I have a species on my site that is protected by European legislation. What information do I need to provide to the local planning authority?

Category: Ecology in Planning and Development

I have a species on my site that is protected by European legislation.  What information do I need to provide to the local planning authority?


When applying for planning permission, the minimum information that you will need to supply the planning authority is the survey report.  However, following a recent court ruling (known as the Woolley case), the local authority is now required to apply the three licensing tests set out in the Habitats Regulations before they can give planning permission.

For the three tests to be met, there must be no satisfactory alternative to the development, there must be imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the development to take place and the favourable conservation status of the European protected species must be maintained.

It is therefore recommended that alongside the survey report, you submit an additional report with your planning application which considers the three tests.  Your planning consultant and ecologist working together will be able to produce such a report on your behalf.

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