Licences
If a project cannot avoid disturbing a protected species, it is possible
to apply for a licence. A survey licence allows a person to disturb a protected species in order to carry out a survey.
Species requiring a survey licence include Great crested newt, Dormouse, Bats and White clawed crayfish,
A development licence will allow for disturbance of a population due to
a development project in a strictly controlled way, and given that there is no alternative to causing the disturbance.
Once granted, the 'method statement' forms a legally binding agreement and outlines the mitigation works required to
ensure that the population is not adversely affected.
Mitigation
Mitigation refers to measures taken to offset any potential harm to wildlife caused by development projects.
This is to ensure that species populations are maintained and that there is no net loss of habitat.
Mitigation can involve exclusion fencing, a programme of trapping and moving individuals, creating new roosts
and resting places, replacing lost habitat, habitat enhancements such as digging ponds or planting trees and hedgerows.
It also involves briefing construction staff and putting procedures into place which minimise the chance of incidental
damage to the surrounding environment.
