Planning - Find out how wildlife could be affected

Wildlife sites are recognised as being of international, national or local importance. The level of protection given to them through legislation and the planning system generally reflects their designation:

• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites are of international importance and receive the highest level of protection. These sites may have buffer zones where development up to 12km from the site needs to be considered.
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are of national importance and have statutory protection.
• Local Wildlife Sites, known in Devon as County Wildlife Sites (CWSs), are of local importance. They are non-statutory sites and are protected primarily through Local Plan policies and the planning system. 

Some sites have more than one designation. For example, land designated as an SAC or SPA is often also designated as a SSSI. The level of formal protection does not necessarily reflect the full ecological value of a site, for example some County Wildlife Sites contain habitats of a quality comparable with those found within SSSIs. However, they do not receive the same statutory protection.

Ecological reports describe habitats and species, assess likely impacts and recommend measures to address them.

You do not need to assess every technical detail. Useful questions include:

• Does the report cover the habitats and wildlife you know are present?
• Does it explain when surveys took place and any limitations?
• Are further surveys recommended, and have they been provided?
• Does it consider effects on nearby habitats and wildlife routes?
• Are the recommended measures reflected in the layout, lighting and landscape plans?
• Does it explain who will maintain and monitor those measures?

The applicant normally pays for the report, but a professional ecologist should provide an objective assessment. If you disagree, explain the specific issue and provide supporting information.

An ecological network is a joined-up system of wildlife-rich habitats that allows species to move, feed, breed and disperse across the landscape. Devon’s pattern of hedgerows is one of the most visible components of this network. The network also includes woodlands, wildflower grasslands, wetlands, rivers and streams.

Ecological networks are often fragmented. Protecting existing habitats and restoring or creating connections between them can help wildlife populations thrive and adapt to environmental change.

The Devon Nature Recovery Network Map identifies existing wildlife-rich habitats and areas where action could help to restore and connect them. It is complemented by the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which identifies priorities and opportunities for nature recovery across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. These resources can help inform decisions about land use, conservation and development.

Ecological reports submitted with planning applications are usually prepared by a consultant employed by the applicant. The report will outline the ecologically valuable habitats and species likely to be affected by the development and recommend mitigation measures to prevent significant harm to them. A suitably qualified and experienced ecologist should provide an objective professional assessment, identify any survey limitations and follow relevant legislation, standards and guidance.

Many ecological consultants are members of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), although membership is not compulsory. CIEEM members must comply with its Code of Professional Conduct, which requires them to work within their competence and exercise sound professional judgement, objectivity, accuracy and impartiality. CIEEM also publishes guidance on preparing ecological reports. 

However, this does not mean that you must agree with every conclusion in a report. You may have relevant local information that was not available to the consultant (whose surveys are only a snapshot in time), for example dated photographs. Local observations can be valuable, but they do not necessarily replace surveys undertaken at the appropriate time of year which use recognised assessment methods.

When reviewing an ecological report, you may wish to consider whether:

• the surveys are sufficiently up-to-date and were undertaken at appropriate times of year.
• all relevant habitats and species have been considered.
• any survey limitations are clearly explained.
• the proposed avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures address the identified impacts.
• these measures are incorporated into the proposed layout plans and landscape design.
• appropriate arrangements are proposed for implementation, management and monitoring.

If you provide local wildlife information when commenting on an application, include as much supporting detail as possible, such as the species observed, location, date, frequency of sightings and any photographs or records.

Local planning authorities should consider whether sufficient ecological information has been provided to determine an application. Access to specialist ecological advice varies between authorities, and not every application will receive detailed review by a local authority ecologist. Requirements also vary according to the nature and scale of the proposal.

Identify the gap and explain why it matters. For example, you may have observations of wildlife using a feature proposed for removal that the report has not addressed.

Ask the planning authority whether it has sufficient ecological information to assess the proposal. Survey requirements depend on the species, habitats and likely effects involved.

See Natural England’s guidance on protected species and development for more detail.