{content}

Biodiversity Duty Report

Contents

View of Humber Foreshore/Humber river from Goxhill

Introduction

According to research led by the Natural History Museum, the UK has now lost over half of its biodiversity. At a time when biodiversity is declining globally at unprecedented rates, the UK stands out as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, ranking in the bottom 10% globally and placing last among the G7 group of nations. The State of Nature Report 2023 set out the decline in the abundance of different groups of species over the last 50 years.

Since 2006 there has been a duty to conserve biodiversity in the UK, but continued biodiversity loss means the government has felt it necessary to strengthen this duty into one to conserve and enhance biodiversity. As a local authority we are now responsible not only for protecting our current biodiversity levels, but also finding ways to increase biodiversity in North Lincolnshire. Given the precarious situation of nature and biodiversity in this country, our duty to enhance biodiversity represents a vital part of the council’s responsibility to protect North Lincolnshire for future generations and ensure that our region plays its part in helping to avert the worst impacts of the looming climate emergency.

In January 2024, we published our first consideration report detailing action to be taken for biodiversity. The report provided information about:

  • What we were already doing to enhance biodiversity and our short and longterm plans to further this aim
  • What challenges we expected to face and how we could counter these
  • How we would monitor our progress in achieving enhancements to biodiversity

This report updates the 2024 report, setting out what we have done to enhance biodiversity in the region.

North Lincolnshire’s natural environment

North Lincolnshire is a predominately rural area featuring over 80 miles of estuary and rivers, attractive countryside and wildlife habitats. The area’s natural environment is characterised by its variety, with distinct landscapes ranging from the clay pits of the Humber Estuary, the rolling chalk escarpment of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Ancholme Valley, the Lincoln Edge, the Trent Valley and the Isle of Axholme. Continued access to high quality landscapes and nature is central to the quality of life enjoyed by local people and visitors.

Map of natural environment sites in North Lincolnshire

key to map

Map of Natural England environment sites in North Lincolnshire

North Lincolnshire’s sites include the world class, internationally important areas of the Humber Estuary and Crowle Moors, through to nationally, regionally and locally important sites. These sites support important natural assets, such as ancient woodland, heathland, acid grassland and wetland.

Internationally important sites

Internationally important sites Number in North Lincolnshire
Special Areas of Conservation: Areas of importance for species plants and habitats, listed in the European Habitats Directive. 2
Special Protection Areas: Areas of importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or migration of rare and vulnerable species of birds. 2
Ramsar Site: Wetlands of international importance, designated under the 1971 Ramsar Convention. 1

Nationally important sites

Nationally important sites Number in North Lincolnshire
Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Sites designated by Natural England as significant for the conservation of wildlife and/or geology. 29
National Nature Reserves: Areas managed to enable the preservation and study of flora, fauna, geological or physiological features. 2

Locally important sites

Locally important sites Number in North Lincolnshire
Local Nature Reserves: Places of special local wildlife, geological or education interest or significance identified by local authorities. 14
Local Wildlife Sites: Areas of land considered to be significant  for their wildlife features. 198
Local Geological Sites: Sites not already protected as SSSI’s considered worthy of protection for their earth science or landscape importance. 36

Other types of green space

North Lincolnshire also has an abundance of other green spaces, including in the ‘Industrial Garden Town’ of Scunthorpe with its extensive public parks and gardens.

Types of green space Number of sites Total area (hectares) Hectares per 1,000 population*
Parks and gardens 66 279 1.63
Natural and semi-natural green space 66 1635 9.54
Amenity green space 85 88 0.51
Outdoor sports facilities 69 215 1.25
Provision for children and young people 132 18 0.11
Allotments 14 30 0.18
Churchyards and cemeteries 46 48 0.28
Area total 478 2313 13.5

*Note in 2024 the population of North Lincolnshire was 171,336

North Lincolnshire’s parks and green spaces are not just valued locally, but their environmental quality has also been recognised nationally. The Green Flag Award scheme rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the UK and around the world.

Six of North Lincolnshire’s parks achieved accreditation in 2023. At the time of writing, the following four sites are accredited:

  • Central Park, Scunthorpe
  • Bridge View Park, Barton upon Humber
  • Baysgarth Park, Barton upon Humber
  • Memorial Gardens, Scunthorpe

The council has taken a decision to focus effort on applying for Green Flag Awards for those parks that have Friends-of Groups. In 2026, an application has been made for Jubilee Park, Scunthorpe, in addition to the above sites.

View of the ponds in Twigmoor Gull with the sun shining on the trees in the background

Strategy, policy and partnerships

The council’s commitment to preserving and enhancing the natural environment is reflected in several key strategies, plans and partnerships.

Local Nature Recovery

Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) – LNRSs are a new system of spatial strategies for nature outlined in the Environment Act 2021. Each strategy will:

  • Agree priorities for nature’s recovery.
  • Map the most valuable existing habitat for nature.
  • Map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environment goals.

The council has been working closely with Lincolnshire County Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership to prepare the draft Greater Lincolnshire LNRS.

This is out for public consultation in January and February 2026. It is hoped that the final LNRS will be published in late June 2026.

Protected Site Strategies and Species Conservation Strategies

Protected Site Strategies aim to bring together key stakeholders to address on and offsite pressures on protected sites (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest) to help restore our most precious habitats, species and geodiversity.

The Humber Estuary is one of five areas where the potential for Protected Site Strategies is being tested. The council has contributed to the pilot project as it has developed, focusing on governance and the protection of “functionally linked land” that supports wintering and passage waterbirds associated with the Humber Estuary SPA and Ramsar site.

A Species Conservation Strategy is a new mechanism to safeguard the future of particular species at greatest risk. The strategies will find better ways to comply with existing legal obligations to protect species at risk and to improve their conservation status.

At the time of writing (January 2026), neither Species Conservation Strategies nor Protected Site Strategies have been produced by Government or arm’s length bodies. They will not be considered further at this stage, but we will refer to any new developments in our next Biodiversity Report (due January 2031).

A Green Future

A Green Future [2021-30] – the council’s core environment strategy aims to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable North Lincolnshire. Supported by a Climate Action Plan which aims to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, protect, enhance and restore local biodiversity and protect communities from the profound impacts of climate change. It has four main outcomes:

  • Improved public health and wellbeing
  • A thriving, replenished, natural environment
  • Securing and protecting the needs of future generations
  • A resilient, sustainable place that offers opportunities for all

The Climate Action Plan contains 40 aims across nine priority categories.

Appendix one Delivery of the Climate Action Plan is a supporting document and focuses on the delivery of the plan, and it provides high level estimates on the impacts each aim will have, the cost implications, timescales, and cobenefits.

The outcomes relating to the natural environment are primarily delivered under the Land uses and green spaces category.

Land use plays a significant role in our plans to meet net zero, supporting nature’s recovery and adapting to our changing climate. As our population grows, the pressures on our land and water systems intensify. The aims within this category will protect and encourage biodiversity by effectively managing our land use and green spaces.

Aims

  • Collaborate with Natural England to bring a National Landscape into North Lincolnshire.
  • Encourage the growth of native trees, protect ancient woodland, and plant an additional 250,000 trees and hedgerows.
  • Ensure all developments in North Lincolnshire minimise their environmental impacts and deliver a measurable net gain in biodiversity of at least 10%.
  • Enhance biodiversity and integrate access to green spaces into the planning of new and existing community spaces.
  • By 2025, the council will have adopted a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Greater Lincolnshire.
  • Maximise potential opportunities for carbon capture and sequestration in North Lincolnshire.
  • Work with partners to encourage the adoption of sustainable food production methods, raising the awareness of, and support cutting edge innovative food production.

Local Plan

Local Plan [2025-43] – helps to determine the future pattern of development in North Lincolnshire and make decisions on planning applications. The draft Local Plan will contain policies that are intended to support the goal of enhancing biodiversity in North Lincolnshire, most significantly concerning the application of new biodiversity net gain (BNG) regulations.

BNG is an approach to development, and/or land management, that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was beforehand. BNG can be achieved on-site, off-site or through a combination of on-site and off-site measures.
Under the Environment Act 2021, all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) except for small sites were required to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain from February 2024. BNG will be measured using Defra’s biodiversity metric and habitats will need to be secured for at least 30 years. The UK government is introducing an exemption from mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for small sites, specifically those under 0.2 hectares. This, along with other changes to streamline offsite BNG delivery, was announced in December 2025 to reduce regulatory burdens on smaller developers.

The North Lincolnshire Local Plan has recently undertaken the ‘Initial Engagement consultation stage with the public on priorities for growth and infrastructure and a Call for Sites addendum to consider existing and additional sites to meet the area’s development needs. This occurred in May 2025. All comments received will be considered and will help shape a draft Local Plan due for consultation May 2026.

Existing adopted local planning policy contained within the LDF Core Strategy and saved policies of the 2003 Local Plan already seek to support the goal of enhancing biodiversity in North Lincolnshire, with Core Strategy policy CS17 already used to secure BNG prior to the implementation of the Environment Act 2021.

Economic Growth

Economic Growth Plan [2023-28] – sets out how the council will enable existing businesses to create new well-paid and high-skilled jobs and attract others to invest in the area. The plan highlights that maintaining and enhancing North Lincolnshire’s natural environment is central to making the area an attractive place to live, work and invest, and also promotes the update of greener modes of transport, such as through improving facilities for active travel.

Northern Forest

Northern Forest – The Northern Forest is the government’s 25-year vision to plant 50 million trees across the North of England, stretching from Liverpool to Hull. These new trees are intended to help wildlife to thrive, create better connected and extensive new woodland and protect ancient woodlands.

North Lincolnshire Council has joined Humber Forest, the local Community Forest, to give increased access to support and funding.

The council has set a target to plant 250,000 trees. A tree counter and tree planting map is held on the council website, allowing partners, businesses, landowners and members of the public to record the trees they have planted.

In November 2023, the counter recorded that 100,170 trees had been planted since the start of the campaign. That has now increased to 185,593 trees in January 2026.

Air Quality Action Plan

Air Quality Action Plan [2023-28] – The link between air quality and biodiversity is intrinsic, as poor air quality, often resulting from pollution, can adversely impact the health of ecosystems, leading to habitat degradation and a decline in biodiversity. The Air Quality Action Plan outlines how improved air quality in North Lincolnshire will be achieved, and has the following priorities:

  • Bringing the Scunthorpe Air Quality Management Area (for exceedances of the daily mean PM10 air quality objective) into compliance
  • Reduce emissions from industrial and non-industrial sources
  • Work collaboratively with the Environment Agency and other organisations to share knowledge and evidence
  • Improve general air quality across North Lincolnshire

Increasing electric vehicle uptake will also help improve local air quality. An Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Delivery Plan [2023-30] has been created to support the continued growth of the local EV market.

Other local and regional partnerships

Other local and regional partnerships – in addition to the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership and Humber Forest, the council works through a number of other partnership groups.

  • Humber Nature Partnership – aims to protect and enhance the Humber Estuary’s world class environment, with a focus on enhancing habitats, improving water quality, and ensuring the growth of the ports and associated industries can also deliver positive benefits for the environment
  • Humberhead Levels Partnership – is working to create a unique network of wetlands in a predominately agricultural landscape where a number of rivers meet at the Humber Estuary. Twelve organisations are aiming to create a more connected environment for people and wildlife and the end result should be a more valued and robust natural environment.
  • Catchment Partnerships – undertake integrated management of land and water and work to improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, reduce flood risk, increase resilience to climate change as well as deliver health and wellbeing benefits for communities. The council is part of two catchment partnerships, the Ancholme Catchment Partnership and the Lower Trent and Erewash Catchment Partnership.
  • Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project – works to ensure Lincolnshire’s Chalk Streams and Blow Wells are being protected or restored to a quality which sustains the high conservation value of their wildlife, healthy water supplies, recreation opportunities and an increased awareness and understanding of their place in the character and cultural history of the landscape.
  • Alkborough Flats Management Group – set up to protect the biodiversity of this key site and ensure it continues to play an important role in managing flood risk around the Humber estuary.
  • Humberhead Biosphere Proposal- The Humberhead Biosphere proposal is a non-regulatory UNESCO designation focused on environmental protection, sustainable development and community involvement across the Humberhead Levels. The council has been supporting City of Doncaster Council, the lead body, in the bid to UNESCO.

National strategy and policy

National strategy and policy – Action taken at a local level will support the achievement of national goals and targets on biodiversity, chiefly those set out in the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan published in January 2023.

By 2030, the government has committed to:

  • halt the decline in species abundance
  • protect 30% of UK land

By 2042, the government has committed to:

  • increase species abundance by at least 10% from 2030, surpassing 2022 levels
  • restore or create at least 500,000 ha of a range of wildlife rich habitats
  • reduce the risk of species extinction
  • restore 75% of terrestrial and freshwater protected sites to favourable condition, securing their wildlife value for the long term

Actions already underway in 2024

A number of actions were already underway when the new duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity came into force. These actions were organised around four key priority areas:

  1. Manage land to improve biodiversity
  2. Educate, advise and raise awareness
  3. Review internal policies and processes
  4. Prepare for Biodiversity Net Gain

Priority 1: Manage land to improve biodiversity

Habitat creation and restoration

  • A key roadside verge on the gateway to Scunthorpe was managed to benefit UK native wildflowers. The council received a national award for successful meadow creation efforts. Unfortunately, the verge has now returned to business-as-usual vegetation cutting for road safety reasons
  • Elsewhere, we reduced the highway verge cutting frequency from three times a year to twice a year
  • With partners, we have helped to create new wetland habitat around Alkborough Flats. Through taking actions including reedbed management, scrub-clearance and hedge laying, this has resulted in the emergence of species such as Spoonbills, once rare, now a regular sight

Enhanced parks and green spaces

  • We continue to maintain and enhance green flag sites
  • We produced surveys and mowing plans for parks and green spaces
  • We established ‘bug zones’ and ‘wilding areas’ to allow nature to prosper as well as walkways so the public can engage with the area
  • We installed 140 bird and bat boxes built by local schools and colleges in parks across North Lincolnshire
  • All Local Nature Reserves and numerous other green spaces such as Bottesford Beck, Alkborough Flats, Twigmoor Woods and Broughton Pocket Park have a management plan

Tree planting initiatives

  • As a partner in the Humber Forest, we contribute to the Northern Forest project, with a target to plant 750,000 trees in North Lincolnshire. Over 185,000 trees had been planted by January 2026. Members of the public can register any trees and hedges that they plant, helping towards our goal
  • We work in partnership to ensure the right tree in the right place and focus on connecting existing woodland and hedgerows

Priority 2: Educate, advise and raise awareness

Public engagement and education

  • We have produced signage and display boards to inform the public about biodiversity and why certain areas are allowed to ‘rewild’ – including an information board at Ashby Ville and Central Park
  • We collaborated with ‘friends of’ groups to decide about bat and bird box placements
  • The Council’s website details the Council’s ‘Green Future’ strategy and action plan which includes how residents can engage and contribute to make a difference with links to funding opportunities and the volunteering hub. Residents are encouraged to make their own ‘green pledges’ via the council website as part of the Green Future strategy
  • We have worked with businesses, community groups and volunteers to plant and maintain trees as part of the Northern Forest initiative
  • Litter Heroes – there are more than 1,000 people across North Lincolnshire regularly taking part in volunteer litter picking. We provide equipment, health and safety advice and pick up the rubbish. The distinctive red bin bags are a common site across the region as more people get on board with this way to improve local habitats, improve mental health and increase community pride and resilience. Local Facebook groups advertise the litter picks and thank those who take part

Events

  • Participated in events aimed at raising awareness of biodiversity e.g. green event in September 2023 featuring a stall by the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership to promote the nature recovery strategy and raise awareness of biodiversity amongst the public

Biodiversity in planning applications

  • Provide bespoke and generic pre-application advice regarding biodiversity in planning applications
  • Apply Natural England Standing Advice so we request appropriate surveys, impact avoidance, mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures in relation to protected species
  • Application of Natural England Standing Advice and the National Planning Policy Framework, in relation to Ancient Woodland, Veteran Trees and protected sites
  • Application of the Habitats Regulations to protect internationally important nature conservation sites: the Humber Estuary, Hatfield Moor and Thorne Moor (including Crowle Moor)
  • Routine use of planning conditions to secure species enhancements, such as bat roosting features, nestboxes and hedgehog highways
  • We also check for bat roost potential, barn owls, barn swallows and other nesting birds in Listed Building applications

Archaeological fieldwork

  • We liaise with Natural Environment specialists over proposed archaeological fieldwork in areas of identified sensitivity, ensuring that academically important archaeological efforts can take place whilst minimising the impact on habitat and species in those areas
  • We also use the opportunities created by archaeological work to identify potential joint initiatives that may benefit both the natural and historic environment such as incorporating pollen-and-nectar mixes and wild bird seed mixes in the Isle of Axholme Historic Landscape- particularly in strip farming projects, alongside re-wetting peatlands, wetlands and grazing marsh

Guidance for businesses

  • We currently provide guidance for new and expanding businesses, relating to biodiversity on their sites. We aim to engage businesses as early as possible to ensure that biodiversity is a key consideration for them from the early stages of start-up or expansion
  • Advice is also provided by our partners at the Humber Nature Partnership who have, for example, provided British Steel with advice relating to development site selection and how this will impact biodiversity

Priority 3: Review internal policies and processes

  • We are currently taking measures to tackle this blight on our area, measures include gathering intelligence and targeted reporting on fly-tipping with closer working with the enforcement team, resulting in more convictions. Additional Signage, CCTV and promoting successful prosecutions have increased as a way to discourage fly tipping
  • We have made significant efforts to ensure that suitable waste is converted into compost that supports local biodiversity by enhancing the growth of local flora. From April 2026 the UK Government enforced a statutory duty on councils to introduce a simplified recycling scheme. Households will have one bin for glass, plastics and cardboard. A separate bin for all home (food and garden) waste and a bin for normal household waste. Food and Garden waste will be processed and converted locally, maximising in-county compost production. This also reduces the need to import compost from other areas, further reducing our overall environmental impact
  •  The council is promoting and encouraging residents to separate food and garden waste from normal waste and to take advantage of home composting that could be used by those residents to enhance their garden plant life, but this also supports the reduction of the number of bin collections, reducing the potential impact of waste disposal on our local environment
  • Ensured water quality at a pond near Belton recycling centre is monitored yearly, ensuring there is no runoff from the centre polluting the water

Highways

  • Switched to 99% LED street lighting, as well as switching bollard and signage lighting to LED and removing lighting altogether from signage where it is no longer required. Switching to LED based lighting means a reduction in overall light-levels, benefiting nocturnal wildlife
  • Switched to a treated salt for de-icing our roads that allows us to use less salt to cover the same amount of area. Reducing the spread of salt reduces the possibility of damage to habitat and threat to regional biodiversity. This salt also lasts longer than traditional salt, meaning that we can reduce the frequency of de-icing

Local Plan

  • The new North Lincolnshire Local Plan will include policies to protect internationally, nationally and locally important sites, protected species, woodland, trees and hedgerows. It also seeks to promote habitat creation on mineral sites, derelict land and unused agricultural land
  • Core Strategy Policy CS17 protects existing features, seeks to produce a net gain in biodiversity and supports wildlife enhancements that contribute to the habitat restoration targets set out in the North Lincolnshire Nature Map and in national, regional and local biodiversity action plans
  • The Lincolnshire Lakes Area Action Plan states that, “Ecological enhancements and new habitat creation to diversify the range of habitats (e.g., grasslands, wetlands, woodlands) and support biodiversity should be integrated into all proposals”. The adopted design guide sets the requirements out in detail

Fleet

  • Our waste disposal fleet currently utilises the most efficient engines available for waste disposal vehicles, ensuring that they minimise their potential disruptive impact on biodiversity in our region
  • Other areas are switching to electric vehicles where possible, with the same positive impact on local biodiversity

Decision making and procurement

  • Positive and negative biodiversity impacts of decisions are assessed through the Integrated Impact Assessment process, which must be completed for all key decisions
  • For contracts valued over £100,000, we ask tenderers to submit a social value offer measured against NLC TOMs (Themes, Outcomes and Measures) with a minimum of two measures which increases to five measures on procurements valued above £207,720
  • Social Value submissions are evaluated alongside price and quality criteria. Enhancing biodiversity is one way organisations are encouraged to deliver social value, and over £15,000 has been invested and donated to conservation initiatives in North Lincolnshire

Priority 4: Prepare for biodiversity net gain

  • Made use of the District Level Licensing Scheme for great crested newts to streamline the provision of a net gain for this protected species
  • Before Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) became mandatory in 2024, we already used baseline habitat surveys and biodiversity metrics to secure a measurable net gain in biodiversity value in terms of habitat, hedgerow and river units. This approach was applied to those applications with the greatest impact. Several developers were able to deliver offsite BNG on their own landholdings – often by providing other neutral grassland or by planting trees and scrub. Other developers made financial contributions through section 106 planning agreements. These funds will be used to provide offsite BNG though a landowner grant scheme

Short-term actions agreed from 2024 onwards

Priority 1: Manage land to improve biodiversity

Cutting and Mowing Reduction

  • Implement cutting reduction measures to allow natural flora and fauna to flourish
  • Develop a seasonal cutting plan for intertown networks to strategically manage vegetation
  • Establish guidelines for coordinated mowing schedules and formalize restricted mowing zones
  • Install signage in these zones to denote them as environmental areas
  • Add restricted mowing zones to the GIS system for better tracking and management

How we performed: Staff changes have meant that actions have been approached in a different way but work in this area continues

Woodbine Park, Brigg Enhancement

  • Allocate space within Woodbine Park for Biodiversity initiatives
  • Designate areas for shrubs, indigenous trees, and other environmentally friendly features

How we performed: Staff changes have meant that actions have been approached in a different way but work in this area continues

Town Centres

  • Introduce carefully chosen planting and horticulture initiatives in Church Square to promote biodiversity growth in town centres

How we performed: The planting was carried out as planned. Plant vigour has been monitored and alternative species have been introduced where losses have occurred

Development & Enhancement

  • Continue with and expand our tree-planting efforts across North Lincolnshire to meet and exceed our 250,000 target
  • Improve water channels at Waters’ Edge Local Nature Reserve, taking into account the limited time available due to nesting birds
  • Installing Wildlife Cameras, bird boxes and bat boxes at Waters’ Edge
  • Hedge laying will take place at Waters’ Edge, providing more habitats in this area

How we performed:

  • By January 2026, the number of trees planted and recorded on our tree counter was 185,593
  • In every press release we put out we stress why it is vital to plant trees – to offset carbon, provide wildlife habitats, increase biodiversity
  • We used the Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund to employ a Woodland Creation Officer to promote tree planting and a Historic Environment Records Assistant to ensure that tree planting projects do not harm the historic environment
  • Water vole ditches have been cleared by hand with strimmers and rakes Wildlife cameras were installed as part of a surveillance project introduced in 2024/2025
  • A school group installed bird boxes at Waters’ Edge which are now active

Maintenance of Existing Sites

  • Promote reed cutting at Alkborough Flats: large scale site management is required to maintain this space
  • Enhance our existing drains and ditches at Alkborough Flats to provide greater sites for wading birds

How we performed: We used our amphibious reed cutter in the new reedbed channels to further reduce reed encroachment. Channels are now wide throughout, creating feeding habitat for bittern and more open water for water birds and water voles. The water is flowing well and clear

Normanby Hall Country Park- additional actions

How we performed:

  • We have an on-going project to develop and improve our bird feeding area, where in early 2025 we installed a new bird hide. We also constructed a walkway around the area to allow people to pass through, without disturbing the wildlife. We have also began constructing dead hedging around the perimeter of the bird feeding area to provide cover and nesting areas, as well as planting a variety of native trees.
  • We are currently growing oak trees in our nursery from acorns collected from within the park. These will be planted in the woodland and other areas to replace trees that we have lost to age or storm damage. We have also planted other native species in key areas within the woodland which is part of an on-going project to reduce the dominance of non-native trees such as sycamore and replace them with more diverse selection of native trees
  • We began introducing more biodiversity into the hay meadow in 2024/25 by sowing a seed mix of native wildflowers and grasses to the existing sward. In spring 2025 we opened part of the hay meadow to the public for the first time for the duration of the spring and summer. We did this by mowing a small meandering pathway through the meadow to allow access. This was well received by our visitors as it holds an abundance of interesting wildflowers and insects

Priority 2: Educate, advise and raise awareness

Corporate Communication on Nature Conservation

  • Develop a corporate message to inform the public about the purpose of leaving certain areas to grow
  • Emphasise the importance of supporting nature conservation efforts in public communications

How we performed:

  • The Green Future web pages have been refreshed and rewritten to include recent developments and present the council’s plans to the public in a clear and accessible way
  • An internal campaign to increase awareness of the organisation’s plans and commitment to a Green Future among the workforce took place. This has resulted in more teams taking part in volunteering, such as litter picking and tree-planting. It also helps them spread the word about biodiversity among the wider population
  • To produce the Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a public survey was held on the Let’s Talk Lincolnshire website in 2023 and detailed consultations were held with groups of landowners and developers in 2024
    The results showed what is most important to local people in terms of nature and fed into the draft LNRS. The draft LNRS is out for public consultation in January and February 2026.
  • The public are kept informed of the biodiversity work do they may not be aware of; when trees on Barton upon Humber roundabout were cut back, communications with the public stressed the work that was also being carried out to increase biodiversity in the area
  • News of the transformation of a disused urban space into community allotments suitable for youngsters and people with disabilities was received positively, with more people volunteering to help at the new facility
  • Schools and Academies are encouraged to participate in education schemes like Eco Schools, Energy sparks and support community gardens like the Ashby Community Garden
  • Local Career Fairs now include sustainable careers presentations and qualification opportunities

Educational Initiatives in Parks and Nature Reserves

  • Allocate a budget for heritage and educational boards in Central Park
  • Develop educational boards for the Humber Bridge Viewing Area, covering history, local flora, and fauna
  • Plan for educational boards in other large open spaces, parks, and nature reserves in the coming years
  • Interpretation and Information boards to be installed at Local Nature Reserves to inform and educate residents and visitors on local biodiversity

How we performed:

  • The majority of Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and large green spaces that the LNR and Arboriculture team manage, have information panels that not only inform visitors about the local biodiversity but also provide historical and geological information
  • We now plan to secure funds to design and implement an information panel at the Humber Bridge Viewing Area
  • We are considering which other large open spaces can be improved with interpretation materials
  • We installed a new information board installed at Ashby Ville Local Nature Reserve to inform people about the biodiversity within the newly planted orchard

Events

  • Invitations will be extended to relevant organisations to attend any events where biodiversity can be promoted. Our ‘Discover Day’ Event in April, for example, represents a prime opportunity to inform and engage the public alongside our many partners in this area

Priority 3: Review internal policies and processes

Parks Strategy

  • Utilise available funds (e.g. section 106 planning agreements) to prioritise environmental development and ensure parks are a green area to enhance biodiversity as well as a recreational space
  • Implement a management plan with defined Key Performance Indicators and a tracking system to monitor progress
  • The plan should prioritise planting quality over quantity, focusing on native bushes and trees to enrich the habitat

How we performed: Staff changes have meant that actions have been approached in a different way but work in this area continues

Introduce New Policies

  • In line with a recent Cabinet Report, request UK origin wildflower seed mix to be laid when verges are dug up for engineering and other works

How we performed: This measure is still waiting to be introduced

Update & Expand Existing Policies

  • Consider what changes are required to existing council strategies to incorporate the biodiversity duty
  • The council is considering enhancing its Impact Assessments by the addition of a more detailed environmental and sustainability assessment to ensure the impacts and benefits of decisions with environmental and biodiversity impacts are fully considered. Implement the North Lincolnshire Local Plan, which will propose a new policy that will protect internationally, nationally and locally important sites, natural capital, ecosystem services, protected and priority species, ancient woodland and other habitats. It will secure a measurable net gain in biodiversity value of at least 10%, for all but very minor planning applications
  • The Local Plan has recently undertaken the ‘Initial Engagement consultation stage with the public on priorities for growth and infrastructure and a Call for Sites addendum to consider existing and additional sites to meet the area’s development needs. This occurred in May 2025. A review of strategies is included as Appendix 2

Priority 4: Prepare for biodiversity net gain

Prioritising Biodiversity

  • Incorporate Biodiversity enhancements within road design, for example with Barton and Brigg link roads. Existing features, such as the watercourse, must also be protected
  • Produce a supplementary planning document on Biodiversity

How we performed:

  • The Barton link road gained planning permission on 06 September 2024. The scheme is expected to deliver a 58 % net gain in habitat units and 125 % net gain in hedgerow units. Over 2 hectares of neutral grassland will be created
  • A supplementary planning document on Biodiversity is no longer planned, but enhanced policies will be included in the new Local Plan

Longer-term actions agreed from 2024 onwards

Priority 1: Manage land to improve biodiversity

Reducing Herbicide Weed Killer Usage

  • Establish measures to reduce the use of herbicide weed killers
  • Transition to non-chemical weed killers to promote environmentally friendly practices

How we are performing:

  • Weed treatment has been devolved to Parish Councils outside of Scunthorpe. They will continue with herbicide treatment. Scunthorpe will also continue with herbicide treatment

Hedgehog Protection

  • Implement careful and seasonal hedge cutting practices to avoid harm to hedgehogs
  • Develop guidelines for landscaping companies and residents to ensure hedgehog-friendly cutting

How we are performing:

  • Staff changes have meant that actions have been approached in a different way but work in this area continues

Development

  • Develop landscape-scale habitat restoration projects with partners
  • Add guidance for developers about using specialised gullies in developments that prevent the entrapment of amphibians

How we are performing:

  • We are working with habitat banks and the Ancholme Catchment Partnership to develop landscape-scale projects in the Vale of Ancholme
  • Many planning permissions are granted with a planning condition requiring a species protection plan. This often requires details of road gullies and surface water drainage infrastructure designed to minimise harm to amphibians

Enhancing Current Sites

  • Area around Belton recycling centre is currently maintained, but efforts could be made to enhance biodiversity at this site
  • The council owned section of Hibaldstow Airfield could be cleared of concrete and used to enhance biodiversity, particularly as there is no viable alternative use for this land
  • Commercial sites that are long-term disused and where habitat has developed could be de-allocated and converted into biodiversity-centric sites

How we are performing:

  • A three-hectare woodland was planted around Belton recycling centre in 2014. We continue to monitor the growth of the trees and are planning to replant any losses

Priority 2: Educate, advise and raise awareness

Engaging Landowners

  • Collaborate with British Steel, the next biggest landowner in Scunthorpe, to promote Biodiversity Net Gain
  • Encourage other landowners, including farmers, to engage in biodiversity initiatives
  • Explore opportunities for biannual cutting of hawthorn hedges on farmland to enhance biodiversity
  • Expand guidance relating to biodiversity to include all local businesses, rather than just new and expanding businesses in the area

How we are performing:

  • North Lincolnshire Council, in partnership with British Steel Limited and central government have been exploring the options available to the region and country to look to redevelop the under-utilised parcels of land on the site. A key cornerstone of the ambition will be seeking to blend the natural environment into a modern industrial landscape, creating an environment to attract businesses and staff
  • We work through Humber Forest to provide support and funding for landowners wanting to plant woodlands and hedgerows
  • We are working with three emerging habitat banks to diversify farm incomes and provide biodiversity offsets for biodiversity net gain through planning
  • We help Natural England to promote District Level Licensing pond creation for great crested newts
  • North Lincolnshire Council’s Economic Growth Team has continued to work closely with businesses, both local firms and inward investors, to support their expansion plans and ensure that developments meet the minimum Biodiversity Net Gain requirements. Wherever possible, we are also encouraging delivery beyond the required standard. This approach is demonstrated through our work on the Humber & Elsham Tech Park developments, where the Council has actively promoted the achievement of biodiversity net gain more than the 10% requirement across the sites
  • Our engagement with developers and businesses looking to expand embeds the need to engage early and proactively with regional stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain targets. This includes promote the DAS service offered by Natural England whilst also promoting the Humber Nature Partnership and the Greater Lincolnshire wide Green Investment in Greater Lincolnshire provision. We promote, where viable, the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain on development sites but where undeliverable for economic growth, we promote offsite mitigation as a last resort

Targeting the Next Generation for Environmental Education

  • Develop educational programmes targeting the next generation through schools and community initiatives
  • Raise awareness about the environmental movement and the importance of biodiversity conservation

How we are performing:

  • Schools and Academies are encouraged to participate in education schemes like Eco Schools, Energy Sparks and support community gardens like the Ashby Community Garden

Inform & Engage Local Residents

  • Update webpages on NLC website. Add QR codes to information boards at green sites to take residents straight to relevant information about the site they are on such as wildlife and plants in that area
  • Organise events for local residents that are specifically themed around nature and biodiversity in North Lincolnshire

How we are performing:

  • The long-term commitment to encourage people to plant trees continues as we approach our target of 250,000 new plantings. Everyone from landowners, businesses, schools, community groups, families and individuals have been targeted, and the tree counter on our website now stands at more than 185,500
  • Hundreds of new electric vehicle chargepoints are set be rolled out across the region, and an electric vehicle roadshow helped bust myths about electric cars and vans
  • The council continues to shine a spotlight on litterers and fly-tippers, with regular round-ups of prosecutions and fines, acting as a deterrent to perpetrators
  • Regular shout-outs and thank-yous to our army (more than 1,000) of local litter picking volunteers makes them feel appreciated and encourages more people to join them
  • We installed self-service ‘litterpicking pods’ in green spaces across the area so residents can take the initiative and collect rubbish while they are visiting

Priority 3: Review internal policies and processes

Council Budget Reprioritisation for BNG

  • Reallocate council budgets to prioritise Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) initiatives
  • Emphasize the importance of BNG provision in urban planning and development

Introducing New Policies

  • Aim to introduce a new ‘invasive species policy’ to properly tackle these threats to biodiversity.

Update & Expand Existing Policies

  • Update management plans for all NLC-Owned nature reserves and woodlands

Reducing Regional Pollution

• Moving to a green waste disposal fleet when the technology and resources are available to do so

How we are performing:

  • All Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and numerous other green spaces such as Bottesford Beck, Alkborough Flats, Twigmoor Woods and Broughton Pocket Park have a management plan
  • Public Health staff have reviewed the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy to emphasise the links between well-managed biodiversity and human health and wellbeing
  • In Highways, works continue to de-illuminate bollards, de-illuminating de-regulated traffic signs and converting traditional sign lighting over to LED where still required
  • Highways have further reduced salt spread rates in line with DfT guidance in doing so reducing the amount of salt spread on the network
  • Gritting routes have been rationalised from 9 to 8 whilst treating the same route lengths therefore using one less vehicle to achieve fuel savings and reduce emissions over the Winter season

Priority 4: Prepare for biodiversity net gain

How we are performing:

  • We are working with three emerging habitat banks to diversify farm incomes and provide biodiversity offsets for biodiversity net gain (BNG) through planning
  • We have started using biodiversity net gain software to streamline the assessment of biodiversity metrics
  • We are establishing a charging schedule for monitoring fees to cover the costs of monitoring net gain sites for 30 years
  • We are developing a landowner grant scheme to use money from pre-mandatory BNG section 106 planning agreements to pay for the creation and restoration of habitats affected by development

Pyramidal Orchid growing wild in a field

Fly agaric is a mushroom identified by its red and white spotted cap

Nettle-leaved bellflower growing wild in a field in the sunshine

Challenges in delivering the Biodiversity Duty

While the new duty offers an opportunity for councils to put biodiversity higher up the agenda, it also presents a number of challenges worthy of consideration:

  1. Resources – Limited resources present a significant challenge when seeking to enhance local biodiversity as funding available for certain projects is likely to be minimal. We continue to prioritise low-cost actions that can benefit local biodiversity, such as reducing mowing and providing advice to local businesses and services. However, a lack of funding could pose barriers to more ambitious projects, such as the possibility of removing concrete from the derelict council owned section of Hibaldstow Airfield and using this area as habitat. To mitigate this, we will continue to monitor and bid for any relevant government grants that could be used to fund larger-scale biodiversity projects.
  2. Non-native species – The threat of non-native and invasive species to biodiversity is clear. These species, whether flora or fauna, can threaten the survival of a wide range of native species in the areas that they become established. As a result, ensuring new species do not become established is a key priority. For example, over the past few years there have been efforts nationally and across Europe to prevent the establishment of the Asian Hornet which appears to have arrived in freight.Working with the Waterlife Recovery Trust, the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership and others, we are helping to trap non-native American minks from our watercourses, working towards the eradication of this species from eastern England.
  3. Barriers to access to nature – Evidence suggests that people in the most deprived areas usually have the poorest health and less access to green spaces. Moreover, even when people have green space on their doorstep, not everyone accesses it. A Natural England report (2011) explored some of the reasons people do not access green space:
    • Safety concerns
    • Uncertainty over whether the spaces are private
    • Poorly maintained green spaces
    • Poor health
    • Lack of time
    • Not wanting to go on their own
    • Not having transport to get to green spaces
    • Not knowing what activities could be done in green spaces
    • Lack of knowledge about where green spaces are
    • Poor weather

Meaningful consultation with community groups across North Lincolnshire will provide insight into what is most needed to initiate engagement with the natural environment, and will guide our work to reduce these inequalities, helping residents to connect with nature to improve their health and wellbeing.

Implementation and monitoring

This report has highlighted an ambitious set of actions that will necessitate a coordinated approach both within the council and through working with partners. It is envisaged that the short-term and long-term actions will represent a ‘live document’, in that the actions set out can be reviewed and updated to meet changing priorities, legislation and funding opportunities.

To ensure sound governance, we will ensure that there is a nominated team lead to co-ordinate the implementation and monitoring of these actions:

  • All actions will be added to a monitoring spreadsheet and a performance dashboard will be developed to track progress
  • An annual report on progress will be produced and presented to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Strategy. This report will also set out priorities for the forthcoming year
  • This work will, from now on, be coordinated through our working group for “A Green Future”
  • The council will continue to report on statutory indicators such as Biodiversity Net Gain and Single Data 160 (which measures the percentage of designated Local Wildlife Sites and Local Geological Sites that are being positively managed for nature conservation)

Appendix 1: Biodiversity Net Gain Through Development Management

12 February 2024 to 31 December 2025

Eligible planning permissions granted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requiring biodiversity net gain

ID Consented applications requiring net gains Number Proportion (%)
A Total number of planning permissions granted that require biodiversity net gain in the reporting period 855 Not applicable
B Total number of planning permissions granted in the reporting period where an exemption to the biodiversity net gain condition applies 559 Not applicable
C Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period 9 Not applicable
D Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period securing BNG through on-site units only 5 55.56
E Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period securing BNG through off-site units only 1 11.11
F Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period securing BNG through statutory credits only 0 0.00
G Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period securing BNG through a combination of on-site and off-site units 3 33.33
H Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period securing BNG through a combination of on-site units and statutory credits 0 0.00
I Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period securing BNG through a combination of off-site units and statutory credits 0 0.00
J Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period securing BNG through a combination of on-site, off-site units and statutory credits 0 0.00

Overall expected gains and losses across all biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period

ID Overall expected gains and losses Area habitat Hedgerow Watercourse
A Total number of pre-development biodiversity units approved on-site 14.62 0.70 0.28
B Total number of post-development biodiversity units approved on-site 16.11 2.79 0.52
C Total net unit change in biodiversity units, on-site 1.49 2.09 0.24
D Average percentage (%) change in biodiversity units, on-site 10.17 300.48 86.72
E Total number of baseline biodiversity units approved off-site 0.84 0.00 0.00
F Total number of post-intervention biodiversity units approved off-site 3.48 0.18 0.00
G Total net unit change in biodiversity units, off-site 2.63 0.18 0.00
H Average percentage (%) change in biodiversity units, off-site 312.55 0.00 0.00
I Total number of biodiversity units offset using statutory credits 0.00 0.00 0.00
J Total net unit change in biodiversity units (including any units offset using credits) 4.12 2.27 0.24
K Average percentage (%) change (including statutory credits) 26.64 326.34 86.72

Impact on Irreplaceable Habitat

ID Impact on irreplaceable habitat Total Proportion (%)
A Total number of biodiversity gain plans approved in the reporting period where the on-site change negatively impacts irreplaceable habitats 0 0.00

Location of off-site biodiversity units

ID Location of off-site biodiversity units Total Proportion (%)
A Number of off-site biodiversity units located inside LPA boundary or NCA of impact site 0.70 19.11
B Number of off-site biodiversity units located outside LPA or NCA of impact site, but in neighbouring LPA or NCA 2.04 55.87
C Number of off-site biodiversity units located outside of LPA or NCA of impact site and neighbouring LPA or NCA 0.91 25.02

Results of monitoring biodiversity gains
Not applicable- monitoring is not yet underway

Composition of biodiversity gains - areas

ID Habitat Type – Area Total biodiversity units at baseline Total hectares at baseline Total biodiversity units post – development Total hectares post – development Net change in biodiversity units Net change in hectares
A Cropland 3.88 1.94 0.20 0.10 -3.68 -1.84
B Grassland 8.93 1.79 13.86 2.16 4.93 0.37
C Heathland and shrub 0.03 0.01 0.36 0.07 0.33 0.06
D Lakes 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
E Sparsely vegetated land 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
F Urban 0.00 0.40 0.89 1.77 0.34 1.37
G Wetland 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
H Woodland and forest 0.00 0.00 0.19 0.06 0.19 0.06
I Intertidal sediment 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
J Coastal Saltmarsh 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
K Rocky shore 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
L Coastal lagoons 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
M Intertitle hard structures 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
N Watercourse footprint Not applicable 0.00 Not applicable 0.00 Not applicable 0.00
O Individual trees 2.08 0.18 4.08 0.81 2.01 0.64
Total 15.47 4.32 19.59 4.97 4.12 0.65

Composition of biodiversity gains - hedgerows and lines of trees

ID Habitat type – hedgerows and lines of trees Total biodiversity units at baseline Total kilometres at baseline Total biodiversity units post – development Total kilometres post – development Net change in biodiversity units Net change in kilometres
A Species-rich native hedgerow with trees – associated with bank or ditch 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
B Species-rich native hedgerow with trees 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
C Species-rich native hedgerow – associated with bank or ditch 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
D Native hedgerow with trees – associated with bank or ditch 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
E Species-rich native hedgerow 0.00 0.00 1.30 0.20 1.30 0.20
F Native hedgerow – associated with bank or ditch 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
G Native hedgerow with trees 0.00 0.00 1.02 0.17 1.02 0.17
H Ecologically valuable line of trees 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
I Ecologically valuable line of trees – associated with bank or ditch 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
J Native hedgerow 0.70 0.15 0.65 0.14 -0.05 -0.01
K Line of trees 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
L Line of trees – associated with bank or ditch 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
M Non-native and ornamental hedgerow 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 0.70 0.15 2.97 0.50 2.27 0.35

Composition of biodiversity gains - watercourses

ID Habitat type  watercourse Total biodiversity units at baseline Total kilometres at baseline Total biodiversity units post – development Total kilometres post – development Net change in biodiversity units Net change in kilometres
A Priority habitat 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
B Other rivers and streams 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
C Ditches 0.28 0.09 0.52 0.09 0.24 0.00
D Canals 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
E Culvert 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 0.28 0.09 0.52 0.09 0.24 0.00

Appendix 2: our Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures

Policy Current position Recommended action
Council Plan 2022-25 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
Productivity Plan Environmental Stewardship: Maintaining a well connected and cared-for environment. Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
Adult Strategy 2023-25 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
Community First Strategy 2023-26 Sustainability will be at the heart of all that we do. We will take responsibility and enable positive action on the environment. We will make sure our Community First Transformation is safe for the environment, self-sustaining and provides opportunities for everyone by connecting people with nature so they benefit from improved health and well-being. No change needed
North Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2035 We must improve the wellbeing of everyone in North Lincolnshire and we must protect and enhance our ‘place’ – including protecting our environment. No change needed
Helping Children and Families in North Lincolnshire – refresh 2025/26 No reference to biodiversity Not relevant? Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan- only if relevant
Autism Plan 2022-2026 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan. There is evidence that access to nature can help the wellbeing of autistic people: Wellbeing in nature – how being outside can help autistic people’s wellbeing
Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-2028 No reference to biodiversity Not relevant
Carers’ Strategy 2022-26 No reference to biodiversity Not relevant
One Family Approach Partnership Strategy 2025-29 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
Care Experienced Children and Young People’s Partnership Plan 2025-2027 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan- perhaps in the context of equality of access to the benefits of nature.
A Green Future
  • Encourage the growth of native trees, protect ancient woodland, and plant an additional 250,000 trees and hedgerows.
  • Ensure all developments in North Lincolnshire minimise their environmental impacts and deliver a measurable net gain in biodiversity of at least 10%.
  • Enhance biodiversity and integrate access to green spaces into the planning of new and existing community spaces.
  • By 2025, the council will have adopted a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for Greater Lincolnshire.
 No change needed
Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 Local Transport Goal 2 – Reduce transport related carbon dioxide emissions and protect and enhance the natural and built environment through sustainable transport solutions No change needed
Youth Justice Plan 2024 – 2025 No reference to biodiversity Not relevant
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2016 In promoting projects, measures will be considered where environmental improvements could be made to help improve biodiversity and cultural assets, protect critical infrastructure, and support regeneration and economic growth. No change needed
Waste Strategy 2012-30 Biodiversity considered in Strategic Environmental Assessment No change needed
North Lincolnshire Local Development Framework. Core Strategy 2011-2026 CS17: BIODIVERSITY
The council will promote effective stewardship of North Lincolnshire’s wildlife through:

  1. Safeguarding national and international protected sites for nature conservation from inappropriate development.
  2. Appropriate consideration being given to European and nationally important habitats and species.
  3. Maintaining and promoting a North Lincolnshire network of local wildlife sites and corridors, links and stepping stones between areas of natural green space.
  4. Ensuring development retains, protects and enhances features of biological and geological interest and provides for the appropriate management of these features.
  5. Ensuring development seeks to produce a net gain in biodiversity by designing in wildlife, and ensuring any unavoidable impacts are appropriately mitigated for.
  6. Supporting wildlife enhancements that contribute to the habitat restoration targets set out in the North Lincolnshire’s Nature Map and in national, regional and local biodiversity action plans.
  7. Improving access to and education/interpretation of biodiversity sites for tourism and the local population, providing their ecological integrity is not harmed.
 No change needed
North Lincolnshire Economic Growth Plan 2023-2028 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
North Lincolnshire Skills and Employability Plan 2023-2028 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
Financial Strategy No reference to biodiversity Not relevant? Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan- only if relevant
Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy 2021 No reference to biodiversity Not relevant
Enforcement Policy 2024/25 We will only prosecute in circumstances where a defendant has acted unlawfully and we have the power to do. This may include when a defendant’s actions are likely to cause material loss or harm to others, or where they have ignored or are likely to ignore, written warnings or formal notices, endangered, to a serious degree, the health, safety or wellbeing of people, animals or the environment No change needed
The North Lincolnshire Council Constitution No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty
North Lincolnshire Council – Customer Complaints & Contact Policy No reference to biodiversity Not relevant
Risk & Opportunity Protocol 2020–2024 No reference to biodiversity Introduce reference to biodiversity duty in next plan
North Lincolnshire Council – Flag Flying Policy No reference to biodiversity Not relevant