Planning ready beaver surveys and habitat assessments across Wiltshire, providing clear ecological evidence, proportionate recommendations and practical support for developments affecting rivers, streams, wetlands and riparian habitats.
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Wild beavers are already present within some rivers and wetlands in Wiltshire, making them an increasingly relevant consideration for developments affecting suitable freshwater habitat.
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:
Works within or alongside rivers and streams, including the Hampshire Avon and its tributaries
Riverbank excavation or engineering
Bridge, culvert, outfall or watercourse crossing works
Drainage or flood management works
Clearance of bankside trees or vegetation
Development affecting wetlands or connected waterbodies
Infrastructure close to suitable riparian habitat
Changes to water levels, drainage or hydrology
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal identifying potential beaver habitat or activity
Wiltshire contains an extensive network of rivers, chalk streams, wetlands and associated riparian habitats.
The Hampshire Avon catchment is particularly important in the south of the county. The Avon flows through locations including Amesbury and Salisbury and is joined by tributaries including the River Wylye, River Nadder, River Bourne and River Ebble.
Elsewhere in Wiltshire, important watercourses include the River Kennet and other rivers, streams and tributaries associated with the wider Thames and Bristol Avon catchments.
Depending on the location of your development, the relevant Local Planning Authority will generally be:
• Wiltshire Council
• Swindon Borough Council
Where development could affect beavers or protected breeding and resting sites, the LPA may require sufficient ecological information to understand the potential impacts before determining an application.
Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
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
Provides additional legal protection relevant to beavers, including controls relating to certain methods of capture and their release into the wild.
For development in Wiltshire, 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.
Wild beavers are already present within some rivers and wetlands in Wiltshire. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has confirmed their presence and is increasing monitoring of beavers on local waterways to better understand their distribution and impacts.
The Trust does not currently have plans to undertake its own beaver reintroduction or release project within the county, meaning existing wild activity should be distinguished from a formal local release programme.
For planning and development, this makes current ecological information particularly important.
Beavers can be difficult to detect and their distribution can change as animals move through connected river systems. Development affecting suitable freshwater and riparian habitat should therefore be considered in the context of available records, field evidence and the potential impacts of the proposed works.
Where further ecological information is requested by the LPA, an appropriate Beaver Survey can establish how a site is being used and identify any protected features that need to be considered within the development.
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.
Our reports provide the ecological information needed to help you respond to planning requirements and progress your Wiltshire project.
We review your plans, site location, freshwater habitats and available ecological information to understand the project and survey requirements.
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 do you need ecological support for development affecting a Wiltshire watercourse?
ProHort can undertake the appropriate assessment and provide clear, planning ready reporting to help keep your project progressing.
Yes. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust confirms that wild beavers are already present within some rivers and wetlands in the county. Their distribution should therefore be considered using the most current ecological information available.
A Beaver Survey may be requested where development could affect suitable freshwater habitat and beavers are active, being released or records indicate activity within or near the relevant catchment. Further assessment may also be requested following findings from a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.
Potentially. The Hampshire Avon and its tributaries provide extensive freshwater and riparian habitat through southern Wiltshire. Whether a survey is required will depend on current ecological evidence, habitat suitability and the potential impacts of the proposed development.
The Salisbury area contains the confluence of several important river systems, including the Avon, Nadder, Wylye, Bourne and Ebble. These rivers and their connected habitats should be considered where development could affect suitable freshwater or riparian habitat.
No. The presence of a river or stream does not automatically mean a survey is required. Habitat suitability, current records, evidence of activity and the potential effects of the proposed development should be considered.
Our ecologists can look for evidence including gnawed or felled trees, feeding remains, tracks, slides, scent mounds, burrows, lodges and dams, together with how beavers may be using the surrounding habitat.
Potentially. These works can affect riverbanks, freshwater habitat, movement routes and hydrology. Where beavers could be affected, the LPA may request appropriate ecological information.
Beaver Surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, although October to March normally provides the most accurate results. Vegetation growth can make field signs more difficult to detect between April and September.
No. Beaver presence does not automatically prevent development. Potential impacts should be assessed and avoidance considered first. Where impacts cannot be avoided, mitigation and potentially a Natural England licence may need to be considered.