Dormouse Mitigation

Where dormice are present on site and their habitat is likely to be affected by the development, appropriate measures will need to be put in place to allow the development to progress. The developer may also need to obtain a licence from the relevant statutory body.

When brought onboard at the early stages of development, our dormouse experts can work with you to avoid mitigation and licensing restrictions and ensure that your development complies with the relevant legislation and policy.

Dormouse mitigation includes taking measures to avoid or reduce the impacts of the development on dormice. This normally includes carefully timing and clearing suitable areas of habitat in such a way as to avoid or minimise the risk of killing or injuring dormice and ensuring that aerial connectivity to the wider landscape is retained. It may also be possible to enhance dormouse habitats by planting native species, installing nest boxes or through re-introducing traditional woodland management techniques. If all dormouse habitat can be retained and reasonable avoidance measures can be followed to avoid killing or injuring dormice, then it may be possible for the development to progress without the need for licensing.

If this is not possible, then a development licence (known as a European Protected Species License or “EPSL”) will need to be gained from the relevant statutory body (e.g. Natural England) before any works are undertaken. The licence application will involve putting together a reasoned statement and a method statement that sets out how the killing and injury of dormice will be avoided (e.g. by undertaking the works at appropriate times of year) and how any lost habitat will be replaced (e.g. by planting trees, thinning woodland or reintroducing coppicing). Our experienced team can help guide you through the licensing procedure and design, manage and implement a suitable mitigation strategy.

Note that in most instances the regulators will require dormouse surveys to have been undertaken before they will approve or licence the mitigation strategy. See our dormouse survey page for more information.

About us
Babec Ecological Consultants are based in Sussex and Hertfordshire, and provide dormouse mitigation across West Sussex, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Essex, London and throughout England and Wales. We are happy to give free initial advice and provide an excellent service at competitive rates. Click here to get in touch.