Guidance and regulation

When you need consent for a proposed operation or management change on land in a SSSI and how to apply.

• From: Natural England
• Updated: 15 April 2024

Check if your import, export or re-export needs a permit or certificate under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

• From: Animal and Plant Health Agency and 1 others
• Updated: 5 April 2024

How to assess a planning application when there are protected species on or near a proposed development site.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 25 October 2023

How to apply to import, export or re-export endangered animal and plant species on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list.

• From: Animal and Plant Health Agency and 1 others
• Updated: 1 July 2022

How a competent authority must decide if a plan or project proposal that affects a European site can go ahead.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 3 others
• Updated: 6 December 2023

List of priority habitats and species in England (‘Section 41 habitats and species’) for public bodies, landowners and funders to use for biodiversity conservation.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 10 November 2022

How to assess a planning application when there are ancient woodland, ancient trees or veteran trees on or near a proposed development site.

• From: Forestry Commission and 1 others
• Updated: 14 January 2022

Find out which licence you might need to carry out work that affects wildlife and its habitat, how to apply and when you might need to pay.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 25 October 2023

How to assess a planning application when there are bats on or near a proposed development site.

• From: Natural England
• Updated: 14 January 2022

Apply to join a district level licensing scheme to develop land that may affect great crested newts and supply any survey data you collect.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 11 December 2023

How to assess a planning application when there are great crested newts on or near a proposed development site.

• From: Natural England
• Updated: 26 July 2022

What you must do to avoid harming bats and when you’ll need a licence.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 29 March 2015

Information for developers on how to avoid harming protected areas and species during development work.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 6 December 2023

Check if you need an Article 10 certificate for commercial use of endangered species on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list.

• From: Animal and Plant Health Agency and 1 others
• Updated: 5 April 2022

How to assess a planning application when there are badgers on or near a proposed development site.

• From: Natural England
• Updated: 14 January 2022

How to assess a planning application when there are reptiles on or near a proposed development site.

• From: Natural England
• Updated: 25 October 2023

How to assess planning proposals that may affect great crested newts if the developer applies to use the Natural England district level licensing (DLL) scheme.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 25 July 2022

Your responsibilities as a public body when carrying out or approving works on or near sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).

• From: Natural England
• Updated: 5 August 2022

As a planning authority, find out how to review applications that might affect protected sites and areas.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and 1 others
• Updated: 6 December 2023

Register for a licence to survey great crested newts for research, conservation or development projects.

• From: Natural England
• Updated: 1 January 2024