Other on-site wildlife enhancements should still be incorporated into development proposals in line with good practice (and Appendix 1). For example, integrated bat/bird/bee bricks in buildings, hedgehog holes or habitat piles and these should also be shown on a suitable figure at planning application stage so that these can be secured by condition.
2.4 Implementation and monitoring
The landowner and/or developer is responsible for delivering and monitoring the BNG requirements as per the details set out in conditions or a legal agreement.
The LPA will review monitoring reports submitted and will undertake enforcement for any non-compliance with conditions or legal agreements.
2.5 Habitat banks
The assessment process that ENPA will follow to consider and register an interest in land for a habitat bank is set out below.
Register Interest
ENPA’s assessment of the site’s suitability as a habitat bank
Site visit by ENPA ecologist
Risk Assessment
Legal agreement
Finalised
Landowner/agent submits a registration of interest via email to plan@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or a ‘call for sites’
Landowner/agent submits the required information (see Appendix 2)
ENPA ecologist reviews draft Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) and Statutory Metric and considers monitoring requirements
Consultation with ENPA officers including consideration of landscape and historic environment impacts (wider consultation with statutory nature conservation bodies and non-statutory nature conservation organisations may also be considered)
Consideration of alignment with nature recovery strategy
Consideration of alignment with other ENPA priorities
Consideration of existing consents, covenants, charges and compatible finance, business plan, risk management and contingency, delivery and partners
Decision making
Resolution to approve subject to a S106 by ENPA’s Chief Executive
Agree monitoring fees (based on DCC monitoring fees and set out in this guidance) to include in the S106
Share draft S106 and engage legal team
S106, once agreed, signed by Chief Executive under delegated powers
Habitat bank approved
2.6 Fees
2.6.1 Biodiversity Gain Plan
The submission of a Biodiversity Gain Plan falls under Regulation 16 of the Town and Country Planning (Fee for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visit) (England) Regulations 2012. The current fee is £309 for each request.
2.6.2 Habitat bank application fee
ENPA will require a fee when applying to register an interest in land for a proposed habitat bank in the National Park.