Recently announced in an article on the Birmingham City Council website, the Birmingham City Council has proposals to create new nature conservation sites and extend the current conservation sites across Birmingham. The report containing these proposals has gone straight to the cabinet.
These Sites of importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINCs) will give these areas a nature protection that is not covered by the fixed natural or international designations.
SINCs are designated depending on the subsequently regional importance they provide as a nature conservation site, while SLINCs are designated for their overall value as a nature conservation site.
This proposal is part of the new Birmingham Local Plan draft which provides key strategies to develop 87,000 new homes and employment opportunities.
On the Birmingham City Council website, Cllr Julien Pritchard, the deputy leader of the Birmingham City Council has remarked,
“We know protecting nature and green spaces is absolutely crucial to our residents. It’s also crucial for our city’s environment and helps in the fight against climate change.
“Safeguarding nature is a key priority for this administration. These new designations in areas across the city will help give vital protection to these nature areas.”
While he also touched upon how the nature conversation sites are not just in the, “outer, leafier suburbs,” but also,
“in inner city areas. For example, Wheels Park in the Sports Quarter and Bordesley growth area has a proposed SLINC due to rare grassland supporting locally uncommon plant species and the nearby woodland and scrub habitats and adjacent railway and canal habitat corridors which form part of the city’s strategic nature network.”
This new report lists 14 new nature conservation sites and extends to six existing sites and the retention and improvement of other sites.
The local plan for Birmingham provides information on how the city council can help shape the future of the city, support economic development, address housing need and attract further investment.
Cllr Pritchard touched upon this further,
“As the city evolves, we want to ensure we have the plans in place that guide the development and regeneration of Birmingham – for the benefit of all residents, businesses and nature here.”
