The Dorset Biodiversity Appraisal Protocol (DBAP) is Dorset Council’s preferred mechanism to address impacts on biodiversity from planning applications and Listed Building Consents (LBCs).
The DBAP is designed to deal simply with the requirement to address impacts of development on protected species and important habitats. If, following review under the DBAP process, your application is considered acceptable, you are provided with an independent certification by Dorset Council’s Natural Environment Team (NET) which confirms that your application adheres to the relevant wildlife legislation and policies and assures the Planning Team that the application will not have a negative impact on biodiversity. Certification through the DBAP process confirms compliance with the following:
- Natural England’s Protected Species Standing Advice
- The biodiversity mitigation hierarchy as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (2025). Development must avoid, mitigate, and compensate impacts on biodiversity, and requires development to provide biodiversity gains
- Local Plan Policies regarding the environment
When does the DBAP apply?
The DBAP applies to all development sites of 0.1ha or greater in size, or where there are known protected species or important habitats/habitat features, or where there is likely to be an impact on biodiversity. All planning applications are required to complete the Biodiversity Checklist as part of the validation requirement. The checklist questions are integrated into the application forms on the Planning Portal. The checklist will indicate what ecological information is required to be provided in support of your application and whether it is within the DBAP scope, if there is any doubt as to whether the site includes important habitats/habitat features.
DBAP process
Where an application is within the scope of the DBAP, the applicant is responsible for submitting their ecological information to the NET for review and certification. This is a separate process which runs alongside the planning application process. There are different documentation requirements for different types of applications. Please see the Planning for Biodiversity webpage for more information on what ecological information you are required to support a planning application.
- The Ecologist submits the Ecology Report(s) (and completed Biodiversity Plan for householder, Listed Building Consent and standalone barn conversions only, word and pdf versions available) directly to the Dorset Council Natural Environment Team (NET) via e-mail along with the associated review fee
- The NET review the Ecology Report(s) to ensure it meets the applicable wildlife legislation, national and local planning policies. The review process may include the NET requesting changes to the Ecology Report(s) or Biodiversity Plan before approval
- When satisfied, the NET will send the Certificate of Approval and approved Biodiversity Plan (if applicable)
- The Certificate of Approval and associated Ecology Report(s) or approved Biodiversity Plan (if applicable) can then be submitted by the applicant to the planning team prior to a decision being made on the planning application
- The NET certified Ecology Report(s) will be conditioned to the permission, if granted, and the applicant is responsible for complying with all measures
DBAP guidance documents
We have produced guidance documents on the required standard of submission of survey information and how to complete the BP form (word and pdf version available) for Householder, Listed Building Consent and standalone barn conversions. The guidance documents are designed to inform your ecologist so that they can provide the required information.
You can download:
- Section 1: General Guidance for Householder, Listed Building Consent and standalone barn conversions
- Section 2: General Guidance for minor and major applications
- Section 3: Mitigation
- Section 4: Bryanston Greater Horseshoe Bat SSSI Guidance
- Appendix 1: Indicator Plant List Including Dorset Notables
- Bibliography
Fees
View the current fee structure for the DBAP submissions.
A small increase is made annually in-line with inflation.
Payment of fees
Fees can be paid:
- online
- by card by calling 01305 228602 or 01305 228608. If paying by card please state that the payment is being made for Biodiversity Appraisal and give the site address
- by cheque; made payable to Dorset Council and sent to the Natural Environment Team
Please make payment online where possible. If you would prefer to pay over the phone, and are unable to get through to either of the phone numbers listed above, please leave a voicemail or email environmentbusinesssupport@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and request a call back.
Contact us
For further information and advice please contact the Natural Environment Team.