Purpose

REASON FOR THE DECISION
Applying to be a responsible body will give City of Doncaster
Council the option to use Conservation Covenants to secure offsite
biodiversity Net Gain Schemes. An application for Responsible Body
Status will take a minimum of 13 weeks to be determined by Defra.
As biodiversity net gain becomes law for large applications from
January 2024 it is important the application is submitted as soon
as possible.
It is therefore proposed to undertake the decision making process
regarding the governance arrangements for entering and managing
Conservation Covenants at the same time as the application for
responsible body status is being considered by Defra.

Content

DECISION TAKEN
To submit an application to Defra for City of Doncaster Council to
become designated as a Responsible Body.
To prepare a report seeking approval from Cabinet for governance
arrangements regarding entering into a Conservation Covenant as a
Responsible Body.