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 Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). 

The level of licencing required will depend on the findings of the survey with some sites being suitable to be covered by low impact licences, such as Natural England’s Bat Mitigation Class Licence (BMCL). During the application process mitigation and compensation will be designed to ensure that the works maintain the favourable conservation status of the species present. This will often require the presence of an Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW).

Switch Ecology have extensive experience of the licence application process and will advise regarding required mitigation, compensation or enhancements. Our surveyors hold seasonal class and survey licences with Natural England, NRW and SNH, 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, where its use is appropriate.