Measure's introduced to improve Kent's environment
Kent Wildlife Trust has launched a Biodiversity Net Gain Site Register for Kent.
Known as Biodiversity Net Gain, it's the next step in ensuring developers leave the natural environment in a better state than it was beforehand.
Since February 12 all major developments, including where there are more than 10 residential houses, have now been required to deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity after development than was there before.
It's hoped that natural habitats will be created and improved, while also ensuring that development plans are done in a way that delivers the greatest positive impact on wildlife.
It means farmers like John Filston can use their land for nature as well as farming: "We try to look, after nature for the next generation and we are looking at some of the incentives that are being put forward now to enhance nature in our part of the country.
"I've got to look at the business side of my farm and look at the balance between producing food and nature and if nature is going to be a big part of the farm then I'm happy to accept that.
"It would be great to allow to the corridor to be fantastic to nature, really restoring it to how it was before it was drained for agriculture. It would mean less food would be produced in the area but in terms of biodiversity it would be huge.
Announced today, Kent Wildlife Trust have developed an interactive register of sites in Kent and Medway where biodiversity net gain credits are available to purchase or where measures to enhance biodiversity, and establish gains, might be delivered.
This register will support local planning authorities, developers and landowners to deliver against new national requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain.
KCC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Robert Thomas said: "Encouraging developers to make significant improvements to the areas near where they work is vital to ensure environments continue to thrive.
“We want to encourage landowners and land managers to create an account on our site register to upload details of their sites available for delivering biodiversity net gain.
"Developers will then be able to use the register to identify sites that could provide suitable habitat improvements to support their development.
“Our commitment is to carry on working with local authorities to ensure we use the data so that biodiversity net gain delivers the greatest possible outcomes for wildlife in the county.”