When it come to developing land, environmental and ecological factors have a huge bearing on whether a proposal will be granted. When seeking to obtain planning permission your site will be subject to numerous assessments to analyse these factors and ultimately determine its eligibility. When granting permission for development the local authorities have a duty to protect important habitats, wildlife and trees.
Ecology Reports
An ecology report will consider whether any wildlife or important habitats could be harmed in the building process, or if there are any legally protected species living on your site. When there is a likelihood that a planned development could have an impact on protected wildlife planning authorities must ensure that a thorough assessment has been carried out on site and all appropriate action taken. Protected species that could cause affect planning application include bats, badgers, slow worms, newts, as well as other reptiles and amphibians. As wildlife activity varies greatly depending on the season, it is of vital importance that this type of survey is carried out at the right time of year. Plans can be greatly delayed if, for example, a summertime bat survey is missed. Therefore, it is advisable to seek advice on this matters as early as possible in the planning stages.
Having a protected species on your land does not necessarily mean that planning permission with be turned down as in some circumstances it is possible to re-home animals to a new location. Of course all action should be carried out under expert guidance.
Beyond wildlife which actually live on the land itself, an ecology report will also consider if the site is located on a wildlife corridor or a protected nature conservation area. All areas of this survey would be carried-out by a qualified ecologist, who will be able to advise on any biodiversity enhancements that may be appropriate. Details of these will be submitted with planning applications. Local councils may attach planning conditions to ensure that biodiversity enhancements are implemented.
Tree Surveys
A tree survey is needed on sites where trees are currently positioned, or if there are trees present on adjacent land to your plot that could be affected or damaged by the building process. Regardless of the age, size and type all trees located on the site will be a material consideration in a planning application and will be assessed according to your Local Planning Authority. British Standard recommendation focuses on maintaining a harmonious relationship between trees and structures that can be sustained in the long term and that steps that should be taken to ensure that trees are appropriately and successfully retained when a development takes place. A tree survey carried out by a professional arboricultural will give a wealth of information on the trees in question, including age, species age and life expectancy, they will also advise on how best to proceed in accordance goverment regulations. This will help determine how the surveyed trees will affect obtaining planning permission.
Our initial expert assessment of your site will look to determine which surveys and reports are needed and when we apply for planning permission on your behalf Land Market will arrange for all the necessary surveys and assessments to be carried out on your land. We will also be able to advise on a realistic time scale for how long carrying out reports surrounding environmental and ecological factors will take.
In our last blog post we covered the issues of access and encroachment and the importance of ensuring your land is not used in any unauthorised way. Here we take a look at land maintenance and steps you can take to protect your unused land. Keeping a site in the best possible condition will improve its chance of a quick and easy sell, and prevent your planning application being affected by ecological issues taking hold. Failing to take appropriate precautionary steps against certain factors can cause lengthy delays and in some cases even remove the chance of having planning permission granted altogether. Controlling and Managing Wildlife It’s all too easy for an unused...
Here at Land Market we are experts when it comes to buying and selling land for development. Whether you’re looking to develop land yourself or sell a plot for development you will need to begin by looking into your sites potential for being granted planning permission… Planning permission is the required consent by the local authorities that allows you to be able to build on land or alter pre-existing buildings. If you are planning to develop any type of land obtaining planning permission is the first essential step to your build. This is an extensive process which consists of numerous steps and although it is possible for anyone to apply...
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