Reptiles

Reptiles are cold blooded vertebrates and are fairly common in the tropics. However, there are six different reptile species native to Britain; the adder, grass snake, common lizard, slow worm, smooth snake and sand lizard. The first four are common, but the latter two are very rare and live mainly within protected sites.

Protection

The more common reptiles; the adder, grass snake, common lizard and slow worm are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and are identified as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as well as being Species of Prinicipal Importance in England under Section 41 of the NERC Act 2006.

However, planning permission can be refused unless the developer can prove that:

Reptiles will be adequately protected during the development works.
The disturbance will be kept to a minimum.
Alternative habitat will be provided to accommodate the existing population.

Mitigation

Mitigation works involving these species do not require a licence by Natural England, and their habitat is not protected in the same way that fully proteced species are, but a developer may still be obliged to compensate for loss of habitat, and these works can be restricted by timings. For information on mitigation for reptiles and other species, please see our mitigation calendar.

It is advisable to keep features that reptiles like to inhabit, including open scrub, coarse grassland and ponds (which are used by grass snakes).

If only small areas of habitat will be affected by the development works, it is possible to make the habitat unsuitable for the reptiles by cutting back the vegetation to ground level, and so encouraging them to move away. Installing reptile proof fencing around the works will ensure that they are kept out of the site whilst the works are in progress.

However, if larger areas of the site contain reptiles, a trapping and translocation programme may be needed. This involves installing reptile-proof fencing and refugia. Refugia are small sheets of roofing felt or corrugated metal placed on the ground which create warm sheltered areas which attract the reptiles. The refugia are checked daily and the reptiles moved from the site.

Once the trapping programme has been completed, it is common practice for a destructive search to be done. This involves carefully excavating the top layer of soil to search for any reptiles that may be left. This must be carried out in the presence of an ecologist.

Habitat Creation

If the creation of habitat is required, it can be achieved by;

Creating mixed vegetation including bare ground, coarse grasses and dense scrub.
Creating free-draining, south-facing slopes where reptiles can bask.
Installing artificial refugia using logs, turf and stone. These provide shelter as well as places to bask.
Creating piles of rotting vegetation where grass snakes can lay eggs.
Constructing ponds which act as breeding grounds for frogs, which in turn are food for grass snakes.

Some ongoing maintenance of newly created habitat areas may be likely, involving some occasional vegetation management.

If you are planning to undertake works on land which may contain reptiles, please do not hesitate to contact us.