Wildlife, planning and development

Fallow deer in an urban area

Fallow deer. Photo, Jamie Hall

Wildlife, planning and development

Living alongside wildlife

The planning system shapes the places where we live and work and has a critical impact on our urban and rural landscapes.  Inappropriate development can harm our natural heritage, but well-considered planning has the potential to protect and enhance our environment.

Devon Wildlife Trust is consulted on hundreds of planning applications every year. Unfortunately, our resources are limited and we are unable to comment on individual planning applications.  We have, however, provided information here that will help individuals and communities to respond to applications on wildlife grounds.

Hedgehog walking alongside a wall

Hedgehog. Photo, Marshall

Devon Wildlife Trust believes development should:

  • follow the mitigation hierarchy to:
    • Avoid harm to wildlife in the first instance
    • If harm cannot be avoided, mitigation should be put in place on site
    • If mitigation is not possible, compensation should be provided
  • benefit the wildlife, habitats and species on site and create a substantial net gain in biodiversity. DWT supports a minimum of 20% Biodiversity Net Gain.
  • provide better proximity to nature for people, addressing the physical and mental wellbeing of residents
  • be subject to monitoring and maintenance in the long term

    In order to respond to a planning application using the guidance on this page you need to:

    1. Read the Planning Applications Overview and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    2. Fill in the Objection Checklist referring to the relevant FAQs

    3. Save your completed Objection Checklist and submit to your local planning authority, referencing the planning application number

    Responding to Local Plan consultation

    Local Plans state where development will take place in future and what local priorities exist to help guide development.  It is a critical document, once sites have been allocated for development it is hard for local authorities to refuse planning permissions in these areas (unless planning policy or law has not been adhered to).  It is important to respond to Local Plan consultations to ensure nature is protected from development and given the space to thrive.

    Useful guides:

    - Local Plans overview

    Local Plans frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions on specific issues

    For further information on specific issues please follow the links below.  These topics are not exhaustive but reflect the most common queries received by Devon Wildlife Trust.

    doplphin

    Copyright Mike Snelle

    Planning at sea

    Find out more
    meadow

    Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

    Nature Recovery Network

    Take a look
    Family cycling near houses and wind turbine

    Matthew Roberts

    Homes for people and wildlife report

    Read here

    Become a member and support our work

    The vital work we do for nature depends on the support of people who care about the future of Devon’s wildlife and wild places.

    Become a member