Scale of charges
Scale of charges for the commercial use of information provided by LERN valid from 1 April 2026.
Access to environmental information held by the LERN is subject to the provision of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) implementing EC Directive 90/313/EEC. Restrictions on the supply of certain information may therefore apply.
Some of the information provided by LERN is covered by the Reuse of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 (RoPSI). RoPSI do not apply to information provided by LERN where the intellectual property rights belong to another party.
The following scale of charges relates to the commercial use of information supplied by LERN. Prices are subject to VAT unless otherwise stated. LERN retains the right to waive these charges in any circumstance it considers appropriate.
By applying these charges LERN is granting a limited use licence for Copyright materials to be used in connection with a specific named project.
Data are supplied on the understanding that:
LERN will be acknowledged as the data provider where supplied data are used or referenced in reports.
Most of the species records held by LERN have been made and supplied to LERN by individual naturalists recording in Lancashire. Those providing data retain the intellectual property rights over the original individual records.
Presence in a species search does not imply that a species is still present or breeding at that location.
Absence from a species search does not imply that a species is not present or breeding at that location.
LERN takes reasonable measures to ensure that the data it supplies are verified and validated, however, by their nature, biological records can be subjective, based on the skill and experience of the original recorders. No warranty is expressed or implied in respect of the accuracy of the underlying data.
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
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;
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;
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)
£245 charge for 2km radius, or area of search less than 12.56 km2 (£125 bat records only)
A £40 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 78.54 km². (note can you change the 78.45 to 78.54)
£71 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 £48 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)
£184 (£111 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 £245 per hour.
Landscape Character Types and Landscape Character Areas are provided.
For further information contact LERN on: lern@lancashire.gov.uk
The following terminology is used to refer to the various forms in which data are provided.
Biological heritage sites
Biological Heritage Site (BHS) is the term used to describe the top tier of non-statutory wildlife sites of nature conservation importance within the County of Lancashire. The system is operated jointly by the BHS Partnership (Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Natural England regional team). BHSs have been identified after a review of all available ecological data including Phase 1 and Enhanced Phase 1 surveys, utilizing detailed site selection guidelines developed on a county-wide basis.
Local geodiversity sites
Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) are the geodiversity equivalent of BHS. These have been previously referred to as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) and Geological Heritage Sites (GHS). LGS are identified by GeoLancashire.
District-level local wildlife sites
A number of district and unitary authorities in Lancashire have identified sites of wildlife importance at the district-level. Where LERN is aware of these we will plot their boundaries on the search plan.
Lancashire key species
Lancashire Key Species (LKS) is used by LERN as a short-hand term to refer to species which have a recognised status, either nationally or locally. A definition of LKS and a list of species recorded in Lancashire is available for the LERN file share site.
Sensitive waterbird area
Locally defined areas of importance for Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans. The methodology used is available for the LERN file share site.
The content of the old Lancashire BAP website and related documents are available on the LERN file share site.
Fileshare details available on request.