Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document consultation (phase 2)
Following on from our initial consultation in June 2024, we wanted your views on the amended Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
Consultation outcome
A delegated decision to adopt the Biodiversity SPD was made by our Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Partnerships, on 4 April 2025.
You can find the newly adopted SPD, Notice of Adoption and Schedule of Changes following the two rounds of consultation on our Development Plan supporting documents web page.
Background
We are committed to securing improvements for biodiversity, and the Biodiversity SPD is a key action in our Ecological Emergency Action Plan. It provides guidance to support existing planning policies in the County Durham Plan. It also includes guidance on the requirement introduced by government this year (2024) for most developments to achieve a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity.
What the SPD includes
The SPD provides detailed guidance to improve biodiversity delivery within new developments. It sets out:
- the existing legal and policy framework and County Durham's ecological importance
- what we expect to be included and addressed within any planning application in relation to biodiversity
- a design guide on how to build biodiversity into development
- guidance around the requirement introduced by government for most developments to achieve a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity
- guidance on Habitat Regulations and Appropriate Assessment
Have your say
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 12 January 2025.
- Email strategyanddelivery@durham.gov.uk
- Telephone 03000 263 967
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