URL: https://democracy.lichfielddc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=812

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member Decision

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The decision is to determine whether Lichfield District Council should agree to enter into a Section 106 agreement to monitor the proposed Grove Farm Habitat Bank for a period of 30 years.

Content: The decision is to determine whether Lichfield District Council should agree to enter into a Section 106 agreement to monitor the proposed Grove Farm Habitat Bank for a period of 30 years. To approve to enter into the S106 agreement at Appendix 1 for Grove Farm Habitat Bank at Grove Farm, Burton Road, Whittington, Lichfield WS13 8QN that will include a 30 year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan. The Environment Act 2021 required all development in England to provide a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain. Where this gain cannot be delivered on site, developers must seek to offset this requirement off site, either through the purchase of BUs from a registered Habitat Bank, or by purchasing Biodiversity Credits from Natural England.   The Act also put a Duty on us as a Local Planning Authority to ensure that sufficient BUs are available for offsetting in our district (more easily allowing development to fulfil the statutory requirement).   By agreeing to enter into a 30-year agreement to monitor the delivery and condition of the proposed Grove Farm Habitat Bank, it will allow the Bank to be listed on the Natural England Biodiversity Gain Sites Register and begin to officially operate as a Habitat Bank (that is, to provide Biodiversity Units to developers to meet their Statutory Biodiversity Net Gain requirement). This will enable more development to take place in the district, by providing local (and therefore more cost-effective) Biodiversity Units for local developments.   The site (approx. 26ha) is currently in arable use and is intensively managed. It is proposed to enhance the site to provide approximately 12ha of mixed scrub and 14ha of traditional orchard – resulting in 131.74 BUs being created. By bringing the land out of arable use and into active management for biodiversity benefit, the site will positively contribute to both Lichfield District and UK national biodiversity goals. 1.     For amendments to be made to the S106 & HMMP. These will then need to be conveyed and agreed by all parties before signing and sealing can take place.    2.     For Lichfield District Council to not enter into this agreement.

Date of Decision: February 2, 2026