Consultant ecologists apply for European Protected Species (EPS) licenses on behalf of their clients, who are the actual licensee.
Since 21st November 2007 a new offence was introduced for non-compliance with any EPS licence issued after that date. Failure to adhere to the terms of the licence (which includes the Method Statement, e.g. the mitigation measures proposed, the management prescriptions and commitment to post development monitoring) will result in enforcement action being taken against the licensee. A person found guilty of an offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 (currently £5,000 per offence) on the standard scale, or to both.
Please contact our Ecology Team if you have any questions over licence compliance or the licensing process.
