Property Developers
| RSPB Spotlight on Badgers book |
 |
James
Lowen explores the lives of badgers and their communal
living, feeding habits and threats to their conservation. Click
here to buy:
Paperback edition
Kindle edition
|
| About Wildlife Consultants |
| Laws protect badgers from being
harmed and their homes damaged. Whilst permits can be issued to allow such badgers to be moved, you
need to have professional
research done to see where the badgers are and what they need. In
commercial property development, finance and logistics can be very
important. Also, if an insurance company is paying for
re-building work, they may want to be certain
that the commercial risks are understood too. Wildlife Consultants are
usually highly experienced at dealing with such legal and commercial
issues and should be able to help mitigate the risks. Wildlife consultants help deal with protected species,
making sure that developers understand the law AND the needs of any
animals. Local Badger Groups
may also conduct badger surveys, and we run our own email-based
Ask An Expert service. |
There are often problems when property developers move into an
area - or even try to fill in housing and other developments in
the countryside.
According to the Law, a property developer needs a licence to build in the
vicinity of badgers, but in the real world this does not always
happen. Partly this is due to ignorance and partly due to willful
disregard (neither of which is a good enough excuse before the
courts!). The best way to proceed is to carry out a wildlife
survey; to assess whether badgers may be present, and whether an
official licence is needed to work near them.
Licence or not, every-one can help the badgers, for example by
working to get tunnels built under new and upgraded roads, demanding stretches
of badger-proof fencing to direct badgers away from the road; and
even relocating badger setts (once a licence to do so has been
granted).
In fact, despite the generally adverse effects of major
developments, many developers can even manage to get some Good
Publicity about how they care for badgers and their environment.
Experts and Badger
Groups can be a great help in negotiating with and
advising property developers planning to build in the vicinity of
badgers.
Remember though, that Badgers and their setts are fully
protected by the Law. Many
setts have or will be surveyed by badger groups. Involving local
experts can help keep any development within the law, and can even save
the developer money or time - especially if consultation and
planning takes place early on. An example of how a badger group
might be able to help a developer is advising on how and when work
can be carried out. Badger tunnels are prone to collapse if heavy
machinery passes over them (this is also a serious health and safety
issue). If cubs are present underground, this can mean that all
development work has to stop until they become independent (this
would not be very good for business to put a major
development on hold from January to July).
Help for Property Developers:
Other Help for Property Developers:
Examples of Housing Developed with thought for Badgers
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