Natural England introduced a new licence in 2016 to: intentionally damage or destroy water vole burrows and to disturb by displacing water voles occupying burrows before carrying out lawful development works (licence CL31).
Previously the only licencing requirements in respect of water vole related to their live capture using traps.
Two of our staff (Jeremy and Ellen) have recently received their CL31 licence. Applicants need to be able to demonstrate suitable recent experience to enable them to obtain a licence from Natural England in respect of displacing water vole as a consequence of development works.