Protected Species

Where a development might affect protected species on or near a proposed site, specific issues may apply and be considered by planning authorities in deciding whether to approve or refuse an application.

Many of these species are also given protection by law outside the planning process. The protection varies depending on the species.

Natural England has published Standing Advice on Protected Species.

The Standing Advice sets out ways to identify the potential impacts of development and the risk reduction, mitigation and compensation measures that may be necessary if planning applications are to be approved. Links to useful checklists are included.

It also gives advice to landowners, developers and ecologists on the steps they must take to avoid harming the protected species and falling foul of the law in advance of a planning application as well as when conducting surveys.

Restrictions may still apply to a roost or nest when the wildlife species itself is not present.

In many cases special licences must be applied for.

Standing Advice is also available for individual protected species or type of species. This covers:

• The nature of the protection
• The need for surveys
• Survey methods - and the time of year to be undertaken
• Examples of activities which would harm the species - and be in contravention of the law
• Avoidance and mitigation methods
• Compensation methods
• Applying for licences

It is important that, in addition to conducting surveys on the ground in appropriate seasons, biological records are obtained from the Barnsley Biological Record Centre and other relevant sources.

For developers

Natural England has also published information for developers on how to prepare a planning proposal to avoid harm or disturbance to protected species. [link]. And how to avoid harming protected areas and species during development construction work. [link]

Protected Species