Purpose

To recommend options for improving nature
through use of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain

Content

RESOLVED that Cabinet:
-

(a)          
noted the previous Cabinet decision to sell BNG units in
principle and approves an in-house mechanism for selling BNG units,
while continuing to monitor the BNG market and explore alternative
approaches;

(b)          
approves the improvement of habitats at up to three
Council-owned sites (Erlin Farm / Millhams Mead / Solent Meads outside the golf
course area) for future supply of BNG units; and

(c)          
looks to improve nature as part of the re-tendering of golf and
other leisure use for the existing Solent Meads golf course
area.
Voting:
Unanimous
Portfolio Holder:
Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Reason
Improving
biodiversity across BCP benefits nature which in turn improves
residents’ health and wellbeing.
Creating a
sustainable funding mechanism for this work avoids additional
pressure on BCP Council budgets.
BCP residents will
benefit from the requirement for developers to leave habitats for
wildlife in a measurably better state than they were before
development.

The longer BCP remains without a supply of BNG
units, the greater the risk to its green infrastructure. This could
lead to environmental degradation and the loss of investment to
areas outside BCP, missing the opportunity to deliver high quality
nature for local communities.
Managing the
delivery of BNG units in-house on at least one council-owned site
offers the fastest and most practical route to improving
biodiversity in the conurbation. It also enables the council to
test the BNG sale process and market with minimal investment and
risk. This approach allows BCP Council to learn, address
uncertainties, observe how the emerging market evolves, and assess
the ease of selling units.
Delegating
authority to officers to select the initial site/s provides the
necessary time and mandate to carry out detailed modelling,
planning, costing, and stakeholder engagement ensuring informed
decisions about which sites to prioritise.