Specialist Beaver Surveys for planning and development across Somerset, supporting projects within catchments where free living beavers are already established and providing clear ecological evidence for works affecting rivers, wetlands and connected habitats.
Calls answered in 2 rings, emails replied to within the hour.
Clear guidance before you commit.
Working in partnership with clients to ensure planning approval first time
Industry Leading Standard
We stay with you from first call through to submission.Â
Somerset has one of England’s most significant developing populations of free living beavers.
Wild beavers are established within several Somerset river catchments, with confirmed populations associated with the Avon and Somerset Frome, River Brue, River Tone and Somerset West Streams.
This makes beaver considerations increasingly relevant to development, infrastructure and watercourse works in parts of the county.
A Beaver Survey may be requested where proposed works could affect beavers, their breeding or resting sites, or habitats they rely upon.
This may include:
The presence of suitable freshwater habitat does not automatically mean a Beaver Survey is required.
Where an LPA requests further ecological information, ProHort can undertake the appropriate assessment and provide clear ecological evidence to support the planning application.
Somerset contains an extensive and highly connected freshwater environment.
Major river systems include the:
• River Brue
• River Tone
• River Parrett
• Somerset Frome
• River Avon catchment
• River Axe
• River Yeo
• Somerset West Streams
These are accompanied by the extensive network of rhynes, drains, wetlands, floodplains and waterbodies associated with the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Depending on the location of your development, the relevant Local Planning Authority may include:
• Somerset Council
• Bath and North East Somerset Council
• North Somerset Council
• Exmoor National Park Authority
Where an LPA considers that proposed development could affect beavers or protected breeding and resting sites, it may request appropriate ecological information before determining the application.
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended)
Eurasian beavers are a European Protected Species. The legislation protects beavers from deliberate killing, injury, capture and disturbance, and protects their breeding sites and resting places from damage or destruction.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
Provides additional legal protection relevant to beavers, including controls relating to certain methods of capture and their release into the wild.
For development in Somerset, proposed works that could affect beavers, their breeding or resting sites, or important supporting habitat may require appropriate ecological assessment, mitigation and, in some circumstances, a Natural England licence.
ProHort provides proportionate, evidence led advice and reporting to help support a compliant route through planning.
Central Somerset contains another extensive freshwater network centred on the River Tone and River Parrett. The Tone flows through the Taunton area before joining the Parrett, while numerous tributaries, drains and wetland habitats create connections with the wider Somerset Levels.
Free living beavers have been recorded within the Tone catchment.
For development around Taunton and the surrounding river network, ecological assessment may therefore need to consider current beaver records alongside other protected species and freshwater constraints.
The presence of suitable habitat alone should not be used to determine whether a Beaver Survey is required.
The Avon and Somerset Frome catchment contains one of England’s most significant wild beaver populations.
Following increasing reports of beaver activity, Natural England commissioned a detailed population assessment in 2022.
Approximately 280 kilometres of watercourse were surveyed, including the Avon upstream of Bath, the Somerset Frome, By Brook, Semington Brook, Biss Brook and upper reaches of the River Brue.
Surveyors recorded 771 signs of beaver activity.
The assessment estimated:
• 13 established beaver territories
• approximately 50 beavers excluding kits
• a further six potentially temporary resident individuals
Somerset Wildlife Trust subsequently described the Avon and Somerset Frome population as likely to be the third largest wild beaver population in England at the time its management guidance was prepared.
For development within this catchment, beaver considerations should therefore be based on current records and site assessment rather than assuming the species is absent.
Beaver activity in Somerset is not restricted to the Avon and Frome. Somerset Wildlife Trust reports free living populations within the:
Avon and Somerset Frome
River Brue
River Tone
Somerset West Streams
There have also been confirmed records around the Somerset Levels and Moors, including camera trap evidence from the Avalon Marshes area.
This developing distribution means that ecological information should be considered at catchment and site level.
A development should not automatically be assumed to affect beavers simply because it lies within a catchment where they have been recorded.
Equally, historic absence should not be relied upon where more recent records or field evidence indicate activity.
West Somerset provides another important part of the county’s beaver story.
In 2020, two beavers were released into an enclosure at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate as part of a river restoration project.
The Holnicote population remains distinct from Somerset’s free living populations.
Somerset Wildlife Trust also reports free living beavers within the wider Somerset West Streams catchment.
Projects affecting rivers and wetlands in West Somerset should therefore consider current ecological records and site conditions rather than relying on the presence of the enclosed project alone.
Our specialist ecology team assesses suitable habitat and identifies evidence of beaver activity, including feeding signs, tracks, burrows, lodges and dams.
You receive clear, planning ready advice identifying any ecological constraints and the appropriate recommendations for your project.
• Beaver activity and habitat assessment
• Mapping of relevant burrows, lodges, dams and field signs
• Development impact assessment
• Clear mitigation and avoidance recommendations
• Natural England licensing advice where required
• LPA ready ecological report with practical next steps
Our reports provide the ecological information needed to help you respond to planning requirements and progress your Somerset project.
We review your plans, site location, freshwater habitats and available ecological information to understand the project and any ecological issues that may need to be addressed.
Our ecologists survey suitable watercourses and connected habitats for beaver activity, including feeding signs, tracks, burrows, lodges and dams.
We assess how the proposed works could affect beavers, protected features, movement routes and supporting habitat.
You receive a clear, LPA ready report setting out the findings and any appropriate avoidance, mitigation, monitoring or licensing recommendations.
Has your LPA requested a Beaver Survey, or are you planning works affecting a Somerset river, stream, wetland or bankside habitat?
ProHort can undertake the appropriate ecological assessment and provide clear, planning ready reporting to help you respond to the LPA’s requirements and progress your project.
Yes. Free living beavers are established in Somerset. Current information from Somerset Wildlife Trust identifies populations associated with the Avon and Somerset Frome, Brue, Tone and Somerset West Streams catchments.
A Natural England commissioned survey undertaken in 2022 estimated approximately 50 beavers, excluding kits, across 13 established territories within the Avon and Somerset Frome study area. This was an estimate for that particular survey area and date, not a current total for the whole of Somerset.
Yes. Beaver activity was reported around the Avalon Marshes during 2024 and camera trap footage subsequently confirmed beavers were present. The number and distribution of animals across the wider Levels should not be assumed from these records alone.
Yes. Somerset Wildlife Trust identifies a free living beaver population within the Brue catchment. Current records should be considered for development affecting suitable habitat within the catchment.
Free living beavers have been recorded within the River Tone catchment. Whether they are relevant to a particular development will depend on the site location, current records, habitat and proposed works.
No. Even in a county with established wild beavers, proximity to a river, stream or wetland does not automatically establish a survey requirement. The LPA determines what ecological information is required for the planning application.
Somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land
Â
Our ecologists can look for gnawed or felled trees, feeding remains, tracks, slides, scent mounds, burrows, lodges and dams, alongside evidence of how beavers are using the surrounding habitat.
Beaver Surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, although October to March normally provides the most accurate conditions for detecting field signs because bankside vegetation is reduced.
Potentially. Somerset contains extensive drainage infrastructure, rivers and flood management systems. Where beavers or protected features could be affected, appropriate ecological assessment may be required alongside other permissions or environmental considerations.
If your Local Planning Authority requests further information relating to beavers, ProHort can undertake the appropriate ecological assessment and provide a clear, LPA ready report to support your planning application.
Where activity or protected features are identified, our ecologists can provide proportionate recommendations for avoidance, mitigation, further monitoring or licensing where applicable, helping you respond to the LPA’s requirements and keep your project progressing.
