It was RESOLVED:-

1.1           That the Suffolk Coast RAMS (2019) be approved for adoption.

1.2     That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director for Sustainable Communities in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and the Cabinet Member for Environment to determine the method of RAMS implementation via an Implementation Board and agree suitable performance matrix.

Reason for Decision:The Councils are legally required to take an active approach to mitigate against the increasing pressure from residential development upon European / Habitats Sites.

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (known as the 'Habitats Regulations') set out how Local Planning Authorities must deal with planning applications that are likely to have an adverse effect on European Sites. Natural England advice is that, to comply with The Regulations.

The Strategy is a means by which new residential growth can be delivered, whilst at the same time adequately protecting Suffolk’s coastal, estuarine and heathland European wildlife sites from harm that could otherwise occur because of increased recreation pressure caused through new residential development.

The Strategy identifies and costs measures necessary to mitigate recreational impacts, confirm how they will be funded and delivered, and is an approach that is in accordance with European Habitats Legislation and endorsed by Natural England. An Implementation Board will be responsible to determining how monies collected are spent.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1     To not approve the Strategy and require an Ecology Report for every new residential development with site by site project based HRA requirements.

Any Declarations of Interest declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None