Dear Andrew

Thank you for your correspondence dated 10 November 2010 consulting Natural England on the above planning application.

Natural England advises the proposals as presented have the potential to affect species protected under European or UK legislation. Natural England refers you to our Standing Advice on protected species http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/regions/south_east/ourwork/standingadvice/default.aspx.  Once the survey information has been submitted, we recommend you consult your in-house/retained ecologist on the results of the survey and, where applicable, the appropriateness of the mitigation proposed.

As you are hopefully aware, Natural England has recently issued a consultation draft of our updated protected species standing advice. Natural England in London and the Southeast Region will be withdrawing from offering case specific advice to Local Planning Authorities where a development may impact upon a protected species and the Council will need to refer to the guidance contained within our standing advice.  The draft advice can be found at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/regions/south_east/ourwork/standingadvice/protectedspecies/standingadviceconsultation/default.aspx

and we would recommend that for current applications, you refer to the standing advice to see if it provides you with sufficient guidance and confidence in assessing the impacts associated with the development upon protected species.

Should you require any assistance interpreting the standing advice, please do not hesitate to contact me.

In order to help us deliver high quality customer service, we would request that all consultations are sent through electronically to the email address below, wherever possible.  For larger schemes, such as those accompanied by an Environmental Statement or a Local Development Framework consultation, we would welcome the submission on a compact disc but with copies of any pertinent plans sent as hard copies to the relevant office (please see below).

All development management and forward planning consultations in Kent, Sussex or Surrey (including those from unitary authorities) should be sent by email to southeastplanning@naturalengland.org.uk   

Regards

Seán Lewis

Environmental Planning Adviser

Natural England

International House, Dover Place

Ashford Kent TN23 1HU

Tel: 0300 060 4631  Mob: 077750 19185

www.naturalengland.org.uk

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