The Planning System
A time of change for the planning system
Responding to planning consultations may not be the most glamorous activity that the Trust undertakes but it plays a major role in conserving some of the species and habitats that make Yorkshire so rich in biodiversity. It is a time of change for the planning system in the UK, with the overhaul of development plans and introduction of a national planning application form.
Planning authorities are currently producing their Local Development Frameworks, which will replace Development Plans and Local Plans as the documents that determine development in that area. The planning authority is required to consult the public on the plans and policy documents comprising the Local Development Framework. This presents one of the biggest opportunities in our lifetimes to influence the policies that affect our local environment, including its countryside and green spaces. To find out if your local authority has any forthcoming consultations, visit the forward planning section of their website. We have commented on six of these documents so far and plan to contribute to an additional eight documents before spring.
Spring will also witness the introduction of the new Standard Planning Application Form across England and Wales, designed to end decades of inconsistency in the planning process. The new form includes checklists of what information should be included with the application, including an Ecology Survey and Assessment, where relevant. Planning authorities are currently producing the guidance notes to accompany these checklists and we have commented on the ecology guidance notes for all nine planning authorities with no in-house ecologist.
As well as these changes, we continue our ongoing work responding to planning applications, particularly in those planning authorities without ecologists, as well as any that might affect our nature reserves or other important sites. Recent cases have included recommendations for additional water vole and otter surveys for a relief road proposal, advice on native woodland planting for a proposed housing development and suggestions for reptile buffer zones and bat foraging for a railway engineering centre.
