Review of plans, policies and

BIODIVERSITY

GENERAL

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  Bio-diversity is essential to maintain life on earth and has important social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values. It determines our resilience to changing circumstances. Without adequate biodiversity, events such as climate change, and pest infestations are more likely to have catastrophic effects. It is essential for maintaining the long term viability of agriculture and fisheries for food production (EU Biodiversity Strategy, para 1)
  
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  A Vision for England - By 2050 our land and seas will be rich in wildlife, our biodiversity will be valued, conserved, restored, managed sustainably and be more resilient and able to adapt to change, providing essential services and delivering benefits for everyone (England Biodiversity Strategy p.12).
  
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  By 2020 – Our mission is to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people (England Biodiversity Strategy p.12).
  
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  By 2020 significantly more people will be engaged in biodiversity issues, aware of its value and taking positive action (England Biodiversity Strategy p.14).
  
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  Biodiversity contributes significantly to improving human well-being both directly and indirectly. Appreciation and access to biodiversity impacts on the quality of life of the community, providing: improved physical and mental health through recreation, wildlife related work and leisure; Educational opportunities; A greater sense of belonging, identity and pride of place (Greater Manchester Biodiversity Action Plan, pg 356)
  
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  Promote the conservation, protection and enhancement of biological diversity (GMBAP, pg 354)(PPS9 para. 1)(PPS1, para 20)
  
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  Maintain or restore, at favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of community interest (Habitats Directive Article 2.2)
  
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  Protect and restore habitats and natural systems and halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 (A Sustainable Europe for a Better World p.12)
  
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  Conserve natural habitats and wild fauna and flora to which the Treaty applies (Habitats Directive Article 2.1)
  
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  Local authorities have a Duty to have regard to the conservation of biodiversity in exercising their functions – introduced by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, 2006 (Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty, p.3)
  
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  A comprehensive study of baseline conditions and trends in biodiversity has a number of benefits for those involved in planning, infrastructure and development (Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty, p.41).
  
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  Strategic objectives and policies should be developed for biodiversity, including objectives for enhancement. Consideration should be given to how biodiversity enhancement can be used to bring about more sustainable development through integration with other policy objectives and other land uses, for example housing and economic development, health, education and social inclusion (Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty, p.43).
  
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  Site specific allocation DPDs policies and allocations should be used to identify where enhancement opportunities lies and what actions need to be taken to enhance biodiversity. Land can be identified for biodiversity creation, restoration or improvements, linked to strategic objectives of the Core Strategy (Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty, p.44).
  
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  The setting of appropriate local biodiversity indicators and targets within the community planning process and as part of the drafting of Community Strategies, will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of their delivery (Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty, p.17). It is important that objectives, indicators and targets for biodiversity are included in monitoring frameworks, and performance is reported upon in Annual Monitoring Reports (Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty, p.45).
  
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  Planning conditions and obligations are useful mechanisms for imposing mitigation and enhancement measures where it is not possible to achieve the appropriate level of mitigation or enhancement as part of the design of a development proposal (Guidance for Local Authorities on Implementing the Biodiversity Duty, p.46).
  
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  Wildlife stands a better chance of adapting to climate changes if there is a well-functioning green infrastructure…fragmented habitats can prevent migration, and we need to design movement corridors (Hallmarks of a Sustainable City p21)