GovWire

This licence allows you to kill, take, disturb or possess a protected species when you carry out:

• surveys
• research for scientific or educational purposes
• work to conserve the species you are applying for

Protected species are:

• European protected species (those listed on schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017)
• animals listed on schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

For a licence to survey bats or badgers you must use a different application form.

Apply for an A29 licence

Complete these forms:

• application form A29
• references - where applicable

Before you fill in these forms, you need to download and save them to your computer. Send your forms to Natural England using the details on the application forms.

You must also include a project plan that is titled, dated and gives details of:

• the objectives of the project
• why the work is necessary
• methods you will use
• timing of proposed activities
• any alternative methods youve considered
• a plan or map to show the project location
• biosecurity measures
• how negative impacts on species will be avoided or minimised
• duration of the project and the reason for this
• how the data obtained will be used and shared.

When you need to pay

You may need to pay for a new A29 licence, or to make changes to an existing licence. Natural England will assess your A29 form and tell you:

• if you need to pay
• how much youll pay

You will need to pay for a licence if the main aim of the project is:

• surveys for construction or development
• filming or photography

You will not need to pay for a licence if the main aim of the project is:

• science, research or education relating to a protected species or habitat
• conservation of a protected species or habitat

How to pay

Natural England will send you an invoice when it approves your application.

You can pay by:

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

Your invoice will give payment method details.

VAT does not apply to charges for wildlife licences.

You need to include your invoice number with your payment.

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 A29 form.

Forms for specific species

There are separate forms for:

• bat surveys
• badger surveys
• beaver surveys, research or conservation
• hazel dormice level 1 and level 2 surveys
• great crested newts level 1 and level 2 surveys

Give references

You ne

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