The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place (Deputy Chief Executive) which sought the designation of a new Site of Biological Importance (SBI) and to adopt changes which had occurred to other SBI boundaries within the borough.
Appendix 1, of the submitted report, provided a map of the new SBI (Ladcastle Heath) and maps of the other SBI boundary changes (in respect of Medlock Headwater and Strinesdale, Moorgate Quarry and Armit Road Lodge). These changes were outlined at Appendices 2 and 3, to the report, alongside details of the other SBIs reviewed.
The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU) periodically survey SBI’s across Greater Manchester as part of a continuous process and notifies the council when there are changes that need to be made to the designations. The submitted report outlined changes to SBIs from site surveys carried out by GMEU in 2022 (received 2025).
The report therefore seeks to designate a new Site of Biological Importance (SBI) – Ladcastle Heath and to adopt changes which have occurred to other SBI boundaries within the borough, as outlined in Appendices 1, 2 and 3.
Options/Alternatives considered:
Option 1 - To designate a new Site of Biological Importance (SBI) – Ladcastle Heath and to adopt changes which have occurred to other SBI boundaries within the borough, as outlined in Appendix 1, 2 and 3. The advantage of this option is that the SBI 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 designate a new Site of Biological Importance (SBI) – Ladcastle Heath and to not adopt changes which have occurred to other SBI boundaries within the borough, as outlined in Appendix 1, 2 and 3. The disadvantage is that the new SBI and 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 are no advantages to this option.
Option 1 is the preferred option.
Resolved:
That the Cabinet agrees to
1. To designate a new Site of Biological Importance (SBI) – Ladcastle Heath and adopt changes which have occurred to other SBI boundaries within the borough, as outlined in Appendix 1, 2 and 3; and to
2. Note the District Synopsis and District Fact Sheet.