Telford & Wrekin Council has a ‘biodiversity duty’ to act in the interest of biodiversity in carrying out all our activities. The Council has an Ecology and Green Infrastructure team who work as a consultee within the planning system, provide evidence to the Local Plan process and advise the Council in managing its own land for the interest of biodiversity.

Planning applications

If you are making a planning application then there is potential for protected and priority species and habitats to be impacted (depending on the site and proposals). It may be that a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) or Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) is required to support a planning application and detailed species surveys (e.g. for vascular plants, bats, great crested newts, dormouse, birds, otter or water vole) may also be required. Assessments of impacts upon designated sites may also be required in some cases.

View our designated sites map

The best way to establish whether a PEA, EcIA, BNG report or other ecological information is required is to use the Council’s Pre-application advice service.

View information about pre-application advice.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Since 12 February 2024, all major developments must deliver a minimum 10% BNG. This requirement, introduced by the Environment Act 2021, may require additional ecological surveys and habitat assessments before development can proceed.

View more information about BNG

Development Greening Factor

The Telford and Wrekin Local Plan 2020 - 2040 introduces Policy NE4, Development Greening Factor.

This policy is designed to ensure that major developments contribute to the overall ‘greening’ of the Borough and provide green spaces for site users, natural drainage and climate change resilience. 

View more information about Development Greening Factor

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

SSSIs are some of the country’s most valuable sites for wildlife and geology. They are designated by Natural England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, and they are essential to conserving our most valuable habitats, species and geological features for future generations.

There are nine SSSI’s in Telford and Wrekin including:

  • grasslands

  • woodlands

  • wetlands, canal and river sections and

  • geological exposures.

Some SSSI’s are owned by the local authority and others are in private ownership.

Visit the Natural England website to search and find individual SSSI's

Local nature reserves 

Local nature reserves are sites which are designated for their biodiversity value and their value to local communities for education, access and recreation.

There are currently 22 local nature reserves in Telford with five more planned to be designated

View information about our local nature reserves

Local sites

There are over 70 local sites in Telford and Wrekin covering a wide range of valuable habitats including:

  • ancient woodland

  • lowland hay meadows

  • wetland flushes

  • grasslands and

  • rivers and streams.

More information on local sites can also be sought from Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

View our designated sites map