Developers are to be urged to follow new guidelines to protect natural habitats and promote biodiversity, as Cheshire East Council seeks views on its latest draft supplementary planning guidance.

A four-week consultation is to begin on the updated planning document following the feedback received on the initial draft published and consulted on in June 2021. 

The latest draft of the biodiversity net gain supplementary planning document was presented to the council's environment and communities committee and a further consultation will now take place, starting Monday 30 October.

This supplementary planning document provides guidance to developers as to how Cheshire East Council seeks to reduce the impact of developments on our environment by requiring at least ten per cent overall improvement to biodiversity and habitats, promoting sustainable development, while helping to mitigate the impacts of the climate emergency.

The policy reflects the council's corporate plan to be an open, fair, and green authority. 

Although the council has been developing an approach to biodiversity net gain for some time, this guidance will bring the council in line with the new 2022 Environment Act, which comes into effect from January 2024. 

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council's chair of the environment and communities committee, said: "This is an important document if we want to take real steps towards protecting our environment and natural habitats and make our own contribution towards tackling the biodiversity crisis. 

"The views of all interested parties are important to us so that we can finalise new planning guidance that will supplement our existing local plan strategy and help the council, developers and communities to achieve housing or commercial developments that enhance our environment and not detract from it."       

The guidance will help the council secure improvements to and protection of sites with high biodiversity and geodiversity value. The document provides advice on additional requirements for submission of construction management plans, landscaping, green infrastructure and open space proposals, in certain circumstances.

Once adopted, the supplementary planning document will help to inform all future planning decisions and assist developers to bring forward sites and applications that reflect the aspirations of the council, as a green authority, and a council that seeks to protect the environment and enhance, rather than destroy, our natural habitats.

To take part in the consultation visit: Supplementary Planning Documents Consultations - Keystone (objective.co.uk).