Badger Relocation Behind School Playing Fields

Project Overview

Crown & Burrow was asked to assess a woodland area immediately behind a school’s playing fields where established badger activity had begun to raise safety concerns. Over time, the badgers had dug setts within the woods used by children, and the resulting ground instability presented a potential hazard so close to a school environment.

The brief was twofold and required a careful balance: resolve the safety risk to the schoolchildren while safeguarding the badgers, which — along with their setts — are legally protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The objective was therefore to assess the situation thoroughly and relocate the badgers safely, in full compliance with wildlife protection law.

Challenges

The principal challenge was to relocate the badgers humanely, without causing them distress, while ensuring the continued safety of the schoolchildren using the playing fields. Because interfering with an active badger sett is unlawful without authorisation, the work could not begin until the appropriate consent was in place.

Obtaining the necessary Natural England licence demanded strict adherence to wildlife regulations and detailed, careful planning. Every step had to be designed to minimise impact on the resident badger population and to demonstrate that the animals would be encouraged to move on of their own accord rather than be harmed or trapped.

Solution

Once the appropriate Natural England licence had been secured, Crown & Burrow installed one-way badger gates at each sett entrance across the woodland area. These gates allow badgers to leave the sett but prevent them from re-entering, gently encouraging them to relocate to suitable habitats nearby without any handling or harm.

To reinforce the area and deter future burrowing, high-quality stainless-steel mesh was also installed. The setts were then monitored over a 21-day period — the minimum exclusion window required to confirm that every badger had safely vacated the site before the area was made secure. This patient, licence-led approach ensured the animals were never trapped, injured or distressed at any stage.

Results

The mitigation worked exactly as intended. The badgers relocated to alternative habitats without distress, and the woodland area behind the school’s playing fields was stabilised, eliminating the safety risks to the children.

The entire project was completed in full compliance with wildlife protection regulations, effectively balancing public safety with ecological conservation. It is a clear example of how Crown & Burrow’s licensed, humane methods protect both people and protected wildlife — resolving a genuine safety concern at a school while ensuring every badger was moved on unharmed.

If you are managing badgers on or near a school, development site or public area, Crown & Burrow can advise on surveys, Natural England licensing and humane sett closure. Call 01483 387478 or email badgers@crownandburrow.co.uk.