Before you start

Use this form to apply for an individual licence (A10 or A48) to release gamebirds on a European site (Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)) or within its 500m buffer zone.

Before submitting your application, make sure you have:

• read the guidance on gamebird licensing (opens in new tab)
• considered whether you can move your release sites (pens or areas) outside of the 500m buffer zone of a European site
• considered changing your planned release activities to meet the conditions of the GL43 General Licence instead of an individual licence
• have site location references (Ordnance Survey grid reference) for each of the release sites

Factors to consider when completing your application

Natural England cannot consider economic or social factors in their assessment of your application, for example the cost implications of not receiving a licence. They will focus their assessment on whether or not your proposed activity risks damaging the features of the protected site

Natural England will not visit shoot locations as part of the licence assessment process so you must give complete and accurate answers to all questions.

Submitting an application does not guarantee you a licence. You should have alternative plans in place, in case the licence for your release is not granted.