All Local Planning Authorities (usually the District, Borough or City Council) must produce a number of strategic documents that plan out where and how development will happen in an area. Spatial planning is important to make sure that the right kind of development happens in the right place and at the right time. If new areas of housing are proposed an appropriate level of infrastructure should be included to support the new homes, for example schools, health and community facilities.

We try to influence these high-level plans by working with Local Planning Authorities and responding to consultations. We want to influence policy and affect decisions and site allocations before the planning application stage, so that the environment is placed at the heart of spatial planning from the outset.

All planning applications are decided against the policies in the strategic plans, so getting these right is the most efficient use of our time and solves a lot of problems for wildlife before they occur.