Biodiversity
Some of the Chiltern National Landscape’s habitats and species are already protected in planning law and policy, but you can still help local nature in the Neighbourhood Planning process.
Biodiversity is the term given to describe all life on Earth. It includes all the species, habitats, ecosystems across the globe, from the smallest microbe to the widest ocean. It also includes how species and habitats interact with each other, whether its bacteria changing soils or beavers damming-up rivers.
We may think of biodiversity as simply something nice to look at, enjoying attractive animals and visits to exotic places, but it is vital to our life support system. A healthy natural environment underpins the health and well-being of society and the economy. The natural resources – or ‘natural capital’ – of the Earth include its physical features, such as water and soil, as well as its habitats and species. The benefits that we get from this natural capital are called ‘ecosystems services’; these include food, clean water, construction materials, flood defence, pollination, pest control, carbon storage, recreation, and health opportunities.
The Chilterns is particularly important for its chalk grassland, chalk streams, ancient woodlands and arable habitats, which are home to a wonderful variety of wildlife, including many protected and notable species. Over millennia, variations in soils, topography and human management have given rise to rich habitat mosaics, including box wood and juniper scrub, verges and disused quarries, wood pasture, and heathland. You may wish to feature these special qualities in your Neighbourhood Plans as you look to protect and enhance your local area. The main points to consider about biodiversity are listed below.
Special quality: Biodiversity
- Nationally important:
- Biological diversity
- Chalk grassland
- Diverse flora and fauna
- Threatened species
- Precious chalk streams
- Including UK priority species
- Wooded landscapes
- Ancient woodland
- Chilterns Beechwood Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Protecting biodiversity in the Chilterns
More than 11% of the Chilterns National Landscape (9,500 ha) is designated and protected for its wildlife value.
Some of the Chilterns National Landscape’s important habitats are already under protection, and certain rare and threatened species are protected by law. But there are plenty of pockets of local nature, wildlife and green spaces that are important to communities.
- Neighbourhood Plan point – do you need additional biodiversity or nature-based protections in your Plan? Take a look at our checklist to find out your options.
Please remember that there is no need to replicate existing biodiversity (nature) policies in Local Plans and that protection in law exists already in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (as amended by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023) and others.
- Find out more about planning policy and law with regards to Neighbourhood Planning
Managing the Chilterns National Landscape
The Chilterns National Landscape – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – is managed by the Chilterns Conservation Board. Their guiding tool is the Chilterns AONB Management Plan, which sets out the vision, policies and actions for the management of the National Landscape from 2019-2024. It influences key polices and plans, and helps all those with a responsibility for the area to care for it now and in the future.
Next steps
View our assessment criteria, checklist and supporting documentation to help you consider biodiversity within your Neighbourhood Planning processes.
Our Chilterns Neighbourhood Planning Toolkit was created as part of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme, made possible with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Published by the Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB), a Conservation Board established under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
DISCLAIMER: While every effort is made to ensure all the legal and policy references are correct, CCB always recommends that these are checked as revisions and updates will occur.
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