Wildlife Licence Charges Update

Overview

We are seeking your views on Natural England’s proposals to change the fees levied under the Wildlife Licence Charges (England) Order 2018.

The changes are required because Natural England needs to:

• enable full cost recovery in line with HM Treasury principles on Managing Public Money;
• introduce charges for new streamlined licensing routes, such as Bat Earned Recognition; and
• ensure funding for licensing service improvements such as digitisation.

There are no proposals to change exemptions to charges.

You need a wildlife licence from Natural England if you plan to disturb or remove wildlife or damage habitats. The update to the fees will require the introduction of new legislation to replace the 2018 order. The aim is for this to come into force by October 2024.