Before SEWBReC can carry out any work on your behalf you will need to complete, sign and return (via post, fax or email) a Data Enquiry and Release Form (DERF). This form must be completed, signed and returned for EVERY enquiry you submit. No data will be released without the relevant DERF.
This document is available to download in PDF and Microsoft Word formats:
Data Enquiry and Release Form (Word)Data Enquiry and Release Form (PDF)
Paper versions can be obtained from the SEWBReC office. Occasionally, we may need to amend the form, so please ensure you use the most up-to-date version.
Please see our guidelines for the completion of the Data Enquiry and Release Form.
Further information is available about SEWBReC's Services to Data Users.
Once we have received your completed DERF, we will assess your request and provide you with an estimated cost for carrying out the work prior to commencing any data searches.
On receipt of a completed DERF, we aim to provide a complete response within a maximum of 10 working days. If an extension to this response time is required, you will be contacted as soon as possible following receipt of the DERF.
Standard responses to a data request usually contain:
Responses to an enquiry can also be tailored to meet your specific requirements. The report and GIS plot can be provided as paper copies and/or as PDF or high resolution JPEGs. Occasionally for larger data sets, we may need to provide species records as an Excel spreadsheet.
SEWBReC operates as a not-for-profit company and does not charge for the actual data or information which is passed on to users. However, we do charge an administration fee to cover the cost of collating, managing and disseminating the biodiversity information. These costs include staff time and the overheads associated with running SEWBReC.
For commercial enquiries, our current charges are: £90.00 plus VAT for the first hour, and £65.00 plus VAT for subsequent hours.
Charities or non-commercial organisations or individuals can benefit from a discount on the standard commercial charges.
Enquiries from members of the public or those using the data for educational purposes are usually dealt with free of charge, providing they are for non-commercial purposes, and are in the interests of nature conservation.
Invoices are normally sent out with the completed report, unless otherwise instructed. Please inform SEWBReC of any specific invoice details (purchase order numbers, invoice postal address etc) to help ensure a smooth transaction.
SEWBReC's charging policy is also available. Please contact SEWBReC for further details.