SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)·Page 79·6.180
European Protected Species - Permission Criteria
Planning permission will normally be refused for developments likely to harm European protected species, except in exceptional circumstances where there are no alternative solutions, imperative reasons of overriding public interest exist, the population maintains favourable conservation status, and compensatory measures are secured.
Planning permission will only be granted for a development proposal that is not likely to harm a European protected species45. In exceptional circumstances a development proposal that is likely to harm these species may only be permitted where:
• there are no alternative solutions; and
• it is required for imperative reasons of overriding public interest; and
• there is no detriment to the maintenance of the population of the species at a favourable conservation status; and
• compensatory measures are agreed and fully secured.
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