Construction & Property

Get a wildlife licence for your development project

How to obtain wildlife licences from Natural England before development that affects protected species. Covers European Protected Species mitigation licences, bat surveys, badger sett closures, the new charging regime from April 2025, and devolved licensing differences in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must get a wildlife licence from Natural England before starting any development that could harm protected species like bats or badgers. Check if your project affects protected species and apply at least 30 working days before work starts. From April 2025, you will need to pay a fee for most licences.

  • Apply for a wildlife licence at least 30 working days before work starts
  • Check if your project affects bats, badgers, or other protected species
  • Use an accredited ecologist for surveys and licence applications
  • From April 2025, pay a fee for most wildlife licences
  • Working without a licence is a criminal offence
  • Penalties include unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison
  • Bat surveys must be done between May and September
  • Licences typically last 2-5 years
  • Different rules apply in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland
  • Keep records of surveys and licence applications
On this page
UK-wide

Related guides in Planning Permission

When you need a wildlife licence

If your development could affect protected species or their habitats, you must obtain a wildlife licence before works begin. Working without a licence is a criminal offence, even if you have planning permission. The licensing requirement applies to demolition, construction, land clearance, and any activity that could disturb, injure, or kill a protected species or damage a breeding or resting place.

Wildlife licence fees

From April 2025, Natural England charges for most wildlife licence applications that were previously free. Budget for these fees early in your project planning alongside ecological survey costs. The charging regime applies to new applications and amendments.

Bat surveys

Bats are the most commonly encountered protected species on development sites. All UK bat species are European Protected Species, and surveys must follow strict seasonal windows. Missing the survey season can delay your project by up to 12 months.

Badger sett licensing

Badgers and their setts are protected separately from EPS under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. If your development site is within 30 metres of a badger sett, you are likely to need a licence. Sett closures can only take place between July and November, so plan accordingly.

Penalties for wildlife offences

Proceeding without the correct licence carries serious criminal penalties. Ignorance of protected species on your site is not a defence. Commissioning ecological surveys and obtaining licences before works begin is the only way to protect your project from prosecution and delay.

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    1. Commission a preliminary ecological appraisal

    Appoint a suitably qualified ecologist to carry out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) of your site. This desk-based and walkover assessment identifies the potential for protected species and recommends further surveys. A PEA can be done at any time of year.

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    2. Complete species-specific surveys

    Based on the PEA findings, commission targeted surveys for identified species. Bat emergence surveys run May to September, great crested newt surveys March to June, and badger surveys year-round. Allow sufficient time for the full survey season.

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    3. Prepare a mitigation strategy

    If protected species are confirmed, your ecologist prepares a mitigation strategy. This must satisfy the three derogation tests for EPS licences, showing overriding public interest, no satisfactory alternative, and maintenance of favourable conservation status.

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    4. Submit licence application to Natural England

    Apply to Natural England with your completed survey data, mitigation strategy, and method statement. Allow at least 30 working days for determination. Include the application fee under the new charging regime. Your application must name an accredited ecologist.

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    5. Receive licence and begin works under ecologist supervision

    Once granted, works must follow the licence conditions exactly. Your named ecologist must supervise the licensed activities. Keep the licence on site and ensure all contractors understand the constraints. Report any incidents to Natural England immediately.

  6. 6

    6. Complete post-development monitoring

    Most licences require post-development monitoring of mitigation measures (such as bat boxes, replacement setts, or newt ponds). Your ecologist submits monitoring reports to Natural England as specified in the licence conditions.

Apply for a wildlife licence (Natural England) (opens in a new tab)