Biodiversity & Planning

Our strong roots in both ecology and planning ensure(s) that EPR is able to provide specialist advice of the highest quality on nature conservation issues in the context of the UK planning system. We are able to provide advice and support for your project at all stages of the process and we match our surveys and advice to your project and the relevant associated planning issues.

Ecology can be a major issue within a planning application but, dealt with correctly, it is rarely a stumbling block to development. EPR has strong roots in the planning system and we provide specialist advice on ecological issues in the planning context to ensure that:

• We match our surveys and advice to your project and the relevant associated planning issues
• Ecological issues are picked up and resolved early on in the process
• Scheme design takes account of ecological constraints
• Key players are consulted and potential objections removed

Discharging Ecological Planning Conditions
The recently published Government Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation has raised the profile of biodiversity issues in the planning process and planning authorities will now be looking for biodiversity enhancements within development proposals. As a result Planning Authorities are becoming increasingly aware of ecological issues and most planning consents now include at least one ecological condition in some form or an other, often relating to protected species issues. We are able to liaise with the planning authority and Natural England, if necessary, to ensure that these planning conditions are discharged in an efficient and cost effective manner.