Purpose

Fareham Borough Council is a
member of the Bird Aware Solent Partnership. 
The purpose of this report is to seek the Executive’s approval of the Bird
Aware Partnership’s Revised Strategy.

 

The Solent Coastline contains large
numbers of important bird assemblages which resulted in it being designated as
a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EU Birds Directive and subsequently
transported into the UK Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (the
Habitats Regulations).

 

The Solent SPA bird species are
particularly vulnerable to the effects of recreational disturbance arising from
new housebuilding in the area.  The
Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership (SRMP) was formed, of which Fareham Borough
Council (FBC) is a member, to develop a strategy that would allow local
authorities to permit new residential development whilst ensuring protection
and mitigation of The Solent SPAs.  The
Solent Recreation Mitigation Strategy, later renamed the Bird Aware Strategy,
was produced and adopted in April 2018.

 

The current Strategy sets out the
approach to mitigate the impact upon SPA birds up to 2034.  It proposes a series of management measures
which actively encourage all coastal visitors to enjoy their visits in a responsible
manner rather than restricting access to the coast or preventing activities
that take place.

 

On 30 September 2024, the
Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH) approved a Revised Bird Aware Strategy,
which incorporates several main changes from the existing strategy:

 

·        
The duration of the strategy has been extended from
2034 to 2050.

·        
The Strategy has been extended to also address
the effects upon summer breeding birds.

·        
The core team of dedicated staff will be
increased from 10 to 19.

·        
Increased resources will be allocated to the dog
initiative ‘Coast and Country Canines’, communications and engagement
workstreams and monitoring.

 

Payment of the Bird Aware contribution
contributes towards the necessary mitigation to protect the SPAs in line with
the advice of Natural England, the Government’s statutory advisor on nature
conservation.  If applicants decide not
to make the contribution, they will need to undertake their own Habitat Regulations
Assessment to assess and mitigate the impact that their development may have on
an SPA, as required by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations
2017 (the Habitats Regulations).

 

 

 

Decision

RESOLVED that the Executive
approves the approach and implementation of the Bird Aware Partnership’s
Revised Strategy with effect from 1 January 2025.