UK Protected Species List

Complete List of European Protected Species

European Protected Species (EPS) receive the highest level of legal status, making their populations and all habitats used for breeding and resting strictly safeguarded. In a development proposal, the full list of legally protected species represents a high risk because any form of disturbance to them is recognised as a crime.

Many species are located all over the country, and planning projects appear as a major threat, with developers needing protected species surveys to properly address them. Each species and suitable habitat – as well as other cases of different types of listed species like flora and fauna – need to be accounted for correctly based on a protected species survey report.

Listed wildlife features on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, and the level of vulnerability determines their global conservation status, with the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) elevating them to a level of principal importance.

Bird species, great crested newts and water voles are among the longlist of native species defended by UK law. For a breakdown of all listed wildlife categorised by type, check out our comprehensive protected species list in the space below:

Full List of UK Protected Species

Amphibians and Reptiles

Birds

All wild birds are protected, but species with the highest level of protection are:

Invertebrates

From a total number of over 70 species, the most notable examples are:

Mammals

Marine Species

Plants, Fungi and Lichens

From a total number of over 180 species, the most notable examples are:

Solutions to Protect Endangered Species

We are all responsible for the health of our local ecosystems and the impact of climate change, and with this in mind, a lot of factors help to support protected species.

From the perspective of Arbtech, we can carry out ecological surveys to identify ecological features across a proposed development site before moving on to habitat surveys based on certain species proven or suspected to be present. Our team also ensures that the development plans align with relevant legislation and any planning conditions set by the local planning authority.

Other components that work to safeguard protected animals include the effect of a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence, the actions of corresponding authorities, and the parameters set by protected species legislation.

European Protected Species Licences (EPSLs)

Developers and planners are prevented from impacting protected species through Natural England insisting on a European Protected Species Licence (EPSL) before listed wildlife on the site is affected in any way.

A mitigation licence only allows for impact under exceptional circumstances, but once one has been granted, protected species can be relocated, habitats can be destroyed and compensated for with the creation of new habitats, and other changes can be made in a way that is safe, sensible and regulator-approved.

If your planning project needs a licence, our team can even help with the EPSL application process, and it can tie in to the steps involved for creating mitigation measures, allowing your development works to move forward.

Organisations, Public Bodies and Local Authorities

Many different bodies are involved with enforcing the legal protection surrounding species on official statutory lists.

Alongside managing protected species licences, Natural England also regulates developments in England, with other home counties covered by Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). Even the Natural History Museum (NHM) plays a part in conducting scientific research and managing crucial data to support protected species.

Input from expert sources helps to dictate every component of a protected species survey and the general protection of listed species, including survey methodology, techniques and equipment. Another consideration is survey timing, with seasons varying from species to species, but the optimal window typically happening between mid-April or May and September.

On top of that, local planning authorities manage the planning stages and only grant planning permission if all conditions have been met; other organisations and regulators include the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Environment Agency (EA), the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) and Police Wildlife Crime Officers (PWCOs).

Protected Species Legislation

All of the restrictions limiting harm to protected species are a result of applicable legislation, such as the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

It’s crucial that we adhere to such laws whenever we undertake protected species surveys, as well as any formal standing advice issued by the government.

In fact, the guidelines are so precise that the recommended conservation actions demand that each licensed ecologist in our team is prepared to conduct additional surveys if the initial findings are inconclusive.

Guidance with Protected Species in Development Projects

Successful biodiversity conservation depends on early planning, and with it, your development won’t suffer additional costs or unexpected delays.

Over the course of a protected species survey, we will assess the presence of priority species and priority habitats on your development site, evaluate the overlap between them and your planning project, and suggest any changes that will avoid breaking the law and allow your plans to continue.

From a preliminary roost assessment (PRA) to a bat emergence survey for bats or other protected species surveys with multiple phases and further surveys, our team can remain involved throughout the entire process, giving you consistency, reliability and trustworthiness in the results from the surveys and the instructions we give you to move forward.

Request a Protected Species Survey Quote

Between arranging protected species surveys on your site, organising other ecological surveys to support your project or simply getting advice for your development, the team at Arbtech can do it all to an extremely high standard.

Whatever your need for our help, we are more than happy to guide you. And instead of just covering certain areas, our ecological consultants are situated far and wide. Just fill out a quote form on our website, call our administration team directly or email us, and we can get further information about your needs and determine the right next step.

If it turns out that a protected species survey is needed, we can produce a free quote for you to consider and visit your site. At this point, we will choose a suitable date in the near future, within survey season, and ideally away from adverse weather conditions. Our team can then start helping you with safely managing listed wildlife and get your planning application granted.