Costs of an Ecological Impact Assessment

It is nearly impossible to give a fixed price for a given ecological survey or ecological report, because are many variables that influence environmental costings for an ecological impact assessment in the quotes we produce, such as:

The size of the site (we work on sites from 0.01ha to 250ha)
The distance to site (affects time taken and mileage costs)
Health and safety or visibility issues (some work requires two or more people)
The complexity of the project (e.g. if there is one existing building or 50)

We know when planning a project it can be a little daunting when considering the potential escalating costs, so below we set out the potential costs for different surveys, reports and assessments. All prices exclude VAT.

If you would like to know the specific prices for your project, please contact us for a quote.

Initial upfront costs of an EIA / Phase 1 Survey

Almost all projects will need a desk study and Phase 1 survey as part of an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA). The typical cost of conducting and reporting on these elements is set out below, with exact costs being dependent on the variables detailed above.

Desk study cost

Existing data for the site, local area and potential zone of influence are requested from Local Environmental Record Centres, which are supplemented with free online resources such as Magic Maps. Costs vary widely in different parts of the country.

Example costs: £100-375

Phase 1 survey and report cost

An extended Phase 1 habitat survey is the baseline survey used to identify the habitats present, their extent, condition and the potential for them to support protected, priority or invasive species. The results are presented in a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) ecology report which presents and interprets the results, assesses potential impacts and identifies the need for further surveys, mitigation and enhancements.

Typical cost: £750-1,200

The next step is to complete any Phase 2 surveys required to inform the EcIA.

How much does an EcIA cost overall?

Ecology by Design offers a full suite of ecological surveys. The costs associated with some of the most common surveys required are outlined below.

EcIA cost for Bats

If there is potential for bats to be active within the landscape, or roosting within a building, structure or tree you may need to complete bat surveys.

Preliminary Roost Assessment

Daytime building, structure and tree assessments are conducted to assess their suitability for roosting bats.

Typical cost: £375 if stand-alone (or free of charge during a Phase 1 survey)

Emergence / re-entry survey

Surveyors watch bats emerging from or returning to a roost. The number of surveys depends on the suitability of the features and the number of surveyors depends on how many are needed to see all features simultaneously.

Typical cost: c. £500 for two surveyors for one survey

Bat activity surveys

Walked transects are undertaken and static detectors deployed where landscape-scale impacts are likely to occur. Depending on the scale of impacts and suitability of habitats it may entail three surveys in total between April and October, monthly surveys over this period or two surveys per month.

Typical cost: £2,000-2,500 for one transect and statics over three surveys

Tree climbing surveys

Where a tree to be impacted has features with suitability for roosting bats, aerial inspections are the most quick, easy and cost-effective way of confirming presence or likely absence of bats.

Typical cost: £650-900 per day (typically 5-8 trees)

EcIA costs for ponds and watercourses

If there are ponds within the site or within 500m of the site the potential for impacts on great crested newts (GCN) will need to be considered. Ditches and watercourses need to be considered for GCN, otter and water vole.

GCN Habitat Suitability Index

An initial assessment of a waterbody for its suitability to support GCN.

Typical cost: Free of charge during a Phase 1 survey

GCN eDNA Survey

A water sample is taken by a licensed surveyor to determine presence/absence of great crested newts.

Typical cost: £250-500 per pond

GCN Population Survey

Up to six surveys of ponds that are identified as having potential to support GCN.

Typical cost: £2,750-£3,500 for up to six ponds

Otter and Water Vole Surveys

Surveys include the visual assessment of water bodies looking for burrows, spraints, footprints, latrines or feeding signs. Otter surveys can be conducted year-round.

Typical cost: £900-1,500 for two visits

EcIA costs for grasslands, scrub and woodland

Areas of rough grassland / scrub could be suitable for reptiles, badger, nesting birds or invertebrates. The habitats themselves may also be of increased ecological interest and need further detailed (National Vegetation Classification (NVC)) surveys. The costs of invertebrate and NVC surveys are available upon request.

Reptile survey cost

A single visit to deploy artificial refugia throughout suitable habitat, followed by a further seven visits checking the refugia for reptiles.

Typical cost: £2,000-4,000

Badger Survey cost

Scoping is usually conducted during a Phase 1 survey. If the survey is constrained or presence is confirmed, a separate badger survey or monitoring may be required

Typical cost: £850 for a small- to medium-sized site. Additional costs if monitoring is required.

Breeding Birds survey cost

Breeding bird surveys identifying species and their territories comprising three visits by one surveyor.

Typical cost: £1,000 for a simple site.

Areas of woodland could be used by dormice, birds, invertebrates and badger. All aside from dormouse are detailed above.

Dormouse Survey cost

Surveys can be undertaken using artificial nest tubes placed into suitable habitats such as hedgerows or woodland and checked over several months.

Typical cost: £2,000-4,000

Reporting and Assessments

Reporting costs vary based on how many surveys are being undertaken in support of a project, and the complexities of any potential mitigation, compensation or enhancement measures.

EcIA report cost

A standard ecological impact assessment report presenting survey results, interpretation, impact assessment and required mitigation/compensation for a straightforward site.

Typical cost: £750-1100

Biodiversity Impact Assessment cost

Undertaking habitat measurements and completing a biodiversity metric. Findings presented in EcIA. If an ecological enhancement strategy is required, this will be produced at an additional cost.

Typical cost: £750-1000

What are the implications if you do not carry out an EcIA?

EcIAs are key to informing the Local Planning Authority (LPA) about the existing habitats and features of interest within a site and how they will be protected and enhanced. Without this information the LPA will be unable to validate or determine the application.

How long is a Phase 1 good for?

Typically habitat assessments are valid for 2-3 years, after which point an update walkover survey would be required to identify any changes in habitats or features of interest.

How long do Phase 2 surveys take?

Most protected species survey data is also valid for 2-3 years for planning purposes, however, where a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence (e.g. for bats or GCN) is required, the survey data will have to be from the most recent survey season. For example, if you’re submitting a bat licence in August 2021 at least one survey should be conducted between May-August 2021.