Biodiversity Assessment Report
The Planning Authority must consider the conservation of
biodiversity when determining a planning application – this
includes having regard to the safeguarding of species protected
under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; the Conservation
(Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994; or the Badgers Act 1992;
as well as designated sites and priority habitats.
Where a proposed development is likely to affect protected
species, a designated site, priority habitat or geological feature,
the application must be accompanied by a Biodiversity/Geological
Survey and Report.
Please Note - Geological Surveys are not necessary on
Householder applications.
The circumstances in which a protected species survey and
assessment will be required are explained in more detail in Table
1, Local Requirement for Protected Species : Criteria and Idicative
thresholds (Trigger List). If the application involves any of the
development proposals shown in Table 1 (Column 1) of that document
a protected species survey and assessment will be required.
Exceptions to when a survey and assessment may not be required are
also explained in Table 1.
The survey should be undertaken and prepared by competent
persons with suitable qualifications and experience and must be
carried out at an appropriate time and month of the year, in
suitable weather conditions and using nationally recognised survey
guidelines/methods where available. The survey may be
informed by the results of a search for ecological or geological
data from the North Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre.
The Survey must be to an appropriate level of scope and detail
and must:
For Protected Species
- record where species are present and identify their numbers
(may be approximate); and
- map their distribution and use of the area, site, structure or
feature (eg for feeding, shelter, breeding).
For Designated Sites or Priority Habitat/Geological
Features
- record which habitats and features are present on and, where
appropriate, around the site;
- identify the extent/area/length present; and
- map their distribution on site and/or in the surrounding area
shown on an appropriate scale plan.
The Assessment must identify and describe potential development
impacts likely to harm the biodiversity or geological features
identified by the survey (these should include both direct and
indirect effects both during construction and afterwards).
Where harm is likely, evidence must be submitted to show:
- How alternative designs or locations have been considered.
- How adverse effects will be avoided wherever possible.
- How unavoidable impacts will be mitigated or reduced.
- How impacts that cannot be avoided or mitigated will be
compensated.
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