Local List Glossary

When is this required?

• A Wildlife Trigger List (WTL) must be completed and submitted with all planning applications. If the proposal results in a 'Yes' response to any question, a Wildlife Report must be supplied before the application is registered (A Wildlife Statement prepared by the agent will be accepted in respect of Householder applications only).
• Major applications must be supported by a DEFRA metric / Biodiversity Impact Assessment

The Wildlife Report must be produced by a qualified and suitably experienced Ecological Consultant and should include a Wildlife Checklist and a Conservation Action Statement, where required. If the Wildlife Report indicates that detailed Protected Species Surveys are required then these must also be included.

The Wildlife Report should clearly set out:

• The site's biodiversity baseline
• How the development impacts on designated sites, protected species, UK BAP priority species and habitats and Devon BAP key species (impact assessment)
• How any potential impacts have been considered on the basis of the mitigation hierarchy of avoid, mitigate and compensate (clearly set out in a Conservation Action Statement)
• How the application complies with Wildlife Legislation and National and Local Planning Policy; and
• Demonstrate how the development proposal will contribute to a Net Gain for Biodiversity.  The level of requirements to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will vary on a site specific basis, sometimes there will be a requirement for the use of the formal DEFRA Metric / Biodiversity Impact Assessment Calculator or other enhancement measures can be secured. Applicants are advised to seek advice on the exact requirements at pre-application stage.

A Wildlife Statement prepared by the agent will be accepted in respect of Householder applications only. The Wildlife Statement should include a brief description of the building and its construction materials along with photographic evidence of inside/outside the building/roofspace/loft spaces/basement rooms/internal spaces and external fabric of the building(s) as well as around other possible access points to demonstrate that the exterior and interior of the building(s) have been fully inspected and no evidence of protected species have been found.  All photographs must be fully annotated showing where the proposed development would cut into the building.

If the LPA determines that the Wildlife Statement is insufficient following review or consultation, it may request a formal Wildlife Report during the lifetime of the application.

Potential wildlife impacts should be considered at the earliest stages of development as certain survey work can only be undertaken at specific times of the year. Consequently, advanced planning will be necessary to ensure that the appropriate survey work can be completed prior to the submission of the application. National and Local Policy requires ALL new development to contribute to a 'net gain' in biodiversity regardless of whether or not the WTL results in the need for a wildlife report.

Planning applications that do not trigger the requirement for a Wildlife Report will need to be accompanied by evidence which demonstrates that Biodiversity Net Gain has been considered and appropriate measures have been included in the development to increase biodiversity.

Relevant Policy and reason for the document:

North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031 http://consult.torridge.gov.uk/portal/planning/localplan/adoption/

North Devon and Torridge Local Plan Policy DM08: Biodiversity and Geodiversity

National Planning Policy Framework paragraphs 8, 170 and 174.

Further information:

Devon County Council Wildlife and geology planning guidance, including the Wildlife Trigger List: https://www.devon.gov.uk/environment/wildlife/wildlife-and-geology-planning-guidance

National Planning Policy Guidance, Natural Environment https://www.gov.uk/guidance/biodiversity-metric-calculate-the-biodiversity-net-gain-of-a-project-or-development

Biodiversity Net Gain: Good practice principles for development: Biodiversity Net Gain: Good Practice Principles for Development. | CIEEM

Biodiversity Net Gain Report and Audit Templates: https://cieem.net/resource/biodiversity-net-gain-report-and-audit-templates/

British Standards on Biodiversity Net Gain

Defra Biodiversity Metric - Introduction to the Proposed Updated Metric (BD2020