Natural England will be implementing charges for mitigation licences in a phased manner from April 2019, with the specific timing dependent on the successful implementation of business improvements to strengthen customer service delivery.
Natural England are aiming to implement the first phase of charges with the dormouse mitigation licence (A35) from 1 April 2019 and for bat licences (A13, A34 and CL21 site registration) from 22 April 2019. Implementation of charges for the badger licences (A29 and CL35 site registration) is provisionally timetabled for May 2019 with great crested newts and other species to follow later in the year.
Natural England will provide final confirmation of these dates for dormouse and bat mitigation licences ahead of implementation. Applications (including modifications and resubmissions) received before the charging implementation date will not be charged for, even if their assessment has not been completed.
Applicants will be asked to provide details to determine the level of charges that will apply to their application. Applicants that want an indication of how much their variable price licence will cost can also request this at the same time. Payment for the licence will be requested via invoice after the licence has been issued.