Planning Policy News
Council response to Government consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework
PermalinkThanet has a rich archaeological landscape that is largely due to its origins as an island and its close proximity to Europe which led to it becoming a gateway to England for early history. This has resulted in a unique archaeological character ranging from Palaeolithic, Roman, Anglo Saxons, the rise of Christianity, mediaeval and to more recently, WW2 and associated infrastructure. In addition, the coastal nature of the district means there is a rich maritime heritage and archaeological potential particularly associated with shipwrecks most notably around the Goodwin Sands.
The Thanet Archaeological Landscape Mapping Project is an exciting project to improve and update the archaeological information held for the District. It is being funded and led by Historic England in partnership with Kent County Council and Thanet District Council.
For more information on the Thanet Archaeological Landscape Mapping Project, and to read the latest newsletters, please visit Kent County Council’s website.
PermalinkBiodiversity Net Gain is a way of ensuring development has a measurable positive impact on biodiversity by comparing the biodiversity value of the site pre-development with the biodiversity value of the site post development.
The Environment Act November 2021 mandates the provision of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on the majority of development sites for 30 years. This came into force on 12 February 2024 for major applications and on 02 April 2024 for small site applications and applies to outline, full and temporary applications. From this date major development (unless otherwise exempt) will have to deliver net gains for biodiversity leading to positive outcomes for nature, better places for local communities and more consistent and transparent requirements for developers. Further information is available on the Defra website. The exempt developments are set out in the regulations. Planning permission can now only be granted where a 10% gain is made as this is a mandatory requirement.
The council has a dedicated Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) information page which lists current regulations and guidance.
The Environment Act 2021 strengthened the biodiversity duty placed on public authorities (by section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006). This requires local authorities to consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity. A public authority must:
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Consider what it can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
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Agree policies and specific objectives based on its consideration.
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Act to deliver these policies and achieve the objectives specified.
The First Consideration Report of what actions the Council can take has been produced. This first report is essentially a stock check of what actions the Council has taken and identifies future actions and policies to improve and enhance biodiversity.
Further information can be found in the Government guidance – Reporting your Biodiversity Duty and Complying with the biodiversity duty.
PermalinkKent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy’s Public Consultation has now closed. Please see Kent County Council’s website for more details
The draft ‘Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy’ consultation, provided an opportunity to help shape and finalise this exciting new strategy, the purpose of which is to end the decline of nature across our beautiful county and support its recovery.
The Strategy highlights ambitions for habitats such as chalk grasslands, ancient woodland and coastal grazing marsh and mudflats. It also identifies priority species that need assistance, like the Shrill Carder Bee, Barn Owl, Duke of Burgundy butterfly and Green-winged Orchid.
It has been prepared by Kent County Council, appointed by Defra as Responsible Authority. It was drawn up by the Making Space for Nature project team, working with more than 1000 people over the past year to develop it to this stage.
Once published, later in 2025, the Strategy will help to create a network of wildlife-rich places across Kent and Medway and be one of 48 across the whole of England, helping to deliver the government’s commitment to ending the decline of nature and supporting its recovery.
Background
The Environment Act 2021 introduces a statutory requirement for the preparation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) to set out priorities and propose actions to halt the decline of and help nature recover. As part of this process the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed ‘responsible authorities’ to lead the preparation of the strategy for each of the 48 areas identified. For Kent and Medway, Kent County Council has been appointed the responsible authority and has started preliminary work on the Making Space for Nature project.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)
Making Space for Nature in Kent and Medway will work with partners and stakeholders to collaboratively establish shared priorities for the delivery of nature recovery and environmental improvements, in order to create a network of wildlife-rich places across the county. This local nature recovery strategy is one of 48 – together these will cover the whole of England, with no gaps or overlaps, to deliver the government’s commitment to ending the decline of nature and support its recovery. Kent County Council is the Responsible Authority for developing the county’s Nature Recovery Strategy and over the next 18 months the Making Space for Nature project team will develop the county’s strategy. This will create a local habitat map that identifies areas of importance for biodiversity and areas that could become of importance. It will also develop a statement of biodiversity priorities, which draws on the features of Kent’s biodiversity, and identifies potential measures for nature recovery. The Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a strategy for everyone – it will shape what our nature and landscape will look like in years to come and deliver a network of wildlife rich places across Kent and Medway for all to enjoy and benefit from. The development of the Strategy will be locally led and collaborative – the project will work with those that own and manage the land; those that influence how biodiversity is protected and enhanced; those that use and depend on nature’s services; and those that inform and make decisions. By being informed by stakeholders’ priorities, data, information and knowledge, we will create a strategy that presents a plan for joined-up action to recover our county’s nature. For more information about the project and details of how you can become involved, visit Making Space for Nature’s website.
Over the course of the project, a series of surveys will be run, so the team can directly hear as many views as possible as work on Making Space for Nature in Kent & Medway progresses and the Strategy takes shape.
PermalinkWhat is this report?
This is our first statutory report on biodiversity. It covers the period from January 2024 to March 2025.
- It follows the rules set by the Environment Act 2021, to consider and report on actions taken to protect and enhance biodiversity in the area.
- It explains all the actions the we have taken to protect and improve biodiversity in the area.
What has the council done so far?
Since its first plan in January 2024, we have:
- Put new policies in place.
- Hired a dedicated Biodiversity Officer.
- Set up working groups and plans to make sure all service areas consider biodiversity in their work.
Why is this important?
We’re working towards the national goals set out in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and Environmental Improvement Plan (2023).
- This report shows Thanet’s increasing dedication to stopping the loss of species and expanding habitats.
- It outlines our commitment to bringing biodiversity into areas like planning, land management, and working with local communities.
Key projects and future plans
We’re using projects to improve our understanding of nature and work better with partners, including:
- Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring.
- Green Infrastructure Strategy.
- Local nature recovery work and public events (like “No Mow May”).
This work helps us to strength our evidence base and partnerships to drive ecological recovery.
The report also identifies areas of improvement, and sets out future actions to make sure biodiversity is included in all council decisions. This includes procurement and planning to community outreach and staff training.
Our goal
By working together across all departments and setting clear, measurable targets, we aim to make a real difference to national biodiversity recovery targets and build a stronger, healthier natural environment for future generations.
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