Suffolk Nature Strategy – Opportunities for planners to make a difference

Suffolk’s Nature Strategy

What planners can do?

Chris Packham picture

The natural world is amazing – it touches all of our lives “No one will look after what they do not care about, and no one will care about what they have not experienced, or do not understand”.

Why we did it High level partnership document • • • •

Period of unprecedented ecological crisis: Habitat destruction, over-exploitation, pollution & non-native invasive spp +++ Not everyone shares our moral imperative Many decision makers still see the natural environment as a block on growth Health crisis also, and lots of evidence about the value of nature to both physical and mental wellbeing

NEWP How does this affect local authorities?

“Govn’t ambition is to ensure that the benefits of high quality natural environments are available to everyone. We [Govn’t] want this to be the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it inherited”.

“The White Paper does not pose any additional burdens on local authorities but it recognises that success in protecting and improving the natural environment will depend on action taken at local level”.

“Local authorities possess the strategic overview, local knowledge and statutory powers required to make the vision set out in this White Paper a reality”.

Suffolk’s Nature Strategy Vision A 2020 vision for Suffolk’s Natural environment Working together as individuals, communities, businesses and decision-makers, we will ensure Suffolk’s natural environment is conserved and enhanced for future generations and continues to be seen as one of the county’s key strengths. Its intrinsic value, as well as its importance to our economic growth, is increasingly understood, whilst the people of Suffolk and our visitors are able to gain better access to enhanced enjoyment and a deeper understanding of its unique qualities. We will continue to add to our knowledge of Suffolk’s wildlife and landscapes and to collect high-quality information.

The challenge in Suffolk • State of Nature - 60% of species in decline • Generally habitats not big enough, nor well connected, nor well managed (15,000ha Suffolk woodland under-managed), and fragmented (47% SSSI in favourable condition) • Climate change, hotter drier summers in an area that is already short of water, and sea level rise ref coastal change • Farming challenges in Suffolk, farmland bird index all time low • Energy coast (offshore wind and new nuclear) • Forestry (also an opportunity) • Development - AAPG report Nov 2014 – ecological competence

What we know • • •

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We know what needs to be done – more, bigger, better and more joined up – Lawton review 2010/NEWP Legislation and government policies are in place. International target 2020 to halt loss Data is getting better, evidence of values is better and lots of new communications technologies We present the best opportunity of all as champions for nature We’re all doing great work creating and managing reserves, campaigning for better protection, managing land-use change, preventing loss, joining things up, fighting persecution, providing advice, engaging people, educating young people etc etc BUT……. we are still sliding down that slippery slope – this all isn’t enough

Beware!!

Shifting Baseline Syndrome First described in 1995 by fisheries biologist Daniel Pauly and now widely accepted, ‘Shifting Baseline Syndrome’ describes how those who saw an ecosystem 50 years ago, see normality very differently to those who see that same ecosystem now, given the loss of biodiversity in the intervening period. Our children’s concept of what is normal in the natural world is different from their parents and grand-parents, and hence biodiversity decline becomes generationally accepted as a perceived normality. This generational amnesia is increasingly seen as an explanation of the changing understanding and engagement of modern society with the environment.

What else we need to do……

• We need to engage new audiences, with new messages through new partnerships • Everyone values nature, it touches all our lives, but we have not yet sufficiently articulated this • We need to see things from other people’s perspectives, and answer the questions – what has it got to do with me?

• We need to better evidence the value of nature to society (growth, health, wellbeing etc) • This is where the Nature Strategy comes in, and this is what we are trying to do with it

Local decisions We need to do more at a local level, to influence local people and local decision makers. Think global act local. Lots of decisions made very locally, that have a huge impact on nature

Inspire more people We need to do more to inspire people about wildlife, particularly informal engagement with families linked to the health & wellbeing agenda

Putting a value on nature More to evidence the local value of nature and its fundamental importance to society

We need to hold ourselves to account Statutory undertakers have a duty to have regard (NERC), as well as to comply with legislation for protected species, sites and areas. We should hold each other to account.

What can we do as planners Essential tools are in place.

• Follow legislation, and exercise our NERC duty. SBP info to help with this • NPPF clear on biodiversity (and local priorities also) • NPSs similarly clear • Data is improving (planning condition to submit all development related habitats and species records to SBRC………)

What can we do as planners Understand the impacts! Mitigation hierarchy – offsetting last resort

What can we do as planners Ecological networks (corridors for people too?)

What can we do as planners Green infrastructure (people and wildlife)

What can we do as planners Maximise SuDs for landscape and wildlife potential, eco networks, recreational resources etc)

Act as champions

Download it here: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/environment-and-transport/suffolk-s-natural-environment/ nick.collinson@suffolk.gov.uk

Advised by

In collaboration with the Suffolk and Norfolk LNP