Surrey County Council has approved its Biodiversity Duty Report, detailing actions taken to protect and enhance the natural environment. The report highlights significant achievements in tree planting, habitat restoration, and community engagement, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by upcoming local government reorganisation.

Biodiversity Duty Report Approved

Surrey County Council has officially approved its Biodiversity Duty Report, a statutory document outlining the council's commitment to conserving and enhancing biodiversity. Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, Councillor Marisa Heath, confirmed the report's approval, stating it demonstrates real and practical action to protect and improve our natural environment. The report covers the period from January 2024 to January 2026 and details the council's efforts in areas such as tree planting, habitat restoration, volunteer engagement, and waste management. Councillor Heath emphasised the importance of this report in providing a strong foundation for the two new unitary authorities that will be established in Surrey in 2027.

Actions to Support Biodiversity

The Biodiversity Duty Report details a wide range of initiatives undertaken by Surrey County Council to support biodiversity. These actions span various council departments and partnerships, reflecting a cross-organisational commitment to environmental stewardship.

Procurement Services have integrated biodiversity and environmental considerations into seven key procurement projects, including school expansions and community centres. Tender questions on environmental performance were weighted between 3% and 10%, addressing aspects such as biodiversity enhancement, pollution prevention, and sustainable sourcing. A draft Social Value Model, set to be implemented in early 2026, will further embed biodiversity and nature-related priorities into procurement processes.

The Transport Policy team is promoting sustainability through its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) and Local Street Improvements (LSIs), aiming to safeguard landscapes and restore or enhance biodiversity where possible. The team also supports the Eco-Schools programme, which engages over 450 schools in sustainability initiatives, with nearly 300 having achieved an award.

Flood and Climate Resilience initiatives have included the delivery of nature-based projects such as the Dome Hill Rain Garden and the West Horsley Place Natural Flood Management Scheme. These projects have created biodiverse planting schemes, new aquatic habitats, and improved channel storage, contributing to both flood risk management and ecological enhancement. The Climate Resilience Schools Programme, running from October 2025 to March 2026, offers grants to schools for implementing climate adaptation measures, with a strong focus on blue-green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

The Waste and Circular Economy service has implemented numerous projects across waste and recycling sites to enhance habitats and support wildlife. These include the creation of wild zones with feeding areas and water baths, installation of beehives, wildflower planters, bird boxes, and bug hotels. Staff have also received beekeeping training to maintain hives at the Surrey Eco Park.

Greener Futures, through its Natural Environment Team, provides ecological and landscape expertise. They have delivered bat surveys, bat walks, and workshops to raise awareness of the council's biodiversity duty among staff and stakeholders. The Together for Surrey online platform, launched in 2025, aims to inspire and support action on climate change and environmental issues, including nature and biodiversity. The Urban Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (URBOA) pilot project has explored small-scale urban greening interventions, and the Community Nature Recovery Grant has supported 20 community groups in delivering local nature initiatives.

Countryside Services manage 29 council-owned sites, totalling over 2,400 hectares. Conservation grazing has been carried out to manage chalk grassland and heathland habitats, and woodland management activities are ongoing to maintain healthy woodland structure and enhance wildlife habitats. The Countryside Estate is managed through a Land Management Framework aiming for resilience and biodiversity by 2050. The Countryside Access team manages the Downs Link public bridleway, undertaking conservation work on adjacent land. The Countryside Resources team leads the tree planting programme, with 49,065 trees planted across 228 sites in the 2024–25 planting season. Visitor Services engages the public through interpretation boards, a Dog Walkers Code of Conduct, and educational programmes focused on wildlife and responsible countryside use. The Basingstoke Canal, managed jointly with Hampshire County Council, has seen over 71,000 volunteer hours dedicated to invasive species control and habitat management, maintaining its status as a rich freshwater site. Surrey Countryside Partnerships run volunteer events and manage habitats on public and private land, with a focus on chalk grassland, heathland, and woodlands.

Surrey Hills National Landscape

The Surrey Hills National Landscape, formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), has undertaken 65 biodiversity projects since January 2024. These include woodland pond restoration, heathland grazing enhancement, and chalk grassland management using specialised equipment. The Surrey Hills Management Plan 2025-2030 sets a 75-year vision for the area, with key targets for nature recovery, including increasing wildlife-rich habitats and expanding the hedgerow network. The plan also addresses climate mitigation and adaptation, and aims to enhance beauty, heritage, and community engagement.

Future Actions and Projects

Looking ahead, Surrey County Council plans to continue integrating biodiversity considerations into procurement, implement the Social Value Model, and deliver further Natural Flood Management schemes in Dorking, Ash Ranges, and Farnham Park. A new biodiversity module for carbon literacy training will be developed to increase staff understanding of the links between climate and biodiversity. The council will also seek external funding for conservation grazing and woodland management on council-owned land and continue its extensive volunteer task programme. Transport schemes will incorporate standard text for designers to ensure biodiversity is considered in their design and implementation.

Biodiversity Net Gain Implementation

Surrey County Council is committed to ensuring a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for all relevant developments. As a Minerals and Waste Planning Authority, the council assesses BNG submissions, ensuring applicants demonstrate how the mandatory gain will be achieved and secured for 30 years. Five Biodiversity Gain Plans have been approved during the reporting period, securing BNG through on-site and off-site measures. These plans have resulted in a net gain of 12.48% for area habitat units and 85.34% for hedgerows. The council is also exploring the use of its own land as habitat banks to offset habitat losses and is supporting other local authorities in developing their own habitat bank projects.

Barriers and Support Needed

The report identifies several barriers to enhanced biodiversity duty delivery, including resourcing and delivery limitations, conflicting priorities, and the impacts of Local Government Reorganisation. Insufficient funding, staff resources, and bureaucratic processes hinder habitat management and monitoring. The upcoming reorganisation in April 2027 creates uncertainty regarding future staffing, priorities, and funding streams, making long-term planning challenging. Officers have highlighted the need for increased funding, training, and stability during the transition, as well as continued partnership working and support in securing external funding.