CONFIRMATION OF SELECTION OF THIRD-PARTY SITE FOR
BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN HABITAT BANK TO BE SECURED VIA AN AGREEMENT MADE UNDER:
Section 106 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) relating to three proposed habitat bank sites:
• Suez land at Bothenhampton
• Pilford Farm at Colehill
• Puxey Farm at Sturminster Newton
Decision:
To authorize selection of the above site(s) and the subsequent preparation and sealing of a s.106 agreement to secure habitat units.
Background
As part of our responsibilities as the responsible body for biodiversity net gain (BNG) Dorset Council is working with third party landowners to secure habitat banks which are suitable for inclusion on the national biodiversity gain sites register. Dorset Council has an approved BNG site selection process and criteria (October 2025) and Terms of reference for its BNG Habitat Bank Selection Panel.
Once a site has been selected in accordance with the approved process and criteria and panel recommendation, it is necessary to enter into a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning act 1990 to provide the necessary certainty of securing habitat units from landowners which can then be used to provide off-site BNG where developers are unable to secure these on site. This will then enable the habitat bank to be included on the national sites register.
This delegated decision confirms Dorset Council’s agreement:
a) that the above site, in accordance with the site
selection panel’s recommendation, is suitable for proceeding as a habitat bank;
and
b) to proceed to preparation and sealing of a s.106 agreement to secure the necessary units.