Issue - meetings

To consider the adoption of changes to the Sites of Biological Importance (SBI) within the Borough

Members of the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board scrutinised a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive, the purpose of which was to seek the adoption of changes that had occurred to Sites of Biological Importance (SBI), including boundary changes, within the Borough.  Appendix 1 to the report provided maps of the revised SBI boundaries (Fennifield Lily Pond and Castleshaw Pasture) and these changes had been outlined in Appendices 2 and 3 alongside details of the SBIs reviewed.

The report presented two Options:

Option 1 (preferred Option) - To adopt the changes to the Sites of Biological Importance (SBI), including their boundaries (at Fennifield Lilly Pond and Castleshaw Pasture) within the borough, as outlined in Appendix 1, 2 and 3. The advantage of this option is that any SBI additions will be subject to the principles set out in National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to avoid, mitigate and as a last resort compensate any harm. It will also contribute to the GM Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Target 1: To increase the amount of land designated for nature by 5,000ha by 2035, growing this from 11% to 15% of the city-region. There are no disadvantages to this option.

Option 2 – To not adopt changes to Sites of Biological Importance (SBI), including their boundaries within the borough (at Fennifield Lilly Pond and Castleshaw Pature), as outlined in Appendix 1, 2 and 3. The disadvantage is that the boundary additions will not have been designated and therefore the full extent of the SBI’s may not be given due consideration under NPPF, Places for Everyone (PfE) and the Local Plan. This option would not contribute to the LNRS Target 1: To increase the amount of land designated for nature by 5,000ha by 2035, growing this from 11% to 15% of the city-region. There were no reported advantages to this option.

Resolved:

1. That the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board, endorses the recommendations detailed in the submitted report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive to:

a.    To adopt the changes to the Sites of Biological Importance (SBI), including their boundaries (at Fennifield Lilly Pond and Castleshaw Pasture) within the Borough, as outlined in Appendix 1, 2 and 3; and

b.    Note the District Synopsis and District Fact Sheet.

2. Requests that the Group Leaders meeting concurs, thereby enabling the Chief Executive to formally approve the recommendations in the report.