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2011

(3rd October) Natural England has launched the first of several Class Survey Licences - so licensees will no longer need to apply for a personal survey licence each year. There are two levels, GCN Level 1 (WML-CL08): (219kb) for all survey methods except pitfall trapping and GCN Level 2, (WML-CL09): (171kb) for all survey methods including pitfall trapping. Current great crested newt licensees will be automatically transferred across to the Class Survey Licence system once licence returns are received. We strongly encourage licensees and new applicants to read our Frequently Asked Questions: (188kb) which explain why we are introducing these Class Survey Licences and how the process works.
(1st July) Natural England have updated their guidance Handy hints on obtaining a bat mitigation licence at first submission: (150kb), this also outlines the ten most common reasons for Further Information Request responses.
(11th June) Natural England have released new guidance handy hints on obtaining a dormouse mitigation licence: (128kb) at first submission (WLMG35), this also outlines the most common reasons for Further Information Request responses. A series of FAQs are currently under review and should be released shortly to assist with common queries with regard to common dormouse and licensing. If you would like to submit a question for inclusion please contact Debby Smith.
(4th April) Please be aware on Monday 21st March 2011 from around 11.45am to 3.30pm Natural England experienced technical difficulties with its email system. If you sent anything to the Wildlife Management and Licensing team mailboxes during this period it is possible that we did not receive it. If you are concerned that this may apply to you please contact us on 0845 601 4523.
(28th March) Please be aware that there will be some changes to how all licensing, including European Protected Species mitigation licensing, is delivered after 1st April 2011. There may be some unavoidable disruption during the transition period, however, we will endeavour to continue delivering the high standards our customers expect. Further details are available in Advance Warning: Potential Disruption to European Protected Species Mitigation Licensing in April 2011: (113kb).
(10th March) Great crested newt mitigation licence method statement template new version published March 2011: (689kb). Some regular applicants pointed out a minor formatting error in version November 2010 in section D5.1, drop down menu options did not change colour in accordance with the impacts selected. This never affected the content of these cells, but has now been rectified. The new version is now available for use. In addition to the small change in section D5.1, the work schedule (E6a) and post development works timetable (E6b) have also been updated.
(9th March) Natural England have released new guidance on European Protected Species and the planning process. This guidance document (WML-G24) details, at a high level, the approach Natural England’s wildlife licensing team takes when assessing a EPS mitigation licence applications against the three ‘tests’, as set out in the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (Habitats Regulations).
(21st January) Natural England are developing plans to enable customers to submit licence applications electronically if they wish to. Compressing files makes an enormous difference to the size of applications, and thus to their efficient handling. We have developed the following advisory material: (1.62mb) for users of Microsoft Office 2007 systems. We expect to remove the need for a paper copy of an EPS application by the 15th February 2011, and enable other species licensing to submit electronically a few weeks later.
(20th January) Please be aware that there may be delays to the service Natural England Wildlife Management and Licensing provide currently as the Wildlife Licensing Unit is relocating. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.

2010

(17th December) Natural England release Draft General Licences and Class Licences for 2011. The General Licences and Class Licences for 2011 are available to view on the website. Final versions will be accessible from the General Licence page from 1st January 2011.
(16th December) Important: Advanced notice of change to Citizen Charter times for Badger development licence applications: (56kb). From the 1st January 2011, the Citizen Charter response time for determining badger licence applications will change from 15 to 30 working days. This change brings this area of work in line with other species management Citizen Charter response times for new applications. This will occur at a time of year when low numbers of badger development licence applications are submitted. We will continue to prioritise applications for clearly demonstrated emergency situations and our commitment remains to process all applications received as quickly as possible.
(15th December) Advanced warning of the Wildlife Licensing Unit office move: As from Monday 24th January 2011 the Wildlife Licensing Unit will be situated at a new office location in central Bristol. Our letter to customers: (58kb) provides further details on our office move and guidance on where, and when, to send applications and other correspondence to our new address. All telephone numbers and email addresses for the Wildlife Licensing Unit and members of staff will remain the same, despite the move.
(15th December) Great crested newt update: A new guidance note is now available providing useful tips on how to fill in the Great crested newt method statement template work schedules (E6a and E6b): (309kb). Two theoretical examples of the same development scenario for an application submitted at different times of the year have been provided.
(6 December) Introduced in 1983 and amended in 2010, an alerting system and its criteria were agreed by statutory conservation agencies, the Met Office and NGOs including BASC, for the ‘voluntary restraint’ and ‘statutory suspension’ of shooting and disturbing waterbirds during periods of severely cold weather. This system is explained on the JNCC website at: www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2894.

It is recognised that at times of severe cold weather, disturbance from wildfowlers and other members of the public can add to the physical stress that birds are already suffering due to reduced feeding opportunities from frozen ground, etc. and that such additive disturbance can lead to increased mortality. Where Natural England licensees are involved in shooting wildfowl, piscivorous birds and other waterbirds, particularly where licensed activities could otherwise cause unnecessary disturbance to assemblages of other birds, then from 6th December our licensees too are being ask to respect ‘voluntary restraint.

Queries about the severe weather criteria and how these may affect licensed activities can be emailed to severe.weather@naturalengland.org.uk.
(15 November 2010) The much awaited revised version of the great crested newt method statement template: (689kb) is now available on our application forms page. This latest version includes changes to the survey section structure, a new declarations page and advice on post development monitoring requirements. To assist with applications which involve more than 10 ponds there is also a new appendix: (409kb) (for a further 20 ponds) available to append to the method statement (also available on the applications form page). Please always download the latest version of the method statement template before preparing each new application to be made.
(14 July 2010) Natural England’s Wildlife Management & Licensing Service have published their Service Standards: (186kb) outlining what people should expect with regard to customer service from our team. Our performance statistics which measure success against these targets will be published at 6 monthly intervals.
(6 April 2010) On 1 April 2010 The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 came into force. These are now the principal means by which the Habitats Directive is transposed in England and Wales. This updates and consolidates all the amendments to the Regulations since they were first made in 1994. There are few changes that effect licensing and advice (except in the marine environment - see news item below). However, please note that restructuring to make the legislation easier to understand has resulted in alterations to the numbering of the various provisions.
(24 March 2010) In February 2010, Natural England ran two stakeholder EPS Focus Group events in Birmingham to encourage developers and ecologists to share their experiences of EPS licensing and suggest ways of improving the process and the service. A summary of the discussions: (451kb) records the outcomes of the events. It includes stakeholder thoughts on what works well with Natural England licensing and what works less well and possible solutions put forward by the attendees on how the system could be improved. Following the Focus Group event we have hosted a similar event with Natural England licensing staff to develop our ways of working. We will keep customers informed on our progress.
(22 March 2010) Important changes to wildlife licensing in the marine environment: From the 1 April 2010 the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) will be solely responsible for wildlife licensing in the marine environment. View more information on the changes.
(12 March 2010)White-nose syndrome in bats. Following the positive identification of G. destructans on a bat in France, the WNS guidance for UK Bat Workers has been revised to include sampling techniques and a revised surveillance form. A copy of the revised guidelines is available on the BCT website. As a precautionary measure, all UK bat workers undertaking hibernation checks are asked to follow the decontamination procedure after each site visit (contained in Appendix IV of BCT’s White-nose Syndrome: Guidelines for Bat workers).
(26 January 2010) Revised guidance on over mitigation: (69kb) has been added to the Natural England Website - Dispelling the myths: providing unnecessary “over-mitigation/compensation” will not help to secure a Natural England European Protected Species mitigation licence.
(21 January 2010) On 8th January 2010, Natural England called for restraint to avoid activities that will cause unnecessary disturbance to birdlife already suffering as a result of the cold weather. Conditions have improved, birds have largely recovered over the past few days. The period of voluntary restraint has ended. Natural England thanks all those who offered their cooperation and participated in reporting conditions.
(14 January 2010) A revised Great crested newt method statement has been added to our website -GCN WML-14-2: (689kb).
The format of the survey section within this method statement template is currently being revised and is likely to be added to the website toward the end of February or beginning of March 2010. Please always down load the latest version of the method statement template from our licence application pages to ensure the most up to date version is being used.
(8 January 2010) England calls for voluntary restraint on licensed shooting during the severe cold weather spell
In 1983, an alerting system and its criteria were agreed by conservation agencies for the voluntary and statutory suspension of shooting and disturbing waterbirds during periods of severely cold weather. This system is explained on the JNCC website at: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2894
It is recognised that at times of severe cold weather, disturbance through e.g. certain types of licensed action can add to the physical stress that birds are already suffering due to reduced feeding opportunities from frozen ground, etc. and that such additive disturbance can lead to increased mortality.
For the duration of the severe cold weather we are experiencing, Natural England is asking those licensees, with licences allowing the shooting of wildfowl and other waterbirds, to voluntarily suspend their shooting activities. Licences will remain valid and are not being revoked at this time. This request does not apply to other licensed activities.
Queries can be emailed to severe.weather@naturalengland.org.uk.
(7 January 2010) European Protected Species Applications
Due to the adverse weather conditions and resulting staff shortages, there may be some delay in processing of applications. However, Natural England are working as quickly as possible to ensure we meet the needs and expectations of our customers.

2009

(23 December 2009) Natural England has now published the 2010 series of General Licences issued under wildlife legislation. The licences incorporate changes announced in September following a public consultation, therefore we strongly recommend that those intending to rely on the General licences read them to ensure they understand and can comply with the terms and conditions.
(15 December 2009) Change to 'Experience in bat mitigation: Guidance for ecologists': (179kb). Natural England has updated its guidance on experience required for those applying for bat licenses (mitigation), would applicants please ensure they read this new guidance.
(30 September 2009) Natural England has published a summary of the responses to the consultation on General Licences issued under wildlife legislation. View the summary and the announcement of the decisions we have reached.

Additional guidance for survey and mitigation licence applicants
Over the last few weeks we have launched some new guidance for our customers applying for survey and European protected species mitigation licences:

(20 August 2009) Natural England has produced a statement: (142kb) welcoming the recent judicial review judgement in Woolley vs Cheshire East Borough Council & Millennium Estates. The judgement clarifies the responsibilities of competent authorities in discharging their duties in relation to European Protected Species.

(29 June 2009) New guidance on “disturbance” and “current use” in the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.The Wildlife Management & Licensing Service has produced new guidance on interpretation of “current use” and “disturbing” in the context of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 in relation to the definition of a badger sett and the offence of disturbing a badger whilst it is occupying a sett. See the badgers page for details.

(09 June 2009) Natural England has revised the EPS Mitigation Licensing guidance. ‘How to get a licence: (1mb)’ has changed to take account of customer feedback and staff ideas for improvements. View a short summary: (313kb) of what has changed.

(09 June 2009) Non-native and former native species web-page update – the Wildlife Management & Licensing Service ‘non-native species’ web-pages now give more information on this area of licensing, which includes reintroductions of former native species, and tells you how you can comment on current reintroduction applications.

(14 May 2009) EPS Mitigation Licences – Is your licensed activity or development affected by the current economic downturn? Natural England has produced some guidance for developers: (214kb).

(28 April 2009) It is a myth that applications proposing ‘over-mitigation’ or ‘over compensation’ will stand a better chance of obtaining a Great crested newt mitigation licence. Natural England’s latest guidance: (69kb) addresses this misconception.

(20 February 2009) New guidance has been launched for applicants for EPS Mitigation licences on the requirements for Master Plans for proposals involving phased and multiplot developments. This guidance: (155kb) deals specifically with applications affecting Great crested newts, but the principles can be applied to applications affecting other species.

(19 February 2009) Natural England announces streamlining of the process for EPS Mitigation Licensing.
Read the notice for more detail. To coincide with this change, we also launch a comprehensive new guidance document for applicants, How to get a Licence, a new Reasoned Statement template, and new versions of the application forms. Applications on the new forms will be accepted and dealt with under the new process from 16 March 2009. Until then, please use the existing forms.

(30 January 2009) Defra announces changes to the Habitats Regulations and Offshore Marine Regulations.
These changes clarify the wording of the regulations and any effect on landowners and sea users will be minimal. For more information see Defra website.

(7 January 2009) Natural England calls for voluntary restraint on licensed shooting during the severe cold weather spell.
For the duration of the severe cold weather period we are currently experiencing, Natural England is requesting that its licensees and members of the public show restraint to avoid activities that may cause unnecessary disturbance to wildfowl and other water birds already suffering as a result of the cold weather. Similar requests have been made to the public by the RSPB, BASC and the BTO.

2008

(11 December 2008) Natural England has launched a consultation on general licences.
The closing date for responses is 13 March 2009. More information

Changes to Schedule 4
From 1 October 2008, 50 species of bird (and all hybrid birds) are being removed from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Click here: (22kb) for a summary of the changes, links to further information and Natural England's guidance on licensing for species removed from the Schedule.

The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 came into force on 1st October 2008. These Regulations added three new species to the list of European protected species in Schedule 2 of the 1994 Regulations. The three new species are Pool FrogRana lessonae, Fisher's Estuarine MothGortyna borelii lunata, and Lesser Whirlpool Ramshorn SnailAnisus vorticulus.

These three species are now protected against acts including the deliberate capturing, disturbing, injuring or killing and damage or destruction to their breeding sites or resting places (note that this is a simplified summary of the legislation). See further guidance.

Increased legal protection for the water vole
From 6 April 2008 the water vole, Roman snail, spiny and short-snouted seahorses and the angel shark receive an increased level of protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 5) (England) Order 2008. The water vole is now fully covered by the provisions of section 9 of the Act and this increased protection adds prohibitions against intentional killing, taking or injury, possession and sale.
The water vole has suffered one of the most catastrophic declines of any British mammal this century and its widespread survival is now seriously threatened. The reasons for this include loss and fragmentation of habitat and the introduction and spread of the American mink. Natural England welcomes the increased level of protection.
Water voles: the law in practice. Guidance for planners and developers and Water voles and development: licensing policy provide advice on our approach to licensing the capture and translocation of water voles that are affected by development or riparian management work. If you wish to apply for a licence please see form WML-A29: (173kb).
We continue to encourage water vole surveys by experienced ecologists and have produced guidance: (33kb) explaining that a licence is not needed to undertake normal water vole surveys.

Natural England General Licences
From the 1st January 2008 all Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) general licences will be issued by Natural England, including those previously issued by Defra - see General licences.
General licences are issued to allow certain actions to be carried out that would otherwise be illegal under the legislation, without the need for people to apply for a specific licence.

2007

Changes to deer legislation
From 1 October 2007, under the Deer Act 1991, all wild deer with the exception of Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) are protected by a close season. The Regulatory Reform (Deer) (England and Wales) Order 2007 amends the original Act and will improve deer welfare in a number of ways. Further amendments include changing the close seasons for female deer to a common start date of 1 April, changing the minimum rifle calibres permitted for muntjac and Chinese water deer and introducing new licensing provisions.
Licences can now be issued by Natural England to allow deer to be shot in England during the close season, or at night, for preserving public health or public safety or for conserving the natural heritage, and at night for the prevention of serious damage to property. Licences can only be issued where there is a serious risk of deer causing the problems concerned and where there is no satisfactory alternative for resolving the problem.
Apply for a licence (in England).
Guidance on deer and deer management is available from The Deer Initiative. Further background and information on deer and the deer action plan is available from Defra.

European Protected Species
On 21 August 2007 an amendment to the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 came into force. This will have a variety of consequences for the protection of European Protected Species and for Natural England's licensing processes.

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