Using a biodiversity validation checklist
Checking planning requirements for ecology
Specialist advice costs money, so knowing when to invest in professional fees is important.
Checking whether planners will request an ecology survey for planning can often be quickly done by using a biodiversity checklist.
These can identify if your development needs a specialist assessment based on its’ location and type. A good example to check is that of Essex Place Services’ “Biodiversity Validation Checklist”: https://bit.ly/37RjuOx.
However you may also prefer to get independent advice about your project by speaking to a professional.
We are always happy to discuss planning for wildlife with you, whether an ecological assessment is necessary and what this might involve.
Certainly with larger or more novel projects or where certainty on timings is preferred, engaging an ecologist early can be an effective use of resources.
For BREEAM, an early initial discussion with an ecologist can allow you to secure important additional credits for Land-use and Ecology. These additional credits can assist in increasing your scheme’s BREEAM ratings.
With their local knowledge, an experienced advisor can quickly identify and flag to you planning issues and opportunities.
We offer a free 30-minute initial consultation to help you decide if we can bring value to your project.
Finding a biodiversity checklist
Local planning authorities often have easy-to-use biodiversity checklists for planning for wildlife, ideal for simple or householder projects.
Some examples of these biodiversity validation checklists are included below. It is worth checking if there is a specific validation checklist for your local planning authority.
If you can’t find one for your local authority, we would recommend trying the “Partnership for Biodiversity in Planning”, who have a free online tool to help householders and small to medium-scale developers with preparing their planning applications.
Helpful maps and information on biodiversity are also available via the MAGIC website (“Multi Agency Geographical Information Consortium”), which is now supported by DEFRA. The site provides an easy way to locate information on local designated sites and “SSSI Impact Risk Zones”.
“SSSI Impact Risk Zones” are a screening tool used to assess planning applications for likely impacts on designated sites such as SSSIs/SACs/SPAs & Ramsar sites1. If your site is within an impact zone, you can identify if Natural England will be concerned about your development. For example an applicable risk of concern for Rural Residential is “Any residential development of 100 or more houses outside existing settlements/urban areas.”
1See for a fuller explanation on how to use MAGIC : https://magic.defra.gov.uk/Metadata_for_magic/SSSI%20IRZ%20User%20Guidance%20MAGIC.pdf
Examples of biodiversity checklists
| Example | Details | Web link to checklist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| National example: “Partnership for Biodiversity in Planning” | The “Partnership for Biodiversity in Planning” have a free online tool to help householders and small to medium-scale developers with preparing their planning applications. | Wildlife Assessment Check | |
| County example: Essex County Council | Place Services at Essex County Council have prepared a checklist for “Major applications”. | https://www.placeservices.co.uk/resources/natural-environment/essex-biodiversity-validation-checklist/ | |
| District example: West Suffolk Council | West Suffolk Council have a detailed biodiversity checklist, that is presently at consultation stage. | https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Consultations/upload/BiodiversityChecklist.pdf | |
| National Park: New Forest | New Forest National Park has a checklist available for both full applications and for householders | https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/planning/guidance-on-applying/biodeversity-checklist/ | |
| MAGIC ( part of DEFRA ) | This online website allows you to find nearby protected sites and some biodiversity habitats. | magic.defra.gov.uk |