Decision

The Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Ecology & Climate Change approved to enter into the S106 agreement for Oakley Spring Farm Habitat Bank at Oakley Spring Farm, Ford Lane, Chorley, Lichfield, WS13 8BX that will include a 30-year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan.

Reasons for the decision

The Environment Act 2021 required all development in England to provide a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain. Where this gain cannot be delivered on site, developers must seek to offset this requirement off site, either through the purchase of BUs from a registered Habitat Bank, or by purchasing Biodiversity Credits from Natural England.

The Act also put a Duty on us as a Local Planning Authority to ensure that sufficient BUs are available for offsetting in our district (more easily allowing development to fulfil the statutory requirement).

By agreeing to enter into a 30-year agreement to monitor the delivery and condition of the proposed Oakley Spring Farm Habitat Bank, it will allow the Bank to be listed on the Natural England Biodiversity Gain Sites Register and begin to officially operate as a Habitat Bank (that is, to provide Biodiversity Units to developers to meet their Statutory Biodiversity Net Gain requirement). This will enable more development to take place in the district, by providing local (and therefore more cost-effective) Biodiversity Units for local developments.

The site (approx. 12 ha) comprises one arable field and a series of pasture fields, which are intensively grazed. The proposal is to bring the arable field into use as pasture, with all fields subjected to a conservation grazing regime, raising rare / heritage breeds (such as of sheep and/or cattle).  – resulting in approximately 50 BUs being created. By bringing back heathland on this site and into active management for biodiversity benefit, the site will positively contribute to both Lichfield District and UK national biodiversity goals.

Alternative options considered

1. For amendments to be made to the S106 & HMMP. These will then need to be conveyed and agreed by all parties before signing and sealing can take place. 

2. For Lichfield District Council to not enter into this agreement.