Biodiversity and Development Management
Planning Policy
The consideration of biodiversity matters is an important part of the determination of a planning application and is guided by various national, regional and local policies. The key policies are Policy 9 of the Cotswold District Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework. More information on Biodiversity and Planning Policy is available on the web-site.
Pre-application discussions
It is often very valuable to enter into pre-application discussions with the Local Planning Authority before submitting a planning application. It should be noted that there may be a charge for pre-application advice, dependant on the size and complexity of the proposals.
For any pre-application discussions to take place it is important for officers to have a clear idea of the proposals. If you wish to enter into pre-application discussions, you should contact planning@cotswold.gov.uk. The Biodiversity Officers will need a sufficient level of information from which to assess the proposals and we are unable to make any site visits without this information. You should provide
- A location map
- A plan of the site
- Photographs of the site
- Sketch plans / description of your proposals
- Any known biodiversity constraints - designated sites; protected species; important habitats or features (e.g. hedgerows and ponds) etc
- Copies of any relevant biodiversity / ecological assessments
- Possible proposals for biodiversity enhancements
The Application Process
As part of your planning application you may be required to provide additional information. The level of information required will depend on the type, scale and complexity of planning application, and might include a range of issues from the details of any trees to be removed to a detailed ecological assessment and appraisal. Each application type is accompanied by a checklist, which states what information should be submitted with the application. Further guidance is available on -
Further information on how to select and appoint an appropriately qualified and experienced biodiversity / ecological consultant is available on the web-site.
It is crucial that the ecological assessment / appraisal and any ecological enhancement or habitat creation scheme is prepared in conjunction with the Arboricultural Implications Assessment and the Landscape Assessment or Scheme for the site.
Post Determination
Your planning permission may include conditions related to biodiversity and it is important that you comply with these conditions, for example measures to ensure that protected species are considered during construction; the implementation of a nature conservation management plan; installation of habitat features, such as artificial bat and bird roosts.