Case Study

Envance – Badger Sett Closure

Supporting Envance, we had been tasked with excluding a badger sett under licence in the West Midlands region following the discovery of human bones that had been displaced by badgers digging under the cemetery from an adjacent railway embankment. After the bones had been carefully recovered by Police forensic teams and confirmed to have originated from the cemetery, a reinternment ceremony was held for any affected families and then it was over to Envance and Habitat Works to exclude and proof the Sett to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

While badgers are legally protected, their extensive burrowing can sometimes cause serious issues in sensitive locations such as cemeteries. This project required careful co-ordination, strict adherence to licence conditions, and compassionate management to safeguard both the badgers’ welfare and the dignity of the burial ground. Located next to a busy railway line, collaboration with network rail was also required to provide safe access and ensure minimal disruption to the rail service.

  • Licensed badger sett closure in a highly sensitive setting.
  • Delivered under licence and in full compliance with the Protection of Badgers Act.
  • Humane exclusion ensuring no harm to badgers or disturbance to cubs.
  • Coordinated works alongside railway infrastructure and stakeholders.
  • Safeguarding public safety and the dignity of the burial ground.

Scope of Works

The sett closure was undertaken under a licence issued by Natural England, in line with the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Closure was carefully timed to avoid the breeding season, ensuring that no cubs were harmed and all actions were fully legal and humane. 

 
Ecologists assessed the sett type, occupancy, and surrounding habitats before works began. Surveys confirmed activity and identified connections to nearby habitats along the cemetery and railway embankment, informing the closure method and mitigation measures. 

Work was completed at night, coordinated to respect cemetery visitors and memorials, and measures were implemented to protect the public from operational machinery. Close liaison with the railway operator ensured safe access, exclusion zones, high-visibility signage, and restricted working times near the tracks. 

Humane one-way gates were installed at sett entrances, allowing badgers to leave naturally before the sett was closed. Alternative habitats were created nearby to compensate for the loss of the original sett. Tunnels were backfilled gradually, and surface features retained where possible to maintain ecological value. Post-closure monitoring confirmed the badgers had vacated and did not attempt to return. 

 
Cemetery management, local councils, and railway operators were kept informed throughout the project. Temporary signage on site explained the works and highlighted safety precautions. 

All spoil and excavated material was carefully managed to prevent contamination of sensitive areas, and biosecurity measures were applied to minimize the risk of disease transmission. 

Through this careful, licensed approach, the project successfully closed the sett while safeguarding local wildlife, ensuring public safety, and maintaining habitat connectivity.