Datasets supplied and file format

The search fee covers all search areas up to a 2km radius of the specified grid reference, or any equivalent area of up to 12.56 km2. Fees for larger areas are calculated on a pro-rata basis.

The search fee covers a search of the data sets listed below. Results are provided as an interactive PDF (A3 size), ESRI shapefiles for site and species data (for use in GIS) and KMZ files for viewing in Google Earth, or similar applications, together with any additional output specified below. The interactive PDF has a series of buffers at 250m, 500m, 1km and 2km from the search point.

Searches for bat records only are available on request.

Species data

  • Ancient Tree Inventory
  • Lancashire Key Species records (protected and notable species including invasive non-native species);
  • Sensitive Waterbird Area (for Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans)
  • South Lancashire Bat Group records;
  • Wader Zonal Map.

We can provide details of all the species records we hold for the search area for an additional fee. a  

Record locations are plotted on the PDF map at the centralised coordinates of the square to which they relate. The precision of each record is given in the record's attribute data.

Species results are also provided as an Excel spreadsheet and as an ESRI shapefile with square polygons proportional to the precision of the record.

Statutory and non-statutory sites data

  • Natura 2000 sites;
  • Ramsar sites;
  • Sites of Special Scientific Interest;
  • Marine Conservation Zones;
  • National and Local Nature Reserves;
  • Priority Habitat Inventory;
  • Biological Heritage Sites;
  • Local Geodiversity Sites;
  • District-level local wildlife sites (these only exist for a limited number of districts);

Site boundaries are plotted on the interactive PDF map and provided as ESRI shapefiles and as KMZ files for viewing in applications such as Google Earth. Site name and other details are provided in the record's attribute data.

For BHS, summary site information is supplied in PDF format. Site boundaries are also provided as a single PDF per site.

The standard fee applies irrespective of the number of local sites falling (wholly or partly) within the search area.

N.B. Boundary information for Natura 2000 sites (SPA, SAC, Ramsar sites), SSSI, MCZ, NNR, LNR, PHI and WZM will be included in the results presented for information only. Definitive boundaries and citations for these designations, and boundaries of SSSI Impact Risk Zones, should be obtained from Natural England or the appropriate Government portal.

Price (excl VAT)

£229 charge for 2km radius, or area of search less than 12.56 km2 (£121 bat records only)

And

A £39 surcharge will be applied if a polygon search is requested unless an appropriate vectorised boundary is supplied.

£11 charge for each additional km2 (or part) over 12.56km² and up to 78.54km²;

£7 each additional km2 (or part) over 78.45 km².

£66 charge to include all species records falling within a 2km buffer search area (not just Lancashire Key Species);

Biological Heritage Site citations are provided as standard in a Baseline  Search. Individual citations can be requested at £45 per site.

The search covers the same elements as the Baseline Search (above) but are provided to a 1km buffer. Householder searches for bat records only are available on request.

This is a baseline data search where the person making the request can demonstrate that the data are to be used to inform householder planning application. These cover proposals to alter or enlarge a single house, including works within the boundary and garden of a house.

More information on householder applications

Price (excl VAT)

£172 (£104 bat records only)

Please use the Comments section of the LERN Data Request Form to detail your requirements.

Price (excl VAT)

As baseline search fees plus £229.00 per hour.

Landscape Character Types and Landscape Character Areas are provided.

For further information contact LERN on: lern@lancashire.gov.uk