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RESOLVED
 

(a) 
The Council’s approach to supporting Habitat Bank providers
as outlined in this report to enable the delivery of off-site
Biodiversity Net Gain where this cannot be achieved on-site is
agreed,
 

(b) 
The proposed ‘Habitat Bank Criteria’ to be used for
assessing the suitability and viability of proposed Habitat Bank
schemes be approved; and
 

(c)  
That the Director of Place will authorise the entering into of any
associated legal agreement to give effect to the above
recommendations, pursuant to her delegation contained in the
constitution be noted.
 
REASON
 
To ensure HDC is taking a consistent approach
when entering legal agreements with potential Habitat Bank
providers, and to guide officers’ assessment of prospective
habitat banks to ensure that they align with HDC’s
expectations to provide good quality habitats in appropriate areas
within the district.
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS
IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT
 
The option of not producing a Habitat Bank
Criteria document was considered. However, in the absence of such a
document it will be difficult to demonstrate that HDC has
considered separate approaches from prospective habitat bank
providers in a consistent and fair manner. In addition, it could
slow the creation of habitat banks, which in the longer term could
limit the provision of BNG within Horsham District and may slow up
the delivery of development that delivers BNG.