URL: https://democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3839

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To approve the assignment of three areas of Council-owned land as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitat banks, enabling the sale of biodiversity units to developers to meet mandatory BNG requirements, while keeping biodiversity benefits within the borough. To delegate authority for the establishment and management of all BNG habitat banks to the Executive Director: Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside.

Content: RESOLVED that:   i.       the establishment of Council-owned land to act as BNG habitat banks, to enable the Council to sell biodiversity units to developers to meet the mandatory requirement for BNG is approved   ii.     the Executive Director: Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside is authorised to:   ·       authorise completion of Conservation Covenants between the Council and an appropriate Responsible Body for the delivery of BNG habitat banks; and ·       secure the addition of BNG habitat banks to the national Biodiversity Gain Site Register; i.       BNG became mandatory for large developments in February 2024 and for smaller developments in April 2024. By establishing Bracknell Forest as an offsite BNG habitat bank provider, the council can offer local biodiversity units to developers, ensuring that biodiversity improvements occur within the borough giving the greatest benefit to borough residents. This approach helps preserve local biodiversity and green infrastructure as developments proceed. The last resort for developers is to purchase statutory credits from the government, which is a very costly option. Offering local biodiversity units will help avoid the need for developers to pursue this expensive alternative, improving the quality and viability of local developments.   ii.     Creating habitat banks and selling biodiversity units in Bracknell Forest will support measurable increases in biodiversity in the borough. The work will also support the aims and objectives of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) by improving existing areas for nature and prioritising nature recovery. Further it will contribute to the Council’s own local access to nature standard which is now embedded in the Bracknell Forest Local Plan. The alternative is for the Council not to bring forward habitat banks and sell biodiversity units. There are currently no other offsite habitat bank providers in the local area. Therefore, developers who are unable to achieve a net gain within their site will have few options to purchase offsite biodiversity units. They will be forced to purchase biodiversity units from outside the local area, anywhere in England, or purchase statutory credits from the Government. These options mean that local residents will not benefit from biodiversity improvements. They are also more expensive for developers, which could in turn affect viability of other necessary policy requirements such as affordable housing. None

Date of Decision: December 10, 2024