Purpose

To seek approval for the allocation of s106
developer contributions (£85,000) to support biodiversity
enhancements to woodlands managed by Bracknell Forest
Council.

Decision

That £85,000 of s106
funding (summarised in Annex 1 and 2), which is secured towards
enhancing open space of public value (including biodiversity), is
allocated to fund enhancements to woodlands at two council managed
greenspaces.

Reasons for the decision

i.     
Sites in need of woodland enhancements

Nine Mile Ride and
South Hill Park are greenspaces in
Bracknell. The former is managed by our rangers. The latter is
managed by our heritage park team. Both sites have been assessed as
requiring enhancements to their woodlands to improve their
biodiversity value.

The focus is on improving the biodiversity of broadleaved woodlands
at these sites. Biodiversity will be boosted by removing non-native
species from the woodlands and promoting growth of native species.
At Nine Mile Ride, the work will also include installing a network
of ditches and ponds to create an area of wet woodland which is a
UKBAP habitat.

It follows the first phase of biodiversity enhancements which were
carried out at these woodlands in autumn/winter 2023/24. These were
also s106 funded.

The work would start in September 2024 and would be overseen by the
parks and countryside rangers/heritage park gardeners who manage
the site. Specialist advice would be provided by the
council’s in-house biodiversity officers, and the lead
rangers.

           
See further detail under supporting information.

ii.    
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% 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).  BNG guidance for developers can
be found on the Council’s website.

It is important for the council to have adequate offsite
biodiversity units available to developers for mandatory BNG. 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.

BNG, under the Environment Act 2021, is intended to be a mechanism
for improving biodiversity on a wider scale, in addition to the
existing habitat and species protections.

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.

 

iii.  
Health and wellbeing

Natural England in conjunction with Exeter University, has
published a series of evidence briefings on the links between the
natural environment and health. With emerging evidence that
‘connection to nature’ mediates several health and
wellbeing benefits, educational outcomes
and pro-environmental behaviours these provide useful summaries of
the evidence for discussions with partners.

iv.   
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Relevant extracts from
NPPF, last updated on 20 December
2023:

180. Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and
enhance the natural and local environment by:

d) minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity,
including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are
more resilient to current and future pressures;

185. To protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity, plans
should:

b) 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.

v.    
The Council Plan 2023-2027

The proposed biodiversity improvements will help to work towards
key ambitions in the Council Plan.

Relevant key performance indicators under Green and sustainable
environment, include:
• Increasing
biodiversity across the borough, funded by new developments.

• Increasing new trees being supported to independent
growth.

vi.   
Parks and Open Spaces Strategy (2012).

6. Enhance the natural qualities of parks and open spaces. Protect
and enhance biodiversity. Positively manage trees and woodlands, to
include new planting to provide for future generations.

vii.  
Draft Biodiversity Action Plan (2024-2029)

The improvements proposed are in line with targets in the draft
Bracknell Forest Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

The BAP identifies invasive non-native species such as rhododendron
and laurel as threats to woodland habitats. This is because they
create dense shade and prevent understorey species and young trees
from growing. It has an objective to enhance, restore or create
25ha woodland habitats, including ancient woodland sites where
possible.

The current draft plan is being finalised following a public
consultation and will be published in 2024.

viii. Tree
Strategy

The strategy identifies how pests such as invasive
non-native plants are a particular problem in woodlands across the
borough and many landowners are working to remove these species
from their land.

ix.   
Bracknell Forest Local Plan (2024) and supporting guidance

The Local Plan provides planning policies including where financial
contributions are sought to mitigate the impact of development. The
spending of s106 receipts on the two projects is compatible with
the local plan policies.
These include:
·      
Policy LP24 Infrastructure

·      
Policy LP 30 Green Infrastructure

·      
Policy LP 45 Play, Open Space and Sports Provision

·      
Policy LP 46 Standards for Open Space of Public Value

·      
Policy LP 53 Biodiversity

Furthermore, the proposals are compatible with the Planning
Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (2015) and the
Play, Open Space and Sports (POSS) study (2017).

 

 

 

 
 

Alternative options considered

i.      
Delaying this request for funding would impact the scope of the
work that can be delivered in 2024/25 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.

 

ii.    
There’s no time to add or substitute projects at this stage,
as these haven’t been costed or are ready to be implemented
and would delay preparing units for required for BNG.
 

 

iii.   
Not funding large scale improvements to the Borough’s
biodiversity through s106 developer contributions would transfer a
financial pressure to the borough’s own capital budget.

 

iv.   
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.
 

v.    
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.

·      
Will result in the loss of delivery of mandatory biodiversity net
gain habitat units being provided.