Bats, Great Crested Newts and other protected species….

When planning your extension or completely new home, the excitement of the new project can often overshadow an important aspect of the process: the presence of bats and newts, and other protected species. In the UK, ensuring that your planning application considers and mitigates impacts on protected species is not just good practice.  It’s a legal requirement.

What are protected species?

The UK’s protected species include a variety of wildlife such as bats, great crested newts, badgers, and certain birds. These species are safeguarded under various pieces of legislation:

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
• Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

These laws are designed to prevent harm to the species and their habitats.

Why consider protect species in your planning application?

Failing to identify potential direct and indirect impacts of your project on protected species can lead to significant delays.  It can even result in the refusal of your planning application.  But don’t panic!  If you have drafted in the help of a professional to assist with the preparation of your planning application, they should know exactly what to do…

Addressing protected species in your planning application…

Most local planning authorities now include the completion of a biodiversity checklist as a requirement of a planning application submission.  These checklists when accurately completed will identify what, if any, further information is required in relation to protected species.   However, your agent should often be able to pre-empt these requirements. If the need arises, they will recommend that you contact a qualified ecologist to undertake a Preliminary Ecological Assessment (PEA).  A PEA is an initial survey that can be conducted all year round by an ecologist.  They assess the ecological value of your site, identify any potential ecological constraints and make recommendations for further survey work if protected species are found to be present in or around your property.

If further survey is required, you need to be mindful of where you are in the calendar year.  The activity and behaviour of some species, particularly bats, can only be recorded outside of hibernation season.  Finding yourself needing further surveys during hibernation season can lead to long delays in the planning process so it is better to have these conversations as early into the process as possible.

If this further survey works reveals that protected species are likely to be impacted, directly or indirectly, by the works you want to undertake, the ecologist will make recommendations as to how your project can be adapted to remove or mitigate the impact.  Your agent will then be able to make these changes.

Conclusion

Engaging with qualified ecologists early in your project can provide valuable guidance and help you navigate the complexities of planning applications involving protected species. This not only ensures that you are complying with legal requirements but also promotes sustainable development practices that benefit both people and nature.