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Sussex’s landscape of hedgerows, woodland strips, open pastures, drainage ditches, and rural plot boundaries provides excellent habitats for badger setts and movement corridors.
A badger survey assesses whether badgers are present and how they might be affected by development. Ecologists look for setts, foraging signs, and activity patterns, sometimes using motion cameras or tracking techniques, to understand local distribution. The findings help ensure that construction or land changes avoid disturbing badgers and meet planning requirements.
You may need a badger survey in Sussex if your project involves:
Excavation, trenching, or groundwork near hedgerows or woodland around Brighton, Chichester, or Eastbourne
Rural housing plots, barn conversions, or farm developments near Horsham or Haywards Heath
Clearance of scrub, earth banks, or embankments around Crawley or Bognor Regis
Works along field margins, ditches, or rural tracks in the surrounding countryside
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) highlighting badger activity or habitat potential
A postcode check can confirm whether your local planning authority (LPA) is likely to request a survey.
We conduct badger surveys across Sussex, covering major towns and surrounding villages including Brighton, Chichester, Eastbourne, Hastings, Horsham, Haywards Heath, Crawley, Bognor Regis, Lewes, and Worthing.
Sussex 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, which can stall site programmes or even necessitate redesign.
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.
Clear, proportionate, planning-aligned services:
Full badger sett surveys
Activity and territory mapping
Inspection of woodland edges, slopes, quarries, and hedgerows
Proportionate mitigation and avoidance strategies
LPA- and National Park–aligned reporting
Licensing guidance if required
Practical next steps for design teams, landowners, and contractors
We keep guidance realistic, grounded and aligned with rural development needs.
Send your site details and programme. We confirm the correct level of survey.
Walkovers, sett assess-ments, camera deployment and activity checks.
Planning-ready reports with impact assessment, mitigation options and timelines for site teams.
Only if needed. PEA, EIA, and Protected Species surveys
Need a badger survey in Sussex? Let’s confirm your site’s requirements and keep your project on track.
Badger surveys may be required where a proposed development could affect badgers, their setts, foraging areas or commuting routes. In Sussex, this is common for sites close to woodland, hedgerows, pasture, railway embankments, rural gardens, field margins and undeveloped land.
Sussex has a varied landscape of farmland, woodland, river valleys, coastal margins and semi rural settlements. These habitats can support badger activity, meaning planning authorities may request survey evidence before approving works that could disturb protected species.
No. Badgers and their setts are protected by law. Construction works must not damage, destroy, block or disturb an active sett unless the correct legal process has been followed. If a sett is found, an ecologist can advise on avoidance, buffers, working methods or licensing where required.
A badger survey involves a site inspection by an ecologist to look for setts, paths, footprints, latrines, hairs, feeding signs and other evidence of activity. The survey also considers how the proposed works could affect badgers and whether mitigation is needed.
Small developments do not always require a badger survey. However, extensions, outbuildings, garden developments and access works may still need assessment if suitable badger habitat is present nearby. Early ecological advice can confirm whether a full survey is needed.
If badgers are found, the ecologist will assess the level of activity, the status of any sett and the likely impact of the proposals. In many cases, development can continue with suitable mitigation, such as protective buffers, revised layouts, timing controls or a method statement.
Badger surveys can usually be carried out throughout the year, although visibility is often better when vegetation is lower. If the site is heavily vegetated, further checks or monitoring may be recommended to confirm whether setts are active.
Badger survey requirements vary by site and proposal. Authorities such as East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council, Lewes District Council, Horsham District Council and Chichester District Council may request survey information where protected species could be affected. East Sussex County Council Planning: https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/planning
A badger survey identifies constraints before construction or planning decisions are delayed. By understanding whether badgers are present early, developers can adjust layouts, apply mitigation and provide the ecological evidence needed by planning officers.
A badger survey report usually includes survey methods, site findings, photographs, maps, evidence of badger activity, impact assessment and recommendations. Where required, it may also set out mitigation measures to support planning compliance and lawful development.
