Where impacts to a protected species from a development proposal cannot be avoided, a protected species mitigation licence will be required. This is to ensure that works are undertaken without causing detrimental impacts to the protected species in question and to avoid a breach to the legislation protecting them. In England, protected species licences are issued by Natural England.
Corylus Ecology is highly experienced in attaining protected species mitigation licences for a range of species, and for a wide variety of development projects.
European Protected Species (EPS) mitigation licences
European Protected Species (EPS) mitigation licences
EPS mitigation licences are required when species protected under the Conservation and Habitat Regulations 2017 (as amended) will be impacted by development works. This includes, but is not limited to, impacts to bats, beaver, dormouse, great crested newt, natterjack toad, otter, sand lizard and smooth snake.
An EPS mitigation licence application can be submitted to Natural England subject to adequate survey effort being undertaken and planning consent being attained. The licence application will comprise a mitigation and compensation strategy that will ensure impacts to the protected species in question are kept to an absolute minimum.
Bats and great crested newt also have separate licensing pathways where impacts are considered by Natural England to be lower, e.g. where low numbers of common species only will be impacted. For bats, these include the Bat Mitigation Class Licence (BMCL), sometimes also known as the ‘Bat Low Impact Class Licence’ (BLICL) and the bat ‘earned recognition’ class licence scheme. These are both bat licensing mechanisms introduced to facilitate smoother and quicker licensing time turnaround for certain projects.
Whether a full EPS mitigation licence for bats is required, or a site can be registered under the BMCL or earned recognition schemes, is dependent on a number of factors including the type of the roost and the number and species of bats being affected. Corylus Ecology can advise you further on the licensing requirements for your project.
For large-scale projects where impacts to bats may be on a landscape scale, Advanced Licence Bat Survey Techniques (ALBST) may need to employed such as bat trapping and radio-tracking surveys. This type of survey work requires a bat research project licence to be attained from Natural England. Corylus Ecology has held numerous such licences for bat trapping and radio-tracking surveys.
For great crested newt, a licence is available to cover low impact works on this species and their terrestrial habitats and this is something Corylus Ecology can assist with.
Developers also have the option of applying to join the great crested newt District Level Licensing (DLL) scheme in certain areas of England. Corylus Ecology can provide advice on the best option for your development.
Read more about our protected species surveys.
Other protected species mitigation licences
Other protected species mitigation licences
A protected species mitigation licence is also required for development works that will impact badgers and water voles which are not protected under the Conservation and Habitat Regulations 2017 (as amended). These licences cover works that will interfere with badger setts or water vole burrows and that will result in the displacement of these species.
Corylus Ecology can provide advice and guidance on whether development proposals will impact badgers or water voles and whether a licence will be required. We can apply for such licences for clients following the completion of appropriate survey work and mitigation strategy design.
Non-licensed protected species mitigation strategies
Non-licensed protected species mitigation strategies
Where development works will impact certain other protected species such as common species of reptile (adder, grass snake and slow worm) and barn owls, there are no statutory requirements for protected species mitigation licences to be applied for. However, it is still an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) to cause detrimental impacts to these species, so adequate survey effort and appropriate mitigation strategies still need to be put in place and are usually conditioned under planning consent.
Corylus Ecology has extensive experience in designing mitigation strategies for such species and can advise clients on the best course of action where development works will impact these species.
Make biodiversity an asset to your development.
Examples of our work
Rew Road
This project, set within Dartmoor National Park, involved the construction of a replacement dwelling which was carried out in two phases spanning several years.
Corylus Ecology undertook an initial assessment with a particular focus on bats and nesting birds. Evidence of, and potential for, roosting bats was recorded and led to a recommendation for further surveys.
Dartmoor Moorland Nature Recovery
During 2022 and 2023, Corylus Ecology was commissioned by Dartmoor National Park Authority to undertake a habitat assessment of five moorland areas.
The surveys were carried out to inform Dartmoor’s vision for nature recovery and contribute to wider Devon and national Nature Recovery Network objectives.
Hogmoor Inclosure
Corylus Ecology was commissioned by The Land Trust to prepare a 5-year management plan for the Hogmoor Inclosure Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).
The SANG was created to reduce the potential for recreational pressure resulting from the growth of the Whitehill & Bordon New Town, on sites of international nature conservation value, including the Woolmer Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Heather Wood
An area of fragmented woodland and arable land at Heather Wood, Hawkhurst acquired by the Woodland Trust for habitat restoration, creation and conservation.
The Woodland Trust required full baseline habitat surveys, protected species surveys and Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, calculation and Habitat Management and Maintenance Plan to be undertaken.
Joyden’s Wood
Working with the Woodland Trust for the restoration of an area of heathland at Joyden’s Wood, Dartford, Kent.
Including baseline habitat and protected species assessment and surveys with UK Habitat Classification and mapping of the heathland, Biodiversity Net Gain condition assessment of all habitats present and breeding bird assessment of the heathland and wider Joyden’s wood site.
Bulland Farm
Ecological appraisal and detailed bat surveys for a homeowner seeking to extend their Grade II Listed farmhouse.
We helped them achieve planning permission and ensure that the appropriate licences and works monitoring were in place.