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Why do we need to consider wildlife and geology?

Local Planning Authorities are required to protect and enhance wildlife habitats, species and geological sites through the planning process. Some habitats and species are protected through European or national legislation, others are protected through national and local policy. In Devon examples of widespread protected species include bats, dormice, nesting birds and reptiles.

Devon’s geology is one of the most varied in the British Isles and the best exposures are protected through national and local designations.

Do I need to provide a Wildlife Report with my planning application and if so what should it include?

Steps:

1. Complete the Wildlife and Geology Trigger Table This table must be included with your planning application.
2. If there is a tick in the ‘yes’ column of Part A, a Wildlife Report must be included with your application. This must be produced by a qualified and experienced ecologist (87KB - pdf help)
3. A generic brief for the report can be found here (41KB - pdf help). This is guidance only and does not have to be used.  
4. The ecologist will initially carry out a site walkover survey. This can be carried out at any time of year.  
5. If there are no / minimal impacts the Wildlife Report still needs to be submitted but this can be very short.
6. If there are impacts, the ecologist may have to carry out further survey work e.g. to clarify impacts on dormice or bats. These detailed surveys have to be carried out at certain times of year (this varies from species to species) and it is important that the surveys are timetabled into your project plan in order to avoid wasting time and money. A survey calendar can be found at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/WhentosurveyFINAL_tcm6-21620.pdf. Details of the surveys must be included with your planning application.
7. If works are going to impact on a European Protected Species (such as bats, dormice, otters, great crested newts) you may need a licence from Natural England. Your ecological consultant will advise.

The final Wildlife Report is likely to include:

   a) Wildlife Checklist which provides a summary of results
   b) Details of surveys carried out
   c) How the development impacts on wildlife
   d) How the impacts will be avoided, mitigated (reduced) or compensated, as well as enhancement measures. All actions required to achieve this should be set out in a Conservation Action Statement. Planning permission is likely to be conditional on these actions being carried out. It is therefore essential that you are happy with these. The LPA may require a statement from your consultant stating that the actions have been undertaken.
   e) Details of any Natural England licences required (for bats, dormice, great crested newts, otters – all European Protected Species)

Do I need to include a geology report with my application?

Steps:

1. Complete the Wildlife and Geology Trigger Table
2. If there is a tick in the ‘yes’ column of Part B, a Geology Report must be included with your application which sets out how impacts will be avoided, minimised or compensated for. Ideally this should be produced by a qualified and experienced geologist (please discuss with the LPA).

Remember that you may need other licences or consents:

Marine: If your development is below Mean High Water you need to contact the Marine Management Organisation to discuss the requirement for marine licences.     

Tel: 0300 123 1032  Email: info@marinemanagement.org.uk  Web: www.marinemanagement.org.uk.

Environment Agency: For more information on the need for flood defence consent (for works within watercourses), flood risk assessments and issues such as surface water drainage, foul drainage, waste and land contamination contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri, 8am - 6pm) or go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning.

Further detailed information on wildlife legislation:

• Detailed Protected Species Advice – fact sheets for bats, dormice, reptiles etc (part of NE Standing Advice)
• List of site designations (note that County Wildlife Sites not currently included on this list)
• Planning Policy Statement 9:  Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (will be replaced by the new National Planning Policy Framework).