When wildlife could be harmed by development, local planning authorities should follow a step-wise approach to reduce that harm, known as the ‘mitigation hierarchy’. This is required in National Planning Policy.

A planning application can be decided by the case officer or by the planning committee. Usually, wildlife concerns are addressed by conditions. These can relate to construction methods, mitigation and compensation and the aftercare and management of the site.

WTSWW’s marine monitoring work gathers evidence for critical datasets, used to strengthen the resilience of Wales’ network of protected marine sites and the protection of the marine species found within these sites. Long-term, uninterrupted datasets are particularly important to assess broad population trends, filling knowledge gaps, and informing decisions about use of the marine environment.

Learn how you can help wildlife at home. Spending time outdoors, learning about nature can make us feel happier, healthier and more connected to the natural world.

The Wildlife Trusts believe that development should not come at the expense of our natural environment. All development, be it housing, commercial or infrastructure must be designed and delivered in a way that contributes to nature’s recovery, not its decline.