Biodiversity and ecology

About biodiversity

Biodiversity is used to describe the richness of the living environment around us. It encompasses all living organisms from simple plants to large whales. Maintaining a rich diversity of species on our planet is crucial for future generations.

Helpful advice on wildlife issues and development proposals

Below you will find some useful information that we have collated from other websites and some of our own documentation.

Our documents

• District Design Guide
• Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document

Building with Nature

Building with nature has been designed to support the creation of high quality green infrastructure throughout the planning process. It is currently mainly aimed at large developments with a vision to provide further guidance for small developments.

Natural England

Natural England government website - information on rights of way, land management, wildlife and habitat conservation and useful maps

Pond management

Fresh water habitats website - advice on species of animals and their habitats

Further information:

• All pollution events (land or river) – call the Environment Agency 24hr emergency line 0800 807060
• Badgers – The Badger Trust
• Bats – The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT)
• Birds – Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
• Green Roofs - European Federation of Green roofs and Walls or Living Roofs  
• Invertebrates – Buglife (The Invertebrate Conservation Trust)
• Lizards, snakes & newts – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Amphibian and Reptile Group
• Local wildlife and White-clawed crayfish - Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Biodiversity Group or the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust
• Otters – The UK Wild Otter Trust
• Protected Species – contact Natural England on 0300 060 3900
• Rivers and Streams – Environment Agency 03708 506506
• Water voles – Peoples Trust for Endangered Species 
• Wildflower meadows – National Wildflower Centre

Wildlife Crime

• If you witness a wildlife crime taking place, call 999.
• For a non-emergency, call 101.
• If you would like to give information regarding a crime anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
• If possible, give information on: 
  • what is happening,
  • the exact location (a map reference or local landmark can be useful)
  • the date and time of the incident
  • who is involved (for example, number of people, clothing worn, tools being carried or any dogs)
  • the make, colour and registration number of any vehicle
  • if it is safe to do so, take photos which may be used as evidence and remember to ask the police for an incident number.

Wildlife crime reduces the number of rare animals and plants, pushing them closer to extinction. It can cause animals pain and suffering and can be linked to other serious crimes, like drugs, money laundering and firearms offences.

Examples of crime include:

• badger, raptor and bat persecution
• illegal trade in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
• poaching/coursing
• theft or disturbance of wild birds
• their eggs and/or nests
• theft of disturbance of wild animals, plants and habitats
• animal cruelty
• introduction of invasive species and hunting with dogs