Action Plan Information for...

Local Authorities

In March 2006 the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act received Royal Assent. Amongst the measures outlined in the NERC Act is Section 40 – the duty to conserve, restore and enhance biodiversity.

This duty applies to every public authority, and reflects the key role they can play in achieving a healthy and functioning natural environment. Listed below are some of the many ways in which conservation of biodiversity can be integrated within local authority functions in Sussex.

Involvement in Partnerships

  • Work with the Sussex Biodiversity Partnership in raising the profile of, supporting and implementing the Sussex Biodiversity Action Plan.
  • Work in partnership to identify, conserve and enhance Local Wildlife Sites (Sites of Nature Conservation Importance) – this will enable reporting against National Indicator 197.
  • Work in partnership to identify, map and undertake work in Biodiversity Opportunity Areas.

Local Policies and Strategies

  • Recognise biodiversity as an integral part of sustainable development alongside social and economic considerations.
  • Integrate biodiversity into local government policies and strategies including Climate Change Strategies, Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements.
  • Embed biodiversity in green infrastructure planning to reflect the importance of habitat connectivity in ensuring species are able to adapt to climate change.

Forward Planning and Development Control

  • Integrate biodiversity into Local Development Frameworks through formulation of effective policies to conserve and enhance biodiversity, Planning Obligation Strategies to provide development infrastructure including green infrastructure, and provision of supplementary planning guidance for biodiversity.
  • Ensure biodiversity is taken into account in planning decisions – in particular ensuring that decisions are based on sufficient information, mitigation is of an appropriate scale and staff are encouraged to seek ecological expertise as routine.
  • Recognise opportunities to deliver biodiversity benefits through enhancements, appropriate mitigation, “building in” biodiversity, minerals restoration and use of planning obligations.

Securing and Delivering a Healthy Natural Environment

  • Supporting the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre to ensure the maintenance of current biodiversity information – this will ensure data is available for forward planning and Annual Monitoring Reports.
  • Protect and enhance biodiversity on the local authority estate and promote positive management of greenspace such as parks and road verges.
  • Support access to biodiversity within the local community, and raise awareness of the benefits to health, well-being and education.

Further Information

A report on the provision of accessible natural greenspace in the South East can be accessed via the Forestry Commission website.

The Association of Local Government Ecologists has produced a report outlining the biodiversity data required by Local Authorities in order to fulfil their functions.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has produced a report outlining the economic benefit of good quality parks and greenspaces.

Natural England has launched a campaign to expand the role of the natural environment in supporting health and wellbeing.

The Association of Local Government Ecologists has produced guidance on how biodiversity can be incorporated into Local Development Frameworks.

After Minerals provides information on mineral sites and the potential to restore them to important wildlife habitat.

Guidance to assist in reporting on National Indicator 197 – Improved Local Biodiversity can be found on the South East England Biodiversity Forum and Defra websites.

Help with implementing the NERC Biodiversity Duty is provided by the South East England Biodiversity Forum , Natural England and The Wildlife Trusts

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has produced a guide for anyone interested in encouraging biodiversity in parks and greenspaces.

The Town and Country Planning Association provide guidance on how to maximise opportunities for biodiversity in the planning and design of sustainable communities.

Planning Policy Statements relating to biodiversity (PPS: Planning and Climate Change, PPS 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation, PPS 12 Local Spatial Planning) can be downloaded from Communities and Local Government