Form

How to apply for a bat mitigation licence

Updated 5 August 2024

Applies to England

To apply for a mitigation licence, you need to complete the latest version of the:

• application form
• method statement – to show what you’ll do to reduce the impacts of the proposed work on bats
• work schedule – to show when you’ll do the activities and in what order

You may also need to provide:

• a reasoned statement to show that the activity fits the criteria and that there is no satisfactory alternative
• references to show that the ecological consultant has the necessary experience to apply for a mitigation licence (references will not be needed if they’ve held a mitigation licence for the same species in the last 3 years)

If the purpose of your application is to preserve public health or safety, you must make this clear in any covering email or letter.

You must also obtain all necessary consents and include copies of them.

If the work is part of a phased or multi-plot development, you must submit a:

• bat master plan
• habitat management and maintenance plan

You should attach these as separate documents alongside your application.

To understand what needs to be included in your master plan, you can use the archived guidance on great crested newt master plan requirements as a guide.

Natural England will decide whether to issue a licence within 30 working days of receiving your application.

Use the European protected species (EPS) licensing policies

As part of your mitigation licence application, you may be able to use the EPS licensing policies to:

• reduce the level of survey you need to carry out
• reduce the mitigation requirements
• improve flexibility on where you create habitats as a compensation measure

Find out when and how to use European protected species policies to benefit EPS.

Use of safe roofing membranes

You must include a certificate that proves the roofing membrane has passed a ‘snagging propensity test’ if you’re using a non-bitumen coated roofing membrane.

A snagging propensity test checks that the membrane can stand the repeated snagging actions of roosting bats. To pass, a membrane must show no change in the average number of loops per cm2 as rotations are increased from 0 to 1000.

You do not need a certificate for bitumen 1F felt that has a non-woven, short fibre construction.

Request a change to an existing licence

For all changes, you must:

• complete the modification request form
• include the licence reference number
• have both the ecologist and the licensee sign the form
• include any amended documents or figures, dated appropriately, as stated on your request form (highlight changes within documents and strikeout deleted text)

For a change of licensee, you must include:

• a letter or email from the previous licensee explaining what is proposed
• a letter or email from the new licensee confirming that they accept the agreed mitigation proposals relating to the licence
• an application form with sections 1, 18 and 19a completed by the new licensee

For a change of named ecologist, you must include:

• a letter or email from the previous ecologist explaining what is proposed
• a letter or email from the new ecologist confirming that they accept the agreed mitigation proposals relating to the licence
• an application form with Sections 2, 10, 18 and 19b completed by the new ecologist

If your licence was issued before 2015, meaning it includes a licensed method statement, you must: 

• provide a summary of progress stating what has been completed and what is left to complete
• provide a summary of the animals captured or disturbed during the licensed works so far
• include a list of the changes to the licensed method statement and other documents
• state whether there are any implications for the ‘favourable conservation status’ of the licensed species as a result of the proposed changes
• include an updated method statement, dated appropriately, with all changes clearly highlighted (even if you only need to modify the work schedule)
• include all maps and figures that support your method statement

When you may need to pay

You may need to pay for this licence or a change to your licence for certain development work. Natural England will assess your application form and tell you:

• if you need to pay
• how much you’ll pay

Read the terms and conditions for paying for a wildlife licence.

How to pay

Natural England will send you an invoice when they approve your application.

You can pay by:

• electronic bank transfer
• debit or credit card by telephone - except American Express
• cheque

Your invoice will give details for these payment methods.

You need to include the invoice number with your payment so Natural England can match it to your application.

VAT does not apply to charges for wildlife licences.

Natural England accepts purchase orders. If you want Natural England to add a purchase number to your invoice, you must include it in the invoice details in your application form.

How to report your actions

You must report any actions you took using this licence using the European protected species return form.

You must report no later than 2 weeks after your licence expires, even if you’ve taken no action. You may also be asked to submit interim reports.

Send your completed form by post or email to Natural England using the details on the form.