Wildlife and Planning Applications
What do you need to do?
You need to consider the impact of your proposed development on wildlife, this includes important wildlife habitats and species specially protected by law.
For small scale developments, including householder applications, please use the interactive Wildlife Assessment Check to see whether your application will need to be supported by any ecological information.
For general advice on what you need to think about when submitting a planning application please refer to the Joint Design Guide (2022).
Current planning policy encourages developments to provide a biodiversity net gain, but prohibits net losses. From November 2023 onwards, it is anticipated that the Environment Act 2021 will require developments to deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain. Further information on biodiversity net gain can be found here.
What is the Council’s role?
The Council has a statutory duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity. When making planning decisions, the Council must ensure compliance with the requirements of the Local Plan and relevant wildlife legislation.
The Council will use the following policies and guidance documents, among others, to assess wildlife impacts of planning applications:
National Planning Policy Framework (2021):
- Chapter 15 – Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment
South Oxfordshire Local Plan (2035):
- Policy ENV2 – Biodiversity: Designated Sites, Priority
Habitats and Species - Policy ENV3 – Biodiversity
- Policy ENV4 – Watercourses
- Policy ENV5 – Green Infrastructure
Other useful information can be found in the following links:
Circular 06/2005: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation
Planning Practice Guidance – Natural Environment
Great Crested Newts
Natural England has issued the Council a district level licence for great crested newts. This licence allows authorised developers to lawfully undertake works which impact great crested newts. This innovative approach to great crested newt licensing has a number of benefits, compared to the ‘traditional’ licensing process:
NatureSpace is the Council’s delivery partner for district level licensing and can be contacted for more information. Developers wanting to utilise the district level licence will need to submit the relevant NatureSpace documents to the Council with any planning application.
Natural England has issued guidance to local planning authorities utilising the NatureSpace great crested newt district licence scheme on how to assess planning applications.
For more information on great crested newt licences please see the Great Crested Newt licensing factsheet.
How to get help
The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) has a registered practice directory of ecological consultancies who can provide a range of services to help you gather the information you need to support your planning application.
The Council cannot recommend a specific person or company to provide a developer with services. Developers are encouraged to obtain multiple quotes for any required services and ensure that any consultant used is suitably qualified and experienced.
The Council also offers ecology pre-application advice if you need ecological advice before submitting a planning application*.
*Please note our ecology pre-application advice service has been temporarily suspended. We hope to be in a position to restart this service in the near future. Please keep an eye on our website for an update.
