Under the Environment Act 2021, public authorities (including Parish Councils) operating in England must consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
Government guidance clarifies that Parish Councils must:
consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity
agree policies and specific objectives based on their consideration
act to deliver their policies and achieve their objectives
A review of this policy and objectives must be undertaken at least every five years.
According to Defra (Biodiversity 2020), biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth. It includes all species of animals and plants – everything that is alive on our planet.
Biodiversity is important for its own sake and has its own intrinsic value. A number of studies have shown this value also goes further. Biodiversity is the building block of our ecosystems that in turn provide us with a wide range of goods and services that support our economic and social wellbeing. These include essentials such as food, fresh water and clean air, but also less obvious services such as protection from natural disasters, regulation of our climate, and purification of our water or pollination of our crops. Biodiversity also provides important cultural services, enriching our lives.
The object of this policy is to work towards conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the Council’s area.
Chelford Parish Council will consider sustainability, environmental impact and biodiversity when making decisions and will develop and implement policies and strategies as required.
In particular the Council will aim to improve the biodiversity of the area in the following ways:
consider the potential impact on biodiversity represented by planning applications
where possible, manage its land and property using environmentally friendly practices that will promote biodiversity
support the adoption of low impact / nature positive practices when determining Council activities
encourage and support other organisations within the parish to manage their areas of responsibility with biodiversity in mind
support residents and local organisation activities to enhance and promote biodiversity.
Planning applications
The Council will:
when commenting on planning applications, support site and building design that benefits biodiversity through the conservation and integration of existing habitats or provision of new habitats
support protection of sensitive habitats from development and will consider whether the development would mean the loss of important habitats for wildlife in respect of all applications
consider what each proposed development might make in terms of biodiversity net gain
include policies in support of biodiversity within the neighbourhood plan.
Land and property management
The Council will:
consider the conservation and promotion of local biodiversity with regard to the management of its open spaces. This will include, where possible, adopting beneficial practices with regard to cutting and removal of vegetation, application of chemicals and timing of maintenance work.
take special care in the specification of grounds maintenance contracts to ensure that the work, whilst reaching acceptable standards, does not harm the natural environment
source sustainable materials when procuring supplies for the Council’s use
Local community
The Council will:
where appropriate, raise local awareness of biodiversity issues
where appropriate, engage with local businesses and residents regarding biodiversity in the community and how members of the community can assist and make a difference.
This policy was adopted on 12th June, 2025 and will be reviewed each year at the Annual Meeting of the Council.
The action plan associated with this policy will also be reviewed on an annual basis.
