Purpose

To approve release of £14,000 S106
development funding to improve the biodiversity value of
Jennett’s Hill open space.

Decision

RESOLVED that
£14,000 of s106 funding (summarised in Annex 1), which is
secured towards enhancing open space of public value (including
biodiversity), is allocated to fund continued grassland
enhancements at Jennett’s Hill.
 

Reasons for the decision

           
Site in need of further grassland enhancements

 
As
part of a proposed BNG “habitat bank”, we made
enhancements to the amenity grasslands at Jennett’s Hill (see
Annex 3).
 
These included:
·      
the seeding of several areas of the grassland to
create “other neutral grassland” meadows
·      
the planting of a mixed-species native hedgerow
along the southern boundary.
 
This
work was largely completed in one phase during the late winter and
early spring of 2024.
 
This
work is not completed in isolation and is undertaken as part of a
30-year commitment to management and monitoring of the site. The
intent is to reach a specific set of conditions for the grassland
and hedgerow habitats.
 
P&C undertook a year 1 monitoring program (see Annex 4)
after the completion of the initial enhancements. This identified
potential supplementary actions that could improve the success of
the longer-term project. Several other potential improvements were
identified at this time.
 
           
Mitigate impact of development and provide offsite biodiversity
units
 
The
proposed biodiversity improvements are important for mitigating the
impact of local developments. They will help to supply offsite
biodiversity units for biodiversity net gain.
 
BNG is
a way to contribute to the recovery of nature while developing
land. It is making sure the habitat for wildlife is in a measurably
better state than it was before development.
 
For
planning applications submitted before 12 February 2024 the council
requires non-mandatory BNG from developments. Major planning
applications are expected to achieve 10 per cent biodiversity net
gain.
  
In
early 2024 BNG became mandatory for planning applications in
England. This was when Schedule 14 of the Environment Act added
Schedule 7A to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The
requirement for BNG is also contained within the Bracknell Forest
Local Plan (2024), under the biodiversity policy (LP53).
 
This
site forms one of several proposed “habitat banks”.
These are places that use habitat enhancement to generate
“units”, which can be sold to off-set biodiversity loss
from development. It is important for the council to have adequate
offsite biodiversity units available to developers for mandatory
BNG. This prevents vital biodiversity value being lost/exported
from the borough to similar “habitat banks” elsewhere
in the UK who have units to sell.
 
Until
the council starts to receive more financial contributions for
biodiversity units from developments, we’re limited about
what BNG funding is available for us to draw from. Pump priming
this s106 funding is the only viable option to deliver this
work.
 
On a
local level, BNG will help to improve the quality of life for
people who live or work in Bracknell Forest by creating a greener
environment, rich in wildlife. It will also help combat climate
change (see 7.6). 
 
           
Health and wellbeing 
 
See
section 7.7 for an overview of health and wellbeing
benefits.
 
           
Supported in polices and plans
           
The
proposed improvements re supported by plans and policies at a
national and local level. These include:

·      
National Planning, Policy Framework
(NPPF)

·      
The Council Plan 2023-2027  

·      
Biodiversity Action Plan
(2024-2029)  

·      
Bracknell Forest Local Plan (2024) and supporting
guidance

·      
BFC Health and Wellbeing Strategy
 

See Annex 2 for a full overview.
 

Alternative options considered

Revenue funding wouldn’t cover the cost of
these works at this scale. Using s106 capital funding is the only
viable option to deliver these proposed large-scale improvements to
biodiversity.  
 

 Not utilising funding to
deliver these improvements:  

·      
could result in local developments not being able to
meet the statutory minimum 10 per cent BNG
requirement.  

·      
might lead to the funds being returned to the
developers.  

·      
would be a missed opportunity to significantly
improve the biodiversity value of these natural
habitats. 

·      
could result in the loss of delivery of mandatory
biodiversity net gain habitat units being
provided. 
 
This work would take place in
autumn 2025. Delaying the work would impact the long-term success
of the improvements that were delivered in 2024/25 financial year.
The grassland improvements and new plantings need constant
management and monitoring to ensure that they are working towards
their targeted condition. If these improvements are massively
delayed, then the supplementary seeding required cannot be
completed this autumn (2025), which is the optimal time.