A BADGER sett has been dismantled as it was ‘undermining’ a nearby Grade 1 listed building.

The sett, also known as a badger's den which usually consists of a network of tunnels, was located at Oxford University Parks at the Cricket Pavilion.

It was managed by Natural England, the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, but it had collapsed within the neighbouring yard and had also caused safety issues.

The University's building team obtained a licence to dismantle the sett and undertook work.

They followed specified criteria in terms of operations and timings and a full report was sent to Natural England.

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A spokesman from the University said: "The sett was of a temporary and seasonal nature and the dismantling of it was licensed. The operation followed procedures that ensured there were no risks of any badgers being located within it.

"Badgers have large and extensive ranges and this was simply an outlying sett that was used on a sporadic basis. All the operations were carried out by staff who have the necessary background and training to apply for badger licences."

Badgers are protected by law under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, in England and Wales. Licenses are therefore needed to remove setts and are granted on a daily basis where badgers cause issues for landowners or building managers.

Under the law, it is an offence to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger, cruelly ill-treat a badger, dig for a badger and intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy a badger sett.