Licencing and Mitigation

If certain species are identified as being present on site, such as badgers, bats, crayfish, great crested newts, hazel dormice or water voles, the works may need to be covered by a licence from Natural England, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) or NatureScot. 

The level of licencing required will depend on the findings of the site surveys with some sites being suitable for licencing under low impact licences, such as Natural England’s Bat Mitigation Class Licence (BMCL) or CL35 badger licence, whereas others will require a more detailed mitigation licence.

During the application process bespoke mitigation and compensation will be designed to suit the requirements of the client, but to also ensure that the works maintain the favourable conservation status of the species present. The application forms and accompanying documents will then be prepared by Switch Ecology and submitted to the licencing authority.

Switch Ecology have extensive experience of the licence application process and will advise regarding required mitigation, compensation and/or enhancements. Our surveyors hold seasonal class and survey licences with Natural England, NRW and NatureScot, including licences covering badgers, barn owls, bats, hazel dormice, water voles, and white clawed crayfish. We also have surveyors registered under Natural England's BMCL and CL35 badger licence, where the use of these is appropriate.