THE BADGER IN RELATION TO GEOLOGY 311
distribution is by no means random, being the more dense in the
regions around Lambourne End, Brentwood, Billericay and West-
ley Heights.
Figure 2. Soil Characteristics of the Setts
The last area has probably the highest concentration of setts
(17 setts in 7 sq. km. or 2.7 sq. miles) and it is only here that they
attain anything like the concentration of setts that occur in many
parts of S.W. England. Elsewhere, individual 1 km. squares
contain up to 5 and 6 setts but the overall density is much lower.
The area around Brentwood has probably the highest general
population with 35 setts in the 36 sq. km. centred on Brentwood
Station. This area is also heavily built up containing about 50,000
people, showing that badgers can live in close proximity to urban
areas, but only where large open areas, gardens and railway