Protected species licencing
Some species and their habitats are protected by laws which make it an offence to cause injury, death to the animals and/or intentional or deliberate destruction of their habitats. Natural England can provide licences in instances where a protected species and/or their habitats are to be impacted by a development to allow works to continue whilst avoiding an offence being committed.
A licence will include a detailed method statement which describes to Natural England the best practice mitigation methods that will be applied prior to or during construction. Types of methods may include (but aren’t limited to):
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Exclusion of animals from breeding or hibernation habitat,
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The supervision of works by an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW),
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Provision of toolbox talks by the ECoW,
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Application of sensitive timings of works,
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The use of precautionary methods of working, and
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Translocation of animals from the site.
Samsara Ecology can provide advice, complete and submit licence applications for:
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Bats,
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Great crested newts,
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Badgers, and
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Hazel dormice
Cost of completing a protected species licence application
The completion and submission of licence applications by Samsara Ecology start from £850 (+VAT) and Samsara Ecology can also provide an ECoW if required to carry out the methodologies set out in the licence.
Please contact Samsara Ecology here or on 07843099660 or at Hayley@samsaraecology.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Nature space district licencing for great crested newts
A district licence for great crested newts is held by sixteen local planning authorities in the UK. The scheme is being managed and run on behalf of the councils by Nature Space who have placed ‘newt officers’ in some of the authority’s environment departments.
Full details of the scheme can be found on Nature Space’s website, however if you have been contacted regarding the district licencing scheme for your project then Samsara Ecology can help.
Please contact Samsara Ecology here or on 07843099660 or at Hayley@samsaraecology.co.uk for help and advice if your project comes under Nature Space’s district licence.