Purpose

To approve the release of £67,900 S106
development funding to carry out biodiversity improvements to the
woodland at South Hill Park.

Decision

RESOLVED That £67,900 of s106 funding
(summarised in Annex 1), which is secured towards enhancing open
space of public value (including biodiversity), is allocated to
fund the final two phases of woodland enhancements at South Hill
Park.
 

Reasons for the decision

Site in need of woodland enhancements

South Hill Park is one of Bracknell Forest
Council’s heritage parks and supports a range of natural and
semi-natural habitats. The biodiversity net gain (BNG) project is
focused primarily on the extensive lowland mixed deciduous
woodlands (LMDW) which surround the south lake. This woodland site
has already benefitted from two phases of woodland enhancement as
part of the ongoing BNG project. (See Annex 4 for the site phasing
plan).
LMDW
is a section 41 habitat of principle importance, and over the years
these woodlands around South Hill Park have been degraded by the
spread of non-native invasive shrub species like common
rhododendron, and a lack of native tree regeneration.
 
           
Biodiversity enhancement on this site has focused on the phased
removal of non-native, invasive species, followed by replanting of
native tree and shrub species. The first phase of enhancements was
in autumn/winter of 2023/2024 and the second in the same period of
2024/2025. This work was funded by the same S106 development
contribution, identified in this
report.[GR1] [RW2] 
 

The third and fourth phases would complete the
woodland improvement project across the whole site. The work will
be extensive, but the fulfilment of this budget will give P&C
the financial confidence with which they can complete the BNG
enhancements without concern of delay.
The
third phase would take place over the autumn/winter season of
2025/2026 with the fourth and final phase following in the same
period of 2026/2027.
 

           
Mitigate impact of development and provide offsite
units
The
proposed biodiversity improvements are important for mitigating the
impact of local developments and will help to supply offsite
biodiversity units for biodiversity net gain
(BNG).  
 
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”
using 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 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 and flood control. 
 
           
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 Borough Tree Strategy

·      
Bracknell Forest Local Plan (2024) and supporting
guidance
 

 [GR1]Is it worth mentioning comms
planning here, maybe mentioned later in report?

 [RW2]Discussed with Gareth.
Comms is referenced later in the report i.e. we will repeat what we
have done in previous years.

Alternative options considered

Revenue funding wouldn’t cover the cost of these works.
Using s106 capital funding is the only 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% 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. 
 
           
Delaying this request
for funding would impact the scope of the work that can be
delivered in 2025/26 financial year. The woodland improvements can
only be carried out in the autumn and winter months, outside of
bird nesting season. The work also needs to have drier weather
conditions to proceed. This leaves a limited time window when the
work can be competed. The works are due to be undertaken by
contractors, with quotes obtained.