Planning Practice Note
SSSIs, Nature Reserves, Wildlife and Biodiversity
INTRODUCTION
This Practice Note gives advice to planning applicants and the public on the ways in which wildlife issues affect planning decisions.
The Practice Note is structured to give information on:
- the importance of wildlife conservation and biodiversity;
- the bodies that represent wildlife interests;
- the designation of wildlife sites;
- planning policy;
- planning procedure;
- general advice;
- contacts.
THE IMPORTANCE OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND BIODIVERSITY
It is generally accepted that the country's wildlife (both flora and fauna) is an important component of our heritage. This is emphasised by the rising rate of extinction of species in some parts of the world where economic and development pressures are acute.
The planning system has a part to play in ensuring that wildlife is conserved and opportunities for new habitats are created.
Biodiversity (short for biological diversity) is an expression used to include all living creatures including microscopic ones. In the modern world, natural balances are increasingly difficult to sustain. The loss or severe depletion of any species may give rise to unpredictable results or may harm our ability to deal with environmental or health problems.
Protected species
Under part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (the 1981 Act), many animal and plant species are protected. It is an offence to deliberately kill, injure, take or disturb listed animal species; destroy their resting places or breeding sites; or to pick, collect, cut, uproot or otherwise destroy listed plant species.
THE BODIES REPRESENTING WILDLIFE INTERESTS
Anyone interested in wildlife will know that there are a great many of these. There are both national and local bodies interested in specific kinds of wildlife, or general wildlife issues, some with a scientific perspective, some with a popular one and many with both. This BVPN confines itself to the two main contributors to planning policy and decisions.
English Nature (EN)
English Nature is the agency responsible for advising central and local government on nature conservation.
Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT)
The LPA works with and consults SWT in order to have the best possible local advice on wildlife matters.
THE DESIGNATION OF WILDLIFE SITES
Wildlife does not recognise national boundaries. This means that most countries recognise the need for international conventions on wildlife. Those with planning implications are listed here.
Ramsar sites are designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Ramsar is the place in Iran where the convention was agreed. The only Ramsar site in the District is Marton Pool, which is part of the Midland Meres and Mosses site.
Special Protection Areas (SPA) are designated under the EC Birds Directive. There are no SPAs in the District.
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) are designated under the EC Habitats Directive. The Stiperstones and the Hollies is a proposed SAC.
National Nature Reserves (NNR) are designated under the 1981 Act. There are 2 NNRs in the District:
- the Stiperstones and the Hollies;
- part of Wyre Forest.
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are designated under section 28 of the 1981 Act and are also the statutory designation for the international sites listed above. SSSIs can be designated for their geological features as well as for their flora and fauna. There are 46 SSSIs in South Shropshire.
Local Nature Reserves (LNR) are designated by Local Authorities. There is one LNR in the District: Leasowes at Church Stretton.
Wildlife sites are designated by SWT but do not have any statutory designation. There are 293 in South Shropshire.
PLANNING POLICY
Government planning policy is contained in Planning Policy Statement Note 9: Nature Conservation (PPS9).
Structure Plan policy: The Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Structure Plan 1996-2011 has several policies designed to protect designated sites, wildlife and its habitats from development.
Local Plan policy seeks to protect wildlife and habitats wherever possible. In practice, it will rarely be necessary for development to adversely affect a designated site in South Shropshire and the LPA is unlikely to grant planning permission for any such proposal.
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PROCEDURE
Preapplication discussions
The LPA encourages prospective applicants to discuss their proposals with officers at an early stage. Applicants are advised to draw officers attention to any wildlife issues which may affect their site. Delays can be caused by such matters coming to light at a later stage.
Environmental Assessment (EA)
PPG9 makes it clear that EA may be needed in cases that might affect an SSSI. The LPA may consult EN on cases where this may apply.
Consultations
The LPA must consult EN on applications that might affect SSSIs. It may consult EN for advice in other cases and may also take advice from SWT. The LPA is happy to receive comments on planning applications from local or special interest wildlife groups.
Planning permissions
Planning permission may be refused on wildlife grounds; or may be granted subject to conditions requiring wildlife interests to be protected during and after construction. Applicants are asked to take particular care in complying with such conditions.
Permitted development
Many small developments have automatic planning permission under the General Permitted Development Order (permitted development) (see BVPN35). Permitted development under the GPDO does not give a right to breach the EC Habitats Directive. Anyone contemplating works as permitted development that might affect an SSSI is advised to seek advice from EN or the LPA.
GENERAL ADVICE
The vast majority of people would class themselves as nature lovers and very few would not see the merit of nature conservation. It is hoped, therefore, that anyone undertaking new development in South Shropshire would be sympathetic to the following general advice:
- think of your proposal as part of its environment and work with natural features that already exist;
- consider reviving or creating new wildlife habitats but make sure that they are appropriate for local conditions especially:
- topography;
- microclimate;
- soil;
- try to plant locally occurring native species of trees and shrubs. Not only are these more likely to thrive, they will also support more wildlife species;
- never take protected species from the wild; always buy plants or seeds from specialist suppliers;
- many voluntary wildlife groups provide advice on habitat creation, nest boxes and other means of helping rare or locally scarce animals and birds to survive in adverse modern conditions;
- in short, try not to see wildlife conservation as an imposition but as an opportunity to improve the natural environment.
CONTACTS
- English Nature (01743) 282000
- Shropshire Wildlife Trust (01743) 284280
© Copyright South Shropshire District Council,
Stone House, Corve Street,
Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1DG.
Tel: (01584) 813000
Fax: (01584) 813128
e-mail: planning@southshropshire.gov.uk
Page Subscriptions:
Subscription allows you to track page changes without having to re-visit the page on too frequent a basis. The system will send you an email when a page to which you have subscribed is changed.
Subscribe to changes to this page here.Author: Planning and Building Control. Last Updated: 13/2/2007.
