Ecology

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To ensure that the ecological value of the site is conserved and enhanced maintaining biodiversity and protecting existing natural habitats which can contribute to and enhance the amenity of the area.

Read the background on Ecology

Ref: 284

Question 5.1

Objective

To determine the ecological value of the habitats in and around the site in order to maintain and enhance biodiversity and protect existing natural habitats.

Importance:

Question

Will a full ecological survey be carried out, by a qualified ecologist, to examine habitats in and around the site and migration routes across the site at a time when survey information can be taken into account in the scheme design, ideally RIBA stages A-C and before site clearance?

Survey and mitigations / harm avoidance strategy
As A, with strategy for enhancements (see PPS 9)

N.B. A qualified ecologist needs to be a member of one of the following: the Association of Wildlife Trusts Commission (AWTC), a full member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM)

Targets and Justification

Best: B
Good: A
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 284

Ref: 216

Question 5.2

Objective

To determine the ecological value of the habitats in and around the site in order to maintain and enhance biodiversity and protect existing natural habitats.

Importance:

Question

Will a full ecological survey be carried out, by a qualified ecologist, to examine habitats in and around the site and migration routes across the site? (N.B. A qualified ecologist needs to be a member of one of the following: the Association of Wildlife Trusts Commission (AWTC), a full member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM))

Targets and Justification

Best: As good practice with strategy for enhancements (see PPS 9)
Good: Survey and mitigations/ harm avoidance strategy
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 216

Ref: 285

Question 5.3

Objective

To improve the ecological value of the site and existing habitats.

Importance:

Question

Will there be an increase in ecological value or support for a species (as assessed by an qualified ecologist) that has been identified in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan?

Protection of all designated habitats and species listed in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) via a site management plan that covers all species and habitats present with evidence provided that long term effectiveness of proposals has been considered and addressed
As A, plus provision of new or extended habitats linked to the LBAP targets, especially those for protected species

Targets and Justification

Best: B
Good: A
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 285

Ref: 217

Question 5.4

Objective

To improve the ecological value of the site and existing habitats.

Importance:

Question

Will there be an increase in ecological value or support for a species (as assessed by an qualified ecologist) that has been identified in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan? (N.B. A qualified ecologist needs to be a member of one of the following: the Association of Wildlife Trusts Commission (AWTC), a full member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) or a full member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM))

Targets and Justification

Best: Yes in more than one habitat/ species OR no LBAP habitats/species identified
Good: Yes for one habitat or species
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 217

Ref: 286

Question 5.5

Objective

To improve the ecological value of the site and support the viability of species by linking populations and habitats.

Importance:

Question

Will existing wildlife corridors be protected and new ones created to link habitats within the site or link to habitats outside the development with evidence provided that long term effectiveness of proposals has been considered and addressed?

Creating or securing good links for the most important LBAP habitats and species using linear features, e.g. hedges, ditches and tree lines or strips of other local habitat
Optimising all potential links for LBAP species and habitats as far as possible

Targets and Justification

Best: B
Good: A
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 286

Ref: 218

Question 5.6

Objective

To improve the ecological value of the site and support the viability of species by linking populations and habitats.

Importance:

Question

Will existing wildlife corridors be protected and new ones created to link habitats within the site or link to habitats outside the development?

Targets and Justification

Best: Links to more than 2
Good: Link to 2 habitats
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 218

Ref: 287

Question 5.7

Objective

To ensure that the trees and shrubs that are specified contribute to the ecological value of the site.

Importance:

Question

Will a mixture of locally occurring native trees and shrubs been specified?

60-90% native species listed in the LBAP in cimpliance with PPS9
>90% native and as specified in LBAP or HAP and using locally sourced stock

Targets and Justification

Best: B
Good: A
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 287

Ref: 219

Question 5.8

Objective

To ensure that the trees and shrubs that are specified contribute to the ecological value of the site.

Importance:

Question

Has a mixture of locally occurring native trees and shrubs been specified?

Targets and Justification

Best: >90% native and as specified in LBAP or HAP
Good: 60 - 90% native
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 219

Policy Links

RSS

QE1: Conserving & Enhancing the Environment;
QE6: The conservation, enhancement and restoration of the Region’s landscape;
QE7: Protecting, managing & enhancing the Region’s biodiversity.

RHS

Chapter 7.

Development sizes

The checklist comes in different versions for different sizes and types of development:

Small: Residential up to 9 units
Mixed use up to 9 res. units
Non-residential up to 999 m²
Medium: Residential 10 - 199 units
Mixed use 10 - 199 res. units
Non-residential 1,000 - 20,000 m²
Large: Residential 200 - 5,999 units
Mixed use 200 - 5,999 res. units
Non-residential over 20,000 m²

If the development is for more than 6,000 houses, a bespoke checklist will be produced by the developer/planning applicant and the Local Planning Authority.

The set of questions for smaller developments is contained within the set of questions for larger developments.

There is an additional set of questions for site clearance/remediation.

This checklist is no longer supported

The Government announced that as part of its new policy on economic development all Regional Development Agencies, including Advantage West Midlands, will close.

This checklist will remain online to allow existing users to reference their existing projects. New accounts and projects can no longer be created.