Protected Species & Licensing

The presence of a protected species can be a major constraint on a development project, potentially limiting the extent or nature of a development or the timing of work. The need to license certain works is a legal requirement and the licensing process often runs parallel to obtaining a planning permission. All too often the need for a licence becomes apparent late in the development process. This can result in potential delays to work programmes, which may have cost implications for the developer. Baker Shepherd Gillespie therefore recommends that expert advice is sought at the earliest opportunity.

BSG personnel currently hold or have held licences, including European Protected Species (EPS) survey licences and conservation licences for site work, for the following species:

• Bats (all British species)
• Great crested newt
• Dormouse
• Badger
• Barn owl
• Freshwater crayfish