What We Do

A key principle that applies across all of government is sustainable development.

Planning Service consults NIEA when assessing planning applications in relation to the biodiversity or geodiversity of an area. In response, The Development Management Team identifies any issues of concern and advises accordingly. This may include recommendations for mitigation or compensatory measures to minimise or compensate for any potential negative impact from the proposal on the Natural Environment.

For more detailed information on planning and nature conservation, please follow the appropriate links on the right hand side of this page.

Our role in the planning process

The Development Management team co-ordinates a response on behalf of three functional units within the Natural Heritage Directorate. These are the Conservation, Designation and Protection Unit, the Conservation Science Unit and the Biodiversity Unit.

We work within a statutory framework and according to the policy contained in Planning Policy Statement 2: 'Planning and Nature Conservation' (PPS2). PPS2 states the Department's planning policy for nature conservation for the whole of Northern Ireland. This policy is guided by the legal framework of national and international law. It also outlines the criteria which Planning Service will employ when processing planning applications which might affect natural heritage interests and to which developers should have regard when preparing proposals.

NIEA advises Planning Service and does not make the decision on whether any planning application receives planning permission.

What do the Development Managementl Team do when consulted by Planning Service?

• review any nature conservation information NIEA may hold
• carryout a site visit to assess current natural heritage interests and to look for evidence of valuable habitats and protected plants and animals
• examine relevant planning and natural heritage policies
• take into consideration Area Plan designations and policies
• assess implications under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985
• assess implications under the Conservation (Natural Habitats) (Amendments) Regulations 2007
• assess accuracy of information provided by the applicant
• assess whether further information/ clarification is required from the applicant e.g. a badger survey
• consult relevant in-house specialists
• assess validity of any objectors comments

If the applicant is asked to carry out a habitat or species survey, the team will assess its findings and recommendations. If the survey does not fully meet our requirements or does not provide sufficient mitigation measures, we may ask for additonal measures of protection or further surveying to be carried out. We are happy to advise on these requirements,

Considering all of the above - The Development Management then advises Planning Service, whether a proposal is likely to have an adverse impact on the natural heritage interest of the site and its surroundings as follows:

• NIEA will not object if the proposal poses no risk of damage - we may, however, offer suggestions for positive gains to biodiversity on the site e.g. the provision of wildlife corridors; planting of native trees and shrubs - this is called enhancement
• NIEA will not object if the proposal poses a risk which can be avoided through an amendment to the application to remove (avoidance) or to reduce damage (mitigation) - conditions are attached to the decision notice to specifiy how to achieve this
• NIEA will not object if the proposal poses a risk which can not be avoided but where it may be possible to accept the loss if a replacement habitat or translocation of a species is acceptable (compensation)
• only where the proposal poses significant risk of damage which can not be mitigated or compensated will NIEA recommend refusal of a proposal, in its current form

We are committed to working with the applicant through Planning Service to provide possible solutions where a risk has been identified.