- Commission a badger survey before starting works in rural or edge-of-town locations
- Establish and clearly mark exclusion zones around all identified badger setts
- Apply to Natural England for a licence if works will disturb or close a sett
- Brief all site personnel on the location of setts and the legal protection in place
- Stop work and contact the ecological advisor if a new sett is discovered during works
- Use an ecological clerk of works to supervise activities near confirmed setts
- Avoid night working near setts as badgers are most active after dark
- Keep heavy plant and vibration-generating activities outside the exclusion zone
- Maintain fencing around exclusion zones for the full duration of the project
- Report any evidence of badger activity such as latrines, paths, or fresh digging
|
- DON'T excavate, drive plant, or store materials within 30 metres of an active sett
- DON'T block or obstruct any badger sett entrance with soil, materials, or equipment
- DON'T carry out noisy or vibration-heavy work near setts without ecological advice
- DON'T assume a sett is abandoned — badgers reoccupy setts seasonally
- DON'T proceed with works near setts without a valid Natural England licence
- DON'T remove or relocate badger fencing or exclusion zone markers
- DON'T use lighting that illuminates sett entrances during night working operations
- DON'T ignore newly dug holes or paths on site — they may indicate badger activity
- DON'T attempt to handle, trap, or move badgers without specialist licensed assistance
- DON'T allow dogs onto site areas where badger setts have been identified
See also: Protected Species Awareness | Ecological Clerk of Works Role
|