Reptile Survey Consultancy Services Across London
Expert Reptile Surveys for Development Projects
Our reptile survey consultants in London provide comprehensive ecological assessments for development sites, ensuring compliance with UK wildlife legislation. If your site contains suitable habitat for reptiles, a professional reptile survey is required to determine presence or absence, assess population size, and implement appropriate reptile mitigation strategies.
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You can also drop us an email at hello@acp-consultants.com. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours to help with your inquiry!
From Quote to Report: Your Project in 3 Easy Steps!
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Step 1: Request a Quote
Fill out our quick quote form or call us, and our team will provide a free, no-obligation quote, outlining the services tailored to your needs.
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Step 2: Confirm Your Booking
Once you approve the quote, simply return the project setup form. We’ll schedule your survey and ensure all the details are taken care of.
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Step 3: Receive Your Report
After your survey is completed and payment is received, we’ll promptly issue your survey report, ensuring you get the results as quickly as possible.
Why Are Reptile Surveys Necessary?
All native reptile species in the UK, including slow worms, grass snakes, common lizards, sand lizards, and smooth snakes, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Some, such as the sand lizard and smooth snake, are also European protected species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations. Any development that could impact these species must undertake a preliminary ecological appraisal followed by a detailed reptile survey including artificial refugia placement to detect species.
Particular attention is required for rare species such as the snake and sand lizard, which are strictly protected and require specialist mitigation measures if found on a development site.
Our Reptile Survey Services
We offer a full range of reptile survey services, including:
- Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA): Identifies potential suitable habitat for reptiles.
- Presence/Absence Surveys: Conducted during the active reptile season (April to September) to confirm if reptiles are present.
- Population Size Assessment: Establishes the extent of the reptile population.
- Reptile Mitigation Plans: If reptiles are found, we develop strategies such as habitat enhancement, phased vegetation clearance, or translocation to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
Reptile Habitats and Conservation
Reptiles thrive in rough grassland, heathland, and scrubland, which often overlap with development zones. Our surveys ensure that these protected species are not harmed and that their habitats are conserved. We specialise in mitigation strategies to support reptiles while allowing projects to progress.
Covering All London Boroughs
Our reptile survey consultants in London operate across all 32 boroughs and the City of London, ensuring full coverage for developers, landowners, and planners. Whether your project is in central, suburban, or outer London, we have the expertise to deliver reliable reptile surveys and mitigation strategies.
We provide expert ecological services in Central London, covering areas such as Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and the City of London. Even in these highly urbanised environments, pockets of green space and brownfield sites may require reptile surveys before development can proceed. Moving into Inner London, we support projects in boroughs such as Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Lewisham, Greenwich, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham, where a mix of parkland, private gardens, and railway corridors provide potential suitable habitats for native reptile species.
In Outer London, boroughs such as Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Ealing, Hounslow, and Hillingdon contain extensive open spaces, heathland, and woodland edges where slow worms, grass snakes, common lizards, sand lizards, and smooth snakes may be present. With larger areas of suitable habitat, development sites in these locations often require presence or absence assessments, population size evaluations, and tailored reptile mitigation plans to comply with wildlife protection legislation.
No matter where in London your site is located, our team ensures that all reptile surveys and mitigation measures are conducted in accordance with UK and European wildlife regulations.
General Question
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the best time to conduct a reptile survey in London?
Surveys should be carried out between April and September, when reptiles are most active. Surveys conducted outside this period may not provide reliable results, as reptiles become less visible in colder months.
Do I need a reptile survey for my London development site?
If your site contains rough grassland, woodland edges, scrubland, railway embankments, or brownfield land, a preliminary ecological appraisal may indicate the need for a survey. If reptiles are present, further assessments and reptile mitigation measures may be required.
What happens if reptiles are found on my site?
If slow worms, grass snakes, common lizards, or sand lizards and smooth snakes are found, appropriate mitigation will be needed. This may include habitat enhancement, phased vegetation clearance, or translocation to ensure compliance with conservation laws.
Are reptile surveys a legal requirement in London?
Yes. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, it is illegal to kill, injure, or disturb protected reptiles or damage their habitats. Local planning authorities may require a reptile survey before granting permission for development.
How much does a reptile survey cost in London?
The cost of a survey varies depending on the size of the site, the number of visits required, and the complexity of the habitat. Prices typically start from a few hundred pounds for small sites but may be higher for development sites with extensive suitable habitat.
Book a Reptile Survey in London
If your development site in London includes potential reptile habitats, get in touch with our expert reptile survey consultants today. We provide comprehensive surveys, detailed reports, and tailored mitigation strategies to meet borough-specific planning requirements while protecting the capital’s native reptile species.
Simply fill out our contact form, and one of our consultants will get back to you within 24 hours.
Prefer to Call or Email?
You can call us directly at 0330 236 7329 or email us at hello@acp-consultants.com
Our content is carefully prepared and maintained by our in-house specialists to ensure accuracy, relevance, and practical insights. Each update reflects the latest in environmental consulting, providing our clients and partners with dependable guidance tailored to their project needs.
- Last Updated:
- October 2025