Planning ready Beaver Surveys and habitat assessments across Yorkshire, providing clear ecological evidence, proportionate recommendations and practical support for developments affecting rivers, streams, wetlands and riparian habitats.
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Beaver recovery is progressing in Yorkshire, with an established enclosed population at Cropton Forest in North Yorkshire and proposals now being explored for a licensed reintroduction into the wider Yorkshire Derwent catchment.
This makes beavers an increasingly relevant consideration for development affecting suitable freshwater and riparian habitats.
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:
Development alongside rivers, streams or connected wetlands
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
The presence of a river or stream does not automatically mean a Beaver Survey is necessary.
Where an LPA requests further ecological information, ProHort can undertake the appropriate assessment and provide clear ecological evidence to support the planning application.
Yorkshire contains an extensive network of rivers, tributaries, wetlands and floodplains extending from upland catchments through major towns and cities towards the Humber.
Important river systems include the Yorkshire Derwent, Ouse, Ure, Swale, Nidd, Wharfe, Aire, Calder, Don and Hull, together with numerous smaller rivers, becks and streams.
These watercourses pass through rural landscapes, agricultural land and heavily developed urban areas, creating very different ecological and development considerations across the region.
Where development could affect beavers or protected breeding and resting sites, the relevant LPA may require sufficient ecological information to understand the potential impacts before determining an application.
Potential impacts can include habitat loss, disturbance, damage to protected features, removal of bankside vegetation and changes to water quality or hydrology.
Early ecological input can help provide the information requested by the LPA and reduce the risk of protected species matters causing avoidable delays.
Yorkshire extends far beyond the Derwent and contains several major freshwater systems:
Ouse, Ure, Swale and Nidd
These rivers form an extensive connected network through North Yorkshire and the Vale of York.
Wharfe
The Wharfe flows from the Yorkshire Dales through areas including Ilkley, Otley and Wetherby before joining the Ouse system.
Aire and Calder
These rivers form major corridors through West Yorkshire, interacting with heavily developed areas including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and surrounding towns.
Don and Rother
These catchments extend through much of South Yorkshire, including areas around Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster.
These watercourses can provide suitable freshwater and riparian habitat, but suitable habitat alone does not mean that a Beaver Survey is required.
Outside areas of known beaver activity or licensed releases, current records, connectivity, habitat suitability and the nature of the proposed development should be considered before further survey work is undertaken.
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 Yorkshire, 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.
Yorkshire's best established beaver project is at Cropton Forest in North Yorkshire, near Pickering. Two adult Eurasian beavers were released into a secure enclosure in April 2019 as part of a scientific trial examining natural flood management and the effect of beaver activity on existing woody dams.
The beavers subsequently bred, with the first kits born in 2019 representing the first beavers born in Yorkshire for more than 400 years.
Over the following years, the family expanded its use of the enclosure, constructing dams and lodges and altering water levels and wetland habitat. The original five year trial concluded in 2024 and was subsequently granted a further five year extension by Natural England.
The Cropton project remains an enclosed population and should not be presented as evidence of an established wild beaver population across Yorkshire. However, its success has contributed to the next stage of beaver recovery in the region.
In 2026, Forestry England confirmed that it is exploring the potential for a licensed reintroduction of beavers into the Yorkshire Derwent catchment. The project is being developed with the North York Moors National Park and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Initial work includes engagement with public bodies, residents, landowners and communities throughout the catchment to understand the opportunities and concerns associated with the potential return of free living beavers.
This distinction is important for planning. A proposed reintroduction does not mean beavers should be assumed to be present throughout the Derwent catchment today. However, if a licensed wild release proceeds, beaver distribution and planning considerations within parts of North and East Yorkshire could change significantly over time. For development affecting suitable freshwater habitat, using current ecological records and up to date information will therefore become increasingly important.
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 Yorkshire 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 do you need ecological support for development affecting a Yorkshire watercourse?
ProHort can undertake the appropriate assessment and provide clear, planning ready reporting to help keep your project progressing.
Yes, but the distinction is important. An established beaver family lives within a secure enclosure at Cropton Forest in North Yorkshire. A wider licensed reintroduction into the Yorkshire Derwent catchment is currently being explored, rather than there being an established wild population throughout Yorkshire.
Cropton Forest is in North Yorkshire, close to Pickering and the North York Moors. Beavers were introduced into a secure enclosure there in 2019 as part of a natural flood management trial.
A potential licensed reintroduction is currently being explored by Forestry England in partnership with the North York Moors National Park and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. This should not be interpreted as confirmation that wild beavers have already been released throughout the catchment.
A Beaver Survey may be requested where development could affect suitable freshwater habitat and current information indicates beaver activity or a relevant release within or near the catchment. Further assessment may also arise following findings from a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.
No. Being within the Derwent catchment does not automatically mean a Beaver Survey is required. Current beaver distribution, ecological records, habitat suitability and potential development impacts should be considered, with the LPA determining what ecological information it requires.
Our ecologists can look for evidence including gnawed or felled trees, feeding remains, footprints, tracks, slides, scent mounds, burrows, lodges and dams, together with how beavers are using the surrounding habitat.
Potentially, but proximity to these rivers alone is not enough to establish a requirement. Current ecological records and the potential impacts of the proposed development should be considered, with the LPA determining what information is required.
Beaver Surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, although October to March normally provides the most accurate conditions for identifying field signs.
No. Beaver presence does not automatically prevent development. Potential impacts can be assessed and avoidance considered first. Where impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate mitigation and potentially a Natural England licence may need to be considered.
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 beaver activity or protected features are identified, our ecologists can also 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.