It is likely that much of the development in the Peak District will be under the thresholds set out for mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain. Local planning policies are therefore vital to ensure all development has the potential to conserve and enhance our important habitats and species.

Collaboration between developers of all sizes, local planning authorities and conservation organisations is key to ensuring nature recovery networks are maintained throughout the Peak District. Even the smallest of sites, if developed with nature in mind, can help link up larger habitats.

The Local Plan should lay out how the Green Infrastructure Framework (opens new window) can be delivered in the Peak District. It should incorporate advice for small scale developers and private home owners, as well as the larger developments planned on bigger scales. If done in a considerate way, the Local Plan can create more housing, business and employment opportunities in the Peak District whilst promoting biodiversity and conserving the outstanding natural and cultural heritage of the National Park.

For nature

• The importance of our habitats and species in the context of development are emphasised through the Local Plan (opens new window).
• The Local Plan review can explore applying the Net Gain principle proportionally to all development within the National Park.
• How the full range of habitats and species can also be accounted for through development further to existing policies could also be investigated.
• The Local Plan can ensure that even suburban developments help in some way to recovering nature, increasing the size and connectedness of wildlife refuges.

What else can nature recovery in the Local Plan deliver?

• Opportunities for interaction and engagement with nature.
• Well considered nature recovery measures in developments can contribute to managing flood risk.
• Objectives in the Landscape Strategy and Wooded Landscapes Plan, and Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
• Help recover special sites through nutrient neutrality.
• Requirements to improve biodiversity ensure new developments have green, wildlife friendly areas that will have benefits to users` mental and physical health.

In practice

• Core Strategy (opens new window) Policy L2 requires all development to conserve and enhance any sites, features or species of biodiversity importance and their setting.
• The review will explore the potential for all developments to contribute proportionally to nature recovery.
• Produce refreshed ecological guidance for developers, including the relevant databases to check.

CASE STUDY The Natural Zone