Water voles
Water Vole Surveys and Mitigation
We aim to provide our clients with an efficient, bespoke service. We will always endeavor to obtain the most advantageous agreements for our clients, whilst adhering to current water vole survey and mitigation guidelines.
Water vole habitat is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as a result of the species recent decline.
Initial Assessment
As the water vole is a protected species, in cases of developments involving riparian habitats, environmental assessments should check for the presence of this species. A combination of field survey and desktop study searches should be undertaken. A report which is suitable for planning permission will be published; this will identify potential impacts on protected species that may occur, suggest mitigation measures and any further work required. This report will be submitted with the planning application to the relevant planning ecologist for comment; if evidence of water vole have been found, further surveys will be required.
Further Survey Work
Further surveys will involve the close inspection of watercourses recording signs of water vole trails, feeding signs, latrines and burrows.
Licence Application
Development affecting water vole habitat is not licensable, to avoid committing an offence, steps must be taken to minimise damage to water vole habitat or, ideally, avoid it altogether by a sensitive design approach.
Survey Timings
Water vole surveys are normally carried out between April and October when animals are most active. The peak in the survey season is September when population levels are high following the summer breeding season.
We work across the North East offering our services at highly competitive rates and covenant all our profits to Durham Wildlife Trust. Our pragmatic and personal approach allows us to provide a bespoke service for each individual client when dealing with development issues. Mitigation designs are always discussed and agreed with our clients so the best possible design can be created which is subtle within the proposed development, whilst still providing the necessary mitigation for water voles.
To discuss your project further please call the office on 01388 488885, or if you would like to request a fee quote for your project contact us by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your contact details and the necessary details of the project.