Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 s.(40) “Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity” Integrating Biodiversity into development …realising the benefits Contents Quicklinks Foreword More about biodiversity Garden design Introduction What is sustainable development? Urban infill Protected species Junction improvements What is Biodiversity? Stages of the planning process Commercial expansion Where is the wildlife? Ecological consultants Greenspace in residential development Appropriate survey times Edge of town Integrating biodiversity into development Key players Old building conversion Integrating biodiversity checklist Basic principles of enhancing Riverside development and creating Mineral development Case studies Format for mitigation plan Greenfield site Legislation UK BAP habitats and species Brownfield site East of England BAP habitats Reading and references and species Biodiversity conservation – Essex BAP habitats and species statutory obligations Updated January 2007 Glossary Local authority BAP forums Acknowledgements INTEGRATING BIODIVERSITY INTO DEVELOPMENT CONTENTS Contents Introduction What is biodiversity Where is the wildlife Integrating biodiversity into development Case studies Legislation Reading & references Glossary Foreword John Hall Peter Martin Biodiversity means the rich variety of life – good health – they are less likely to fall ill I am delighted to introduce Essex the superb range of plants and animals and quicker to recover. Looking after Biodiversity Project’s new guide for and the habitats in which they and we live. important green spaces within or close to planners and developers. This document our towns and connecting these with provides a great deal of advice relevant to Walk through a bluebell wood near attractive green corridors generates civic Essex and also points the reader in the Colchester or Chelmsford in Spring, pride in the population – and investment right direction for much more advice from vibrant with birdsong, and you will feel tends to follow. other sources. We hope that it will assist biodiversity without having to know the those in Essex who can influence names of all the many plants and animals Massive development is proposed in Essex biological diversity – or biodiversity – which make up this complex web of life. over the next 20 years, and this is an through the process of development, opportunity to ensure that good quality making the wildlife of Essex as rich and Cycle to work along the greenways of green space, which is valuable for people diverse as possible for the benefit of all. Harlow and Basildon and you will feel the and for biodiversity, is integral to any biodiversity of the hedgerows and regeneration plans. The Government has made it clear that wildflower areas. sustainability must lie at the heart of the Developers need to work well with planning process.This is a critical time for Stroll or jog with friends in the evening Planners to integrate biodiversity into their the wildlife of Essex as the county comes along the banks of the Chelmer, the development proposals under unprecedented development Roding or one of many other Essex rivers pressure. We need to ensure that and you realise the richness of life, and this This Guide is designed to be used. It cuts development is carried out in a relieves the stresses of the day. through the complexities of biodiversity sustainable way so that the needs of legislation and protected species to give future generations are not compromised We strive to emulate nature in our quick access to detailed information for by the decisions we are making now. gardens where we relax in our own little developers, planners and all those Maintaining biodiversity is a key element piece of Essex. This is all biodiversity and working for a better quality of life in Essex. of this. it is a very important part of our quality of life. John Hall This guide is a tool to help people Director of Essex Wildlife Trust understand how to protect and enhance What has biodiversity got to do with this county’s rich biodiversity heritage and development? we hope that it is used and welcomed by many. Biodiversity is valuable. House prices are higher in areas with access to biodiverse Councillor Peter Martin green spaces.The richness of environment Cabinet Member with responsibility makes people feel good and stimulates for Planning INTEGRATING BIODIVERSITY INTO DEVELOPMENT FOREWORD Contents Introduction What is biodiversity Where is the wildlife Integrating biodiversity into development Case studies Legislation Reading & references Glossary Introduction The draft Regional Spatial Essex is an exceptional county. With a In May 2003, the Planning Group of the Development provides a superb Strategy for the East of England population of 1.6 million people, and its Essex Biodiversity Project held a Planning opportunity for biodiversity gain. Planners This guide aims to: proposes 123,400 new homes in proximity to London, Essex is a vibrant and and Biodiversity Seminar. We asked and developers are influential in the Essex, Southend and Thurrock dynamic place to live and work. Towns planners what they most needed to help quality of life of people living in and • Help save time in processing between 2001 and 2021. have good transport links and enjoy them integrate wildlife into their everyday around new developments in Essex. applications. economic and cultural success. Highly planning decisions. Ultimately, through links to wider • Promote consistency with productive farmland shapes the rural countryside, development could lead to a Government planning policy landscape. A superb coastline attracts One outcome identified, was the need for countywide improvement for biodiversity. guidance for protecting the Parts of two of the Growth Areas both commercial and leisure use, with best practice to guide the protection and natural environment. identified in the ODPMs Sus- large ports and a national reputation for enhancement of wildlife, or ‘biodiversity,’ Developers and planners need to take • Illustrate the roles and tainable Communities Plan lie sailing. in development schemes. responsibility for biodiversity. They must responsibilities of the key players within the county: Thames engage proactively with statutory and in the stages of the planning Gateway, South Essex and the Amidst this economic and social success, This guidance is intended to help integrate non-statutory nature conservation process. Stansted/M11 area. there is a wealth of wildlife. Some species the protection and enhancement of organisations, and those organisations • Encourage early interaction or areas are of international or national biodiversity in development schemes must respond positively and constructively between Local Planning importance, while others are recognised through: in return. Authorities, consultees and for the value they have to local people.This applicants (including designers variety in our natural heritage, or • Helping set biodiversity and develop- Only through wide acceptance of the and contractors) in matters biodiversity, is recognised as an important ment in context. importance of biodiversity can its future be relating to biodiversity. aspect of our quality of life and an • Setting out key issues and principles assured. The essence of the Biodiversity indicator of sustainable development. – explaining how they are relevant. Action Plan process is partnership work • Exploring development issues away from but complementing designated Essex is under increasing development thought pertinent to Essex through nature conservation sites. pressure. There are plans to expand case studies existing ports, airports, transport links and • Signposting further sources of infor- By Essex Planners and Developers housing numbers. For these developments mation. integrating biodiversity into future to be sustainable, they cannot go ahead • Achieving development that makes a development, realising the benefits at the expense of wildlife. Planners and significant contribution to biodiver- whenever possible, they can ensure Essex developers must work in partnership with sity in Essex. remains an exceptional county for both conservationists to help reach shared people and wildlife. goals of protection, enhancement and The guide ends with a checklist that can creation. be used by both developers and planners to ensure that biodiversity has been Taking a proactive approach is crucial if integrated into the development – and the growth is to be sustainable. Realising the maximum potential realised. benefits wherever possible, by integrating biodiversity into future development, will Sustainable development must not result ensure Essex remains an exceptional in a net loss of biodiversity, but should county for both its people and its wildlife. conserve and ideally enhance it. INTEGRATING BIODIVERSITY INTO DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION Contents Introduction What is biodiversity Where is the wildlife Integrating biodiversity into development Case studies Legislation Reading & references Glossary What is biodiversity? In Great Britain in 2003, Biodiversity simply describes all living “Although only about 10 per cent of • Our intertidal and wetland habitats, nearly half of lower plants and things – the variety of life on earth – all England's land cover is urbanised, we are amongst others, help reduce the risk of a third of vascular plants were plants, animals