Defra have announced changes to legally protected species licensing. In a recent circular they state:

"Following the consultation and in light of a finding by the European Court of Justice, it was agreed by Defra Ministers that the best way to enhance the present system and to bring it in line with Defra’s delivery strategy would be to transfer the operational and delivery functions of Defra’s EPS [European Protected Species such as bats abd great crested newts] licensing remit not to Local Planning Authorities [as had been proposed previously] but to another part of the Defra family, the Rural Development Service (RDS). This will align EPS licensing with other wildlife licensing functions, pooling expertise within RDS’ National Wildlife Management Team (NMWT) based in Bristol. Under the new arrangements, EPS licensing work will transfer from Defra’s European Wildlife Division to the RDS’ NMWT with effect from 1 July 2005."

The new body handling the licensing work will be:

EPS Licensing
National Wildlife Management Team
Wildlife Administration Unit
RDS
Burghill Road
Bristol BS10 6NJ

Telephone 0845 601 4523 (local rate),
Fax 0845 601 3438 (local rate)
Email enquiries.southwest@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Defra go on to say that "English Nature will continue for the time being to undertake ecological assessments for this licensing work. However, this function – in all but exceptional cases - is expected to be carried out by RDS Wildlife Advisers by the end of 2005. Wildlife Advisers’ will use their existing expertise to assess the ecological elements of applications for EPS licences and will carry out monitoring visits and, where appropriate, liaise with police wildlife crime officers to assist with compliance enquiries."

At CBEB we shall continue to advise on all aspects of licensable work involving protected species, obtain and operate licences, and maintain best practice. It is our objective to help clients with all the red tape, ensure compliance and deliver peace of mind.