Mike Smith – Deputy Director, Wildlife Licensing and Reform

Why wildlife licensing matters

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Growth, Licensing, Natural England, Nature
Water vole

At Natural England we help balance economic growth with nature protection. Wildlife licensing is a vital tool to enable this. Our licences are broad ranging and allow development and other activities to proceed, while safeguarding protected species and their habitats. Every …

Smarter Planning and Licensing Systems: Delivering Better Results for Bats and People

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Growth, Nature Recovery, Planning, Wildlife
• A Daubenton's bat hunting an insect at night. Credit: Paul Colley via iStock/Getty Images

By Mike Smith – Deputy Director, Wildlife Licensing and Reform This blog outlines how Natural England is modernising the bat licensing system. It explores how we are building evidence to strengthen the planning system to deliver better outcomes for bat …