Gwent Wildlife Trust
 The impact of development on biodiversity

Magnitude of Loss

Scale or severity of the impact on the site / species

Using the information gathered, we can now assess the magnitude of the impact on the site.  Use Table 5 (below) to decide on the Impact Magnitude Category.

Will there be a significant loss of each important habitat - species - feature within:

  • The development site.

  • Any site designated for biodiversity, e.g. Site of Special Scintific Interest (SSSI), Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) etc.

  • The Local Authority area of jurisdiction, e.g. Local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Will the impact result in:

  • Direct loss of important habitats.

  • Direct loss of an important species.

  • Impacts at the landscape level.

  • Adverse effects on the water absorption capacity of the site e.g. hard surfaces such as roads on a former greenfield site.

  • Conflict with Biodiversity Action Plans targets.

  • Conflict with published conservation objectives.

 

Table 5

Magnitude of Loss

Impact magnitude category

 Criteria
Major negative impacts The site is adversely affected so that the habitat(s), or species for which it is of importance cannot be maintained.
Intermediate negative impacts Habitat(s) and species will survive, but the conservation value of the site will be reduced.
Minor negative impacts If neither of the above apply, but some minor negative impact is evident.
Positive impacts Where there is a net positive wildlife gain. There will be associated major or intermediate negative impacts and the gains should be significant.

e.g. major proposals to de-fragment an important area.
Neutral impacts If none of the above apply i.e. no observable impact.

Impact on Biodiversity: Menu