|
General Question – 24th July 2008 |
Under Standing Order 14, Councillor Mrs C.E. Nichols asked the following question:
“The Spelthorne Biodiversity Action Plan is to be welcomed for its habitat plans which cover floodplain grazing marsh, standing open water and reed beds, unimproved meadows and historic park land. The BAP also acknowledges the crucial role played by urban gardens for biodiversity. In paragraph 6.3 the Plan notes “There is particular pressure on previously developed or ‘brownfield’ sites, many of which have rich communities of plants and animals”. Current trends for the loss of gardens in Spelthorne to development and pressure from developers to convert areas classified as Degraded Landscape (Spelthorne Borough Plan 2001) to housing allocations are in direct conflict with biodiversity objectives. Does the BAP provide any mechanism by which both these trends can be halted?”
The Leader of the Council, Councillor J.D. Packman replied as follows:
“Firstly could I remind Members of Spelthorne’s longstanding and unwavering protection of the Green Belt. Despite developers wishing to build on some sites they will, as always, be strongly opposed by this Council, contrary to what some of your colleagues would have our residents believe.
Biodiversity is of course an important issue. That is why we have adopted an Action Plan. It is one of the many considerations we need to keep in mind when dealing with development proposals.
Around 60% of housing is on former employment sites. These often have extensive buildings and hard surfaces with little, if any, nature conservation value. New development on such sites provides the opportunity for gardens and landscaped areas and greater biodiversity. But, as highlighted by the growth in garden centres, many gardens are actually so well kept that they too can be quite sterile places for wildlife.
Our Local Development Framework has a policy to improve biodiversity through new development including proposals that might involve existing garden land. Along with the Biodiversity Action Plan, this provides an opportunity to make overall improvements across the Borough including making gardens more wildlife friendly.
Biodiversity needs to be considered across the whole borough. The action plan is just one of a number of ways the Council can restrict the loss of habitats that encourage wildlife.
I am aware of your particular interest in this subject Councillor Nichols and I thank you for that and hope that you will educate your fellow Councillors about what Biodiversity means.”