URL: https://democracy.breckland.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2431

Decision Maker: Cllr Sarah Suggitt, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing & Planning

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: GIRAMS new tariff and governance arrangements

Content: GIRAMS new tariff and governance arrangements Breckland Council endorses that:   The existing Green Infrastructure and Recreational Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (GIRAMS) tariff is increased from £221.17 to £293.53 per dwelling.   The Appointment of a Breckland elected member to the Norfolk Recreational Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) Board which will be comprised of elected councillors and supported by ecologists and planning officers from all Norfolk Planning Authorities. The RAMS Board will agree and oversee the implementation of GIRAMS projects.   The employment of a delivery manager funded through tariff contributions, who will report to the Board and deliver the GIRAMS projects.   The legislative background to GIRAMS is the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, which states that the Council in its role as Local Planning Authority has a legal duty to ensure that its plans and projects will not have an adverse impact on protected sites. The sites include Special Protection Areas (SPA) classified under the 1979 Birds Directive, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designated under the 1992 Habitats Directive, as well as ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ (or Ramsar sites).   Many of Norfolk’s natural habitats e.g., The Brecks and North Norfolk Coast have the highest protection under the UK’S environmental laws, but many of these sites are also popular places to visit. Lots of visitors causes habitat damage such as vegetation trampling, contamination from litter, dog fouling and disturbance to wildlife.   To mitigate the effects of an increase in visitors to these sites from new housing, a GIRAM Strategy was created whereby developers pay a tariff for each new home built to fund the mitigation projects to prevent or reduce habitat damage. The mitigation fund would pay for measures such as installing better footpaths and signage, cordoning off of sensitive habitats, rangers, educational workshops and monitoring habitat improvements.   The GIRAMS approach is an established method for dealing with visitor pressures on protected habitat sites and is used by many local authorities across the country. The approach has been approved by the Norfolk Strategic Planning Member Forum.   None.

Date of Decision: January 14, 2025