Peterborough council want help to shape biodiversity plans
Public consultation runs until 22nd December 2025
Peterborough residents are being asked to share their views on how their city council can improve biodiversity in the area.
The council has launched a public consultation on its proposed Section 40 Biodiversity Report, which outlines the steps it plans to take in meeting its biodiversity responsibilities set out by the government.
The report lays out proposed Biodiversity Duty policies and suggested actions to conserve and enhance biodiversity, focusing on ensuring the measures align with national requirements. It will be updated each year to include progress on policy measures, revised actions for the upcoming year, and details on the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain.
The consultation is open until Monday 22nd December 2025. The report is available to read on the council's website, where residents can also submit their feedback.
One of the major proposals in the report includes ensuring planning applications aim to enhance ecosystem services through biodiversity improvements, which could also reduce financial pressures on other services. The council is also considering identifying green spaces across the city that can host a wider range of species, leading to a more diverse and complete ecosystem.
Another proposal focuses on achieving positive conservation status for all council-owned Non-Statutory Sites.
Councillor Angus Ellis, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, encouraged residents to participate in the consultation.
“Like all councils, we are fully committed to ensuring we carry out our Biodiversity duties and it is imperative that we have guidelines to help achieve this," Ellis said.
“This report will essentially act as a road map for helping us achieve best practice as required by the government," he said. "We want to hear residents’ views and suggestions before proceeding, so I would urge everyone to please take part in this consultation. It will only take a few minutes of your time but your feedback will be vitally important.
"The report will be replacing the council's 2018 Biodiversity Strategy and we would particularly like to hear from people who previously commented on this."
Once the consultation period concludes, the feedback will be reviewed, and a final Section 40 Biodiversity Report is expected to be presented for scrutiny ahead of submission to the council’s Cabinet and Full Council in early 2026.
The updated report is slated for publication to the central government by the end of March 2026.
Residents wishing to take part in the consultation can visit the Peterborough City Council website.