30-03-2025
Up to £10million could be invested into Swindon's country parks
A new 'bank' to fund biodiversity and nature projects, using money from property developers could be set up in Swindon, if a Conservative motion is approved by councillors.
It could see up to £10m being invested in the borough's country parks or new wildlife and nature projects in Swindon and the nearby area.
Swindon Borough Council was approved by the government to become what's known as a 'responsible body' for conservation covenants. Such covenants are legally binding agreements with landowners to preserve and conserve nature.
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They can also be used for developers who cannot make the legally required gains in biodiversity on the site they are developing to make financial contributions for use elsewhere.
The motion to be debated by councillors on Thursday, April 3 has been put forward by Councillors Matty Courtliff and Dale Heenan.
It says: 'More than £8m in biodiversity offsetting income has been written into S106 agreements, with payment linked to triggers in those developments. If those triggers are met then monies will be transferred to Swindon Borough Council. Those contributions must be spent by agreed deadlines, and on agreed matters or risk developers clawing it back.
'An indicative £2m additional income could be available each year from developers paying for biodiversity offsetting.'
The motion adds: 'Biodiversity offsetting could transform Swindon's parks and green spaces.'
It requests the cabinet member for planning and placemaking Councillor Marina Strinkovsky to bring a report to cabinet to see how best to use this opportunity.
It suggests looking at: 'How reciprocal arrangements could work with Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust if appointed as Responsible Bodies, setting up a Swindon Country Park and Habitat Bank, using a similar model to Plymouth City Council.'
It also suggests expanding the council's park ranger team and using the money for both new equipment and boardwalks, fences and gates and day-to-day work of managing road verges and roundabouts, and also how to attract more volunteers to help work in increasing the borough's biodiversity.
It also wants the cabinet to look at whether start-up money could be found for more green initiatives as a Finance ISA was used to fund the Chapel Farm solar farm.
The motion will be debated and voted upon at the full council meeting on Thursday at 7pm.
