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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Key species and habitats // Hazel dormice // Protection for hazel dormice // Hazel dormice mitigation license

Hazel dormice mitigation license

Hazel dormice are protected under The Habitats Directive of 1994 that makes it an offence to deliberately to kill, capture, or disturb a European Protected Species (EPS) such as hazel dormice, or to damage or destroy its breeding site or resting place.

When a development is planned an ecological consultant will undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) This will assess the possible impacts of the development on a range of species including hazel dormice. If there is a potential impact on hazel dormice, a dormouse survey may be done to determine whether dormice are actually present at the site.

Surveying for dormice by checking dormouse boxes or nest tubes, requires a disturbance licence issued by Natural England (NE) or Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

If they are shown to be present, a mitigation licence may be required from NE or NRW. Since 2000 for a mitigation license to be issued, the following three tests must be satisfied:

That the development is ‘in the interests of public health and public safety, or for other imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature and beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment’
That there is ‘no satisfactory alternative’
That the derogation (ie any permission/licence granted) is ‘not detrimental to the maintenance of the populations of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range’.

A mitigation licence will specify the methods to be used during the development works, to minimise the impacts on the hazel dormouse population at the site. It will also specify the required outcome at the end of the development works, to ensure no net loss of dormouse habitat.

NE or NRW are responsible for ensuring that the conditions of a disturbance licence or mitigation licence are not breached and to take action if they are. It is a matter for the police if dormice are deliberately killed, captured, disturbed, their breeding and resting places are damaged or destroyed and a licence has not been issued.

We have been working to save hazel dormice in the UK for over 20 years. Find out about our campaigns and how you can help.

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