We need to fully understand all the impacts, both negative and positive, of a proposed development, including the impacts on wildlife and biodiversity. When submitting a planning application, it may be necessary for you to include an ecological assessment (sometimes referred to as a Biodiversity Survey and Report) to provide this information.
When will a nature conservation/ecological assessment be required?
You should submit an ecological assessment with a planning application when the development proposals (including any associated off-site works) will affect the following:
designated sites
priority habitats
other biodiversity features
species protected by law
priority species
If you have agreed with our Biodiversity Officer that an ecological assessment is not required, this should be made clear on the completed validation checklist form.
previously developed land with biodiversity interest
urban green space (such as allotments, disused railway lines)
ponds
Protected species
There are a number of species that are protected by law, for example under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended and the The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010). There are a wide range of protected species that occur in Cotswold District, including:
These are species that are listed at section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 as being species of principal importance for biodiversity. In Cotswold District these species include:
hare
common lizard
a number of bird species
Precautionary Methods of Working
This is a summary document to outline the precautionary working practices for protected species (reptiles, common toads, badgers, hedgehogs and nesting birds), on sites where there is a low risk of the species being present and when the local planning authority (LPA) considers the precautionary measures to be applicable. This is not a legal document and does not include all information on wildlife protection and legislation.
Bats are nocturnal which makes them sensitive to artificial lighting. Inappropriate lighting can increase predation on bats, prevent them from feeding, commuting or getting in and out of their roost.
details of assumptions and conditions for example, duration, timers, internal lighting, curtains
an explanatory note including potential glare sources and mitigation
Mitigating the effect of development
You can mitigate the effect of development on bats by including dark buffers, illuminance limits, zonation, appropriate luminaires, sensitive site design, screening, glazing treatments, creation of alternative habitats and dimming.
Mitigation options should be recommended by the lighting engineer and the ecologist
Key lighting specifications
Lighting suitable for bats should have:
LED
warm white spectrum < 2700 Kelvin
a dimmable light, with motion sensors (PIR) and short timers
0% upward light ratio
careful consideration of position and height
recessed internal lights
screening (planting, hardscape, hoods or cowls)
What should be included in an ecological assessment
The level of assessment required will vary from a simple biodiversity survey to a complex ecological assessment as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
Ecologists carrying out nature conservation/ecological assessments should have the appropriate experience and qualifications.
Any survey or assessment should be carried out at the appropriate time of year, in suitable weather conditions and using nationally recognised survey guidelines/methods. For guidance on appropriate survey methods visit the Institute for Ecology and Environment Management.
It is important that any assessment includes both on and off site impacts. Pipelines and cable runs serving the site which go beyond the site boundary should be assessed because they can cause impacts elsewhere, for example development can lead to changes in hydrology which can affect habitats at some distance away.
The ecological assessment should include:
Details of ecological consultants
Name and experience of the ecologist who has undertaken the survey
Desk-based study of the site
A general description of the site, explaining its location and a map
The current status of the site (e.g. is it a designated site?)
Any designated sites within 1km should be identified on a plan
Copies of any consultations with statutory or non-governmental organisations, such as Natural England, the Environment Agency or the Wildlife Trust
Field-based study of the site
Date, time, temperature and weather conditions at the time of survey.
Up-to-date survey information for the site, including survey methods, and results (species and habitats present and their extent, frequency and location - all data collected should be included). The type of survey will depend upon the nature of the site and the likely impact of the proposed development. For more information on survey methodologies visit the Institute for Ecology and Environmental Management
Evaluation of the site
Evaluation of the ecological importance of the site
Impact of the proposed development on the biodiversity of the site and its surroundings
If European protected species are affected, consideration should be given to the 'derogation' tests
Mitigation and compensation proposals (including habitat management, enhancement and creation proposals)
Net impacts of the proposed development
What else should be submitted with an ecological survey?
If mitigation and compensation proposals have been recommended within the ecological assessment, you should illustrate them on your submitted drawings. For example, if a bat loft is recommended within a barn conversion, you should detail the location and the dimensions of the loft in the submitted plans so that the Local Planning Authority can be satisfied that the mitigation measures can be achieved as part of the development.
You should always submit surveys and mitigation proposals as part of the planning application. If you undertake and submit them later in the process, there is a risk that the plans for the development will have to be redesigned or halted (temporarily or permanently) for example if protected species are found on site.
Precautionary Method of Working - pdf - 6.99 Mb