Some of our areas of focus
- Development of an SKDC Trees & Woodland Strategy
- Green infrastructure and biodiversity opportunity mapping
- Ensuring planning applications deliver Biodiversity Net Gain
- Adapting our grounds maintenance regimes to a more nature-positive approach
- Introducing new biodiverse habitats into our parks and open spaces
Our duties
The Environment Act 2021 sets out new environmental duties for public authorities in England. A key focus in the Environment Act is around biodiversity and what public authorities must do to consider how to conserve and enhance biodiversity in their areas. This covers both our duties as a local authority, as well as local planning authority in South Kesteven.
As a public authority, the council must:
- Consider what we can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity
- Agree policies and specific objectives based on our consideration
- Act to deliver policies and achieve our objectives
In December 2023, South Kesteven District Council published a report which sets out our initial consideration of what action can and is to be taken to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Click here to access the report.
Biodiversity Officer Working Group
An internal working group was formed to help steer the council's biodiversity plans. This working group includes officers from a range of departments. It aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Understand the current health of the natural environment in the district and identify areas of improvement.
- Set out the council’s remit to influence the natural environment and improve biodiversity.
- Consider the council’s role as a local planning authority and the new expectations for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for new developments.
- Consider the council’s role as a local authority and the specific actions and projects we intend to implement to improve biodiversity.
The working group will provide regular updates on the council's biodiversity plans to the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.