Biodiversity and development guidance notes

SuDS stands for Sustainable Drainage Systems. The term Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) is also frequently used.

The Council must seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience

Ecological information should be submitted with planning applications where there is a reasonable likelihood that the proposed development will affect a designated nature conservation site or protected or priority habitat or species.

Activities that are likely to cause harm or disturbance to a protected species or its habitats may need to be carried out under licence.

This Guidance Note provides the following tables that demonstrate the relationship between the natural environment in Swansea and the relevant environmental law and policy, including those within the Local Development Plan (LDP).

A green roof or living roof is a roof which is totally or partially covered with vegetation.

A living wall, also sometimes described as a green and living wall or green wall, is a wall totally or partially covered in vegetation.

Many planning applications require the submission of ecological information. The council supports the best practice approach of sharing this ecological information with the local biodiversity records centre - SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre).

All wildlife legislation still applies regardless of whether or not a development, plan or project requires planning permission.