Development proposals - how DWT and you can help wildlife.

Working with planning authorities such as District and Borough Councils is one of Dorset Wildlife Trust's important activities.

We review over 200 planning cases a year, ranging from the small-scale such as mobile phone masts to district-wide development plans. We restrict our strongest objections to where the threat to wildlife is significant in the context of the whole of Dorset.
DWT tends to be involved where sites important for wildlife at a county or greater scale are affected:

• Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCIs) (of at least county importance)
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) (national importance)
• Or sites that support certain rare or protected habitats or species

We also talk with planners and developers to try to gain the best outcome for wildlife.

• This may not always mean that no development occurs but we may be able to secure the retention of important wildlife features.
• In some cases these discussions can actually bring benefits, such as securing management for neglected wildlife sites or creating new habitats where the wildlife value was previously low.

DWT believes that development does not need to damage wildlife, but all too often the impacts on wildlife get ignored or forgotten.

DWT does not have the time or resources to review every planning application, but we have been working with others to develop better ways of considering wildlife in all planning cases.  The Dorset Bat and Biodiversity protocols are now operating successfully ­ see http://www.dorsetforyou.com/401489.

What to do if you think a proposal near you is harmful

Click the following link to find more information in our Save Your Site download

home | events | contact us | e-news signup | jobs