Biodiversity checklist
A rich evidence base points to a perilous and fragile future for the state of the UK’s nature, but you can help
The UK State of Nature Report 2016 found that 56% of UK species have declined since 1970 – a worrying trend for our rich and diverse wildlife. The Chilterns AONB Management Plan identifies long-term trends in the Chilterns during the 20th century, including 54% of chalk grassland being lost, 43% of commons, greens and heaths lost, and 9% of Ancient Woodlands.
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. Several key data sources are available for you to use to check on the status of habitats and their condition and/or protections.
Special designations and protections for habitats and species already in place
The rich and protected Chilterns National Landscape contains biodiversity and habitat elements that may be protected in their own right, such as woodlands, wetlands, certain species, and local sites.
| Landscape level of designation | Designations and protection | Other landscape protections and their relevance |
| International | Internationally protected habitats | Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These are European Protected Habitats which continue after Brexit. The Chilterns enjoys 3 SACs: the Chilterns Beechwood SAC (spread over 9 sites), the Aston Rowant SAC and the Hartslock Wood SAC. |
| National | Nationally protected habitats | Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs; UK protected habitats) Ancient Woodlands and National Nature Reserves (NNRs). There are 64 SSSIs in the Chilterns. Natural England collate a useful inventory on their reasons for designation, their management and their condition. |
| Local | Locally protected habitats | Usually found in Local Plans. County or Local Wildlife Sites (LWS), protected Hedgerows, and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). There are 494 such sites in the Chilterns. |
| Regional | UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework (succeeds UK Biodiversity Action Plan [BAP]) for priority species and habitats | Sites specifically listed under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 as being of UK-wide importance for biodiversity – many of these are already designated as SACs, SSSIs or LWS. The Framework brings them together for landscape-scale projects to improve their biological diversity. |
| Local and Regional | Landscape and wildlife joint reports | A good example being the 2004 Oxfordshire Wildlife and Landscape Study (OWLS) which provides information on landscape character and biodiversity for the whole of the county. These documents are produced at a county-wide level. |
| Local | Conservation Target Areas | Conservation Target Areas (CTAs) identify sites where conservation action on a landscape-scale will yield some of the greatest benefits. Many such sites may already be SSSIs. A focus is directed towards the delivery of biodiversity work, agri-environment schemes and biodiversity enhancements (net gain) delivered by the planning system. |
| Local | Biodiversity Net Gain | An initiative pushed by the planning system, and now advanced by the Environment Act 2021 (with linked regulations). Through this, biodiversity enhancements are a condition of the approval of a planning application. |
Your checklist for biodiversity
- Consider the issues and examine the existing status of habitats in your area: European, National and Local designations.
- Examine your relevant Local Plan policies. Check the condition of any SSSI using the Natural England resource.
- Is a new policy needed? Will a new Neighbourhood Plan help? Check for any tensions with the existing Local Plan.
- Check your new policy will be ‘in general conformity’ with the biodiversity policies in the Local Plan (a necessary test for a Neighbourhood Plan).
- Consider positive policy wording to support the creation of new habitats, community benefits (such as orchards), biodiversity net gain, and the promotion of hedgerows and hedgerow trees.
- Consider the use of ecologists, especially if you propose that new areas of biodiversity net gain are created and placed in the Neighbourhood Plan.
- Discuss these concerns and the emerging policy with the relevant council’s countryside and/or ecological officer, the dedicated Neighbourhood Plans policy team/officer, and the regional office of Natural England.
- Craft your draft policies for inclusion in the Neighbourhood Plan.
Supporting documents
What's on
Influencing planning and development
