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PLANNING FOR BARN OWLS
 Planning Issues

The Barn Owl is specially protected under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. it is illegal to kill, injure or take a Barn Owl or to take or destroy its eggs. It is also an offence to disturb a Barn Owl while it is, "in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young" or to "disturb dependent young of such a bird".

Barn Owls nest in a variety of locations but prefer roomy, well sheltered places and, as their name suggests, tend to inhabit barns and old buildings usually in areas of open country containing areas of rough ,tussocky grassland over which it hunts for its favoured prey; the short-tailed vole, mice and shrews. Such locations can be found very close to urban areas and therefore Barn Owls are not just to be found in rural locations. In the last century stone barns were often constructed with ' Barn Owl windows' to encourage the birds to nest. This assisted in keeping rodents under control.
 

Surveys
If you are contemplating a barn conversion or renovation of farm buildings it is worthwhile that a site survey is undertaken at an early stage to establish whether Barn Owls are using the site. Apart from spotting the birds in the early evening or at night, other evidence might include long, thick white splashes on walls, floors, beams and rafters often combined with a build-up of 'owl pellets'; these are the congealed remnants of the indigestible parts of prey and will contain bones, feathers and fur. Pellets are usually cylindrical, averaging 5-6cm in length, and if fresh, they have a black, shiny appearance.

The Hawk and Owl Trust, c/o Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY. Enclose a SAE and indicate where the  pellet was found.

Do not disturb the birds or their nest especially during the breeding season (April to Seoptember).
Only licenced people may approach the birds and nests for identification purposes.

Planning Issues

The presence of a protected species such as a Barn Owl is a 'material consideration' that can be taken in to account by a planning authority when determining a planning application that might result in harm to the bird or its habitat.

However, it is possible that planning conditions or a planning obligation under Section 106 could be employed to to affect remedial measures to provide a secure environment for the Barn Owls. Appropriate actions are set out in an RSPB publication:-

A recommended condition might be suggested as follows:-

"Prior to the commencement of the development, no works shall take place until an owl hole and Barn Owl nesting box and/or loft has been installed. The owl hole and Barn Owl nesting box and/or loft shall be in accordance with setails submitted to, and approved in writing by, the LPA. No works should take place during the months of April - September (the breeding season)."

The reason for imposing such a condition could be:-

"In order not to disturb nesting or roosting Barn Owls and to make adequate provision for the nesting and roosting of Barn Owls, a species protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act".

Sources of Information

The Barn Owl Trust produce a useful guide: 'Barn Owls on site - A guide to developers and planners' or view their website at http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/ The Barn Owl Trust, Ashburton, Devon


For further information about the Barn Owl visit the Hawk and Owl Trust website at www.hawkandowl.org/ Their specialist page for Barn Owls can be seen as a PDF at www.hawkandowl.org/Barnowlfact%20Colour.PDF .