Badgers are a protected species in the UK, and as such, any development that may impact their habitat or setts is required to undertaken a badger survey. A badger survey is a process of identifying the presence of badgers in an area, and assessing the impact that any proposed development may have on them.

The first step is to have a badger survey conducted by a qualified ecologist. The initial survey comprises a walkover looking for signs of badger activity, such as setts, tracks and droppings/latrines. If signs of badgers are found, the next step is to carry out a more detailed survey. This may involve the use of stick screens or camera traps to identify the presence of badgers and the extent of their activity. This typically involves multiple visits over a period of at least four weeks.

If the proposed development is likely to have a significant impact on badgers, then a mitigation plan will need to be put in place to minimise the impact. Mitigation measures may include relocating the badgers to a new sett, or modifying the development plans to avoid disturbing the badgers. The specific measures will depend on the results of the survey.