Biodiversity Policy
Document Control
Document No. POL-P27
Adoption Date 10-1-24
Last Review Date Apr 2026
Next Review Date Feb 2028
Parish Office
Whittle Hall Community Centre
Lonsdale Close
Great Sankey www.greatsankeypc.org.uk
Warrington enquiries@gs-pc.net
WA5 3UA 01925 712279
GSPC Biodiversity Policy
1. Executive Summary
Under the 2021 Environment Act, public authorities including town and parish councils,
operating in England must consider what they can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
This duty also means that town and parish councils can spend funds in conserving
biodiversity.
Great Sankey Parish Council recognises the value biodiversity brings to all aspects of life;
this policy sets out the council’s commitment to developing biodiversity across its properties
and encouraging the same in others.
2. Biodiversity Definition
According to Defra (Biodiversity 2020), biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth. It
includes all species of animals and plants – everything that is alive on our planet.
Biodiversity is the building block of our ‘ecosystems’ that in turn provide us with a wide range
of goods and services that support our economic and social wellbeing. These include
essentials such as food, fresh water and clean air, but also less obvious services such as
protection from natural disasters, regulation of our climate, and purification of our water or
pollination of our crops. Biodiversity also provides important cultural services, enriching our
lives.
3. Misson statement
“Great Sankey Parish Council is committed to making our green spaces more beautiful,
sustainable and inspiring places to be for the wellbeing of our residents and visitors.”
4. Aims & Objectives
The Full Council and any committees of the Council will consider sustainability,
environmental impact and biodiversity when making decisions and will develop and
implement policies and strategies as required.
In particular, the Council will aim to improve the biodiversity of the area in the following ways:
• consider the potential impact on biodiversity represented by planning applications.
• manage its land and property using environmentally friendly practices that will
promote biodiversity.
• support local businesses and council operations in the adoption of low impact /
nature positive practices.
• encourage and support other organisations within the parish and wider area to
manage their areas of responsibility with biodiversity in mind.
• support residents and local organisation activities to enhance and promote
biodiversity.
5. Landscape Management Plan
The Landscape Management Plan, adopted June 2023, details the council’s Green Agenda,
objectives and priorities along with a 5-year action plan. This plan will be subject to regular
review with this policy forming the underlying principles on which actions are based.
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