Suffolk Biodiversity Validation requirements A Biodiversity or Geodiversity Assessment: where the site includes or is close to: • sites designated or proposed for their biodiversity or geodiversity importance, i.e. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserves (NNR), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA), Ramsar sites, County Wildlife Sites (CWS), and UK and Suffolk Priority (BAP) Habitats and Regionally Important Geological/geomorphologic Sites (RIGS) designations; See Tables 2 & 3. •
areas including or close to recorded locations of Protected species, and UK and Suffolk Priority species; See Table 1; and;
•
other areas identified in pre-application discussions as potentially containing Protected and Priority species.
Where Assessment is required according to the development type and Species affected, as identified in Tables 2 and 3, the appropriate seasons for undertaking ecological surveys are identified in Figure 2 attached to Table 1. Where there are likely to be biodiversity impacts associated with a proposed development, Suffolk planning authorities will determine the planning application in accordance with Clauses 7, 8 and 9 of BS42020 Biodiversity – Code of Practice for Planning and Development (2013). In doing so, this provides applicants with a transparent process that is in accordance with a nationally recognised professional standard. In addition to these biodiversity validation requirements, other information may be requested by the LPA as part of the determination of an application. These can include information to inform Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) provided by the applicant to enable the LPA to prepare HRA screening report.
Suffolk Biodiversity Validation Checklist revised September 2019