Badger Licences - Land Management

Badgers are most often associated with woodland, but they can be found in a range of different habitats; from sea cliffs to upland areas where there may be no trees.  They are most often found around agricultural land. 

Most land management practices are unlikely to affect badgers or their setts.  However, if you think works you are proposing might affect them, and if those impacts cannot be avoided and the work might otherwise result in an offence being committed, then it may be possible to get a licence to carry out the work proposed.  Common scenarios are described below.

Badgers and forestry

Badger setts are often found in woodland.  This does not preclude any woodland management taking place, but it does mean that works in the vicinity of badger setts may have to be covered by a licence.  The general rule of thumb with forestry operations is that any works, including access, within 20 metres of a sett entrance could require a licence.  Forest practice guide no. 9   provides practical advice and guidance on forestry operations and badger setts.

Licence application form   

Badgers and agricultural operations

If agricultural operations are proposed in the vicinity of badger setts (the general rule of thumb for agricultural operations would be works within 30 metres of any sett entrance) and an offence could otherwise be committed as a result of such operations, it may be possible to get a licence to cover this work from Scottish Natural Heritage.

Licence application form    

Badgers and drainage and sea-water defences

Licences are also available from Scottish Natural Heritage to permit interference with badger setts for the purpose of operations to maintain or improve watercourses or drainage including works related to sea/tidal defences. 

Licence application form   

Note that works that might affect badgers or their setts for flood alleviation projects would be licensed by Scottish Natural Heritage for the purpose of preventing serious damage to property.

Scenario not covered?

If the scenario affecting you is not covered above or elsewhere in the species licensing section, feel free to contact us.