Issue - meetings

The report can be found on pages 15-21 of the Cabinet agenda for 5 October 2021.

The Cabinet made the following recommendation to Full Council:

The approval of the release of £575,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy to Chichester District Council’s Environment Team to cover most of the costs of funding Infrastructure Business Plan Project 842 Strategic Wildlife Corridors.

Cllr Taylor proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Lintill.

Cllr Taylor then introduced the item.

Cllr Bangert requested assurance that the Hambrook stream would be included in the Local Plan as a wildlife corridor. Cllr Taylor explained that during the public consultation on the Local Plan Review Preferred Approach in 2018 which introduced new proposals for strategic wildlife corridors across the Chichester plan area, further evidence was submitted to the council relating to the proposed strategic wildlife corridors and their locations. As a result of this, the council recently published a technical consultation which proposed three amendments to the Strategic Wildlife Corridors, including the proposed inclusion of a Nutbourne to Hambrook Strategic Wildlife Corridor. The consultation ran from 30 July to 10 September 2021 and a number of responses were received, including in relation to the proposal to include the Nutbourne to Hambrook Strategic Wildlife Corridor. Officers are currently considering the responses, and it is envisaged that the Council will be able to make an announcement about the way forward in relation to the Strategic Wildlife Corridors before the end of the year.

In a vote the following resolution was carried:

RESOLVED

The approval of the release of £575,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy to Chichester District Council’s Environment Team to cover most of the costs of funding Infrastructure Business Plan Project 842 Strategic Wildlife Corridors.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices and make the following recommendation to Full Council:

That Cabinet recommends to Council approval of the release of £575,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy to Chichester District Council’s Environment Team to cover most of the costs of funding Infrastructure Business Plan Project 842 Strategic Wildlife Corridors.

*RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:

The approval of the release of £575,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy to Chichester District Council’s Environment Team to cover most of the costs of funding Infrastructure Business Plan Project 842 Strategic Wildlife Corridors.

Cllr Taylor introduced the item.

Mrs Dower added that the project supports the Adopted Local Plan Policies 49: Biodiversity, and Policy 52: Green Infrastructure; and is in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

Cllr Dignum asked how it can be ensured that wildlife corridors are given protection and included in the Local Plan. Cllr Taylor explained that they can be incorporated within biodiversity and environmental policies within the Plan.

Cllr Dignum requested a map be circulated to members. Mr Day agreed to circulate the map.

In a vote the following recommendation to Council was agreed:

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL:

The approval of the release of £575,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy to Chichester District Council’s Environment Team to cover most of the costs of funding Infrastructure Business Plan Project 842 Strategic Wildlife Corridors.