>> Offsetting:
Biodiversity Offsetting Pilot:
What is Biodiversity Offsetting?
Biodiversity offsetting deals with compensation. It provides a measurable and strategic approach for compensating for any harm resulting from a development, that cannot be avoided or adequately mitigated(see the national policy context below).
Benefits of offsetting for developers include:
It simplifies the discussion about how much compensation is needed. The impact of the development is measured in ‘biodiversity units’ (using a standard metric which has been developed by Natural England). The offset must deliver an equivalent number of biodiversity units.
It is transparent. Relevant information is open and available to all from the start of the process.
It allows the developer to pay an ‘offset provider’ to deliver the offset for them, and to pass on the responsibility for managing that compensation.
Benefits of offsetting for wildlife include:
It requires the long term management of the compensatory habitat by vetted ‘offset providers’.
It requires the compensatory habitat (the offset) to be located in areas where it will achieve maximum wildlife gain e.g. meeting the principles of bigger. better and joined up wildlife sites or developing a coherent and resilient ecological network.
The National Policy Context The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that:
109. ‘The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:
Minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures’.
118. ‘When determining planning applications, local planning authorities should aim to conserve and enhance biodiversity by applying the following principles:
If significant harm resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused’.
Importantly, Defra has made it clear that biodiversity offsetting does NOT change existing levels of protection for biodiversity. Decisions relating to habitats or species, subject to statutory protection under national or EU legislation, remain subject to the requirements of that legislation and current processes. The mitigation hierarchy (referred to in para 118 above) should always be followed. Offsets sit at the bottom of this hierarchy. See ‘Guiding principles for biodiversity offsetting’ (Defra, 2011), as well as other guidance found on Defra’s offsetting webpages.
The Pilot The 2011 Natural Environment White Paper announced Defra’s intention to trial an approach to biodiversity offsetting. A two year national biodiversity offsetting pilot began in April 2012. Devon is one of six areas taking part in this pilot.
Further information on the national pilot and Defra’s offsetting guidance can be found here.
The Devon pilot is composed of three projects, each exploring different aspects of offsetting. Information for each project will be added to the website shortly. Contact details are given below.
Exeter and East Devon Growth Point Focuses on how offsetting can be used to meet the objectives of the Green Infrastructure Strategy.
Contacts: East Devon District Council – Neil Blackmore, Principal Landscape Architect nblackmore@eastdevon.gov.uk (lead officer)
Natural England – Amanda Newsome, Lead Adviser, Land Use Team amanda.newsome@naturalengland.org.uk
Devon co-ordinator: Sarah Jennings, County Ecologist, DCC sarah.jennings@devon.gov.uk
Biodiversity offsetting pilot | Local Nature Partnership
www.edp-uk.co.uk/downloads/biodiversity/1- Biodiversity Offsetting in Devon.pdf
Offsetting: the silver bullet for nature’s recovery?
The Wildlife Trusts welcome the Green Paper on Biodiversity Offsetting but have real concerns that the Government risks the wrecking of irreplaceable areas for wildlife and communities, if biodiversity offsetting is done in the wrong way and for the wrong reasons.
Devon Wildlife Trust | view-news
Wildlife groups concerned over future of nature reserves
April 24, 2013
Conservationists have aired their reservations about a Government pilot scheme which could open up previously protected landscapes to development.
The “biodiversity offsetting” scheme, which aims to compensate for habitat lost to development, is to be tested in six areas nationally, including Devon.
A key principle of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs proposals is newly-created habitats should be “an improvement in the extent or condition of the ecological network”.
However, wildlife groups remain concerned that replacement habitats will not support the array of wildlife that has been lost.
Tony Whitehead, from the RSPB in the South West, said there were some “interesting elements within the proposals”.But, he added: “We need to be wary about giving the impression that nature can simply be traded if it gets in the way of economic development.”Sure, deals can be done – but we must always ask ourselves does this benefit nature?
“Steve Hussey, from Devon Wildlife Trust, added: “The scheme means that if biodiversity is going to be damaged in one place that can be compensated for elsewhere by habitat recreation. But many habitats have been created naturally or by human beings over generations, if not thousands of years.
“Success of other schemes like this has been patchy at best and for an organisation like ours, it is better that biodiversity offsetting is taking place rather than having none at all. It needs to be done in the right place, judged on a case by case basis and be monitored in the long term to see what the effects have been.
“The pilot scheme in Devon is taking place in the North Devon, Torridge, Torbay, Teignbridge, South Hams council areas as well as Dartmoor National Park and the Exeter and East Devon “growth point”.
The initial planning work started last spring.Guidance to local authorities involved says offsetting should “not change existing levels of protection for biodiversity” and “expand and restore habitats, not merely protect the extent and condition of what is already there”.
It should also be “as simple and straightforward as possible, for developers, local authorities and others” and give “clarity on how the offset calculations are derived and allowing people to see how offset resources are being used”.
Wildlife groups concerned over future of nature reserves | This is Cornwall
Developers can pay to rip up nature
Jonathan Leake, Environment Editor 21 April 2013
BRITAIN’S nature reserves, woodlands and meadows could be ripped up by developers — provided they put aside money to create new habitats under a government scheme to put a value on wildlife.
Under the “biodiversity offsetting” proposals, the money raised would be used to turn low-grade farmland into woodlands, for example.
The scheme, detailed in a new report, could be among the most controversial proposed by the coalition government because there is little science to show that such artificial environments have anything like the quality of those they are replacing.
The scheme is being champ-ioned by Owen Paterson, the environment secretary, whose department, Defra, is planning trials in Essex, Warwickshire, Norwich, Devon, Doncaster and Nottingham.
Developers can pay to rip up nature | The Sunday Times
Comment:
I have spent the last three years investigating the value of newly created (semi natural grass land habitats) and whether they can ever equal the value of long established, species-rich grasslands and meadows.
I found that it can take well over 10 years, more likley 50-100 years for newly created systems to provide similar functions to the ones they are trying to replace.
Our environment minister seems to have a complete lack of understanding of ecology. This scheme is so naive and stupid. Natural ecosystems are hugely complex, the soil ecosystem alone is as diverse as the rainforest. The soil should be seen as a none-renewable resource in the sense that it takes millions of years to develop initially and possibly as long to be restored once damaged, therefore we need to protect our existing ‘natural’ systems and the soils which support them because they absolutely can not be replaced just like that.
Claire Wright - Your Independent East Devon District Councillor for Ottery Rural
>> District Council:
Sustainability Appraisal – Environmental Objectives
11. To conserve and enhance the biodiversity of East Devon.
Futures Forum: Development for Sustainability: sustainability appraisal
Changes to the East Devon Local Plan
4.1 8 o) Special protection is incorporated in the plan to minimise development in AONBs, Coastline and sites and areas of biodiversity or other environmental importancewww.eastdevon.gov.uk/proposedchanges.pdf
® - 6.45 I believe your proposals for Sidford go against sustainability:
a) Conserving and Enhancing the Environment - which includes ensuring development is undertaken in a way that minimises harm and enhances biodiversity and the quality and character of the landscape. This includes reducing the risk of flooding by incorporating measures such as sustainable drainage systems. Developers should maximise the proportion of their developments that take place on previously developed land
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/6243-missvalranger.pdf
>> Cranbrook:
East Devon District Council - Landscape, Biodiversity & Drainage Strategy
Green Infrastructure - Exeter and East Devon Growth Point
Eco Towns: Sustainable solution or too good to be true?
>> East Devon AONB:
Biodiversity
East Devon AONB has a significant area of internationally important habitat. Special Areas for Conservation (SAC) account for 1644 ha of the AONB, Special Protection Areas (SPA) cover some 1118 ha which includes a small overlap with the Exe Estuary which is also RAMSAR site. These include, for example:
• East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SPA /SAC
• Part of River Axe SAC
• Part of the 897 ha Sidmouth to West Bay SAC
• Beer Quarry Caves SAC
The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site was the first natural site in England inscribed by UNESCO, offering 95 miles of geological exposures.
East Devon AONB has a significant area of internationally important habitat. Special Areas for Conservation (SAC) account for 1644 ha of the AONB, Special Protection Areas (SPA) cover some 1118 ha which includes a small overlap with the Exe Estuary which is also RAMSAR site. These include, for example:
• East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SPA /SAC
• Part of River Axe SAC
• Part of the 897 ha Sidmouth to West Bay SAC
• Beer Quarry Caves SAC
The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site was the first natural site in England inscribed by UNESCO, offering 95 miles of geological exposures.
Lowland Heath habitat
Support for a Purbeck National Park - Purbeck Society
See also: Futures Forum: National Park for East Devon and Dorset: the issues
>> Education:
Pupils explore the East Devon heathland and learn about biodiversity
24th May 2013
Pupils explore the East Devon heathland and learn about biodiversity
Pupils and teachers from Newton Poppleford Primary School enjoyed an activity filled day at East Budleigh Common with staff and volunteers from Clinton Devon Estates. Pupils learned about the formation of the heathland, the importance of its biodiversity and how management is required to conserve this unique habitat.
The children visited different areas of the heath to discover the species living in the habitat, the techniques used to manage the land and how thousands of years of human use have helped forge the current identity of this highly threatened ecosystem. In addition, the children were taught about sustainability and the importance of recycling.
Pupils explore the East Devon heathland and learn about biodiversity - Pebblebed Heaths
Pupils explore the East Devon heathland and learn about biodiversity - Clinton Devon Estates
Celebrating Biodiversity
Look up the word ‘Oxymoron’ in a dictionary and you will come up with a definition along the lines of: “A figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect” and by this definition, the title of this week’s column could be said to be just such an oxymoron. One of the drawbacks of the word ‘Biodiversity’ is that it is such a cold, jargonistic word and to celebrate such a thing is a seemingly counter-intuitive prospect. However, if you substitute the word ‘Biodiversity’, for the word ‘Wildlife’, and you come up with a far easier proposition. I’m not sure whether it was felt that the W word had lost a bit of bite, or become too fluffy for everyone’s taste, but it would seem that biodiversity is the preferred word now.
James Chubb : Celebrating Biodiversity
James Chubb blog
>> Species: Moths:
Moth conservation
The decline of moths
Across Britain, large numbers of moths are in rapid decline – they need all the help we can give them.
Between 1968 and 2002 overall number of moths across Britain fell by a staggering one third. The populations of two out of every three species declined during this period. Numbers of some, like the well known Garden Tiger, fell by 80% or more during these 35 years. There is little reason to expect that numbers are not continuing to decline. Find out more on the Butterfly Conservation website.
Habitat loss and intensive farming probably explains most of the loss. But other factors like light pollution and climate change may play a part.
Available evidence suggests the moths of Devon are experiencing the same decline. Recorders report that they catch far fewer moths than they used to.
Since so many other animals depends on moths as source of food, from tiny wasps that parasitize caterpillars to birds and even dormice that feed on them, the fall in moth numbers may have serious consequences for much of our wildlife. Cuckoos, for example, feed on moth caterpillars.
Devon’s Biodiversity Action Plan moths
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) lists those moth species that are of particular concern because their future survival in Britain is threatened.
Moth conservation | Devon Moth Group
Species: Himalayan Balsam:
HIMALAYAN BALSAM PROJECT- RIVER OTTER, EAST DEVON
Himalayan Balsam is a non-native, invasive plant species. Although often considered to be quite pretty, it out competes native flora resulting in a loss of habitat and biodiversity. During winter months Himalayan Balsam dies back leaving the river banks exposed and vulnerable to erosion. This increases suspended sediment and diffused pollution thereby reducing water quality.
RIVER OTTER PROJECT
The project is being coordinated by FWAG SouthWest with funding from the Environment Agency, and is run in conjunction with a number of local partner organisations including Westcountry Rivers Trust, East Devon & Blackdown Hills AONBs, Clinton Devon Estates & the Otter Valley Association.
The objective of the project is to control the spread, and significantly reduce the extent of Himalayan Balsam along the River Otter catchment. Priority tributaries have been identified & will be cleared over the next three years.
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