South Hams supports a wide variety of species and habitats – ranging from local to international importance.
The basic responsibility for protection and management of wildlife lies with the person who owns the land, or buildings, occupied by the habitats and species – however, there are a wide range of organisations involved in wildlife issues. The details below give a brief summary.
Wildlife Protection
Many sites and species are protected by law and there are a variety of offences relating to damage, disturbance, capture and sale.
Natural England advises government on protection of sites and species.
The Police have a primary role in enforcing wildlife protection and can be contacted on 08452 777444 (or 999 in an emergency). Ask for the Wildlife Crime Officers. Details of the location of protected sites can be found on the Magic website. Disturbance of protected species requires a licence with details available from Natural England or DEFRA.
Wildlife Management
Wildlife relies not only on legal protection but most importantly the provision of appropriately managed habitat for feeding and breeding. Advice and grant aid may be available from the following:-
Natural England for protected sites and species Natural England
Wildlife and New Development
New development must take account of protected sites and species and the planning application form has a question specifically on this issue.
Further details are in the Council’s draft Supplementary Planning Guidance Note Wildlife and Development
If you want an informal discussion, please contact either the Planning Case Officer for your area or the Council’s Landscape & Recreation Manager on 01803 861234 or landscape.leisure@southhams.gov.uk
For a list of approved wildlife surveyors contact Natural England at their Exeter office 01392 889770.
Nuisance Wildlife
For queries relating to mice and rats, wasps and bees, seagulls, dogs or other nuisance wildlife, please contact the Council’s Environmental Health Pest Control Section on 01803 861234.
Animal Welfare
For animal welfare issues please visit the RSPCA website.
