Gwent Wildlife Trust
 The impact of development on biodiversity

What Impacts Will Development Cause?

First understand the physical characteristics of the proposed development:-

  • What will be built, demolished excavated or extracted?

  • Where will it be built, demolished excavated or extracted?

  • What is the proposed new land use, site boundary, development footprint and layout?

  • Why is the development required?

  • When will it happen?

  • What waste / emissions will be generated and how will they be disposed of?

 

If this information is not available you may need to request it from the Local Planning Authority.

 

Table 3

Examples of new developments and potential associated impacts.
 

Potential Impacts
  Species impact Direct habitat loss Habitat fragmentation Hydrology changes Pollution, air water etc. 
Housing

X

 X X X X
Industry X X X X X
Quarrying X X X X X
Roads X X X X X
Landfill X X      
Power Stations increased output X       X
Flood Defences X X X X  
Airports X X X X X
Roof alterations X        
Extensions X        
Demolition X        
Barn conversions X        

 

What are the potential biodiversity impacts?

You need to predict the impact at all stages of the development. Think about:

Land take / footprint: 
Does the development impinge on any adjacent sensitive areas, e.g. Sites of Special Scientific Interests (SSSI), Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), etc.

What are the possible effects of operations during:
Demolition, construction, operation, decommissioning, restoration (quarrying, landfill, etc).

What might be affected: 

  • Important habitats or geological features

  • Important species

  • Landscape features (corridors, stepping stones)

  • Surface and ground water characteristics

  • Other interactions (air and soil quality, noise, lighting etc.)

For species in particular think about:

  • Nesting/roosting/hibernation periods e.g. bats

  • Breeding season and rearing of young e.g. birds, otters, other species

  • Seasons/periods of migration e.g. birds

  • Critical periods for flowering and seeding e.g. plants

  • Critical life-cycle stages e.g. invertebrates.

  • Loss of habitat for breeding, foraging etc.

  • Habitat fragmentation or isolation

  • Disturbance

  • Noise/light/water/air pollution

  • Road kills.

Impact on Biodiversity: Menu