Great Crested
Newt Surveys
The Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), otherwise known as a GCN, is the UK’s largest newt.
The Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), otherwise known as ‘GCN’, is the UK’s largest and most impressive newt species. It is highly protected and is a European Protected Species.
Great crested newt surveys are undertaken during the breeding season to assess the presence or likely absence of great crested newts (GCNs) on or within a 500 metre radius of a proposed development. A great crested newt survey requires four visits that are undertaken by at least two surveyors, including a Natural England license holder. Two additional visits are needed to evaluate the population size when great crested newts are confirmed to be within the surveyed area.
The presence of great crested newts on or within 500 metres of a site may constrain developments, and they should be considered in the planning process. Mitigation will need to be designed to avoid affecting the local GCN population.
Development of a site where great crested newts may occur can be made legal by the granting of an appropriate Natural England license that we can apply for on your behalf. GCN mitigation, once allowed by Natural England, could include the setting of a newt fence or newt barrier around the site, where pit-fall trapping could be undertaken and newts relocated to a suitable place outside of the works area (species translocation). Habitat enhancements would also be part of the on-site mitigations for great crested newts and should be included in the landscaping proposals.
To find out more about our great crested newt surveys or our ecology services, please browse:
If you have a project you'd like to discuss, please call us on 01233 225365 / or send us a message.
