When are Badger Surveys Required?
A badger survey is often required on sites where suitable habitat for sett building occurs on-site, within 25m of the site boundary or within 100m of any proposed blasting or pile-driving works. Badger surveys are included within Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs) and Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys as standard but may be undertaken as a single-species stand-alone survey to inform works.
Badger sett entrance 
Badger sett exclusion under licence
What is involved in Badger Surveys?
As no works must take place within 25m of a badger sett the Badger survey must include all land on-site and at least 25m beyond the site boundary where suitable habitat exists. This extends to 100m if blasting or piling works are proposed.
These surveys can take place at any time of year but optimal times are during spring and autumn when more evidence of use may be present.
If setts are identified further surveys may be required to identify additional setts in the area. Surveys must be conducted in accordance with NIEA specific survey requirements (available here) and the British Standard (BS 42020:2013) – Biodiversity: Code of Practice for Planning and Development.
What if Badgers are found on-site?
In the event that badger setts are found on-site, within 25m of the site boundary or within 100m of proposed blasting or pile-driving a Badger Mitigation Plan may be required to ensure legislative compliance. Our ecologists can advise on pragmatic and cost-effective solutions to minimise delays and unnecessary costs for your project.
Where necessary we can provide detailed mitigation plans including the relocation of badger setts, sett monitoring, licensed sett closure, artificial sett design and supervision of on-site works (ECoW).
Cost: From £500*
*NOTE: The costs quoted above may vary for larger or more complex sites or for greater travelling distances. All quoted figures are exclusive of and are subject to VAT.
Contact us for a bespoke quote!