Biodiversity

r Biodiversity (APIB) and Areas that Could become of particular importance for Biodiversity (ACB) layers) to inform site layout, landscape design, and ecological interventions. 7.1.9 The Warwickshire LNRS should be considered alongside other local and regional plans to guide strategic land use planning. It helps identify site-based and landscape-scale opportunities for nature recovery. Developers are encouraged to use these opportunities when designing proposals, including for Biodiversity Net Gain, to maximise ecological, social, and climate benefits. 7.1.10 Special consideration will be given to habitats and species predominately found in South Warwickshire, such as calcareous grassland, Eurasian curlews, and lesser horseshoe bats, ensuring that development contributes positively to local nature recovery priorities. Policy BN.3 Biodiversity Development must protect biodiversity and contribute to its recovery. All development should seek to deliver a net gain in biodiversity, proportionate to the scale, nature and ecological value of the site. A. Requirements All proposals must: 1. Apply the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with Policy DS.1 1. Deliver measurable biodiversity enhancements that improve habitat quality, connectivity and ecological resilience, supporting Warwickshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and the wider GBI network; 2. Secure long-term management and maintenance of biodiversity assets and enhancements, proportionate to the development and ecological outcomes proposed. Where biodiversity has been deliberately degraded prior to submission, the Council will assess the site based on its original condition, consistent with national BNG policy. B. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Targets Development subject to mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) must deliver a minimum of 10% BNG. BNG should be delivered on-site as a priority. Where this is not feasible, off-site provision must be guided by the spatial hierarchy and local priorities set out in the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Ecosystem Services Trading Protocol (or successor documents). Proposals must apply Policy DS.1 where residual impacts remain or off-site measures are required. Biodiversity gains must be secured and managed for a minimum of 30 years. Policy Justification 7.1.11 This policy applies to all development, not only proposals that trigger statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements. It reflects national policy in the National Planning Policy Framework which requires development to protect and enhance the natural environment and to provide measurable gains for biodiversity. Statutory BNG requirements introduced through the Environment Act 2021 underpin this approach. Even small-scale or low-impact development can contribute to long-term biodiversity enhancement and ecological connectivity. 7.1.12 BNG is implemented through the planning system under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and proposals must comply with relevant legislation and associated statutory guidance. It is however acknowledged that there may be scheme specific viability challenges, which would be material to a decision on a particular proposal. 7.1.13 A lower requirement for brownfield sites reflects viability constraints and the need to support the effective reuse of previously developed land, while still securing appropriate biodiversity enhancements. 7.1.14 Applicants should assess and apply BNG using recognised methodologies, such as British Standard 8683:2021, or equivalent, ensuring that proposals are proportionate to the scale, nature, and ecological value of the site. 7.1.15 BNG ensures that habitats are left in a measurably better state than before development, providing additional benefits beyond baseline protections. It supports ecological resilience, improved habitat connectivity and priority species, co