Do I need an ecology survey for my planning application?

Do I need an ecology survey for my planning application?

If you are planning a project that may negatively effect wildlife, it is likely that the local authority will require an ecology survey to be submitted with the application.

For example, in Derbyshire applications are not even being registered if they will effect a roof unless they are supported by a Preliminary Roost Assessment.  Where there are habitats that will be affected beyond existing buildings, a more general survey such as a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal will be requested.

Derbyshire Dales District Council provide the following advice:

Please be aware that applications for development requiring planning permission may need to be accompanied by information to demonstrate that no adverse impacts on wildlife, including protected and priority species and designated sites will result. UK Partnership for Biodiversity and Planning has released a free pre-application tool – the ‘Wildlife Assessment Tool’. This is designed to help those who may be less aware of biodiversity legislation and their responsibility to consider protected and priority species, as well as statutory designated sites that may be impacted by new development. This tool will help highlight where professional ecological advice and surveys will be required to help avoid an application for planning permission being refused on the basis of a lack of such information being submitted. A link to this tool is provided below:

https://www.biodiversityinplanning.org/wildlife-assessment-check/

The standard approach to demonstrating whether a project might impact wildlife is to start with a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal.  These may also be requested as a Phase 1 Habitat Survey.