Issue - meetings

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which provided an overview of the forthcoming Environment Bill and its implications for planning and regeneration. The Environment Bill sets out the new environmental governance framework as the UK leaves the EU. The implications of the Bill for the planning system were as follows:

·         The requirement for all development to achieve a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain; and

·         The update of the NERC Biodiversity duty on all public bodies to both conserve and enhance biodiversity.

            The Bill was currently at the reporting stage of its passage through the House of Commons was expected to gain Royal Assent in Spring 2021. It was currently unclear what requirements there would be on local authorities to implement biodiversity net gain during the transition period.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    the likely implications of the Environment Bill be noted; and

2.    a further report be submitted to the Board when the detail of the transition arrangements and secondary legislation was available.