Appendix 2.3 Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna 1 BIODIVERSITY, FLORA AND FAUNA APPENDIX 2.3 1 Introduction This section reviews the available baseline information on biodiversity, flora and fauna for and includes a review of designated sites and important habitats and species found in the Borough of Northampton and the Districts of South Northamptonshire and Daventry. Policy Review International and National plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives Key Objectives Key Targets The EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds 79/409/EEC 1979 (European Commission, 1979) Sustain populations of naturally occurring wild Establishment of a general scheme of birds. Applies to birds, their eggs, nests and protection for all wild birds habitats. The main provisions of the Directive include: • The maintenance of the favourable conservation status of all wild bird species across their distributional range (Article 2) with the encouragement of various activities to that end (Article 3). • The identification and classification of Special Protection Areas for rare or vulnerable species listed in Annex I (PDF 106KB) of the Directive, as well as for all regularly occurring migratory species, paying particular attention to the protection of wetlands of international importance (Article 4). (Together with Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated under the Habitats Directive, SPAs form a network of pan-European protected areas known as Natura 2000.) • The establishment of a general scheme of protection for all wild birds (Article 5). EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats of Wild Fauna and Flora 92/43/EEC 1992 (European Commission, 1992) Take legislative and administrative measures to Ensure biodiversity through the conservation of maintain and restore natural habitats and wild natural habitats and of the wild fauna and flora species at a favourable conservation status in the Community. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Addresses the problem of species protection Species listed in Schedule 5 of the Act are and habitat loss by setting out the protection protected from disturbance, injury, intentional that is afforded to wild animals and plants in destruction or sale Britain and designated sites. Outlaw certain methods of taking or killing listed species The Conservation (Habitats, & c.) Regulations, 1994 (‘Habitats Regulations’) To conserve the natural habitats and wild flora Restore the extent and quality of rare habitat and fauna of the UK types Ensure that rare species can survive and maintain their populations and natural range on a long-term basis Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) Create better access to the Countryside and Take into account the needs of landowners and BIODIVERSITY, FLORA AND FAUNA APPENDIX 2.3 2 International and National plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives Key Objectives Key Targets registered Common Land occupiers, and of other interests, including wildlife Working within the Grain of Nature (Defra, 2002) The Strategy seeks to ensure biodiversity None considerations become embedded in all main sectors of public policy and sets out a programme for the next five years to make the changes necessary to conserve, enhance and work with the grain of nature and ecosystems rather than against them. It is the principal means by which the government will comply with duties under section 74 of the CRoW Act). The objective of the strategy is to ensure a fundamental shift in the way that biodiversity is dealt with through public policy. Biodiversity should become embedded in all aspects of public policy. PPS9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (ODPM, 2005) This sets out the Government's objectives for Objectives nature conservation and the framework for Does not contains a specific set of objectives, safeguarding our natural heritage under but does state that: domestic and international law; The guidance • Local authorities have to make adequate describes the key role of local planning provision for development and economic authorities and advises on the treatment of growth whilst ensuring effective nature conservation issues in development conservation of wildlife and natural features plans. The main change between PPS9 and its as an important element of a clean and predecessor PPG9 is the focus on pro-active healthy natural environment. enhancement of biodiversity through the • Local planning authorities should have planning process using the improved data regard to the relative significance of available on habitat and species mapping. international, national, local and informal Being proactive helps to protect biodiversity and designations in considering the weight to is also more efficient. be attached to nature conservation interests. • Local authorities should identify relevant international, national and local nature conservation interests. They should ensure that the protection and enhancement of those interests is properly provided for in development and land-use policies, and place particular emphasis on the strength of protection afforded to international designations. Plans should offer reasonable certainty to developers, landowners and residents alike about the weight that will be given to nature conservation interests in reaching planning decisions. Targets Does not contain any specific targets. Natural Environment and Communities Act (2006) The Natural Environment and Rural None Communities (NERC) Act received Royal Assent on 30 March 2006. The Act is designed to help achieve a rich and diverse natural environment and thriving rural communities through modernised and simplified arrangements for delivering Government policy. BIODIVERSITY, FLORA AND FAUNA APPENDIX 2.3 3 The Act implements key elements of the Government’s Rural Strategy published in July 2004, and establishes flexible new structures with a strong customer focus. There are elements of the Act relating specifically to local authorities, Part 3, Section 40: Duty to conserve biodiversity: 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. Key elements of the Act include: • The establishment of Natural England with the responsibility for enhancing biodiversity and landscape – in rural, urban and coastal areas - with promoting access and recreation; • Formal establishment of the Commission for Rural Communities, which will act as an independent advocate/ adviser for rural people. The Act delivers the Government’s commitment to curtail the inappropriate use of byways, by putting an end to claims for motor vehicle access on the basis of historical use by horse- drawn vehicles. UK Biodiversity Action Plan (Defra, 2005) Conserve and enhance biological diversity The production of separate Action Plans for within the UK and to contribute to the priority species and habitats setting out clear, conservation of biodiversity through all measurable targets. appropriate mechanisms Create and maintain BAP habitats and conserve species Securing the Future: UK Sustainable Development Strategy (Defra, 2005) Protecting natural resources and enhancing the environment National Housing Policies Summary Summary of a number of policies including: Green Paper published by the Government (2000); Housing Policy Statement (2000); Urban White paper; Rural White paper; the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal and the Planning Policy Guidance note for housing (PPG3) and a Communities Plan 'Sustainable communities: building for the future' (2003). Provide a better balance between housing supply and demand throughout the country, while protecting the countryside and sustaining existing towns and cities Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future (ODPM, 2003) What makes a sustainable community: A safe and healthy local environment with well- designed public and green space. A number of key actions are listed under “protecting the countryside.” This includes introducing targets for increasing area of designated green belt land and creating new country parks and networks of green spaces within towns and cities. 'Green wedges' and 'green corridors' will be given further protection through the planning system. BIODIVERSITY, FLORA AND FAUNA APPENDIX 2.3 4 English Nature (2003): Accessible Natural Green Space Standards in Towns and Cities The following principles underpin the standards • That no person should live more than 300m (see column to the right): from their nearest area of natural • Everyday contact with nature is important greenspace of at least 2ha in size; for well-being and quality of life; • Provision of at least 1ha of Local Nature • Everyone should be able to enjoy this Reserve per 1,000 population; contact, in safety, without having to make • That there should be at least one any special effort or journey to do so; accessible 20ha site within 2km from • Natural greenspace in towns and cities can home; play an important part in helping safeguard • That there should be one accessible 100ha our national treasure of wildlife and site within 5km; geological features; • That there should be one accessible 500ha • Accessible natural greenspaces give site within 10km. everyone an excellent chance to learn about nature and to help protect it in practical ways. • Adequate provision of vegetated areas helps to ensure that urban areas continue to function ecologically. TCPA (2004): Biodiversity by Design: A guide for sustainable communities Maximise opportunities