What is a Further Information Request for a planning application?
A ‘Further Information Request’ RFI letter from a County Council is common to receive when you submit a Planning Application. Sometimes these letters will ask for ecological works to be carried out to ensure no protected species or habitats are affected by the proposed development.
Common Ecological Reports Requested:
Reports such as Stage I Appropriate Assessment and Natura Impact Statements will be asked for if a site is within or close to a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protected Area (SPA). These are site protected by the European Habitats Directive (1992). This is especially so for counties which have numerous SAC and SPA in their landscape area e.g. the southwest (Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Clare) and the west (Mayo, Galway, Sligo) and the northwest (Donegal). National Heritage Areas (NHAs) and Proposed NHAs are also afforded protected under the Wildlife Acts (1976-2018) and further information regarding these sites may also be sought.
Specific Ecological Surveys
Bat Surveys
If a building on a site needs to be demolished or altered a Council may ask for a Bat Survey to be carried out. For example, if an affected building or site is close to an SAC designated for Lesser Horseshoe Bats. Or if extensive lengths of hedgerows are proposed to be taken out and replaced by post and rail fence, or a site will have significant amounts of additional lighting. As Lesser Horseshoe Bat are sensitive to light and need a hedgerow to follow to avoid getting lost these are reasons why a proposed development would take impacts such as these into consideration.
Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA)
Occasionally the Council will ask for an Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) as the development may be quite large, e.g. a housing estate, or become there is the possibility for species protected under the Wildlife Acts (1976-2018) on the site, e.g. badgers.
If you’ve received an RFI asking for any of these ecological assessments, don’t worry. We’re here to help. Contact us for a competitive quote on your required ecological work. Our team can guide you through the process and ensure your planning application meets all ecological requirements .If you have received a Further Information Request from the Council for any of the above please Contact Us for a competitive quote.