NWT Involvement in planning

When does NWT become involved in planning?

NWT is a non-statutory consultee for planning applications and for the strategic planning process (Local Development Frameworks, Regional Plans, County Mineral and Waste Plans and Environment Agency Plans). Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) do not have an obligation to consult NWT. However, every LPA in Norfolk routinely consults NWT, as does the Environment Agency (EA) when abstractions or discharges may impact on wildlife sites. They consult us on applications that potentially affect NWT reserves and County Wildlife Sites. However, we may also comment on sites that do not have statutory designations or are not CWSs. This may include Biodiversity Action Plan habitats, major developments and sites that are drawn to our attention by NWT members or members of the public where it appears that these sites have a relatively high local wildlife interest or are important for protected species.

We do not routinely comment in relation to protected species. However, owing to our expertise in wetland advisory work, we may be consulted by LPAs and others in relation to applications that impact on otter, water vole and great crested newt. We may occasionally comment on proposals affecting other protected species if specifically asked by LPAs.

Strategically, our aim in relation to planning work is to inform LPAs through meetings/talks and becoming involved in initiatives such as the "Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Guidance for Norfolk" in order that wildlife issues may be taken into account without NWT necessarily becoming directly involved. We also seek to support LPA staff who have an ecological remit.

Our priority in planning work must be our reserves. However, we are the only body that routinely comments on applications affecting CWSs and feel we have a particular responsibility regarding these sites. The actual loss of CWS habitat in Norfolk due to development appears to be relatively low compared with other counties. Although, given the scale of growth in Norfolk more sites may come under threat in the future. This aspect is considered in detail in our report on Impacts of Development on County Wildlife Sites. The greater threat to sites is from lack of appropriate conservation management. Therefore whilst the primary aim of commenting on planning applications is to protect sites from development harm, an important secondary objective is to bring about positive management where possible.

New government guidance within Planning Policy Statement 9 (Biodiversity and Geological Conservation) and the Norfolk Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Guidance both highlight the importance of enhancement of biodiversity within planning proposals and the need to compensate for any loss of biodiversity. As a result we increasingly push for these aspects to be taken into account when planning decisions are made.

Information held by NWT

NWT holds information on our reserves and on County Wildlife Sites (CWS). CWS lists are updated annually to include newly designated sites (and sites that are de-designated if found to be no longer of CWS value).

CWS information is publicly available but not currently accessible via the internet. CWS information is in the form of a description of the site, including reference to the most important habitats and species, along with a boundary map. This is available in paper or electronic format. We also hold paper copies of original survey information for each site.

County Wildlife Site information is also available, as part of a comprehensive service that provides site and species records, from Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (formerly Norfolk Biological Records Centre).

The general locations of CWS is also available on a PDF map of the county. However, boundaries are not currently available on a GIS map via the internet. Some local authorities also show CWS boundaries on the maps that are included in their forward plans. However, these will only be as up to date as the plan itself and policies within the plans will also relate to CWSs that have been designated since the plan was published.

NWT undertakes to provide details of CWS to interested parties. However, owing to the resource implications we seek to recover the administrative costs that arise from providing this information to anyone seeking to gain from a planning proposal (developers, consultants etc). Please contact NWT conservation staff for details.

Useful websites

Planning Policy Statement 9 - Go to www.communities.gov.uk and follow links to planning policy

Norfolk Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Guidance - Go to Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership website, www.norfolkbiodiversity.org and follow links to SPG.

Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (formerly Norfolk Biological Records Centre) www.nbis.org.uk