Here at NatureSpace we work with a number of clients including developers, homeowners, planning agents and ecological consultants.
The following testimonials from some of our clients to showcase their experiences within this innovative scheme.
David Wilson Homes Southern had an outline planning permission for a residential development in the Vale of White Horse in Oxfordshire. However, there were three ponds located within 500 metres of the site with recent great crested newt records, as well as suitable habitat on and around the development site. Incredibly, 70% of the South Midlands falls within 500m of a pond, making it a common problem for developers in the region.
To support the application for approval of Reserved Matters, an up-to date survey was required which would have meant waiting seven months for the great crested newt survey window – and that was time that David Wilson Homes simply didn’t have.
Thanks to our District Licensing Scheme, David Wilson Homes didn’t have to submit an up-to date survey or even wait for the survey season. The developer received a NatureSpace report within 10 working days of applying which detailed how the development could be dealt with under the Council’s great crested newt District Licence.
After this, David Wilson Homes received a certificate to submit to the Local Planning Authority. Initially, there was a planning requirement to submit further survey information as part of the application, but our certificate proved that great crested newt impact had been assessed and compensated for – so this was no longer required.
For David Wilson Homes, the benefits offered by our District Licensing Scheme were clear. Not only did they apply for planning permission eight months ahead of schedule – avoiding survey season delays – but they also avoided post-planning delays and prevented any unforeseen issues during construction works.
The developer found our scheme to be cost-effective, simple, certain, and sustainable too as it offered a way to contribute to a strategic landscape-level conservation scheme.
“As a five-star housebuilder we are committed to undertaking the correct ecological mitigations when required and this development was no exception. We found our experience with NatureSpace to be time and cost-effective and following their work on this project we would recommend them. It allowed us to progress with our development on the site which is very important to us.”
