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Expert badger surveys

If your site’s likely to have badgers, your local planning authority might ask for a survey to be carried out before granting planning permission.

Our experience team of ecological consultants can help you find our if badgers are currently present around your site and, if so, how they are using the site.

Our services include;

  • Badger survey – can be carried out anytime, but best carried out in the winter months, when vegetation had died back. We’ll look for signs of badgers including setts, paths, latrines and badger hairs. If badgers are using the site, our detailed report will advise on how your proposals can proceed in line with badger protection legislation.
  • Licensing – if a badger sett is found on site then there may be legal considerations, because it is an offence to disturb, damage or destroy a badger sett. We can help you apply for a licence to navigate this legislation so that your works can proceed.

Get in touch with us and we’ll talk you through it. And it all comes in a great value package with friendly, expert advice.

 

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    3 reasons why we are the #1 choice for planning applications and licences

    1. Unbeatable speed

      Our consultancy was built for speed. You’ll benefit from fast quotes, efficient surveys and reports within days.

    2. Unrivalled value

      You’ll benefit from great prices that include expert surveys and detailed reports to maximise planning success.

    3. Pro-development

      Our key people have worked in planning and development so you can trust us to give you balanced and pragmatic advice.

    Call us on: 01761 233414

    Badgers: A Brief Life History

    Badgers are highly social mammals that are a member of the weasel family. They live together in family groups or clans that typically range between 6-8 individuals, but can be as many as thirty-five. They are primarily nocturnal, emerging from their setts — a complex network of tunnels and chambers — at dusk or after dark in search of prey. Setts tend to be built on a slope, with woodland or thickets on the perimeter of farmland being the preferred habitat in Britain, however other vegetation types, as well as other natural – and even manmade environments may be used too.

    While badgers do not hibernate, they become less active during the winter months between November and February, remaining in their setts in a state of torpor when it is extremely cold and/or snowy. When in torpor, badgers will lie low in the warmth of their sett, often for weeks at a time, living off fat reserves they accumulated during the warmer months.

    Current Status and Why They’re Protected

    While badgers are common across the United Kingdom, with the total population estimated to be around 250,000, due to animal welfare issues they are afforded legal protection by the Protection of Badgers Act, and the Wildlife and Countryside Act. As a protected species, it is not only an offence to deliberately injure, kill or capture a badger, it is also illegal to damage, destroy or disturb a badger sett without a permit to do so. Only a licensed ecologist (with the necessary permits) may interfere with an active badger sett.

    How Our Badgers Surveys Work

    The above legislation offers legal protection to badgers as well as their setts. Consequently, any proposed development on a site where badger setts may be  present will need to conduct a walkover survey during the daytime to determine the location of the setts, and whether they are currently active or not. Our licensed ecologists can assist you with site surveys and propose mitigating measures to protect the badgers and allow your work to continue. During this survey our badger specialists will look for evidence of badger activity, such as shed guard hairs, foraging holes, badger tracks and dung; and will also identify habitat suitable for badger foraging, as well as what measures need to be undertaken to ensure the proposed development meets legal compliance. In addition we may conduct a desktop survey of available records and data for badgers in your area.

    What Happens if Badgers are Present on Your Site

    Should we find any active badger setts on your site that will be threatened or disturbed by the proposed development, a license issued by Natural England (or other relevant statutory body) may be required in order to disturb or close the sett/s. However, these permits will only be granted once the development has been approved by the local authority, and in the case of a sett that may be used for breeding, the license will be restricted between July—November. Considering these time limitations and the fact that license applications can take time to process, forward planning is essential. In order to be granted a license, mitigation measures will be required to limit the impact on the resident badger population. We can help draw up a mitigation strategy that may include reconstructing the sett (or constructing artificial setts) in any suitable habitat available, as well as recommending any other mitigation measures that may be appropriate to ensure the proposed development meets legal compliance.

    • Thank you for all the work you have done. I wish to say, on our mum's behalf, that this work was completed in a most professional manner and I would have no hesitation in using your services in the future or indeed in recommending you to others. Mr E Herringham
    • I found the content most clear, comprehensive and very helpful with regard to mitigation and maintenance works. Quite splendid altogether. I'm really hopeful that we'll now be able to pass the torch to a developer who will do justice to this quite wonderful Somerset wetland site. 

      Mr C Rees
      Rees Consulting Ltd
    • I have recently used Crossman Associates for an old farmhouse which had bats present - they were recommended by my architect who had used them on another job. I have to say they were extremely good. Not only do Alex and Fairbrass have a fantastic knowledge of protected species they take a very sensible and practical approach when it comes to developing. I would definitely use them again if required and would recommend them to everyone. Mr D Purnell
      Property Developer
    • We have used Crossman Associates on several projects now and have found them to be both professional and flexible in balancing the needs of the client with the requirement to preserve habitats on site. Their reports are well presented and thorough, always meeting the requirements of Planning departments and offering positive enhancement to our projects. Highly recommended. Mr D Hernon
      Hernon Associates
    • We have now used Alex from Crossman Associates twice, both for river surveys to enable us to gain permissions to working within and around water courses. Alex produced detailed, well-presented surveys that ticked all the right boxes to enable us to gain permissions we were seeking. Will definitely use again. Mr S Smart
      Stonewood Design
    • Crossman Associates provide a prompt service with concise reporting to meet our clients' needs. Mr B Lowe DipTP (dist) MRTPI
      Chartered Town Planner
    • Alex Crossman provided an efficient, timely and responsive service in conducting a bat survey of my barn.  He worked well with my architect to find an acceptable solution to allow the conversion to take place. Mr N Tinworth
      Private Developer
    • Crossman Associates has worked with us on one large project covering a range of surveys and specialist requirements. They have greatly helped in the removal of potential statutory consultee objections, which have been crucial to our proposals, by completing thorough and well executed reports and surveys. Mr C Phipps – Director
      Premium Estates
    • I have worked with Crossman Associates for over 3 years now in my capacity as a Planning Consultant and I have been consistently impressed with Alex’s approach to the variety of projects we have worked on together. Crossman Associates have delivered work that is both robust and represents best value for our clients. Mrs C Baddeley – Senior Planner
      Jones Lang LaSalle
    • Having employed a number of ecologists in the past it was a relief and pleasure to work with one who was co-operative and constructive rather than censorious. Mr J Marshall
      Marshall & Kendon Architects
    • I am writing to advise you that Crossman Associates has worked for The Landscape Group on a number of projects in and around the Bath area for our principal client. These works have involved site surveys and the production of reports for Ecological Appraisal and Bat Activity Surveys. All reports produced have been thorough and well detailed but with all supporting documents user friendly in layout and easy to understand. I have been impressed with the professionalism of Alex and his team on any works that they have been involved in for us and would thoroughly recommend Crossman Associates for all aspects of ecology appraisals. Mr S Ayliffe – Contracts Manager
      The Landscape Group
    • Whilst applying for planning permission for a small extension on our property we were advised by the planning authority a need for a Bat Survey was required to allow the application to be accepted. The application decision was put back by 2 weeks to allow this to be undertaken. I approached Crossman Associates who upon awarding the work supplied the required survey and report within a fortnight and allowed my planning application to be granted. I have found Crossman Associates to be knowledgeable, efficient and provided the required deliverables on time. I would recommend Crossman Associates to anyone who in the future require any the services provided by Crossman Associates. Mr A Powell
      Private Developer
    • I have used Crossman Associates on numerous occasions predominantly for Bat surveys and have found them to be helpful, reliable and pragmatic. They are competitive and always meet the programme that has been agreed. I would have no hesitation to recommend them. Mr A Simcox
      Nick Joyce Architects
    • Many thanks for your speedy response to our need for a protected species survey and report to the Local Authority Planning Department in support of our Planning Application. The whole process was carried out with expert professionalism ensuring we experienced no delays to our project. Mr S Inwood – Director
      Cadmium Design
    • I am very pleased with the service Crossman Associates provides. I find them to be very friendly and helpful and always pleased with their quality of work. Mr R Rowntree
      Della Valle Architects
    • Alex and his team prepared a full bat survey on my barns recently. Not only was Alex completely flexible and accommodating on timings and scope, he was a utter pleasure to work with. He was informed on all the latest legislation and very knowledgeable in his field. Alex also kept me up to date at all stages with his findings promptly. Alex and his team were punctual, polite and respectful in all their dealings with me and my property. I couldn't recommend Alex and his team any more highly. I was delighted to have chosen him as our ecologist, and will be sure to use him again in the future. Mr and Mrs Saksida
      Private Developers
    • We needed an ecological survey of a forgotten piece of land before building our house on it.  Alex Crossman quickly and efficiently obliged, so when we finally applied for planning, his comprehensive report formed part of our request.  The planners were pleased that it had been done in advance, and were equally delighted with Alex's clear and all-encompassing written report.  It was money very well spent. Mr and Mrs Mochnacz
      Private Developers
    • Thank you for your prompt response to our project. I am extremely grateful for your professional service and have recently been granted full planning permission. Mr P Ford – Director
      Building Contractor
    • We appreciate your prompt report – it has helped the prospect of a decision on our planning application before Christmas! Mr and Mrs Marshalsay
      Private Developers
    • I would like to let you know how pleased I am with your services. The delivery of reports has been prompt and professional, the reports to a very high standard, and at an extremely competitive cost. Mr P Broom FRICS
      Chartered Surveyor
    • Thank you for your services, the bat survey that you carried out was done very professionally and I would definitely recommend you. Bromsgrove District Council were more than happy with your report. Mr N Price
      Private Developer
    • Now that the wind turbines are finally in place, I would like to thank you for all you help. We could not have done this without your input and knowledge. We will not hesitate to contact you again. Mr A Cox
      Wind Energy Developer
    • In the midst of a renewable energy project, we had to temporarily relocate a hedge while a power cable was laid. Our objectives were to minimise damage to the hedge and preserve any wildlife in it. We called on Alex at very short notice to help us achieve these objectives. It was the first time we had worked with him, and we were immediately impressed. He made himself available at short notice for the initial evaluation, and then quickly wrote up a method for the work. He worked to the engineering team’s schedule to conduct a survey and oversee the hedge relocation, and cheerfully put up with appalling weather conditions. A good combination of professionalism and pragmatism, we expect to use Alex again. Mr J Thompson
      Green Nation
    • Thank you for the quick and professional response and for understanding our needs so well.  It was our first foray into the world of bat surveys and reports for planning and we certainly felt we were in very good hands.  Very happy to recommend you. Mrs V King
      Dave Fishlock Building Contractors Ltd
    • We have worked with Alex of Crossman Associates on a number of times for protected species surveys. We have always found Crossman Associates to be professional and very easy to work with. Their work is always detailed, comprehensive and delivered on time. Mr D Forbes
      105 West Architects
    • We appointed Crossman Associates on a fast-moving development where we obtained reserved matters consent quicker than expected; we needed answers fast which were developer friendly but also ecological sensitive: Alex was very responsive, and contacted the ecological officer with a prompt resolution, which facilitated a site commencement earlier than programmed. Furthermore, Alex was on hand to meet on site and monitor works within an ecologically sensitive area which ultimately prevented any further delays that could have been experienced. Mr M Hough
      Barratt Homes
    • We instruct Crossman Associates to undertake environmental assessments on each of our projects and have done so for the last four years. We've maintained this relationship due to their professionalism and swift performance, producing reports and mitigation strategies that meet the required standards whilst being mindful of the commercial aspects of our projects. We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Crossman Associates. Mr K Bird
      The Silverwood Partnership
    • Alex is my ecologist of choice.  I’ve worked with Alex on multiple sites over the last few years and he always delivers results that are commercially focused. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Alex to my clients. Mr K Hunt
      Jones Lang LaSalle
    • Alex is yet to let us down. He offers a fast, reliable service, with an emphasis on providing practical, commercially minded solutions to Ecology matters whilst ensuring the safeguarding of protected fauna and flora always remains paramount. Mr B Ponting
      Jones Lang LaSalle
    • Atkins has used Crossman Associates for a range of ecological surveys since 2012.  They are helpful, flexible, competent and reliable, and dedicated to providing an excellent service at a competitive cost. I would not hesitate to recommend their services to others in need of professional ecological support. Mr D McLaughlin
      Atkins Global
    • Hamilton Properties Ltd have used Crossman Associates on numerous occasions over the last few years. On each occasion, we have found them to be efficient, friendly, and adaptable to our requirements. I would have no hesitation in recommending their services to other property developers. Mr A Marlow
      Hamilton Properties Ltd
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