| LEGISLATION |
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| Reptiles |
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| All six British reptiles receive legislative protection,
the extent of which varies according to their rarity and
conservation importance. |
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| The very rare sand lizard and smooth snake receive 'full
protection' under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
(as amended) as well as protection under the Conservation
(Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (often referred
to as the Habitats Directive). This means that they are
protected from deliberate disturbance, killing, injury
or capture and the habitat in which they live is also
fully protected against damage or destruction. |
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| Any activity involving disturbance or damage to habitats
utilised by sand lizards or smooth snakes would require
a licence issued by the Department of the Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) following consultation
with the statutory nature conservation organisation (English
Nature, Countryside Council for Wales or Scottish Natural
Heritage). |
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| Slow-worm, common lizard, grass snake and adder are
'partially protected' under the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 (as amended) which means that they are protected
against intentional killing and injuring and against sale,
but their habitat is not protected. In planning terms
this means that the presence of these species is a material
consideration and there is a requirement to ensure that
any reptile interest is safeguarded. If a proposed development
is likely to have an impact on these reptiles the statutory
nature conservation organisation must be notified, particularly
if capture and translocation is being proposed. In some
parts of the UK sites that support common reptile species
such as common lizard and slow-worm can qualify as County
Wildlife Sites. Sites of this designation may receive
protection in planning policy. |
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| Amphibians |
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| Unlike the common reptile species, the common amphibians
(common frog, common toad, smooth newt & palmate newt)
are only protected under the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 (as amended) from sale or trade and as such translocation
exercises are rarely undertaken for any amphibian species
other than the great crested newt. |
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| The great crested newt receives 'full protection' under
the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as well as protection
under the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations
1994 (the Habitats Directive). This means that great crested
newts are protected from deliberate disturbance, killing,
injury or capture and their habitat which includes a breeding
pond, resting place or any place used for shelter or protection
is protected against damage or destruction. |
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Any activity involving disturbance or damage to habitats
utilised by great crested newts would require a licence
issued by DEFRA following consultation with the statutory
nature conservation organisation. Survey work, which involves
causing disturbance to great crested newts or their habitat,
requires a survey licence that is issued to suitably qualified
consultants by the statutory nature conservation organisation.
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| Like the great crested newt the natterjack toad is also
fully protected but it is rarely an issue for developers
as this very rare species is restricted in distribution
to heathland and coastal sand dune habitats. These sites
are usually designated as Sites of Special Scientific
Interest and Special Areas of Conservation. |
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