In addition to local planning policies, Government guidance is available on protected species and how these should be considered during the planning process. Key guidance includes:
Developers and consultants may also wish to refer to British Standard BS 42020:2023 Biodiversity. Code of practice for planning and development which encompasses protected species surveys. This can be purchased from the British Standards Institute
website.It is important to note that the presence of protected species does not necessarily prohibit planning permission from being granted, however it will require developers to ensure that adequate surveys have been undertaken and that suitable mitigation measures have produced which will ensure that harm is avoided, and that the status of protected species will not be adversely affected.
Roosting bats are commonly encountered within the LCR, particularly in relation to proposals affecting the roofs of buildings (or cellars) and mature trees. MEAS has produced guidance for developers, planning officers and ecological consultants on Bats and Planning which can be found in the document library of the MEAS website
