Recommendation 152

Local nature recovery strategies, introduced in the Environment Act 2021, could provide a strategic context for the delivery of biodiversity net gain, and other nature-based mitigation. 202 The plans would coordinate mitigation local to the affected areas while operating at sufficient scale to improve outcomes for nature. Ben Kite suggested local planning authorities could consider developing a local biodiversity net gain tariff to support the delivery of their local nature recovery strategies where developers cannot deliver on-site gains. 203 Box 7: Thames Basin Heaths zone of influence At Thames Basin Heaths a strategic approach has been taken to recreational disturbance within 5km of the Special Protection Area (SPA). Local development plans across 11 local planning authorities require developers to make financial contributions to Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (‘SANGs’) and strategic access management and monitoring measures. For example, Surrey Heath Borough Council levies a fee of £112.50 per square metre. 204 The approach removes the need for project-level assessments in this respect and the development of tailored mitigations. As a result of this centralised approach, despite a 12 per cent increase in housing stock within 5km of the SPA, populations of the three SPA bird species increased. Eighty SANGs (1,500ha of new or improved greenspace) are open to the public and £20 million of funding has been provided for wardening. Source: Written evidence from Natural England ( IER0007 )