Enhanced biodiversity duty evidence table (2024)

Planning Policy

Local Plan 2011 -2031

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n12863.pdf&ver=13003 

Strategic Policies 

ENV SP1 natural environment 

ENV DM1 Designated Sites of biodiversity or geological importance

ENV DM2 Pagham Harbour

ENV DM3 Biodiversity Opportunity Areas

ENV DM4 Protection of trees

ENV DM5 Development and biodiversity 

W SP1 Water

Mandatory approach to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), will need to be integrated in review of Local Plan after regulations and guidance are provided. A monitoring framework is yet to be provided

Development Management 

Determination of planning applications in accordance with current wildlife legislation and policy. 

Covered by local plan policies above. 

Local Plan review may strengthen these policies

10% BNG Local Plan policy 

Local Plan and Mandatory 10% Metric for major developments as set out in the Draft biodiversity net gain planning practice guidance PPG https://www.gov.uk/guidance/draft-biodiversity-net-gain-planning-practice-guidance 

May be adopted as part of a Supplementary Planning Guidance document.

Review and adopt into updated local plan

Corporate Plan

Council Vision 2022 - 2026

The role of the district council is to make Arun a better place to live, work and visit as well as delivering public services. The Vision sets out how Arun is going to do this. 

It is divided into four key themes, each of which has a number of aims and statements about how they will be achieved. The areas the council will concentrate on are:

Improving the wellbeing of Arun

Delivering the right homes in the right places

Supporting our environment to support us

Fulfilling Arun's economic potential

Assumption that the proposed Defra management plan guidance (for 2025-2030 plans) will align with and integrate the reporting requirements for the biodiversity duty.

Future corporate plan will need to demonstrate how it supports the Environmental improvement plan

Partnership working 

N/A

Arun is an active member of the Sussex Nature Partnership. This is a joint venture between all the councils in East and West Sussex with an aim to provide a coordinated source of information, knowledge-sharing and expertise around nature recovery, nature-based solutions and biodiversity net gain.

Contribute to development and delivery of West Sussex LNRS

Arun Biodiversity Net Gain study 2022 and Biodiversity Action Plan

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n19224.pdf&ver=24187 

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n19471.pdf&ver=22736 

The scope of the study is focused on the following 4 stages:

Stage 1 - Species related collation, analysis and mapping

Stage 2 - Habitat related mapping and review

Stage 3 - Delivery and Implementation i.e. what can the Council do to deliver BNG through the planning system

Stage 4 - Recommendations for Next Steps following this study

The focus of Stages 1 and 2 was to compile an up-to-date evidence base of species and habitats within the district supported by an interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping. To help guide the 'Direction of Travel' these stages also included a high-level discussion of the following:

the existing natural assets related to species and habitats of the district;

the protected and notable species within the district, along with their spatial spread and extent;

the habitat types focussing on their spatial spread across the district;

the existing Biodiversity Opportunity Area (BOA) and whether their boundaries remain appropriate; and

early identification of opportunities for enhancement and creation of species corridors

Stages 3 and 4 developed and considered in more detail actions and opportunities for the alterations or additions to existing BOA boundaries as well as approaches that can be made towards the refinements of policies to deliver BNG on or off site.

Note results of stage 1 and 2 in future policy and plan development 

For stage 3 Produce new BNG policy and include BNG requirements in planning application determination

Develop delivery program for stage 4 

Sets out the BNG strategy through an Arun Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) see also Climate Action Plan below.

Arun Green infrastructure Study 2012

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n6854.pdf&ver=6567 

Arun's Green Infrastructure Study presents a Green Infrastructure Framework which will be used as a basis for preparing policies within the Local Plan and will enable:

The areas of 'highest' environmental value to be identified (environmental value is to be judged by the multiple functions and benefits provided that contributes to the diversity and distinctiveness of the area)

The areas where there is potential to create high value environments that provide multiple functions and benefits in the future to be identified

Local communities and the Local Authority to protect, enhance and create new opportunities for Green Infrastructure in the District

Informs future nature recovery work

Bognor Regis GI Framework Study 2020

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14967.pdf&ver=15366

Informs assessment of planning applications in the Bognor Regis area.

BNG and nature recovery will apply to applications in Bognor Regis 

Arun Landscape Study 2017

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14156.pdf&ver=14405 

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14159.pdf&ver=14408 

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14157.pdf&ver=14406

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14158.pdf&ver=14407 

https://www.arun.gov.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14155.pdf&ver=14404 

This study focuses on the strategic sites considered for inclusion in the local plan and due to the size of the report was produced in 5 separate parts, which can be viewed using the adjacent links.

Informs future nature recovery work

Tree planting strategy

https://www.arun.gov.uk/tree-planting-strategy-2021-2031 

Aim to plant roughly 30,000 whips and 500 standard saplings on council owned land in the next 10 years. These trees will not only provide offsetting opportunities but will also help protect, improve and maintain biodiversity within the district and provide vital habitat for a number of species.  

Contributes to nature recovery (important to apply the right tree right place principal) 

Marine conservation

https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/helpourkelp 

In March 2021 the Sussex Nearshore Trawling Byelaw was passed which banned trawling from occurring on the nearshore seabed off the cost of Sussex. The Kelp restoration project was then created in collaboration with local and national organisations. Arun is taking a keen interest in this project and are actively involved with supporting this.

Marine Net Gain expected to become mandatory in the future 

Climate Action Plan

https://www.arun.gov.uk/climate-action-biodiversity-work-plan-2023 

This document shows all the climate-related projects Arun is currently delivering, or planning to do, or could do in the future. These projects will help reduce our emissions and promote biodiversity.

Produce a Biodiversity/nature recovery Action Plan (BAP) for ADC

Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

Supporting Authority role in relation to West Sussex LNRS 

Arun District Council is supporting the creation of these strategies through provision of evidence and advice.

Contribute to development and delivery of West Sussex LNRS

Parks management grassland flora

N/A

To help biodiversity thrive on our land wildflower meadows and areas of long grass have been established throughout the district. These areas provide essential sources of food and a safe habitat for a large number of birds, insects and small mammals. Arun will continue to actively add wildflower meadows throughout areas of green space, with an aim to increase the amount of area covered by 10% each year.

Review and promote management of parks to provide habitats for nature 

Seek opportunities to create specific habitats for key species