Local Planning Authority Consultation Form

This form must be completed in support of a European Protected Species (EPS) Development Licence.

If planning permission, or other consents are required/have been granted, then this consultation document must be completed by the relevant Local Authority Planning Officer and the signed copy (which will be emailed to you upon completion) returned to the applicant before being submitted by the applicant to the Natural Resources Body for Wales otherwise known as Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

If you have any problems filling in this form please contact the NRW using the contact details provided below:

Please ensure that you complete this document having had sight of the details of the proposed activity/development. Please note that the activity/development described is hereafter referred to as ‘the proposed activity’.

Natural Resources Wales as the relevant licensing authority under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, require your assistance to determine this licence application. Without the Planning Authority’s response to this consultation document NRW is unlikely to be able to determine the licence application. In such circumstances, no licence will be issued and the proposed activity cannot proceed.

Before NRW issue a licence they must be satisfied that the proposed activity is for one of the following purposes:

• Regulation 55(2)(e) for the purpose of preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of overriding public interest including those of a social or economic nature and beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment; or
• Regulation 55(2)(f) for the purpose of preventing the spread of disease; or
• Regulation 55(2)(g) for the purpose of preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property or to fisheries;

Provided that it meets the following requirements:

• Regulation 55(9)(a) that there is no satisfactory alternative and
• Regulation 55(9)(b) that the action authorised will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range.

Notes to the Local Planning Authority.

Regulation 9(3) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 requires all Local Planning Authorities in the exercise of their functions to have regard to the provisions of the Habitats Directive so far as they might be affected by those functions. Where NRW receives a licence application from a developer for a proposed activity that will affect a European Protected Species it is necessary to seek information from the Local Planning Authority in order to consider whether the licensing requirements are met.