Biodiversity in Eastleigh

Our Borough contains a variety of biodiversity; rich habitats including ancient semi-natural woodland, unimproved flower-rich grassland, heath-land, salt-marsh, wetland and chalk rivers and is home to a range of rare species.

• Biodiversity Action Plan (2012-2022)
  
  Appendix 2 - Priority Biodiversity Areas and Links (North and South maps):
• Biodiversity map (north)
• Biodiversity map (south)

Biodiversity in Eastleigh – update December 2023

We will be launching a consultation in early 2024 to seek views on our Biodiversity Strategy for the borough – “Securing our Natural Environment”. The document builds on the previous Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) by reviewing and updating the priority areas and links where ecological enhancement could be maximised. The plan lists target species and habitats for conservation within each priority area in order to guide biodiversity projects so that ecological uplift in the borough can be maximised.

Mandatory “Biodiversity Net gain” (BNG) will also become a requirement for the majority of development above householder applications during 2024. In order to ensure that Eastleigh is ready to deliver BNG where relevant we are working on developing offsite schemes to enhance biodiversity, particularly related to our priority areas for nature conservation.

Eastleigh also has a role as an important stakeholder in the development of a “Local Nature Recovery Strategy” for Hampshire which is being led by Hampshire County Council in association with the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC). Our own Biodiversity Strategy will feed into the County strategy so that the opportunities for ecological enhancement through BNG can be maximised.

We are keen to seek your views on the biodiversity strategy consultation so that we can plan to increase the diversity of habitats and species across Eastleigh and to leave nature in a better state for future generations.