Badgers
Badgers receive strict protection under the Protection of Badgers Act
1992 and Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended).
Where disturbance to badgers or their setts is unavoidable a licence is
required prior to any work commencing.
Initial Survey
A presence/absence survey will be required on a project that has the
potential to disturb badgers and their setts, before planning can be
approved. We will produce a report which will identify potential impacts,
suggest mitigation measures and any advise on any further work required.
If evidence of badgers is found, further surveys will be required.
Further Survey Work
Identification of the distribution of the local setts and their status,
determine which, if any, are in use and identify territorial boundaries
of the badger social groups using the area.
Licence Application
Most types of building work within 20 metres of a badger sett will require
a licence. The use of very heavy machinery including soil cultivation which
would cause a disturbance and or ground vibration, within 30 metres of a sett
is also licensable.
Once planning permission has been approved a licence application can be
made to Natural England. The application requires a mitigation 'method statement'
describing how badgers will be conserved on site after development.
Riparian habitats
Initial Survey
A site including any riparian habitat, rivers, streams or standing water bodies
should be surveyed for:-
- The presence of relevant protected species, specifically otters, water vole,
white-clawed crayfish;
- Their potential use by any amphibians or reptiles;
We will produce a report which will identify potential impacts, suggest mitigation
measures and advise on any further work required.
Further survey work may be required.