulturist, not an ecological consultancy. We introduce you to one vetted ecologist and are paid a referral fee by that business.
Planning and biodiversity in Cardiff
- Planning decisions
- Planning applications in Cardiff are decided by Cardiff Council.
- Biodiversity rules
- Net benefit for biodiversity. Planning Policy Wales requires development to deliver a net benefit for biodiversity using a step-wise approach, shown in a green infrastructure statement with every application. Wales does not use a biodiversity metric.
- Local wildlife records
- The desk study for a preliminary ecological appraisal uses records from South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre (SEWBReC), the local environmental records centre.
- Protected species licences
- Issued by Natural Resources Wales.
Habitats ecologists look for around Cardiff
Water, trees and connected green space are where protected species are most likely to turn up. In Cardiff, the River Taff, the River Ely and Bute Park are the kind of habitat that raises the chance of follow-up surveys, so sites next to them, or with ponds, hedgerows or mature trees of their own, should allow time for surveys in spring and summer.
Survey types, timing and costs
Most projects in Cardiff start with a preliminary ecological appraisal. Book it early in the year so any species surveys it recommends can run in the same season. If it finds bat roost potential in a building or tree, you'll need bat surveys in Cardiff as well.
| Survey | When it can be done | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) | Any time of year; the habitat survey is most reliable from April to September | About £500 (small sites) to £2,000 (large sites), plus VAT |
| Biodiversity net gain assessment (England) | Best April to September, when habitats can be assessed properly | From about £490 plus VAT on small sites |
| Habitat management and monitoring plan (England) | A draft with the planning application; the full plan with the biodiversity gain plan | From about £495 on small sites |
| Ecological impact assessment (EcIA) | Once the surveys it relies on are complete | From about £750 for a straightforward site |
| Protected species surveys | Depends on the species (see the seasons table) | Quoted per species and site; great crested newt eDNA is about £250 to £500 per pond |
Typical prices from published consultancy cost guides. Your ecologist quotes for your site.
Your ecologist in Cardiff
We pass each Cardiff enquiry to one vetted ecologist who covers your site and carries professional indemnity insurance. You get an email naming them before your details are shared, and they quote you directly. We are paid a referral fee by that business.
We also arrange ecological surveys in Bristol, Bath and Exeter.
Ecological survey questions in Cardiff
Does my planning application in Cardiff need biodiversity net gain?
Not in the English sense: Wales has no mandatory biodiversity metric. Planning Policy Wales requires development to deliver a net benefit for biodiversity using a step-wise approach, shown in a green infrastructure statement with every application. Wales does not use a biodiversity metric.
Do I need an ecological survey for a small extension in Cardiff?
Often not, but it depends on what the work affects. If it touches a roof space, mature trees, a pond or a hedgerow, Cardiff Council may ask for a protected species survey, most often for bats.
Who issues protected species licences in Cardiff?
Natural Resources Wales. If surveys find a protected species your work would affect, your ecologist applies to Natural Resources Wales for a licence, usually once planning permission is granted.
Get an ecological survey quote in Cardiff
Tell us where the site is and what's planned. Beatrice reads every enquiry.