Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Object

Representation ID: 16488

Received: 08/12/2025

Respondent: Gladman Developments Ltd

I&O_16532
Gladman submits that the Council should not require developments to provide above a 10% biodiversity net gain (BNG). The Environment Act 2021 sets out that a minimum 10% BNG for development is required. Therefore, it is unnecessary to replicate the requirement in the emerging Local Plan.

The PPG states:
“Plan-makers should not seek a higher percentage than the statutory objective of 10% biodiversity net gain, either on an area-wide basis or for specific allocations for development unless justified. To justify such policies they will need to be evidenced including as to local need for a higher percentage, local opportunities for a higher percentage and any impacts on viability for development. Consideration will also need to be given to how the policy will be implemented.”(4)

Therefore, any requirements that go beyond 10% BNG need to be clearly justified, and evidence demonstrating the implications of delivering a higher BNG percentage needs to be provided. A higher BNG requirement is likely to require extensive areas of land to be removed from the potential developable area of sites and is not making efficient use of land as a result. Furthermore, the provision of BNG can be incredibly costly and can impact the viability of sites. A 10% BNG ensures that developments leave more biodiversity than was previously the case and is not overly burdensome on developers.

4 PPG Reference ID: 74-006-20240214

Support

Representation ID: 16489

Received: 08/12/2025

Respondent: Gladman Developments Ltd

I&O_16534
Gladman considers that Policy R 2 can be deleted, as the outstanding housing requirement and future housing growth for the settlement should be met by site allocations in the new Local Plan. In effect, the new site allocations will supersede the existing development plan policy. As set out in the response to Question SS 62, Gladman is promoting Land west of Tattenhall Road, Tattenhall (2025 LAA Site Reference: 1829) for residential development and submits that the site is suitable, available and deliverable as summarised in the site submission at Section 5 of this document.