Badger Surveys in Nottinghamshire
Developing in Nottinghamshire?
Don’t let badgers slow you down, our expert surveys give you compliant reports for smooth planning consent.
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Do you need a badger survey in Nottinghamshire?
Nottinghamshire’s patchwork of hedged farmland, meadows, woodland belts, drainage ditches, and rural plot boundaries provides ideal habitats for badger setts and movement corridors.
A badger survey evaluates a site to determine whether badgers are present and how they may be affected by development. Ecologists look for setts, foraging signs, and movement patterns, sometimes using motion cameras or tracking methods, to understand distribution. The results help ensure that construction or land modifications avoid disturbing badgers and comply with planning regulations.
You may need a badger survey in Nottinghamshire if your project involves:
Excavation, trenching, or groundwork near hedgerows or woodland around Nottingham, Mansfield, or Worksop
Rural housing plots, barn conversions, or agricultural developments near Retford, Newark, or Eastwood
Clearance of scrub, earth banks, or embankments around Sutton-in-Ashfield or Bingham
Works along field margins, ditches, or rural trackways in the surrounding countryside
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) highlighting badger activity or habitat potential
A postcode check will confirm the likelihood of a local planning authority (LPA) request.
We conduct badger surveys across Nottinghamshire, covering major towns and nearby villages including Nottingham, Mansfield, Newark, Worksop, Retford, Eastwood, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Bingham, Carlton, and Beeston.
Why planning officers in Nottinghamshire request badger surveys
Nottinghamshire planning authorities require badger survey evidence where setts or suitable habitat are present to ensure development complies with the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and national planning policy. Without early, proportionate surveys, applications are frequently delayed by validation queries, additional planning conditions, or seasonal restrictions, potentially stalling site programmes or even requiring redesign.
Local Case Insight
How badger assessments work
Our specialist ecology team carries out a Badger Survey to identify setts, activity, and potential risk. You receive a clear, LPA-ready report detailing any required mitigation and timing measures, helping your project stay on schedule and compliant.
Key Deliverables for Nottinghamshire projects:
We provide clear, planner-ready evidence and practical steps your team can act on, including:
Full badger sett surveys
Activity and territory mapping
Inspections of hedgerows, earth banks, and woodland edges
Practical mitigation options
LPA-ready reporting
Licensing guidance if required
Actionable next steps for design teams and contractors
We provide realistic advice, not unnecessary escalations.
Step 1
Schedule
Send your site details and programme. We confirm the correct level of survey.
Step 2
Fieldwork
Walkovers, sett assess-ments, camera deployment and activity checks.
Step 3
Reporting
Planning-ready reports with impact assessment, mitigation options and timelines for site teams.
Next Steps
Need a badger survey in Nottinghamshire? Let’s confirm your site’s requirements and keep your project on track.Â
FAQ - Badger Surveys in Nottinghamshire
Do I need a badger survey for a development in Nottinghamshire?
You may need a badger survey if your project involves excavation, trenching, or land clearance near hedgerows, woodland, or field margins in Nottinghamshire. This includes housing developments, barn conversions, or infrastructure works in areas such as Nottingham, Mansfield, Worksop, or Newark. Early surveys help identify any badger activity and guide planning compliance.
Ashfield District Council – Planning applications
https://planning.ashfield.gov.uk/planning-applications Ashfield District Council PlanningBroxtowe Borough Council – Planning information & applications
https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/for-you/planning/ BroxtoweMansfield District Council – Planning
https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/planning Mansfield District CouncilNewark & Sherwood District Council – Planning Services
https://www.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/your-council/planning-services/ Newark & Sherwood District CouncilRushcliffe Borough Council – Planning & Growth (Planning Online)
https://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/planning-growth/planning/ Rushcliffe Borough CouncilNottinghamshire County Council – Planning applications search portal
https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planningsearch/
What does a badger survey involve?
A badger survey assesses whether badgers are present on or near your site. Ecologists look for setts, foraging signs, and movement patterns, sometimes using motion cameras or footprint tracking. The survey results indicate if mitigation is required and whether a licence from Natural England might be necessary.
How long does a badger survey take in Nottinghamshire?
Surveys usually take several site visits across a few weeks to accurately map activity patterns and sett locations. Seasonal factors, such as badger breeding or hibernation periods, may also affect timing, so early planning is recommended.
Will a badger survey delay my planning application?
When conducted promptly and with clear reporting, badger surveys rarely cause delays. In Nottinghamshire, thorough survey results and mitigation recommendations allow local planning authorities, such as Nottingham City Council or Mansfield District Council, to validate submissions efficiently.
What mitigation measures might be required?
Mitigation depends on sett locations and badger activity. Common approaches include buffer zones around setts, careful scheduling of earthworks, temporary fencing along runs, and contractor guidance to minimise disturbance. These measures allow development to proceed responsibly without harming badgers.
Which areas of Nottinghamshire do you cover?
We conduct badger surveys across Nottinghamshire, including urban fringes and rural areas around Nottingham, Mansfield, Worksop, Newark, Retford, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Bingham, Eastwood, Carlton, and surrounding villages. Our local knowledge ensures surveys are site-specific and aligned with planning requirements.