Biodiversity net gain and the true Cost to you
At the latest meeting, a cabinet member refused to read out these questions and answers — a task that would have taken no more than five minutes. The reason given was "length." That doesn't wash. Five minutes is not an unreasonable request in a democratic forum, and using "length" as a shield is a weak attempt to shut down scrutiny.
This is especially disappointing from a Green‑led administration that constantly urges residents to reduce their carbon footprint. Many people, including opposition councillors, now rely on the webcast instead of travelling. But if key information isn't spoken aloud, anyone watching from home is effectively excluded. You can't tell people to stay home for the planet and then deny them access to the full discussion.
And when you look at the written answers themselves, the picture gets even more concerning.
The refusal to read the questions aloud, combined with the lack of clear answers, paints a worrying picture. Transparency is being eroded. Scrutiny is being brushed aside. Evidence‑based decision‑making is nowhere to be seen.
A five‑minute reading would have ensured that everyone — including those watching sustainably from home — could hear the questions, hear the answers, and understand what the council is actually doing.
Openness should be automatic. Accountability should be non‑negotiable.
If the administration wants to talk about sustainability and public engagement, it needs to start by ensuring the public can actually hear what's going on.
Here are the questions and the written responses
Member Questions
Cabinet
Thursday 15 January 2026
Question 1 - The Progressive Independent Group
Report E200 is seeking approval of the Council's annual Biodiversity Duty Report,
which is a legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021. It sets out actions
already undertaken, future actions, and Biodiversity Net Gain reporting.
We recognise that publishing a Biodiversity Duty Report is mandatory. However, the
extensive list of actions within it is not. That distinction matters, because
discretionary commitments carry costs, resource implications, and potential impacts
on planning and land availability.
Which actions in this plan are genuine legal requirements, and which are
Discretionary choices the Administration has opted to take on?
Response from Councillor Jackie Fraser, Cabinet Member for Environment;
The Government has set out guidance for Local Authorities in respect of
Biodiversity Duty reporting requirements.
By law, the report must include:
a summary of the action you've taken to comply with the biodiversity
duty
how you plan to comply with the biodiversity duty in the next
reporting period
any other information you consider appropriate
Reports from local planning authorities must also include the following
biodiversity net gain (BNG) information:
the actions you've carried out to meet BNG obligations
details of BNG resulting, or expected to result, from biodiversity gain
plans you've approved
how you plan to meet BNG obligations in the next reporting period
Reporting your biodiversity duty actions - GOV.UK
Member Questions
Cabinet
Thursday 15 January 2026
Question 2 - The Progressive Independent Group
What assessment has been made of the extra cost these measures could place on
planning applicants — particularly small builders and residents making modest homes
improvements?
Response from Councillor Jackie Fraser, Cabinet Member for Environment;
In respect of planning in relation to applicants i.e. Development Management,
The focus of the current work is in response to national legal and regulatory
requirements for example, Biodiversity Net Gain, the Habitats Regulations,
National Planning Policy Framework and Protected Species and habitats.
The Forest of Dean is rightly renowned for its environment and the shared
and common goods and services it provides to us all. This places a
responsibility on the council and applicants to help ensure a full healthy
environment is passed on to future generations. The council works to support
applicants to understand, these sometimes-complex requirements and
options that can help resolve problems. For example, the Council operates a
district licencing scheme for Great Crested Newts that provides a clear and
cost-effective option for applicants. Applicants are also encouraged to seek
ecological advice at the earliest stage, as addressing issues and options at as
soon as possible is predominantly the most cost effective.
I am not aware of any independent assessment of costs of these types
requirements for the Forest of Dean District area.
The wider work such as developing the Nature and Climate Strategy and 'no
mow may' relate to the council plan. It is work that supports the biodiversity
recovery but is not something the Council is required to report on.
Member Questions
Cabinet
Thursday 15 January 2026
Question 3 - The Progressive Independent Group
What analysis has been carried out on how these proposals will affect housing
delivery and land availability, including the impact of the 30x30 target and new
designations?
Response from Councillor Jackie Fraser, Cabinet Member for Environment;
Through the local plan we are seeking to establish the best balance between
meeting the required government targets, supporting forest of dean
communities and restoring our natural environment for future generations. All
developers, residents, visitors and landowners have the opportunity to
feedback on the deliverability of individual sites and the plan as a whole as it
develops and through the examination by an appointed inspector.
In our future actions we set out that is that we will "continue to support and
promote the '30 by 30 global conservation targets to protect 30% of the
districts land". This was a commitment made by the UK Government at the
UN Biodiversity Summit (COP15) in 2022. We set out that we expect that
measures such as Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and Biodiversity
Net Gain, both of which are national government agendas, will have a
significant role to play.