Policy information sourced from Thurrock Core Strategy and Policies for Management of Development
CSTP19 - BIODIVERSITY
Development will be encouraged to include measures to contribute positively to the overall biodiversity in the Borough.
The Biodiversity Network
The Council will create a robust network of ecological sites centring on the designated sites, i.e. SSSIs, SPAs, Ramsar, Local Nature Reserves and Local Wildlife Sites. These sites will be safeguarded and enhanced to mitigate the effects of past habitat loss and fragmentation, development and climate change.
Positive Biodiversity Management
The Council will ensure that all designated sites are managed appropriately and will prepare suitable Biodiversity Management Plans, with partners, to demonstrate how positive management will be achieved.
Buffering and extensions to existing sites and additional habitat will be sought through the adoption of appropriate Biodiversity Site Management Plans.
Access will be balanced against biodiversity interest.
Key Sites
The Council has identified the following key sites that it will work with partners to enhance, and will pursue appropriate opportunities to increase the biodiversity network in the Borough.
- East Thurrock Marshes;
- Mardyke Valley Project;
- Local Wildlife Sites; and
- Living Landscapes Sites.
Climate Change and Habitat Loss
The Council recognises the need for mitigation for habitat loss due to climate change. It supports the identification, through the Thames Estuary 2100 project, of potential inter-tidal habitat creation sites at Fobbing Marshes and East Tilbury, and fresh water habitat creation sites at North Fobbing Marshes, South Fobbing Marshes, Tilbury and West Tilbury Marshes and the Mardyke.
Biodiversity and Geodiversity Action Plans
The Council is committed to delivering the actions set out within the Thurrock, Essex and UK Biodiversity Action Plans.
The Council will promote small-scale biodiversity interventions such as green roofs.
The Council supports the production and implementation of the Geodiversity Action Plans being developed by local ‘geo’ groups in Eastern England as part of the East of England Geodiversity Partnership.
Key Diagrams and Maps
Key Diagram.
Map 5: Location of Strategic Biodiversity Sites. Where appropriate sites will be identified on the Proposals Map and included in the Adopted Sites Specific Allocations and Policies DPD.
For more information please see the Core Strategy and Policies for Management of Development