In planning, a “major development” means development involving any one or more of the following:

  • the winning and working of minerals or the use of land for mineral-working deposits. For further information see the see the Minerals and Waste Biodiversity page
  • waste development;. For further information see the Minerals and Waste Biodiversity page
  • the provision of dwelling houses where
    • the number of dwelling houses to be provided is 10 or more; or
    • the development is to be carried out on a site having an area of 0.5 hectares or more and it is not known whether the development falls within sub-paragraph (c)(i)
  • the provision of a building or buildings where the floor space to be created by the development is 1,000 square metres or more; or 
  • development carried out on a site having an area of 1 hectare or more;

Major applications are within the scope of the Dorset Biodiversity Appraisal Protocol (DBAP), which is Dorset Councils preferred approach to assessing the impact on biodiversity from planning applications. See full guidance on the requirements for planning applications which fall under the Dorset Biodiversity Appraisal Protocol. This is technical guidance directed at Ecologists.  

Appropriate Ecology Report(s), including Environmental Statements for EIA development, are required prior to validation. The Natural Environment Team (NET) review and provide comments on the ecological impact of the application, and provide formal certification of the Ecology Report(s). 

Developments will have impacts beyond biodiversity, and we strongly advise that biodiversity requirements and plans are discussed with other disciplines, such as landscape, flood risk, transport etc, as early as possible to avoid potential conflicts within the proposal. 

Most major applications will fall within the scope of the Dorset Biodiversity Appraisal Protocol, which is Dorset Councils preferred approach to assessing the impact on biodiversity from planning applications. Where the biodiversity checklist indicates that the application is within the scope of the DBAP, appropriate ecological information is required to be submitted directly to the NET along with the appropriate fee (see below). We will then review and provide comments on the ecological impact of the application, and provide formal certification of the Ecology Report(s).

DBAP process for major applications: 

  • where the biodiversity checklist indicates that you need an ecological survey you will need to engage with a professional Ecologist to provide this information, see below for further information on ecological surveys
  • your Ecologist will visit the site to carry out a site survey, they may recommend further surveys depending on what they find, after which they will provide a survey report which details what they found and their recommendations. Where further surveys are recommended by your Ecologist these must be carried out before you can submit your planning application
  • at this point the Ecology Report(s) can be submitted to planning to register your planning application. Your Ecologist should also submit the Ecology Report(s) directly to the Dorset Council Natural Environment Team (NET) via e-mail along with the associated review fee
  • the NET review the Ecology Report(s) to ensure it meets the applicable wildlife legislation, national and local planning policies. By reviewing these documents, the NET provides a quality assurance and the risk that objections on the grounds of wildlife impacts being lodged during the decision period that can lead to delay and uncertainty, are substantially reduced. The review process may include the NET requesting changes to the Ecology Report(s) before approval, we will liaise with your Ecologist if this is the case
  • when satisfied, the NET will send your Ecologist a Certificate of Approval
  • you should then submit the Certificate of Approval and associated Ecology Report(s) to the planning team prior to a decision being made on your planning application 
  • should your planning application be granted, the NET certified Ecology Report(s) will be conditioned to your permission and you will be responsible for complying with all measures

Full guidance on the requirements for planning applications which fall under the Dorset Biodiversity Appraisal Protocol. This is technical guidance directed at Ecologists.   

Ecological survey 

As per our technical guidance, the NET expect any and all ecology surveys to be conducted to industry best practice guidelines. Where an ecologist plans to deviate from industry guidance for whatever reason, it is advisable to discuss this with the NET prior to the surveys being conducted to ensure we will accept the reasons for deviation. Surveys should be carried out at the optimum time of year when species are most active, where surveys are conducted outside of these times without sound reasoning being given the NET may request further surveys to be conducted, which can lead to significant delays. 

Wildlife licences 

It may be necessary for the Ecologist to apply for a European Protected Species Licence from Natural England where planned work would affect European Protected Species and would otherwise be illegal, e.g., destruction of a bat roost. This will be accounted for within the Ecology Report(s). The species and habitats to which the Ecology Report(s)refers are protected by law. It is therefore important that planning applicants are in agreement with the contents of the Ecology Report(s). 

Biodiversity Net Gain 

From 12 February 2024, major applications are required to deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG) under the Environment Act (2021). Where sites are exempt from the mandatory 10% BNG requirement, we still expect applicants to achieve net gain and other biodiversity enhancements in line with the relevant development plan policy and DBAP guidance. We have produced a biodiversity net gain guidance note for applicants and agents summarising the background to BNG and how it should be delivered. This document will be updated regularly as further government guidance on BNG is produced. 

Net gain will be quantified through use of the government’s biodiversity metric  and developers are encouraged to use the metric now, in preparation for the requirement for mandatory net gain.  

Dorset Council Great Crested Newt Licensing Scheme 

If the Dorset Council Great Crescent Newt  licensing scheme is being considered for the development site, please refer to Guidance (Section D) and consult with NET to ensure all relevant documents are submitted at the correct stages in the planning application process.  If being used, you must apply for authorisation from NET and make the conservation payment just before works are due to start on site. 

Bryanston Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) greater horseshoe bat roost 

Applications within 10km of the Bryanston SSSI should refer to DBAP Guidance Section 4, which applies specifically to developments which could impact the Bryanston greater horseshoe bat roost. It explains how development activities may impact the SSSI and the steps required to avoid or mitigate any impacts. The planning authority will consider, based on evidence available, whether application proposals are likely to impact on greater horseshoe bats and if so, this guidance will be applied. 

Fees 

Fees for major application approvals are charged at £1,018. 

We charge the full fee for: 

  • new applications for the same site
  • ecology reports amended beyond the 3 year period

Amendments cost £42. An amendment refers to the updating of Ecological Reports requiring a re-issue of the NET approval certificate within the 3 year validity period of the certificate. 

Fees can be paid: 

  • online
  • by card by calling 01305 228602 or 01305 228608. If paying by card please state that the payment is being made for Biodiversity Appraisal and give the site address
  • by cheque; made payable to Dorset Council and sent to the Natural Environment Team

A small increase is made annually in-line with inflation.