Biodiversity and development

For larger planning proposals, especially those in or near green field sites or vegetated 'brown field' sites, we will require a full report on wildlife habitats, protected species and geological features which may be affected, and how the developer intends to mitigate, avoid or compensate for, these effects.

Ecological and Geological Reports Planning Advice Note 7.3

List of Ecological Consultants Planning Advice Note 7.4

The reports must be informed by appropriate surveys which must be done at the right time of the year and many surveys will take several months to complete. They should always be done by an experienced ecological consultant to national standard protocols. The consultant will also need to be specially licensed to do bat, dormouse or great crested newt surveys.

The consultant will usually undertake an initial 'preliminary ecological appraisal', which is likely to recommend further 'protected species surveys'. The reports of the protected species surveys must be submitted with your application, as well as the preliminary appraisal. Larger developments are likely to require a full ecological impact assessment.

Larger reports should be accompanied by a data search. Devon Biodiversity Records Centre is the organisation with the most comprehensive data on biodiversity sites and species in Teignbridge.

The following links may be useful when preparing or commissioning surveys and wildlife reports:

Survey Calendar

Technical Guidance documents on the CIEEM website

Natural England advice on protected species

Devon County Council advice on protected species

Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey - JNCC website

National Vegetation Classification - JNCC Website

Bat Survey Good Practice Guidelines - Bat Conservation Trust website

Dormouse Conservation Handbook - PTES website

Amphibian and Reptile Group - ARG website

Devon Great Crested Newt guidance for planning

Cirl Bunting Wildlife and Development Guidance Note see appendices 2, 3 and 4