Biodiversity Survey and Report

Developments that do not affect sites of national or international environmental importance or give rise to complex environmental impacts are not likely to require an Environmental Statement under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.  However, if they have a significant local ecological impact, the applicant will be required to submit a Biodiversity survey and report.  This report should: assess the impact; provide details of any mitigation and enhancement measures proposed; justify  any unavoidable impacts; and include proposals for the long term maintenance and management of any remaining areas of biodiversity value. 

 

If there is the possibility of the habitat of any protected species being present on the site, it may be necessary to commission a (licensed) survey from a specialist consultant.  Protected species are identified in The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations 1994, which includes schedules of European protected species of animals and plants.  Those most commonly affected by developments in Sheffield include: badgers; bats; great crested newts; water voles; otters and nesting birds (other than pests).

 

The Council identifies areas of ecological interest in its UDP and Nature Conservation Strategy, copies of which can be seen at First Point and City libraries, and it will be necessary to agree the scope of an Ecological Assessment with an officer from the Council's Ecology Unit.  The Ecology Unit can also provide details of local experts able to carry out specialised habitat assessments using local knowledge.  The Planning Service should be alerted to any issues relating to badger setts, because the location of these will not normally be published online with other application dtails, due to the exceptional threats to this species.  Natural England publish guidance to assist planners, developers and ecological consultants preparing development proposals involving protected species, including:

 

 

Government planning policies for biodiversity are set out in Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS9) (August 2005)