Development is vital for progress, but it can sometimes conflict with the needs of protected wildlife. Aven Ecology can help developers navigate the legalities and practicalities of working alongside protected species in the UK. Our expertise in mitigation licensing, management, and implementation ensures your project progresses smoothly while minimising the impact on our wildlife.

 

Mitigation Licensing

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When development activities might affect protected species or their habitats, a mitigation license from a statutory nature conservation body (e.g., Natural England) might be necessary. This licence permits actions that would otherwise be illegal, such as:

• Disturbance to protected species

• Damage or removal of their breeding sites

• Obstruction of access to their resting places

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Obtaining a mitigation license offers several advantages:

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• Compliance with the Law: Licenses ensure your project adheres to legal requirements for protecting wildlife.

• Minimised Delays: Early engagement with ecological surveys, mitigation design and ultimately the licensing process can prevent costly delays caused by unexpected protected species encounters.

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Management and Implementation:

 

We provide comprehensive support throughout the mitigation licensing process, including:

• Ecological Surveys: Our qualified ecologists conduct thorough surveys to identify potential impacts on protected species.

• Mitigation Strategy Development: We develop effective mitigation strategies to minimize disturbance and compensate for unavoidable impacts. This may involve: 

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          o    Timing restrictions on construction activities to avoid sensitive periods, like breeding seasons.

          o    Habitat creation or enhancement to compensate for lost habitat.

          o    Installation of alternative resting/roosting sites, for example for displaced bats.

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• License Application Preparation: We handle the complex application process, ensuring all necessary information is included.

• Liaison with Regulatory Bodies: We communicate effectively with nature conservation bodies throughout the process.

• Post-licensing Monitoring: We can provide ongoing monitoring to ensure mitigation measures are effective.

 

Bat Mitigation Class Licences

For specific low-impact activities affecting certain bat species, a Bat Mitigation Class Licence (BMCL) might be an option. This streamlined licensing approach allows our in-house Registered Consultant to register a Site and obtain a licence to enable the works to be undertaken with minimal delays to the project. We can advise you on the suitability of a BMCL and guide you through the registration process.