Biodiversity is increasingly important when planning new developments. On this page we will try to help developers and householders through some of the issues that are important. If the subject you are interested in is not here please contact us.
Link: Stafford Borough Council Planning Services
Biodiversity and Your Planning Application
A new Standard Application Form has been introduced which applies across all of England and will provide a more consistent approach to planning applications. One of the statutory questions in the new form concerns Biodiversity and Geological Conservation. Applicants will be expected to state whether their proposed development will affect a number of issues in this area. Stafford Borough Council has published a very helpful leaflet to guide you through your duties to biodiversity with your development.
Link: Biodiversity and Your Planning Application
Appropriate Assesment
Under the European Habitats Directive local planning authorities are obliged to make an Appropriate Assesment of developments that may effect sites protected under the Habitats Directive such as Natura 2000 sites.
Link: Forward Planning Appropriate Assesment Information
Planning for Biodiversity Conference
One year on from the publication of the Biodiversity Strategy for Stafford Borough a conference was held by Stafford Borough Council's Local Agenda 21 team. The Conference was called Planning for Biodiversity and was the starting point for the creation of a biodiversity checklist for planners.
Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS)
PPS 9 sets out planning policies on protection of biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system. Published August 2005. This replaces PPG Note 9 on nature conservation (published October 1994).
Link: Department for Communities and Local Government PPS9 Page
Planting
Flora Locale have published a guide to native planting and a code of practice. They are designed to encourage the use of native flowers, trees and shrubs. The guide outlines the benefits of native plants and details where and when they are best used.
Link: Flora Locale Native Planting Guide PDF
Link: Flora Locale Native Planting Code of Practice PDF
Neighbourhoods Green aims to highlight the importance of green spaces for the residents of social housing, and to raise the quality of their design, management and safe use within social housing providers. It is a 3-year partnership project which will provide guidance, support and tools for housing associations, local authority housing departments, ALMOs, tenants associations, and their partners.
Link: Neighbourhoods Green
Greening the UK is a campaign set up by The Horticultural Trades Association. It aims to create recognition within Government, local authorities and amongst local residents and the wider public for the need of increased green planting in urban developments while also securing a greater enforcement of the green planting that appears on planning documents but then never get planted.
Link: The Horticultural Trades Association - Greening the UK
Protected Areas
Stafford Borough has many important sites that are protected or designated for wildlife and biodiversity. These range from Sites of Biological Importance to National Nature Reserves. Many of these have planning restrictions associated with them. The link below lists the sites, their designation, map reference and other information.
Link: Stafford Borough's Nature Conservation Areas
