Purpose

In 2024 the Council obtained Biodiversity Baseline Surveys for 56 sites owned by TDC as an initial stage to asses potential of creating a biodiversity land bank of sites. The works have been funded by a DEFRA grant fund 2023/2024 which was arranged by the TDC Planning team.
Following the review of the baseline surveys, 21 sites have been selected for further consideration. Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMP) are required as the next stage, to support a legal agreement that will ultimately be needed to register the site as a biodiversity gain site.
TDC Planning has secured DEFRA grant fund 2024/2025 for the sum of £26,807.00. The grant is claimed retrospectively therefore the Council is required to pay for the works upfront and claim back the spend before the end of this financial year (claim must be submitted by 15th March 2025).
Quotations have been received and Geosphere Environmental are the best value.

Decision

To procure Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans for 21 sites owned by TDC.

Alternative options considered

To not procure Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans - In order to inform any future decisions over potential Biodiversity Gain on TDC land, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans are required.