UES were commissioned to assess the potential impacts on badgers as a result of a proposed development which included constructing a number of residential dwellings and associated infrastructure. A Badger Scoping Survey was therefore carried out, which involves searching the site, with a 30m buffer zone, for field signs of badger use. Field signs may include but are not limited to:
- Badger setts – main, annexe, subsidiary or outlier
- Bedding at sett entrances
- Dung pits
- Latrines – concentrations of dung pits
- Badger hairs
- Badger tracks – channels through vegetation that are well used and lead to or from setts
- Footprints
If an active badger sett is found, and the sett can’t be retained, a licence is required from Natural England, Natural Resources Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage. Alternatively, if a buffer zone of 30m can be installed around the sett in which no works will occur, then the development may proceed under reasonable avoidance measures which are tailored to specific sites.
In this case, no setts were identified on the site or within 30m of the site boundary. Furthermore, no badger foraging signs or latrines were identified. As such, planning permission could be secured with the production of our report which details the results. The development could proceed with no further survey work with regard to badgers.
UES are experienced in surveying and mitigating for badgers to ensure a positive outcome for your planning application.
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