Ecological Survey Reports for Planning Applications

The TVERC database contains over 4.5 million species records, along with site boundaries and descriptions for designated sites plus S41 Habitats and Phase 1 habitat accurately mapped to field-level. No other organisation can provide you with this information.

Environmental consultants should be aware that we have advised all the planning authorities in Berkshire and Oxfordshire that ecology reports submitted as part of a planning application should include a data search from TVERC (with the exception of planning applications where it has been agreed with the planning authority that no data search is required because there will be no impacts on biodiversity).

This approach is supported by CIEEM, the National Biodiversity Network (NBN), the Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE) and the Association of Local Environmental Records Centres (ALERC). More detailed guidance is available in the CIEEM 'Guidelines for Accessing and Using Biodiversity Data'.

Checklist

The authors of ecological survey reports for planning applications should be able to answer ‘Yes’ to all of the following questions before the application can be validated by the planning authority:

- Do you have access to all the records at the highest available resolution?

- Do you have written permission from all the data providers to use their data in this way?

- Did you contact TVERC to ensure that you have access to records which are not on the NBN Atlas?

Avoid delays to the planning process

Submitting a desk study with data from TVERC will avoid unnecessary and costly delays to processing the planning application due to the planning authority not validating the application or requesting further information before the application can be processed.

Comply with the NPPF

Paragraph 180 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that "Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: d) minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity..."  Ecology reports without a data search from TVERC are at risk of non-compliance with the NPPF because without knowing what biodiversity is present, impacts cannot be minimised and net gains for biodiversity cannot be achieved.

Comply with ODPM Circular 06/2005

Paragraph 99 of the ODPM Circular 06/2005 states that "It is essential that the presence or otherwise of protected species, and the extent that they may be affected by the proposed development, is established before the planning permission is granted, otherwise all relevant material considerations may not have been addressed in making the decision."  Access to TVERC data will ensure that all protected species have been considered as part of a development proposal.

NBN Atlas Data

Every record that is held on the NBN Atlas is licensed with one of three Creative Commons Licences or an Open Government Licence (OGL). Records with a CC-BY-NC licence CANNOT be used for commercial purposes e.g. to support a planning application. Records with other licences CAN be used, but the data is usually uploaded onto the Atlas at a low resolution so is NOT appropriate for use in determining the potential impacts of development on biodiversity.  The NBN Atlas does not hold information on Local Wildlife Sites or priority habitats in this area.

Follow CIEEM Technical Guidance

If you are a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) you should be following their professional conduct, professional guidance and technical guidance documents. The 'Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal' state that an ecological report should include "a desk study to identity notable or protected sites habitats or species potentially affected by the proposal under consideration". CIEEM has produced guidelines on how to write an ecological report. "A well-written report is succinct, fit for purpose, tailored to the requirements of the reader and answers the brief agreed with the client. It should avoid any misunderstanding, and minimise the risk of unintended financial or legal consequences."

The CIEEM 'Guidelines for Accessing and Using Biodiversity Data' state "Biodiversity data should be used by those who need to take into account the effect and impact of their actions on biodiversity. Common examples of this are building developments (of many different types), land management and biodiversity assessments and audits." and "The sources consulted for the background data search may vary depending on the location of the proposed development, but must always include the LERC where one exists."

Meet CIEEM Code of Professional Conduct

This states that that members of CIEEM will:

"Exercise sound professional judgement in my work, applying objectivity, relevance, accuracy, proportionality and impartiality to the information and professional advice I provide, including having regard to the relevant published technical guidance and standards and complying with all relevant laws"

Defra guidance: Complying with the biodiversity duty 

Prepare for biodiversity net gain: “You can get existing local data from Local Environmental Record Centres. If you commission research, you can share that data with them.”

    Meet British Standard 42020 Biodiversity Code of Practice for Planning and Development

    6.4.2 states that ‘local record centres … should be approached initially for species and habitat information to inform desk studies. The data generated through desk studies should be properly analysed and interpreted, with the results used to inform fieldwork and further assessments of the development proposal.’

    Follow the Bat Conservation Trusts Good Practice Guidelines

    Paragraph 4.2.1 states "The aim of a desk study for bats is to collate and review existing information about a site and its surroundings to inform the design of subsequent bat surveys and inform the impact assessment of the project."  The guidelines include recommendations for accessing bat data from Local Environmental Records Centres such as TVERC.