CIEEM publishes updated COVID-19 survey and assessment guidance

On

CIEEM has today published updated guidance on survey and assessment during COVID-19 restrictions. Version 4 of the Guidance on Ecological Survey and Assessment in the UK During the Covid-19 Outbreak builds on previous version to help CIEEM members continue to undertake ecological survey and assessment during the restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 outbreak, where they can do so safely.

This document provides guidance on temporary alternative approaches to ecological survey and assessment in scenarios where field surveys cannot be undertaken for a given site or area, or only limited survey effort is achievable, as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. It is not intended to replace existing guidance and best practice.

This guidance is aimed at parties:

  • undertaking ecological surveys and assessments, particularly in relation to planning applications (ecological consultants in most cases);
  • tasked with reviewing the adequacy of the ecological information provided in relation to a planning application (such as Local Planning Authorities and Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies);
  • compiling and reviewing species licence applications; and
  • undertaking or relying on pre-construction surveys.

This guidance is a response to COVID-19 circumstances and is not a template for future ecological survey and assessment methodology.

This guidance applies to the UK only. We have also published a similar document for ecologists working on the island of Ireland.

See further information on our COVID-19 webpages.