Christmas Shutdown Period
The BRERC Enquiry service will be closed from 23rd December 2023 to 1st January 2024, inclusive.
Any data searches submitted during this period will be automatically logged, but deadlines may be extended upon our return to the office.
The last date for guaranteeing a data search will be completed before the Christmas break is Friday 8th December 2023.
Any data searches submitted after 8th December 2023 may not be completed until our return in January.
Habitat Data Searches
Over the past few years BRERC has been developing a new habitat map in collaboration with WECA and the West of England Local Authorities.
The West of England (Woe) Habitat Map incorporates all known habitat information from a wide range of sources and is considered to be the most comprehensive and up to date source of information for the BRERC region.
Every polygon has been assigned a UK Habitat classification, as well as legacy information relating to Priority Habitat and Phase 1 classifications where applicable.
As this is the information that local planning authorities are now referring to, it is necessary for future Habitat data searches refer to this dataset.
Due to the feature rich content of the data, we suggest that enquirers request the data in GIS format, where you have the appropriate Ordnance Survey license to do so.
Standard non-GIS data searches can interpret the maps provided using the included Map Key and BRERC Habitat Map translation spreadsheet.
Enquiry Charges
Charges for the BRERC Enquiry service have remained stable in real terms for the past 5+ years.
We have now been instructed to revisit our charges, basing them on quantifiable costs and overheads.
As a result, unit charges for each search element will increase on 1st April 2023. This will increase the cost of most data searches.
| Unit Element | Current Charge | Charge after 1st April 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Notable Species | £40 | £44 |
| Non-Notable Species | £40 | £44 |
| Paper Search | £40 | £44 |
| Extended Bat Search | £40 | £44 |
| Stategic Nature Areas (SNA) | £15 | £11 |
| Non-Native & Invasive Species | £20 | £44 |
| Habitats | £40 | £66 |
| Non-Statutory Sites | £50 | £66 |
| Statutory Sites | £50 | £66 |
| Local Surveys | £50 | £66 |
In order to increase standardisation and transparency, we are planning further changes to the process by which our charges are applied. These will take place after 1st April 2023 and may result in further adjustments to charges when compared to the current system.