Decision details

The Council had undertaken ecological studies of all District Wildlife Sites (DWS) within the Borough, as part of preparatory works for the Local Plan (2021-2037), the introduction of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the development of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS). The report was submitted to Members to seek approval of a series of recommended actions arising from that work and explains the Council’s intended approach with regard the use of these (and other) sites to support the provision of off-site BNG opportunities in the Borough.

RESOLVED –

That the Executive Board:

•       Approve the recommendations of the DWS Study Summary report   (Background Paper 1) to:

I)               retain all qualifying sites as District Wildlife Sites;

II)             retain all non-qualifying sites as District Wildlife Sites with the condition that actions will be prioritised to restore and enhance habitat at those locations. This includes Knuzden Brook (Abbot Clough) DWS, Meadowhead Pastures DWS, Blacksnape/Taylors Green and Robin Bank DWS; and retaining the current site areas for Darwen Golf Course DWS and Knuzden Brook (Haslingden Road) DWS;

III)           amend the boundaries of three sites - Davyfield Brook DWS, Eccleshill Quarry/Pastures DWS and Stones Bank Brook to reflect physical features / boundaries or SSSI designations; and,

IV)           update the boundaries of Bog Height Tip to reflect the housing allocation in the northern parcel so that only the southern parcel is retained as a District Wildlife Site.

·       Grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Growth and Development, in consultation with the Executive Member for Growth and Development, to make all relevant decisions on the use of Council-owned land to facilitate the supply and delivery of off-site BNG, and to authorise registration of the sites on the national off-site register.