In order to use the BLICL the project will need to meet certain strict criteria. The licence will permit works that have an impact on roosts of low conservation significance (i.e. feeding perches/roosts, day and night roosts), affecting no more than three individuals of the more common species. The species included within the remit of the licence are: common and soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared, whiskered, Brandt's, Daubenton's and Natterer's bats.
Benefits of the new Class Licence are:
- Reduced application process (less paperwork, and therefore time and cost savings)
- Turnaround times of 10 working days, compared to a standard mitigation licence of 30 working days
- Natural England reported savings, during the trial licence period in 2013, to developers over £180,000 and 444 weeks in possible delays to development
In order to be granted a Class Licence, the roost will still require a full suite of surveys to be carried out to determine the species and type of roost present; however, it is anticipated that a streamlined licence application process together with a pragmatic approach to works on site will have significant time and cost saving to our clients. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
