Planning advice for the public

We all have a part to play

When it comes to nature, we want what's best, and we will always work in the best interest of wildlife, wild spaces, and people. We are not anti-development or anti progress; we are pro-nature.

As a conservation charity, we comment on local plans and planning proposals, but we can’t do it alone. We need everyone to play a part – from ethical developers planning with environmental and ecological best practice in mind, to responsible local authorities consulting and keeping the wellbeing of residents and access to nature at the forefront of their agenda, to you, local wildlife advocates recording the nature you see around you and speaking up for species without a voice.

What we do

There are hundreds of applications made across the county each year. We’re a small team and simply cannot comment on them all. As such we must be very strategic about on which plans and proposals we comment.

Priority 1 - Local Plans

These plans are a council’s big-picture blueprint for how an area should grow and develop over the next 10 to 20 years. Local plans are a priority for us over individual proposals or areas, as they act as a guide on approach for subsequent planning proposals. If a planning proposal is consistent with a Local Plan, it is generally more likely to be approved. So it’s crucial we advise on the Local Plan and council’s get this right from the start.

Priority 2 – Specific individual planning proposals

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council until 2028. This means that we have agreed with both local authorities to provide the service of comment on proposals in their area (from the perspective of expert ecologists). As such we have a commitment to review relevant proposals.

Are you concerned about a Local Plan or planning proposal in your area?

While we cannot answer every planning proposal, we do our best to be aware of them. If there is a Local Plan or planning proposal in your area which is causing concern, please tell us about it using the webform below. Please understand we may not be able to reply to your query, but rest assured we do read and review them all.

First name

Surname

Phone number

Search Address

Click here to enter your address manually.

Email address

Confirm email

What district or borough's local plan are you concerned about?

What are your concerns about the Local Plan in your area?

Please type the proposal / application reference number

To be certain we understand what area you're comment or concern is related to please ensure you type the correct proposal / application reference number.

What are your concerns about the planning proposal / application?

Are you happy for us to email you or call you in relation to your question?

We may not be able to answer your message, but if we do we need your permission to contact you. This is solely for the permission of replying to you. You will not be placed on any other email or marketing lists unless you choose to do so separately.

A note about campaigning:

We are very rarely able to join individual communities’ campaigns against proposals or plans. This is not because we don’t care or agree, but because the way an organisation comments on plans and proposals is different. As a nature conservation charity we legally must remain party neutral and work with any local government (regardless of political party) to champion nature. We encourage concerned residents to take these key actions to make a difference:

Record wildlife you see in your local green space formally with Staffordshire Ecological Records. Formal records are important. Your stance is much more likely to be considered if your ecological records are official and not written last-minute with little evidence (lacking photos or date or detailed location information).

Learn how here
Participate in the consultation process. You can do this on your borough or district council online planning portal.
Speak to your local councillor about your concerns and raise awareness with other members of your community. Communication is powerful.

Commenting on a plan, proposal, or application

Individuals can play a crucial part in the planning system to help protect wildlife. If you want to comment on a Local Plan, keep an eye out for communications from your borough or district council about a consultation.

If you want to comment on a planning proposal or application, you will need to access your local area's planning portal. Search for this on your district or borough council's website.

Read our handy blog here for tips on how to express your concerns about a planning application.