Badger Surveys

Expert badger surveys for planning compliance. Sett identification, activity assessment, and mitigation strategies to keep your project on track.

Why Are Badger Surveys Needed?

Badgers and their setts are protected under the Wildlife Acts (1976 to 2023). It is an offence to hunt, injure, or wilfully disturb badgers, or to damage, destroy, or obstruct access to a badger sett. Planning authorities require badger surveys when development is proposed in areas where badgers are likely to be present — which includes most rural and many suburban areas of Ireland.

Badger setts can extend over large areas underground, and their entrances may not be immediately obvious. A professional survey ensures that sett locations are identified before construction begins, avoiding legal issues and costly delays.

                Buffer zones: The standard buffer zone from a badger sett is 50 metres for blasting, 30 metres for heavy machinery, and 20 metres for light work. Depending on sett classification (main, annex, subsidiary, or outlier), different restrictions apply.
            

Our Badger Survey Services

Sett Survey

Systematic search for badger setts, latrines, paths, hair, and other field signs within and around the development footprint.

Sett Classification

Classification of setts as main, annex, subsidiary, or outlier based on entrance numbers, activity levels, and seasonal use patterns.

Impact Assessment

Assessment of development impacts on badger populations, territories, foraging habitat, and commuting routes.

Mitigation & Licensing

Mitigation strategies including buffer zones, timing restrictions and sett exclusion where sett disturbance is unavoidable. Note: NPWS is not currently issuing derogation licences for badger, so avoidance is the primary approach.

Need a Badger Survey?

Send your site details and we'll respond with a fixed-price quote within 24 hours.

Get a Quote or call 089 499 1181

Survey Timing

Badger surveys can be conducted year-round, though optimal periods are February to April (when setts are most active before cubs emerge) and October to November (when activity is concentrated around main setts before winter). We can accommodate surveys at any time of year to meet your planning timeline.

Get a Quote

Send your project details — we'll respond with a fixed-price quote, typically within 24 hours.

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089 499 1181