Issue details

Approval of Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2029

To seek approval of the Biodiversity Action Plan 2024-2029 for publication

Decision type: Key

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 02/07/2024

Decision due: 17 Sep 2024 by Executive

Lead member: Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside

Lead director: Executive Director: People

Department: Place

Contact: Rosie Lear, Biodiversity Officer Email: rosie.lear@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

Consultation process

The draft plan was co-produced with key internal and external stakeholders. The Biodiversity Officer liaised with key stakeholders via workshops and one-to-one discussions to gather feedback on the previous BAP and ideas for the BAP 2024-2029. These were used to develop the draft document. The draft document went to a full 4-week public consultation to gather wider views. There were 45 responses to the online consultation, with one additional set of feedback received directly by email. This feedback has been used to refine the plan for final sign off.

Consultees

Consultees involved with the co-production of the draft:
Workshop attendees: Crowthorne Village Action Group, Binfield Environment Group, Binfield Parish Council, Warfield Environment Group, Easthampstead Living Churchyard Group, Bracknell Forest Natural History Society, Priestwood Environment Group, Crowthorne Parish Council, Bracknell Forest Council - Ranger Service, Bracknell Conservation Volunteers, Wildlife in Ascot, Sandhurst Town Council, Involve, Moor Green Lakes, Crown Estate, Thames21 (Maidenhead to Teddington Catchment Partnership host), TVERC, Bracknell Forest Council – Climate Change Officer, Natural England
Feedback received outside of workshop from: Warfield Environment Group, Environment Agency, Hedge and Woodland Conservationists, Natural England (Thames Basin Heath Partnership)
Internal feedback on initial draft received from: Rangers, Climate Change Officers, Planning Policy, Tree Officers

Consultees through public consultation:
There were 45 responses to the online consultation, with one additional set of feedback received directly by email. Paper copies of the documents and consultation questions were provided at Bracknell, Crowthorne and Sandhurst libraries. No responses were received through the paper copies. Of the 45 responses received via the consultation portal, 13 are members of an organisation such as a wildlife conservation group and 4 of these are members of the Bracknell Forest Nature Partnership. Responses were received from people living in every town/parish within Bracknell Forest, with the majority living in Bracknell. 5 responses were received from people who live outside Bracknell Forest.

Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: Place

Financial Impact: There will be no direct financial implications as the BAP is a strategy for guiding work for biodiversity across the borough. There may be financial implications of delivering the targets. This will be explored over the plan period as projects are worked up and agreed.

Decisions

Agenda items