  
Land with high biodiversity will have a great many habitats supporting many different wild plants which in turn will support a wide range of animals from insects up through the food chain to newts, frogs and toads, reptiles, fish, birds and finally to mammals.
Biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate, dormice are extinct in many counties and even the skylark and other one time common birds are becoming increasingly rare.
The UK, County and Local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs*) all aim to reduce the continued loss of semi-natural habitats and the plants and creatures they support and to indicate those habitats and species that are most in need of help.
Biodiversity is important in planning applications because local plans have policies that promote wildlife conservation. Planning officers and inspectors are increasingly che |
