must ensure habitat connectivity by providing gaps of at least 13 cm x 13 cm within every fenced or gated area to allow hedgehog and small animal passage.
Explanation
- 'Biodiversity net gain' is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before the development takes place. The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (the NERC Act) originally placed a specific duty on local authorities in exercising their functions, to have regard to the purpose of conserving biodiversity (section 40). However, the Environment Act 2021 changed this position by amending the biodiversity duty to include the enhancement of biodiversity. The amended general biodiversity objective is therefore the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. Furthermore, legal obligations are also placed on local authorities regarding implementation and reporting on fulfilment of this revised duty. In addition, the Environment Act 2021 includes a requirement for development to deliver a mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain and to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030.
- The NPPF requires planning policies to contribute to and enhance the natural environment by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures and incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs.
- The NPPF states that plans should promote the conservation, restoration and enhancement of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species; and identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity.
- One of the goals from the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
25-year plan is to achieve 'Thriving Plants and Wildlife' and delivering
'environmental net gain' is embedded throughout. Wildlife networks and
connectivity are vitally important in sustaining sites and addressing the impacts of
climate change.
- The Greater Manchester State of Nature report28 was produced to highlight the urgent challenges faced by nature across the city-region, and covers trends in our wildlife, the use of land and pressures on nature, the wider benefits we receive from nature and people's access to nature and engagement with it. The report sets out that up to 40 per cent of individual bird species populations have declined in the past 40 years, and not a single river in the area is in ‘good’ ecological condition. The report reinforces the need to enhance nature locally.
28 See www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/environment/natural-environment/our-plan-for-nature-recovery/state-of-nature/