Species data for local authorities

We provide local authorities with three datasets relating to protected and notable species:

1. Planning consultation species
2. Protected and notable species records
3. Protected and notable species background information

Learn about protected and notable species.

We use the following designations for the species data we provide:

• Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Birds, Animals and Plants
• NERC Act 2006 Priority Species
• global and national JNCC red list species
• nationally notable invertebrate species
• nationally rare or scarce species
• birds of conservation concern (BOCC)
• local BAP species

How to use the datasets

1. Planning consultation species

Used by:

• validation and registration clerks
• planning admin and support officers
• planning officers
• highways engineers
• landscape architects
• tree and arboricultural officers

Used for:

• deciding whether to consult the ecologist
• deciding whether to ask the applicant for an ecological survey
• checking constraints before carrying out or recommending maintenance work

Contents

Species of greatest significance in planning:

• bat roosts
• badger setts
• watervoles
• great crested newts (GCN) breeding ponds
• barn owl nests
• dormice

Resolution

The data appears as a point with a buffer appropriate to the species.

2. Protected and notable species records

Used by:

• ecologists and biodiversity officers

Used for:

• responding to consultations on development control and strategic planning

Contents

All protected and notable species records for which we have a six figure grid reference.

Resolution

Data appears as a point with a six-figure grid reference.

3. Protected and notable species background information

Used by:

• ecologists and biodiversity officers
• rangers and park officers

Used for:

• background information for planning applications
• land management

Contents

All protected and notable species records that are only in our database at lower resolutions.

Resolution

Data appears as a square, with resolutions of 1km, 2km or 10km.

Areas with no species records

A lack of records does not confirm a species' absence; it means no one has recorded that species yet or given us the record. 

Consider the surrounding habitat and the type of proposed work when assessing potential impact on protected or notable species. When in doubt, consult your in-house ecologist.

Where our data comes from

Learn about where our data comes from and how you can share your records.