Fen Management Handbook - Scottish Natural Heritage

9.4 The planning and design process for the creation of new fen habitat
190
Yes
Scoping of possible sites.
Gather relevant data to assess
the feasibility of creating fen
habitat in isolation or as part of
a larger wetland creation project.
Key questions in choosing the
best site(s):
– Are hydrological,
topographical and
geochemical conditions
conducive to fen creation?
– Are there legal and logistical
constraints that cannot be
overcome?
– What are the potential
financial costs of creating
fen habitat on the available
sites?
– How acceptable would fen
habitat be to the various
stakeholders?
If a choice of site is still available
rank the sites by biodiversity
gains and the appropriateness
of the different sites for fen
habitats (e.g. see Wetland Vision
for England).
CREATE YOUR FEN
Planning
Do you have a choice of site?
Successful
No
No
Carry out an initial small-scale feasibility study of the type of
fen that can be created at the site, the likely constraints and
methods of construction/creation.
Will the site, size of fen and method of fen habitat creation
require planning permission?
Carry out more detailed
investigations of the
proposed physical,
chemical and biological
properties and human
uses of the site.
Decide on the type
of fen habitat to be
created based on the
site characteristics and
feasibility of creating the
target fen habitat.
Draw-up a detailed
design for habitat
creation and after care
with an appropriate level
of monitoring to assess
success.
Apply for the relevant
permissions.
Unsuccessful
Identify why planning permission failed and whether it can be rectified.
Yes
Contact statutory and planning
authority/s on the feasibility
of fen creation in broad
outline and to identify the
physical,logistical, planning and
legal issues that will need to be
addressed (scoping) in a full
planning application.
Carry out the appropriate
surveys and searches as
identified above to inform a
detailed plan.
Engage with stakeholders at
an early stage for input into
the desirability and type of fen
envisaged and its function.
Produce a detailed plan of the
type of fen that will be created,
either stand alone, or part of a
larger wetland project and how
this will be achieved.