Badger surveys
When planning a development, it is important to consider the potential presence of badgers in, or in the vicinity of the works area. If a preliminary ecological appraisal has identified a sett, you may need to conduct a badger survey.
The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 protects badgers and their setts. The legislation is welfare-based rather than conservation-based to prevent intentionally cruelty, such as baiting. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly interfere with, damage or block a badger’s sett while it is in use.
The Act does permit for working with badgers when justified under license. A license can be applied for if a new development will affect a badger population or when badgers are causing damage to utilities, property or archaeological features.
All our badger surveys are conducted by experienced, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) registered ecologists.
Carrying out surveys
- It is possible to survey for badgers at any time of the year.
- The optimal period is from November to April when evidence is easier to find.
As badgers are nocturnal, we will look for signs of badgers being present rather than try to record sightings. This will include looking for setts, tracks, fur, latrines, signs of feeding, etc.
If badgers are present
What you need to do
If works will impact a badger setts, and these impacts are unavoidable, setts may need to close under license. We will be able to apply for a license on your behalf through a statutory nature conservation body, such as Natural England. From December to the end of June, work that could disturb badgers or damage setts are not permitted. Work may be done under license between July and November.
With a license in place, we will fit one-way gates to setts to exclude badgers. Exclusion can happen from the start of July until the end of November when no badger cubs are present.
Mitigation and compensation
If it is not possible to avoid badgers during development, our ecologists can provide expert advice on the best mitigation or compensation strategy.
Mitigation and compensation for impacts on badgers can include:
- digging tunnels beneath roads within the development
- burying badger-proof barriers
- creating artificial setts.
When it comes to the creation of artificial setts, we are well placed to advise on construction.
We can help