Why is the Northamptonshire BAP relevant?

Carl SimmsSenior Environmental PlannerNorthamptonshire County Council

It just is !!!

Where has BAP come from?

• June 1992 – Rio Convention on Biological Diversity

• 1994 – Launch of UK Biodiversity Action Plan

• UK Biodiversity Steering Group – priority habitats and species for action

• Local BAP - prioritise actions locally

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Habitats Directive 1994.

– Protect our most important designated sites, species and habitats

• Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

– Better protection of SSSIs and protected species and habitats. Government duty to protect biodiversity

NERC Duty• Natural Environment and Rural Communities

Act 2006 - raise the profile of biodiversity

• “Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity”

• Extends the CROW duty to all public bodies

Who does it apply to

PPS 9 & PPS 12

• RSS – include targets for restoration of priority habitats

• LDF – consistent with local biodiversity priorities and objectives (the LBAP)

• Conserve habitats identified in the CROW Act

http://www.prologiswellingborough.co.uk/

• Once it has gone its gone

• Hard to get it back

• LBAP helps identify what is left

• Where it can be created and where it can be enhanced

• Seek advice if needed