Local Requirements - Biodiversity/ Geodiversity Survey and Report

Types of application or development that require this information

  • Planning applications that may affect natural or semi-natural habitats (including brownfield sites, parks and gardens) or protected and notable species including habitats and species of principal importance (as listed in Section 41 of the Natural Environment Rural Communities Act, 2006) and Biodiversity Action Plan habitats and species.
  • Planning applications likely to affect a designated site including: Special Protection Area (SPA), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Reserve (LNR), Local Wildlife Site (LWS), Local Geological Site (LGS) or wildlife habitat network, and/or ancient woodland, and Habitat of Principal Importance outside of

See also Policy SC8 Assessments for planning applications within the South Pennines Moors SPA/SAC and their zone of influence. 

What information is required?

Ecological Surveys and Assessments should be carried out in accordance with standard guidance and BS42020:2013. All surveys and assessment should be proportionate to the scale and potential impacts and effects of proposals.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) which assesses the site in terms of its biodiversity value is the minimum level of ecological information required. A PEA should identify ecological constraints potentially present within the zone of influence. The PEA should include mapping showing the location and distribution of habitats and any features with potential to support protected or notable species. The PEA should also make recommendations for further survey work should any be required to confirm presence or likely absence of protected and notable habitats and species.

Unless a PEA can demonstrate that there would be no adverse ecological effects it is not suitable for submission with a planning application, as stated in CIEEM Ecological Report Writing Guide (CIEEM, 2017).

Ecological Impact Assessment

Applications that have the potential to affect protected or notable habitats or species, designated sites or the Habitat Network require an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA). An EcIA should also include details of habitat and species-specific surveys detailed within the text or included as appendices.

For schemes with a negligible ecological impact or where effects on habitats and notable or protected species can clearly be ruled out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal may be suitable. However, in most cases an Ecological Impact Assessment will be required. This document should be proportionate to the scale and potential impacts and effects of proposals but should fully assess impacts and effects.

The EcIA should identify impacts and quantify the significance of any effects on designated sites, habitats and species during construction and operation (and decommissioning if relevant), prior to mitigation, both within the site or the zone of influence of the proposals across the wider area. 

The EcIA should set out avoidance, mitigation and enhancement measures, together with proposals for the long-term maintenance/management of such measures. Mitigation and management prescriptions should be set out in a Biodiversity Plan which provides detail on monitoring and management regimes, identifies responsible parties and timescales for development and monitoring of successful establishment.

The EcIA should clearly identify, characterise and assess the significance of any residual impacts.

Guidance on ecological reports and assessments can be found at the links below:

Surveys must be undertaken by a trained Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) and must be carried out at the appropriate time of year, using methods that are appropriate for the species, habitats and the location. Surveys should follow standard guidance unless site conditions necessitate deviation. Any deviation from standard guidance should be justified.

Natural England’s Standing Advice for Protected Species sets out the survey methods that need to be used for specific protected species. Contact Natural England if the standing advice doesn’t cover a protected species that is affected by the proposal.

Surveys should be up to date and ideally from the most recent survey season. Further information can be found at Guidance on the longevity of ecological survey data and reports.

Surveys need to show whether designated sites or protected or notable habitats and species are present on the site or in the area. Species surveys should illustrate how the site and surrounding area may be used by the species, including the zone of influence of any proposed development.

Biodiversity Net Gain

All proposals should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts and providing net gains for biodiversity. Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments should be carried out in accordance with Defra guidance and BS8683:2021.

The Environment Act was given royal assent in 2021 and Biodiversity Net Gain is expected to become mandatory at the end of 2023. At this time legislation will mandate a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain for most Town and Country Planning Act applications.

Guidance on delivering Biodiversity Net Gain in Bradford will be provided in a Supplementary Planning Document which is currently in development.

In preparation for Biodiversity Net Gain becoming law and to realise the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework and Bradford MDC’s Core Strategy Policy EN2 a Biodiversity Net Gain assessment, using the most recent Defra Metric, should accompany ecological appraisals or assessments.

The BNG element of the application should be prepared by a Suitably Experienced Ecologist and include:

  • A report presenting the results of the BNG baseline biodiversity unit score, post-development score and calculation showing a net gain for biodiversity;
  • A completed Defra Metric calculator for pre and post development;
  • GIS habitat mapping of pre and post development habitats linked to the BNG Metric calculator;
  • A long-term Biodiversity Plan should accompany the BNG assessment detailing how habitat creation or enhancement will be successfully secured for at least 30 years. The Plan should provide detail on monitoring and management regimes, identify responsible parties and timescales for development and monitoring of successful establishment;
  • Legal agreements and financial arrangements for on-going securing of on or off-site habitat creation or enhancement.

By the end of 2023 the Environment Act (2021) will mandate that developments provide a minimum 10% uplift in Biodiversity Units in order to help deliver on the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. Until this time, we expect that developers in Bradford will be committed to improving the biodiversity of the district, with the associated benefits to the community, by providing a minimum 10% Biodiversity Unit uplift. The level of Net Gain provided by development will be taken into account when determining planning applications. By this means, the Council is able to ensure it fulfils its duty to “conserve and enhance” biodiversity, as mandated by the amended Natural Environment Rural Communities Act, 2006.

Other ecological enhancement

All proposals should evidence how they will enhance the site for biodiversity, in accordance with national and local planning policy. This should be in addition to a BNG calculation and Biodiversity Plan and include measures such as the installation of bat and bird boxes, habitat piles and refuges or hibernaculum.

Enhancements should be relevant to the conditions on site and in the local area and where possible address local conservation priorities.

Further information

Policy driver

  • Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended by The Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019) ('the Habitats Regulations');
  • Environment Act (2021)
  • Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended);
  • Natural Environment Rural Communities Act, 2006;
  • National Planning Policy Framework - Paragraph 11
  • National Planning Policy Framework - Chapter 15: Conserving and enhancing the natural environment
  • Core Strategy - Policy EN2: Biodiversity and Geodiversity
  • Core Strategy – Policy SC8: Protecting the South Pennine Moors SPA and the South Pennine Moors SAC and their zone of influence
  • Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended; and)
  • Circular 05/2006: Biodiversity and geological conservation

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