Protected species licences: when to include a reasoned statement with your application
Use the correct form to explain why your application meets the licence criteria and that there’s no satisfactory alternative to your planned activity.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
You may need to complete a reasoned statement as part of your licence application pack, if the activity you have applied for has no satisfactory alternative that will cause less harm to a protected species.
You’ll need to submit a reasoned statement to support licence applications which:
- concern preserving public health and safety
- have an overriding public interest
Use the guidance Protected species licences: when to include a reasoned statement above to find out more detail about reasoned statements, when you need to submit one and which form to use.
See also: European protected species: apply for a mitigation licence
Last updated 6 March 2023 + show all updates
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You do not need a reasoned statement for applications to conserve and protect 'listed buildings, unless you are proposing to extend buildings or structures or change their use’
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Uploaded a new reasoned statement template to support applications that concern preserving public health and safety.
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Updated the reasoned statement template documents to reflect that they now cover derogations under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
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Replaced the 'Reasoned statement for preserving public health and safety' and the 'Reasoned statement for overriding public interest' with updated versions.
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2 extra situations when you don't need to provide a reasoned statement with an application.
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Replaced reason statement forms with revised versions.
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First published.