It is important to see the bigger picture strategically when planning for biodiversity. There is a wide range of international, national, regional and local legislation, policy and guidance which has a bearing on biodiversity conservation, and it is important to understand how these interrelate to each other, as well as to this Biodiversity Action Programme.

There is a strong nested policy and legislative hierarchy that provides support and guidance for enhancing biodiversity in the district, from global campaigns, national legislation and standards to county-level strategies and local planning policy.

Legislation is the Law. Local Plan policies are requirements that apply the legislation within a local context. Strategies provide the mandate for targeted action in order to deliver the policy.

The chart below helps to show how key policies, strategies and drivers relate to this Biodiversity Action Programme, with further detail provided in Appendix 1. The Environment Act is particularly relevant and is described in more detail below.

Biodiversity Action Programme flowchart (PDF)

The Environment Act 2021

The Environment Act 2021 is one of the most important pieces of legislation ever produced in this country on the natural environment. It marks an important paradigm shift in natural environment law in England from nature conservation (protection) to nature recovery. It also means that the UK government will be directly responsible for environmental law and policy for the first time in decades. Key elements of The Environment Act 2021 which are particularly relevant to this Biodiversity Action Programme are described below.

Nature Recovery Network

The Nature Recovery Network (NRN) will be a single, national ecological network of wildlife- rich places. It will benefit people and wildlife by increasing, improving and joining-up these places across England, stretching from our cities to countryside, mountains to coast.

Local Authorities will help to deliver the Nature Recovery Network through the development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) which will identify and map the best locations to create, enhance and restore nature and provide wider environmental benefits.

Warwickshire County Council will lead the development of Warwickshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, drawing on knowledge, expertise, information and data from local partners and organisations, including Warwick District Council.

Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain

Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an approach to development and land management that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than before. Under the Environment Act 2021, all Town and Country planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) will legally have to deliver 10% biodiversity net gain.

This can be delivered on-site (within the development site), off-site or through a combination of both. Warwick District Council, as Local Planning Authority, has responsibility for assessing and approving planning applications and ensuring compliance with biodiversity net gain regulations.

Strengthened Biodiversity Duty for Public Authorities

The  Environment Act 2021 includes a strengthened biodiversity duty for all public authorities   in England, including Warwick District Council, which requires them to:

• Consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
• Agree policies and specific objectives based on this consideration.
• Act to deliver those policies and achieve those objectives.

As part of the duty, Warwick District Council is required to produce a biodiversity report every 5 years to demonstrate how it is helping to improve the environment and show the positive changes being made.