The Targeting and Planning Map has been designed to provide supporting information on biodiversity for people interested in Environmental Stewardship (ES) (http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/es/default.htm). As well as retaining the ability to generate Thematic Maps based on the extent of BAP Priority Habitats, (see What's in the Targeting and Planning Map : BAP Priority Habitats stream) we have added a range of new information, to help those preparing ES applications, especially for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). This information will, however, also be useful for those seeking to maximise the benefits to wildlife of Entry Level Stewardship (ELS).

The Targeting and Planning Map is a tool aimed at those people looking for more information about wildlife and their habitats within a given area, specifically to help them identify what may be a priority for maintenance and enhancement through ES. It also allows people to gain some perspective on how nationally important the features identified in their local area are, or whether they are in an area of particular significance. Knowing this context will help you as many environmental enhancement schemes, such as ES, require that an application addresses, at the local level, national or regional biodiversity priorities.

The new Targeting and Planning Map helps by providing evidence that a local feature is of particular national/regional interest, or by giving an indication that a particular area would benefit from certain kinds of conservation activity. By identifying local priorities, such as whether populations of target Farmland Bird species are present, whether an area is located inside a Priority Catchment, or if the local landscape is nationally significant for a habitat type, a more appropriate scheme application or course of conservation action can be devised. You can also select a Joint Character Area (JCA) on the map and find out what species records are held for the JCA from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway database. You can also open up the MAGIC website to show your Nature on the Map map extent, which contains additional countryside information.

Users are likely to include biodiversity professionals, planners, conservation officers, regulators, scheme applicants and/or their advisors, and researchers from across the environment sector.

The new Target Area Statements and Theme Statements are the framework through which the priorities for HLS are expressed. Applications for HLS that address features of known national or regional significance are much more likely to be successful. HLS applicants are therefore encouraged to use this information to help inform an appropriate choice of options within the scheme and provide some landscape context to their decisions. This information should be used in conjunction with the new Target Area Statements and Theme Statements developed by your local Natural England office and available through the Natural England web site at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/planning/grants-funding/es/default.htm; this indicates the priorities for HLS in your area. You will also need to consult other individuals and data sources as detailed in the scheme literature.

A detailed explanation of each stream can be found at the following links:
What's in the Targeting and Planning Map : BAP Priority Habitats stream
What's in the Targeting and Planning Map: Farmland Birds stream
What's in the Targeting and Planning Map: Priority Catchments stream

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