People in Calderdale are invited to have their say on how future planning developments will meet requirements to deliver improvements for the natural environment.
Calderdale Council has launched a four-week public consultation on the Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Once in place, it will help us to apply our Local Plan policies to new developments in Calderdale.
Biodiversity net gain is an approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was before development. The policy is set to become a mandatory part of the planning system in England.
Once implemented, more significant new developments will be required to demonstrate at least a 10% overall increase in biodiversity – this could be achieved by enhancing or creating habitats for wildlife on or near development sites.
Calderdale Council’s planning department, in partnership with officers in the countryside service, has prepared the Biodiversity Net Gain SPD which sets out the process developers must follow at each stage of the planning application to achieve their duty to protect and enhance biodiversity.
The SPD includes details about how developers can avoid or offset any negative impacts on the natural environment related to proposed development and how they can deliver benefits to residents through improvements to soil, water and air quality, flood risk management and opportunities for recreation.
The documents can be viewed at http://calderdale.gov.uk/spds and are also available at libraries and other council buildings. Comments can be submitted online via the consultation portal(external link), by email at spatial.planning@calderdale.gov.uk or by post to Spatial Planning, Planning Services, Town Hall, Halifax, HX1 1UJ. Comments should be submitted by 5pm on Monday 20 November.
The Leader of Calderdale Council, Cllr Jane Scullion, said:
“We’re passionate about protecting Calderdale’s distinctive natural environment. It’s part of what makes the borough so special, and we want to put safeguards in place to ensure that necessary growth can also have a positive impact on local biodiversity.
“The Biodiversity Net Gain SDP is part of a series of documents which will inform planning policy and the delivery of the borough’s Local Plan. It sets out the factors the Council will take into consideration to help ensure that biodiversity is adequately conserved, restored and enhanced, throughout the development process.
“The SPD has been prepared in consultation with other neighbouring boroughs and local partners to ensure it supports regional ambitions and also our Council priorities of taking climate action and reducing inequalities. We now want to hear from local people, to help us shape the final documents.”
Calderdale’s Local Plan supports the Vision 2024 for Calderdale themes of distinctiveness, resilience and enterprise. The year 2024 marks Calderdale’s 50th birthday. Where do we want to be by 2024? Get involved with the debate on Twitter with #VisionCdale2024 and find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/vision
ENDS