Report of Portfolio Holder for
Community Services and the
Environment
Subject:
Revised Natural Environment Strategy
Status:
Open
24 July 2014
Report Ref:
Ward(s):
All
Key Decision:
Yes
Key Decision Ref: 867/EACC
Report of:
Head of Community Services
Contact:
Julia Nethercott 01256 845201 or Ext. 2201
julia.nethercott@basingstoke.gov.uk
Appendices:
Papers relied on
to produce this
report
A. Revised Natural Environment Strategy
B. Consultation Responses Summary
C. Progress on Year 3 of the 2010 Living Landscapes Action
Plan
Living Landscapes – a Natural Environment Strategy for
the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane
SUMMARY
1
This Report
1.1
The purpose of this report is to present an updated version of the council’s
landscape and biodiversity strategy (Living Landscapes), which, when
adopted, will replace the version adopted previously in 2010.
2.
Recommendation
2.1
It is recommended that:
i.)
the updated strategy and action plan is approved; and
ii.) the update on progress on year 3 of the 2010 Living Landscapes
document is noted.
PRIORITIES, IMPACTS AND RISKS
Contribution to Council Priorities
This report accords with the council’s Budget and Policy Framework and directly
supports the Council Plan priority of protecting our environment.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Term
Definition
Biodiversity
The variety of living things, the communities that
they form and the habitats in which they occur
MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
2
Background
2.1
The council's landscape and biodiversity strategy, Living Landscapes, was
originally adopted in October 2003. It was subsequently updated in May
2010. The version attached at Appendix A is a further proposed update to
reflect changes since 2010.
2.2
In revising the strategy, it is acknowledged that much of the previous strategy
is still relevant and therefore it was considered that the update would be a
‘light-touch’, concentrating on the dynamic sections of the strategy. The
updates therefore include changes in national and local policy, updates on
project work undertaken by the council or in partnership with others and new
actions now relevant following the completion of some of those from the
previous strategy’s action plan. The proposed changes included within this
updated version of the strategy are outlined in section 4 below.
2.3
In addition, this report also includes an update of the progress made within
Year 3 of the Action Plan which accompanied the 2010 document – this is
attached at Appendix C.
2.4
This strategy differs from the council’s adopted Green Infrastructure (GI)
Strategy in that the GI Strategy focuses on the whole network of green spaces
and other environmental features within the borough that add distinct local
character and that provide appropriate levels of open space and associated
facilities for people, thus promoting well-being. The natural environment is
one of a number of key beneficiaries of a strategically planned and delivered
green infrastructure, whereas this document focuses on work and action that
will be undertaken by the council or in conjunction with key partners to
specifically provide benefits to the natural environment alone.
3
Consultation
3.1
As part of the update to the strategy, a number of external partners and
organisations were invited to respond to a consultation version of the strategy.
This consultation version had updated relevant policies and actions within the
document.
3.2
The consultation period ran for 6 weeks during January and February 2014,
and the consultees invited to comment included The Hampshire and Isle of
Wight Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, the
Environment Agency, neighbouring local authorities, Hampshire County
Council, parish councils, Natural Basingstoke, North Wessex Downs AONB
Management team in addition to internal colleagues. Eight responses were
received, which included approximately 50 different comments.
3.3
The comments received are included in detail at Appendix B, which lists the
comments and provides an officer response. In general, the comments fell
into the following categories:-

The desire to see further emphasis on the role ecosystem services1
play, for instance in managing flood risk and contributing to local
economies.

The importance of linking up habitats and green spaces to aid the
movement of wildlife between sites, especially in the urban
environment.

The desire to see information on the state/condition of designated sites
within the borough.

The council’s statutory duties with regards to Local Nature Reserves
and the European Water Framework Directive.

The council’s role in trying to help achieve habitat enhancements along
the Rivers Test and Loddon.
3.4
In addition to these comments, there were a number received which fell
outside the scope of the Living Landscapes document, but responses to each
of these have also been provided within the appendix.
4
Updates proposed for 2014 version of strategy.
4.1
As noted above, much of the 2010 version of the strategy is still considered to
be relevant and this review is very much a light touch exercise. In reviewing
the document, the following is a summary of the changes that have been
made.
Introduction (paragraph 3)
This section outlines what changes there have been in relation to the natural
environment since the previous strategy was adopted. These changes relate
to work the council itself delivers and any changes in terms of national and
local policies and strategies, these principally being the publication of the
government’s Natural Environment White Paper and the creation of a
Hampshire Local Nature Partnership. The updates ensure the strategy
reflects new/current policies, guidelines and strategies.
Notable Species (paragraph 25)
This section was updated to reflect all additional notable species that have
been recorded in the borough since the previous strategy was adopted, and to
highlight some of the species that are important in the borough and where
they can be found.
Landscape Scale Areas (paragraph 56)
This section was updated to include a reference to the Lawton Report which
was a report to DEFRA published in 2010 highlighting the need to have
wildlife sites which are better managed and more joined-up/connected.
Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOAs) are examples of areas in the borough
where linking up habitats could bring greatest benefits.
‘Ecosystem services’ are the goods and services the natural environment provides which are
fundamental to human wellbeing, such as crop pollination, fuel, climate regulation, recreation etc.
1
Pressures Affecting the Natural Environment (paragraph 62)
This section was updated following the publication of the Hampshire
Biodiversity Information Centre’s annual monitoring report for 2012/13, which
gives estimates on the current status of notable species within the borough.
Managing Biodiversity on Council Land (paragraphs 70 and 71)
This section was updated to reflect new biodiversity-related initiatives the
council has carried out since the previous strategy was adopted. These
include managing more areas for biodiversity benefit and pursuing habitat
creation and restoration targets in line with the GI Strategy.
Planning for Green Development (paragraphs 75, 78 and 79)
This section was updated to reflect the current status of the emerging local
plan, the draft biodiversity planning policy and the adoption of the council’s
interim green space standards in addition to the adoption of the council’s
Green Infrastructure Strategy.
Biodiversity Priority Areas (paragraphs 89-91)
This section was added to refer to the areas identified within the Green
Infrastructure Strategy, where concerted effort will be made to improve the
management of existing high value habitats, restore degraded habitats and
create new habitats. This part of the Green Infrastructure Strategy relates
specifically to biodiversity benefits.
Land Owner Advice in other parts of the borough (paragraphs 92-93)
These sections were updated to reflect new partnership projects the council is
working on with partners to deliver biodiversity benefits in the wider
countryside.
Working with the Community (paragraphs 95-97)
This section was updated to reflect some of the latest projects the council has
been involved with such as running a Basingstoke ‘BioBlitz’ and was also
updated to include a reference to the Community, Heritage and Environmental
Fund (CHEF) which is a source of funding for local people and communities to
improve the natural environment within the borough.
Information, Monitoring and Review (paragraph 102)
This section was updated to reflect performance indicators the council now
reports on that are linked to biodiversity. These measure the amount of
council owned land which is managed for biodiversity and the amount of
habitat that is created/loss as a result of planning decisions or other council
initiatives.
5
Corporate Implications
5.1
Financial Implications
5.1.1
Funding for any initiatives arising from the strategy would need to be met from
the existing budgets for biodiversity work.
5.1.2
Management costs for natural green spaces and other capital enhancements
will be met from existing parks and open spaces budgets and it is expected
that introducing biodiversity enhancements will help to make savings by
reducing the intensity of management required.
5.2
Risk Issues
5.2.1
There are no direct risk issues arising from this report.
5.3
HR Issues
6.3.1
There are no HR issues arising from this report
6.4
Equalities
6.4.1
The revised strategy is positive for a range of communities. By aiming to
improve the availability of information, raising awareness and establishing
better links with groups, it goes towards supporting the main aims of the
Public Sector Equality Duty.
6.5
Legal Implications
6.5.1
There are no direct legal issues arising from this report.
6.6
Any Other Implications
6.6.1
There are no other identified direct implications arising from this report.
6
Communication and Consultation
6.1
Section 3 above and Appendix B provide details of the consultation that has
been carried out to date in updating the Living Landscapes Strategy.
7
Conclusion
7.1
The Living Landscapes Strategy provides an opportunity for the council, using
a partnership approach where appropriate, to continue to help meet its
obligations and commitments to the conservation of the natural environment
as well as delivering council priorities.