URL: https://democracy.crawley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=879

Decision Maker: Head of Economy and Planning

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Crawley Borough Council is required by law to publish its first Biodiversity Duty Report by 26 March 2026. The Report sets out how the council has met the Biodiversity Duty, arising from the Environment Act 2021, over the reporting period from December 2023 to December 2025. The Duty requires the council to consider what it can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity in England, agree policies and specific objectives based on its consideration and act to deliver its policies and achieve its objectives. The Local Planning Authority is also required to report on its Biodiversity Net Gain, setting out actions taken, expected biodiversity gains within the reported period and future plans to meet these obligations, as well as a data section setting out a summary of all BNG data, BNG statistics and the impact of habitat interventions. The Report is accompanied by a spreadsheet document which collates the quantitative data specifically in relation to the delivery of the national requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain over the period February 2024 to December 2025. The document and the spreadsheet report on the progress of the council in its various work areas. All of the information within it is already in the public domain in some form. This Biodiversity Duty Report collates it into a narrative following a government recommended structure for Biodiversity Duty Reports. This decision has been taken under delegated authority, as this information is usually published as part of the Authority’s Monitoring Report. However, due to a change in deadlines for this year, which has been statutorily set, it has been necessary to publish it as a standalone document on this occasion. The Cabinet Members for Planning and Economic Development and Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change have been consulted as part of this decision. The Biodiversity Duty Report is attached: https://crawley.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/engagement-and-monitoring/biodiversity-duty-report

Content: Crawley Borough Council is required by law to publish its first Biodiversity Duty Report by 26 March 2026. The Report sets out how the council has met the Biodiversity Duty, arising from the Environment Act 2021, over the reporting period from December 2023 to December 2025. The Duty requires the council to consider what it can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity in England, agree policies and specific objectives based on its consideration and act to deliver its policies and achieve its objectives. The Local Planning Authority is also required to report on its Biodiversity Net Gain, setting out actions taken, expected biodiversity gains within the reported period and future plans to meet these obligations, as well as a data section setting out a summary of all BNG data, BNG statistics and the impact of habitat interventions. The Report is accompanied by a spreadsheet document which collates the quantitative data specifically in relation to the delivery of the national requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain over the period February 2024 to December 2025. The document and the spreadsheet report on the progress of the council in its various work areas. All of the information within it is already in the public domain in some form. This Biodiversity Duty Report collates it into a narrative following a government recommended structure for Biodiversity Duty Reports. This decision has been taken under delegated authority, as this information is usually published as part of the Authority’s Monitoring Report. However, due to a change in deadlines for this year, which has been statutorily set, it has been necessary to publish it as a standalone document on this occasion. The Cabinet Members for Planning and Economic Development and Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change have been consulted as part of this decision. The Biodiversity Duty Report is attached: https://crawley.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/engagement-and-monitoring/biodiversity-duty-report

Date of Decision: March 25, 2026