Otter
In-stream works may be required in otter habitat - these works were for a major refurbishment of a road bridge over the River Plym in Devon
Otters are fully protected under UK and European law and developments affecting otters or their resting places may require a European protected species licence before bank-side works can commence. Our experienced team of surveyors can undertake surveys at any time of year, so unlike many protected species, otter surveys are not seasonally constrained.
Mitigation depends upon the nature of the development, but in the case of habitat loss it might include habitat creation, possibly including construction of artificial 'holts' along watercourses. In the case of road schemes, there may be a need for steel 'ramps' to be installed above the high water level under bridges and culverts, to ensure otters are not forced up and onto carriageways at times of high river flow.