Office 1-3, Maidendown Stage, Burlescombe, Devon, Ex16 7JX 01823 299066

Newt & Reptile Surveys for Planning and Conservation


Expert Newt & Reptile Surveys for Planning & Ecological Compliance

At HalpinRobbins, we specialise in providing legally compliant surveys for Great Crested Newts and protected reptile species. Whether you're a developer or landowner, our licensed ecologists deliver efficient, cost-effective assessments to help your projects move forward with confidence.


Great Crested Newt Surveys

Legal Compliance and Planning Support

Great crested newts, Triturus cristatus, are strictly protected under UK law. If your project could affect ponds or suitable terrestrial habitat, surveys are often required.

Our services include:

  • Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) – Identifying suitable habitats
  • eDNA Testing – Non-invasive water sample analysis
  • Traditional Surveys – Including torchlight counts and bottle trapping
  • Mitigation & Licensing – Developing Natural England-compliant strategies

Survey season runs from mid-March to mid-June. Plan early to avoid delays.

Reptile Surveys

Protecting UK Native Reptile Species

All common UK reptile species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the rarer species (Smooth snake, Coronella austriaca, and sand lizard, Lacerta agilis,) receive additional protection. If your development affects grassland, heath, or scrub, a reptile survey may be required.

We offer:

  • Habitat Assessment – Identifying likelihood of reptile presence
  • Presence/Absence Surveys – Using artificial refugia and visual inspection
  • Population Class Estimation – For large or sensitive sites
  • Mitigation & Translocation – Planning safe relocation and habitat creation

Survey season is April to September. Early consultation avoids costly delays.


Let us help you meet your ecological obligations with confidence.


Contact HalpinRobbins for Expert Advice

With decades of combined ecological experience, our team is here to simplify the survey process for both developers and landowners. We’ll provide clear advice, reliable reporting, and compliant strategies tailored to your site’s unique needs.


Contact us for a free consultation:

📞 Call us: 01823 299066 

📧 Email: info@halpinrobbins.co.uk


Testimonials / Case Study

A huge thank you to HalpinRobbins for all their help in carrying out the Reptile Survey for the land that we recently purchased. 

We were under the strictest of deadlines to meet planning requirements and HalpinRobbins pulled out all of the stops to make sure that this was carried out quickly, efficiently and in time.  In addition, they liaised with the local Council on our behalf, which made the process for us so much easier.  Without the help of HalpinRobbins, we would not have been able to proceed by the required dates and deadlines.

— Paul Dare, Director of Weston Lion Limited

Take a look at some of our work - Case Studies


Related Services 

Explore our other ecological consultancy services:

Affiliations

Our staff maintain and enhance their knowledge of ecology and the environment through research, specialist training and by maintaining membership of several professional and specialist bodies including:

Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
British Ecological Society
CIWEM

If you wish to find out more about permitting, ecology services or to discuss a project or development please contact us directly for a free, non-committal discussion.

"Nothing is too much trouble and the two way communication is second to none. I would not hesitate to recommend HalpinRobbins to anyone and we wouldn`t even contemplate going anywhere else."

Samantha Southam - Managing Director

Falcon Rural Housing Limited

View Testimonials

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