Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Place, Planning and Growth, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Place, Planning and Growth providing an update on the review of the Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) and seeking Members’ approval of the final Strategy (attached as Appendix 1 to the report). Members were also asked to consider revoking the existing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and replacing it with an updated Technical Advice Note.

It was noted that Natural England had requested the review to ensure the RAMS and its evidence base remained up to date. The updated RAMS included an enhanced mitigation package and a revised tariff reflecting increased housing growth and the need for mitigation to be secured in perpetuity.

Members noted that the tariff would rise from £175.55 to £500 per new dwelling, inclusive of a 5% administration fee, and that the existing RAMS SPD was no longer aligned with the updated strategy. In its place a Technical Advice Note (TAN) would be prepared to guide implementation and delegation to the Director of Place, Planning and Growth was sought to finalise and publish the TAN.

The Committee also noted the extensive mitigation work already undertaken in the Maldon District by Bird Aware Essex, including over 1,442 hours of ranger activity and more than 4,454 public engagements. The updated RAMS retained a flat tariff across Essex, as alternative apportionment methods would have resulted in significantly higher charges for coastal authorities such as Maldon.

Following a detailed presentation of the report by the Planning Policy Manager, the Chairperson moved the recommendations as set out in the report, noting that they would be a recommendation to the Council. This was duly seconded.

A number of comments and questions were raised during the debate that ensued and in response further information was provided by the Planning Policy Manager, including:

·                The proposed tariff cost of £500 per dwelling had been calculated taking a number of factors into consideration including the mitigation measures required for the predicted number of new houses in Essex over the 20-year period and then the lifetime of the development. Chelmsford City Council (CCC) was the accountable body and whilst all Essex authorities involved in RAMS collected and then transferred monies to CCC, the spending of monies was done in consultation with the Council mainly through the RAMS Steering Group which the Policy team attend. Members were advised that CCC also managed the Bird Aware branding and delivered the mitigation measures, engagement with Parish Councils, local communities, visitors etc.

·                It was confirmed that the new dwelling tariff was a flat rate across any new houses in Essex. Houses within a closer proximity to the coastline paying a higher tariff had been discussed by the RAMS Steering Group but for consistency and ease of collection a flat rate tariff had been agreed. Members were advised that the District benefited as a high proportion of the mitigation measures happened along the Maldon coastline.

·                £500 per new house appeared to be an average cost when compared to comparable tariffs nationally and was a figure calculated through a robust method accounting for predicted levels of housing growth and the lifetime of the development.

·                As part of the Bird Aware work communications, talks, site visits etc. along the coastline had been taking place. Members were advised that Officers were happy to work with Bird Aware Essex and the RAMS Delivery Manager to engage with parish councillors or Members in respect of this work.

The Chairperson put the recommendations, and these were duly agreed.

RECOMMENDED

(i)             that the revised and updated Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance Mitigation Strategy (RAMS) 2026 and tariff (attached at APPENDIX 1 to these Minutes) be approved, superseding the current RAMS 2018-2038;

(ii)            that the new RAMS tariff of £500 per new dwelling or qualifying unit (index linked and inclusive of a 5% admin fee) be applied to new development from 1 August 2026;

Note: the current fee is £175.55 and benchmarks as low compared to tariffs nationally, while the new fee is mid-range, The new fee includes increased expectations of eligible housing units, and is considered not just for the implementation period, but also for the maintenance period.

(iii)           that the adopted Essex Coast RAMS Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) be revoked, noting that its content is no longer aligned with the updated RAMS;

(iv)          that Members agree in principle to replace the Essex Coast RAMS SPD with an Essex Coast RAMS Technical Advice Note (TAN), recognising that this will provide a consistent mechanism to guide decision-making for local authorities within the RAMS partnership area;

(v)            that authority be delegated to the Director of Place, Planning and Growth, in consultation with Planning Policy Working Group to agree and publish the TAN once drafting is complete.