How we’re improving biodiversity
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
We’re adopting new planning guidance that aims to increase biodiversity in the district.
On 15 October, Cabinet members agreed to adopt new planning guidance for developers on how to increase the variety of wildlife species (biodiversity) by 10%.
The Environment Act 2021 introduced new legislation that requires most of the new development to deliver a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) through the planning process.
Biodiversity net gain aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was before development.
The new law, combined with our new local planning guidance, will help us to achieve this by creating and, or, improving wildlife habitats, such as grasslands, hedgerows, woodlands, and ponds through new development.
This will improve biodiversity and support nature recovery.
Each step we take will contribute to making a positive impact in tackling climate change.
Some of the sites involved in biodiversity net gain could, if suitable, be places that people could visit to benefit their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Our Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document sets out how this will be achieved. For more information visit: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/planningSPDs
For information:
We consulted with residents on a draft Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document from 30 May to 26 June 2024.
The comments have been considered and have contributed to this document.
The comments received, and subsequent changes to the document are summarised in the consultation statement that accompanies the Supplementary Planning Document. It can be seen at: https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/planningSPDs
We declared a Climate Emergency in May 2019 and a Biodiversity Emergency and Ecological Crisis in March 2021.