Issue - meetings

The Environment Act 2021 has brought in changes which affect the management of Biodiversity in Epsom & Ewell. This report therefore seeks to update the Borough’s current Biodiversity Action Plan.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Consider and note the progress made to date in respect of the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30.

(2)          Approve the Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30 (2025 update), as attached at appendix 1 to the report.

(3)          Approve delegated authority for the Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Chair of the Environment committee to make factual updates to the Action Plan 2020-2030 as a result of legislative changes.

The Committee received a report seeking to update the Borough’s current Biodiversity Action Plan following the Environment Act 2021 bringing in changes affecting the management of Biodiversity in Epsom & Ewell.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Local Nature Reserves Management Plans. In response to a question from a Member, the Senior Countryside Officer explained that the 100-year management plans for the Epsom Common, Hogsmill, and Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserves were not directly affected by the changes to legislation, and stated that said changes to legislation and the resulting updates to the Biodiversity Action Plan would go towards further supporting the work of managing those sites.

b)           Importance of Biodiversity. Members considered the importance of biodiversity and the quality-of-life and social benefits that open and biodiverse spaces within the Borough provide for residents.

c)            Monitoring Biodiversity Net Gain (‘BNG’). In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Place Development stated that, since its introduction, fewer developments within the Borough than expected had been subject to BNG, with many being exempt. He explained that the Government provide grant funding to assist Councils in monitoring and enforcing BNG, and that clauses are included within legal agreements for larger developments to ensure BNG compliance.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Consider and note the progress made to date in respect of the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30.

(2)          Approve the Biodiversity Action Plan 2020-30 (2025 update), as attached at appendix 1 to the report.

(3)          Approve delegated authority for the Director of Environment, Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Chair of the Environment committee, to make factual updates to the Action Plan 2020-2030 as a result of legislative changes.