Specialist Beaver Surveys for planning and development across Shropshire, supporting projects affecting rivers, streams, wetlands and connected freshwater habitats within the River Severn and Shropshire Hills catchments.
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Beavers have returned to Shropshire for the first time in more than 400 years, making them an increasingly important consideration for development affecting suitable freshwater habitat.
The county now has multiple licensed beaver projects, including the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury and the River Clun headwaters in the Shropshire Hills.
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 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.
Shropshire contains an extensive network of rivers, upland streams, wetlands and floodplains stretching from the Welsh border through the River Severn catchment.
Important river systems include the River Severn, River Tern, River Perry, River Clun, River Onny and River Rea, together with numerous smaller brooks and wetland habitats.
The planning authority will generally be either:
Shropshire Council
Telford & Wrekin 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.
Potential impacts can include damage to burrows or lodges, disturbance, removal of bankside vegetation, changes to water quality and alterations to hydrology.
Early ecological input can help provide the information requested by the LPA and reduce the risk of protected species matters causing avoidable delays.
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 Shropshire, 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.
Shropshire's best known beaver project is at the Old River Bed Nature Reserve in Shrewsbury. In February 2025, a pair of Eurasian beavers were released into a purpose built enclosure within the Site of Special Scientific Interest, marking the return of beavers to Shropshire after more than four centuries.
The project is a partnership between Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shrewsbury Town Council, with Natural England licensing the release. The beavers quickly established a lodge, began coppicing willow, altered water channels and transformed wetland habitat within the reserve. Later in 2025, the project's first beaver kit was confirmed, representing the first beaver born in Shropshire for more than 400 years.
For planning and development, this demonstrates that beavers are now an active part of Shropshire's ecological landscape rather than simply a future aspiration.
A second important project is taking place within the upper River Clun catchment.
In March 2025, a breeding pair of beavers was released into a carefully designed enclosure in the headwaters of the River Clun as part of a river restoration project led by Severn Rivers Trust.
The project aims to:
Slow water flow
Improve water quality
Restore wetland habitat
Reduce downstream flood risk
The River Clun is already an ecologically significant river supporting species such as Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussels, making habitat restoration particularly important.
This project is distinct from the Shrewsbury enclosure but reinforces Shropshire’s growing role in beaver recovery.
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 Shropshire 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 river, stream or wetland in Shropshire?
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. Beavers returned to Shropshire in 2025 through licensed projects at the Old River Bed in Shrewsbury and the River Clun headwaters in the Shropshire Hills.
The Old River Bed Nature Reserve is in Shrewsbury and contains an enclosed beaver project managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shrewsbury Town Council.
Yes. The first beaver kit was confirmed in 2025, marking the first beaver born in Shropshire for more than 400 years.
The River Clun project is a river restoration initiative in the Shropshire Hills, where a breeding pair of beavers was released into an enclosure to help restore natural processes and improve river health.
No. The presence of a river alone does not automatically establish a survey requirement. The LPA determines what ecological information is required based on the site and proposed works.
Potentially. Current ecological records, habitat suitability and the proposed works should be considered where development interacts with the River Clun catchment.
Our ecologists can look for gnawed or felled trees, feeding remains, tracks, slides, scent mounds, burrows, lodges and dams, together with evidence of how beavers are using the surrounding habitat.
Surveys can be undertaken throughout the year, although October to March normally provides the most accurate conditions for detecting field signs.
No. Beaver presence does not automatically prevent development. Potential impacts should be assessed and avoidance considered first, with mitigation or licensing where necessary.
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.
