Moray Council Report onBiodiversity Duty 2011 to 2014Under the Nature and Conservation (Scotland)Act (2004), all public bodies are required tofurther the conservation of biodiversity whencarrying out their responsibilities. The Wildlifeand Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011requires public bodies in Scotland to produce apublicly available report every three years. Thisduty is aimed at connecting people and theirenvironment and not about protecting specificspecies or sites.

The information contained within this report setsout the work Moray Council has undertaken tomeet biodiversity duties from 2011 to 2014. Thereport is structured around the following keyareas governance, actions, mainstreaming,partnership and communication and in additionto this identifies future actions.

GovernanceBiodiversity is referenced within Moray 2023 inthe context of climate change and sustainability.Moray 2023 is the Moray Community PlanningPartnerships 10 year plan that sets out thestrategic priorities for Moray. There are no targetsor milestones identified for biodiversity andtherefore it is deemed to be a lower priority.

The internal and external governancearrangements for biodiversity are set out in thediagram opposite.

Report on Biodiversity Duty 2011 - 2014 1

COMMUNITYENGAGEMENT GROUP

MORAY COMMUNITYPLANNING BOARD

SUSTAINABILTY ANDCOMMUNITY GROUP

PRIORITY AREASENERGY/CARBON

FLOODINGHOUSING

NON PRIORITY AREASCOASTAL/MARINEBIODIVERSITY

FOOD NETWORKS

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

DEVELOPMENTSERVICES

DIRECT SERVICES

PLANNING ANDDEVELOPMENT FLOODING LANDS & PARKS

LOCAL PLANPREPARATION

PLANNINGAPPLICATIONS

DEVELOPMENT OFFLOOD SCHEMES

MANAGEMENTOF COUNCIL

LAND/GROUNDS

Biodiversity interest*

* * * *

ActionsThere are a number of actions that have beenundertaken by the Council to conserve and enhancebiodiversity and these are set out below.

The Flood Schemes in Forres and Elgin haveincorporated soft engineering to replace vegetationso that, over time, the landscape that was affected byflood defence construction will be restored. Withinthe flood schemes plant species have been selectedto replicate the natural habitats found on the riverbanks. Tree planting has been designed to mix trees,shrubs and other species to improve diversity.Wildflower meadows have been planted to increasethe diversity of insect life.

The Council manages non native species such asGiant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed and HimalayanBalsam on sites in its ownership in line with TheWildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2012.

The Council’s Ranger section runs a series ofeducational workshop events which are open to thegeneral public and liaises closely with the localsecondary schools and their curriculum. Within itsavailable budget the Council works with communitiesto involve them more in decisions about theirenvironment.

As part of its woodland management the Council aimsto ensure continuous cover in all its woods and thatthey are available at all times for amenity access. Muchof the green waste produced by the Council is re-usedas compost material, mulch or footpath surfacing.

The Moray Core Path Plan was adopted in 2012 andsubject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).The Plan identifies a sufficient and integrated networkof “core paths” as a framework providing for all forms ofrecreational access including walking, cycling, horseriding, canoeing etc within the Moray Area.

Report on Biodiversity Duty 2011 - 20142

Lhanbryde Flood Scheme

Report on Biodiversity Duty 2011 - 2014 3

Future Actionsg There are plans and funding in place to construct a

pedestrian/cycle network along the Elgin flood

scheme that runs to the edge of the settlement

promoting improved access to the countryside.

g Wards Wildlife site, Elgin- renew interpretation and

access facilities

g Clunyhill Wood, Forres – fell some dominant tree

species and replant with a more diverse range of

hardwood species.

g Carry out a review of the Core Path Plan before

2016.

MainstreamingMainstreaming biodiversity into new development isseen as the Councils main means of achieving positiveoutcomes in terms of biodiversity.

The Council as Planning Authority has a remit toembed biodiversity into new development throughthe determination of planning applications takingaccount of Local Development Plan policies andguidance.

The Local Development Plan policies and landallocations were subject to Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment procedures with specific objectivesrelating to biodiversity and specifically the protectionand enhancement of biodiversity and the landscape.A Habitats Regulations Assessment Record was alsoprepared to ensure no significant adverse impact onprotected species.

Bid site checklists were completed for all newdevelopment sites being introduced which includedbiodiversity, green spaces, green networks andlandscape considerations. In addition to this ScottishNatural Heritage were consulted on each identifiedsite. The Local Development Plan is currently with theScottish Government for Examination and there areno objections from Scottish Natural Heritage.

Climate Change Supplementary Guidance has beenproduced and this makes specific reference to theintegration of landscaping and drainage solutions andthe creation of blue and green networks to benefitbiodiversity. Climate Change and Placemaking areprimary policy drivers that will impact on biodiversityby promoting a more strategic approach to landscapeand biodiversity provision by looking outside siteboundaries and making linkages to existing greenspaces to create habitat corridors. There are a smallnumber of sites within the Local Development Planidentified as requiring advanced landscaping prior toplanning applications being submitted.

Masterplans are currently being developed forFindrassie in Elgin and Dallas Dhu in Forres, whereScottish Natural Heritage have been involved in theprocess, engaged in workshops to embedbiodiversity/green networks into the plans.

Future MainstreamingThere are future areas of work that will furthermainstream biodiversity as follows.

g Preparation of an Open Space Strategy in 2016.

g Rolling programme of masterplans and

development briefs which will reference provision

of green networks and integration of SUDS and

landscaping.

g In line with Scottish Government policy the

Council is currently researching how to implement

compensatory planting which includes the best

means to enhance biodiversity.

PartnershipThe Moray Council has worked closely with Scottish

Natural Heritage in the last few years on thepreparation of the Moray Local Development Plan.This partnership includes working together in thepreparation of Strategic Environmental Assessment(SEA), Habitat Regulations Assessment requirementsand providing detailed input on proposed allocationsto ensure the plan supports the protection andenhancement of biodiversity. There is also a closeworking relationship to ensure the conservation andmanagement of any Sites of Special Scientific Interestin the Council’s ownership.

The Council is part of the North East ScotlandBiodiversity Partnership with representatives drawnfrom a range of organisations including localauthorities, conservation, environmental and researchorganisations, statutory agencies, local businessesand individuals. The aim of the Partnership is to worktogether to protect and enhance local biodiversitythrough the delivery of a Local Biodiversity ActionPlan (LBAP).

The Council works closely with the ForestryCommission where a core path crosses their land andwork is ongoing with the organisation to implementthe Scottish Government’s Woodland Removal Policywhich seeks compensatory planting for the loss ofwoodland.

The Countryside Ranger assists communities andother public bodies as part of the Scottish MinkInitiative that aims to protect native wildlife byremoving breeding American mink from northScotland and the Highlands. The Council also workswith other public bodies as part of the Findhorn BayNature Reserve management committee.

CommunicationAs part of the Local Plan process and development of

the flood schemes across Moray, the Council hasundertaken significant community consultation. Theenvironment was a key theme at the 16 LocalDevelopment Plan engagement events held acrossMoray in the 3 year reporting period. In terms ofcommunication with staff, there are regularnewsletters issued that included articles on climatechange and sustainability issues includingbiodiversity. The Ranger Service provides a summerevents programme, interpretive talks, school visitsand guided walks.

Contact DetailsEmma GordonPlanning OfficerThe Moray Counciltel: 01343 563292email: emma.gordon@moray.gov.uk

Report on Biodiversity Duty 2011 - 20144

Report on Biodiversity Duty 2011 - 2014 5