Strategic significance
Strategic significance is one of the inputs of the Statutory Biodiversity Metric (SBM) which contributes towards the calculation of Biodiversity Units (BU). It is a multiplier within the calculation that responds to the local significance of the habitat based on its location and the habitat type.
When a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has been published, you should use the relevant published LNRS. In the interim, prior to the LNRS being published, the tables below should be used to assign strategic significance.
Strategic Significance for area-based habitats in New Forest District:
High | Formally identified in local strategy |
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Medium | Location ecologically desirable but not in local strategy |
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Low | Area/compensation not in local strategy/ no local strategy |
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Interim definition of strategic significance for hedgerow units in New Forest District:
High | Formally identified in local strategy | All very high and high distinctiveness hedgerows as defined by the Statutory Biodiversity Metric |
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Medium | Location ecologically desirable but not in local strategy | All medium distinctiveness hedgerows as defined by the Statutory Biodiversity Metric |
Low | Area/compensation not in local strategy/ no local strategy | All low and very low distinctiveness hedgerows as defined by the Statutory Biodiversity Metric
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Interim definition of strategic significance for hedgerow units in New Forest District:
High | Formally identified in local strategy |
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---|---|---|
Medium | Location ecologically desirable but not in local strategy |
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Low | Area/compensation not in local strategy/ no local strategy |
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When is the LNRS expected to be published?
The timeline of actions for the Hampshire LNRS is available on the Hampshire County Council website. Statutory Public Consultation of draft LNRS is expected to be undertaken in Autumn / Winter 2024 with the final publication expected in July 2025.
A link to the public consultation shall be provided here when available.
Period of Transition to use of LNRS for strategic significance
Defra has recently published further guidance on the association between the LNRS and the strategic significance multiplier within the SBM.
The key points of note are:
- pre-development baseline values submitted prior to the published LNRS should remain unchanged
- if the LNRS is published during a live application or prior to discharge of the pre-commencement condition, then the initial post-development baseline value is to be updated
- if a LNRS has already been published, then for new, non-exempt, applications submitted they must follow guidance in Table 7, page 28 of the user guide
- for baselines already secured through a legal obligation, Defra anticipates these agreements will likely contain clauses that will set out what happens for such cases