Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 17, 2026

Purpose: To seek approval to carry out a statutory 4-week consultation of the Draft SPD which once consulted will be used as a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications.

Content: RESOLVED that   i.      the content of the Draft Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document (Appendix A) is approved.   ii.     the public consultation on the Draft Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure SPD (Appendix A) is approved beginning on Wednesday 25th March and ending on Friday 24th April as set out in Section 8 of this report   iii.    authority be delegated to the Executive Director: Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside to agree any necessary minor amendments to the Draft Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure SPD prior to public consultation.

Reasons for the decision: i.      Planning applications are being determined in accordance with Local Plan policies. It is important that associated guidance is made available to provide prospective applicants with a clearer understanding of the Council’s requirements regarding policies concerned with biodiversity and green infrastructure.   ii.     A statutory stage in the production of a SPD is public consultation on a draft document. Therefore, an effective consultation on the Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure SPD will ensure it can be adopted and become a material consideration in determining relevant planning applications.

Alternative options considered: i.      The Council could decide not to produce this SPD. The absence of an adopted up to date SPD would make the determination of planning applications open to interpretation and could result in inconsistencies of approach.   ii.     Production of the SPD will assist potential developers by providing clarity on the Council’s expectations on how policies should be applied. In providing clarity, the Council is less likely to be put into an appeal position with a need to defend policies on these matters (reducing the financial and time burden on Council resources).   iii.    It should also be noted that due to forthcoming changes to plan making regulations,the Government has indicated that current provisions for the production of SPDs may cease on 30 June 20261. Therefore, delaying this consultation could result in the Council being unable to adopt the document as an SPD.