Biodiversity duty reporting
We have a duty to consider what we can do to conserve and improve local biodiversity.
The strengthened ‘biodiversity duty’ was introduced in the Environment Act 2021.
Our biodiversity duty
Our duty was outlined in a letter from government on 23 December 2025.
As a local authority, we must:
- consider what we can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity
- agree policies and specific objectives based on our consideration
- act to deliver our policies and achieve our objectives
Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a way of creating and improving biodiversity by requiring development to have a positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity
Our report must also include:
- the actions carried out to meet BNG obligations
- details of BNG resulting from approved biodiversity gain plans
- plans to meet BNG obligations in the next reporting period
Our reporting
Our commitment to the environment is vital part of our Council Plan, where we outline our approach to sustainability and climate change action.
Our initial Biodiversity Duty Report was presented to the Climate Change and Planning Decision Session on 27 November 2025 for a reporting period ending 1 January 2026.
Following a review, no changes were recommended and this remains our final report.
Our next steps
We will maintain our biodiversity objectives and follow government guidance.
An updated report must be published within five years of 1 January 2026.