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Referral service: we pass your enquiry to independent ecology consultancies and do not carry out ecology surveys. Not affiliated with any council, Natural England, the South Downs National Park Authority or CIEEM. General information only, not legal or planning advice.

Ecology Surveys for Planning in West Sussex: When You Need One and How to Get Quotes

Councils across West Sussex ask for an ecology report when a project could affect protected species, such as roof works, conversions and demolition, and most start with a preliminary ecological appraisal. Use the form to request quotes from independent ecologists.

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When councils ask for an ecology report

West Sussex councils publish validation lists that say when an ecology report must come with an application. Many ask for a preliminary ecological appraisal, and several single out works to roofs, conversions or demolition. Wording differs by council, so the table summarises each list; check yours.

Planning authorityWhat its validation list says (summary)Source
Adur & Worthing (shared list)Biodiversity survey and report for development that may affect protected species or biodiversity, including demolition of older buildings or any works within the roofs of buildings.Source note 1
WorthingPreliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) if development is near ecologically important areas or could affect protected or notable species. Examples include works to or demolition of a building or roofs, and sites within 500m of a pond. Species-specific surveys follow if protected species are identified.Source note 2
ArunProtected species and site survey for modification, conversion, demolition or removal of buildings (especially roof voids) where protected species are likely to be present. A PEA or similar with a Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre data search; further species surveys go in with the application.Source note 3
Chichester (outside the National Park)PEA with a Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre data search and a Protected Species Survey Checklist for conversions and demolition where protected species such as bats may be present. Further surveys the PEA identifies, such as bat emergence surveys, must also be submitted.Source note 4
CrawleyEcological impact assessment, or a PEA where there are no significant biodiversity implications, for modification, conversion or demolition of buildings (especially roof voids) where protected species are likely. A PEA is acceptable only if negligible potential for protected species is shown.Source note 5
HorshamA biodiversity survey report or PEA where development is likely to affect habitats or species, such as demolition of buildings, development of open land, loss of trees or hedgerows, or sites near waterways or ponds.Source note 6
Mid SussexEcological impact assessment where protected species, designated sites or valuable habitats may be affected. A PEA alone is enough only if no further surveys are needed. Demolition, alteration or conversion of older or rural buildings: bat and owl survey and mitigation plan.Source note 7
South Downs National Park AuthorityBiodiversity survey and report where there is a reasonable likelihood of protected species or notable habitats being affected. Expects competent persons with appropriate licences, qualifications and CIEEM membership.Source note 8
Summaries of each authority's published validation wording, paraphrased from the documents named under Sources and dates. Lists change, so check your council's current version before you rely on this.

Adur and Worthing councils share services but keep separate Local Plans and separate validation documents. The shared Adur & Worthing list is the one that currently applies to Adur; the council says an Adur-specific validation document is due to be finalised later in 2026.

The South Downs National Park Authority, not the district council, handles applications inside the National Park. See the National Park question below for how to check your postcode.

Which survey: PEA, bat surveys and other protected species

Many councils start with a preliminary ecological appraisal, which looks at the site and says whether further surveys are needed. Bat surveys are the follow-up several councils name for roofs, lofts and older buildings. Which other species need surveys depends on what the appraisal finds.

Preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA)
The first step on many sites. Councils such as Arun, Chichester and Worthing ask for one, and it may recommend further surveys. See what a PEA covers and what happens next.
Bat surveys
Several councils name roofs, roof voids, conversions and older buildings. A roost assessment can be done at any time of year; emergence surveys are limited to a season. See bat surveys for planning.
Other protected species
Councils' lists refer to protected and priority species generally. Chichester's 2018 guidance says surveys must be carried out at the right time of year, using methods that suit the species and the area. The appraisal sets out which, if any, are needed.

Does BNG still apply to my site?

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) still applies to many applications, but the exemptions changed. For applications made on or after 6 August 2026, sites of 0.2 hectares or less are exempt unless onsite priority habitat is affected, and the self-build exemption has gone.

  • The requirement. BNG means at least a 10% gain, with significant onsite enhancements maintained for 30 years (GOV.UK). The biodiversity gain condition has applied since 12 February 2024 (SI 2024/44).
  • 0.2 hectare exemption. For applications made on or after 6 August 2026, BNG does not apply where the site is no larger than 0.2 ha and onsite priority habitat is not affected (SI 2026/790).
  • Temporary development. Wholly temporary development of five years or less is also exempt on the same condition (SI 2026/790).
  • Self-build exemption removed. The self-build and custom-build exemption no longer applies to applications made on or after 6 August 2026 (SI 2026/790 omits it from SI 2024/47).
  • Householder and de minimis. GOV.UK lists householder applications, such as extensions, conservatories and loft conversions, as exempt. Development affecting under 25 m² of onsite habitat or 5 m of linear habitat is also exempt, again not where priority habitat is affected.
  • Earlier applications. Applications made before 6 August 2026, and section 73 applications whose original application or permission pre-dates it, keep the earlier rules (SI 2026/790).

Whether an exemption applies to your scheme depends on the details. Read GOV.UK's exempt developments guidance and ask your council or planning agent. Where BNG applies, councils ask for baseline habitat information; our appraisal page explains how that links to a PEA.

Timing: why an early roost assessment can save a bat season

Bat emergence surveys can only be run from May to September, according to the Bat Conservation Trust guidelines, while a preliminary roost assessment can be done at any time of year. Doing the assessment first shows whether emergence surveys are needed, which can stop a season being lost.

The Bat Conservation Trust guidance defines the season for presence or likely absence surveys as May to September. Depending on how suitable the building is for bats, between one and three dusk visits are recommended, spaced at least three weeks apart, within set months. The visits and season table sets this out.

Arun and Chichester want the surveys with the application. Chichester's 2018 guidance says a survey should be carried out before you submit, to avoid delays, and Arun's list says all further species-specific surveys must be submitted as part of the application. An assessment done outside the season can still tell you what to book before the season opens.

How the referral works

You tell us about the site and what the council has asked for. With your consent, we pass the enquiry to independent ecology consultancies covering your area, and they contact you with quotes. You choose whether to go ahead. We are a referral service and may receive a fee from a consultancy.

  1. Fill in the form with the site, the project and what the council has asked for.
  2. We pass your details, with your consent, to independent ecology consultancies covering your area.
  3. Consultancies contact you with quotes. You compare them and decide, with no obligation.

No consultancy works for this site. We do not inspect their work or vouch for their qualifications, so ask each one about the survey needed and its credentials. More on how we work and what we are not.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers on three common questions: how long a survey stays valid, how to judge whether an ecologist is qualified, and how to find out whether your property is inside the South Downs National Park. Sources are listed below. None of the answers is legal or planning advice.

How long is an ecology survey valid for?

There is no fixed period. CIEEM's advice note says a report under 12 months old is likely to be valid in most cases, and 12 to 18 months is likely to be valid with exceptions, such as mobile species or new features on site. At 18 months to 3 years an ecologist needs to visit and give a validity statement. Over 3 years, most surveys are likely to need updating. Councils may apply their own limits.

Is my ecologist qualified?

We do not vet or verify the consultancies we refer to, so ask your ecologist directly about their qualifications, experience, licences and professional membership. The South Downs National Park Authority's Local List expects work by competent persons with suitable protected species licences, qualifications, experience and CIEEM membership. Mid Sussex's list says e.g. professional members of CIEEM, and Crawley's refers to BS 42020 and CIEEM guidance. We have no connection with CIEEM and do not claim that any consultancy holds membership or a licence.

Is my property in the National Park?

The South Downs National Park Authority is the planning authority for land inside the National Park, and it publishes its own local list. We do not say which areas are inside it. Use the postcode checker that the authority's page Who deals with my planning application? points to.

Sources and dates

Every legal, planning and timing statement on this page comes from the sources listed here, accessed on the dates shown. Where a page shows no date, none is given. Documents change, so check the current version before relying on them.

Council and authority lists

Survey timing, validity and BNG

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