Badgers and Development
Badgers are a protected species. This means that badgers’ burrows (setts) are also legally protected from damage or disturbance at all times.
Setts not only provide a safe place to live but are also central to the badgers’ family and territorial social structure. Often setts have been in continuous use by successive generations of badgers for hundreds of years.
Damage or disturbance to a sett can have catastrophic consequences for the group of badgers in residence. Simply moving to a new sett is rarely an option and a homeless badger will struggle to survive.
Deliberate interference with a badger sett is a criminal offence and any suspicious activity should be reported to the local police station. Unfortunately, blatant acts such as ‘badger digging’ are not the only threat.
Planners, developers, engineers and builders all have a legal obligation to consider and protect species such as badgers. Proposals for building works, civil engineering, landscaping and quarrying must follow procedures designed to protect our wildlife.
Anyone who believes that badgers or other wildlife may be adversely affected by any proposed development should contact their local planning office. Advice and other information concerning badgers and development is available from this website – www.badgersni.org.uk