Species licences for development, infrastructure, or maintenance work

If you are carrying out development, infrastructure, or maintenance work, you will need a species development licence.

What to include in your application

Your application will also need to include:

  • our method statement template
  • a location map (ideally 1:10.000 scale) showing the area where the problem is occurring 
  • detailed plans and drawings of existing sites and proposed works
  • a species survey report
  • evidence to support the purpose of the work
  • copies of any permissions or consents associated with the application
  • any relevant correspondence if the work falls within or near a designated site
  • a habitat regulations assessment, if applicable

Development infrastructure, or maintenance licence

Apply for a species development licence.

Reference form

If you have not held a relevant licence from us before, your application must include a reference form.

Referees must be:

  • able to comment on their experience of working with the relevant species
  • their ability to use the methods and equipment proposed within your licence application
  • qualified themselves and must have held a relevant licence before
  • must have experience of your work for at least one survey season

We can only accept one reference from the company you currently work for. We may contact your referees to verify their statements.

Report your actions under a licence

You must report your actions four weeks after your licence has expired.

It is a condition of your licence that you provide us with a report showing what work you have carried out. If you have carried out no work, you must still complete the form and send it to us. You must return the form to us within 4 weeks after the licence expiry date.

An appropriate monitoring scheme may also be a condition and results must be submitted using the licence monitoring report form.

Amend your licence

You can ask for amendments to your licence using the relevant forms.

Amendment request form
Change of licensee
Change of ecologist form

Contact us

You can contact us for help at any time before or during your licence application.

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