Issue - meetings

Cabinet:

Agreed to support the passage of this Supplementary Planning Document through this process to the next phase, which is public consultation prior to its return to this committee for review and adoption in late 2021.

This decision was first published on 7 July and so the deadline for call-in is Wednesday 14 July at 5pm.

Cabinet:

Agreed to support the passage of this Supplementary Planning Document through this process to the next phase, which is public consultation prior to its return to this committee for review and adoption in late 2021.

Cabinet received the Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document. Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins, Lead Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Delivery, introduced the report, highlighting the Council’s commitment to Biodiversity with this report, and previously approved Doubling Nature Strategy, and the continued engagement with the local community. Councillor Dr. Tumi Hawkins then thanked the Officers who worked on the document, and the collaboration with the Climate and Environment Advisory Committee.

The Leader invited Councillor Pippa Heylings, the Chair of the Climate and Environment Advisory Committee, to comment on Supplementary Planning Document, and to summarise the Committee’s response.

Councillor Pippa Heylings reiterated the Committee’s discussion of the report, expressing support for the Supplementary Planning Document, and the importance of the nonbinding targets that the Council has set within the report. Councillor Pippa Heylings also mentioned this SPD was the first for a Council within England.

Councillor Brian Milnes, Lead Cabinet member for Environmental Services and Licencing agreed the report continued the Council’s commitment to tackle Climate Change.

Councillor Anna Bradnam welcomed the report, and said she was pleased the Council was continuing performance for tackling the climate emergency.

After a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith closed the debate, noting the report would return to Cabinet in December 2021 following the end of the public consultation, and Cabinet:

Agreed to support the passage of this Supplementary Planning Document through this process to the next phase, which is public consultation prior to its return to this committee for review and adoption in late 2021.

The Natural Environment Team Leader introduced this report, by explaining that a new Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document was required, as the existing document had been agreed by the Council back in 2009. In addition, the City Council did not have a Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document, and this report could rectify this.

Balancing competing factors

In response to questioning, the Built and Natural Environment Manager explained that the Council would be required to balance the benefits of an application for a renewable energy plant against the impact it would have on biodiversity. The Natural Environment Team Leader added that the Document was designed to steer but not instruct councillors when determining an application.

Net gain of biodiversity

It was noted that the Document stated that the biodiversity value of the development needed to exceed the pre-development biodiversity value by 10%. Councillor Tumi Hawkins suggested that the Document include the aspirational aim of 20%. The Committee recommended that a target of 20% be put in the next Local Plan.

Concern was expressed at the possible practice of development achieving the bio-diversity target value and then removing trees. It was suggested that some form of offsetting could happen within the District.

Engaging with community

Councillor Tumi Hawkins suggested that the Council engages with schools, parish councils and community groups regarding this Document.

The Committee recommended that Cabinet agree the Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document.