Chapter 2: Environment

2.1 The quality of the Borough’s built and natural environment is one of its greatest assets, contributing towards quality of life and social, economic and environmental well-being. The policies of this Plan aim to protect environmental assets and meet the Borough’s social and economic needs. The policies aim to protect the environment, both in general terms, and also specific man made or natural features. They also aim to secure a high standard of design. Any new development should respect and enhance environmental quality. Development proposals should be located and designed to minimise adverse environmental impacts and maximise opportunities for environmental enhancement.

2.2 The policies set out below seek to ensure that new development meets the following objectives:

• Important environmental features are protected from inappropriate forms of development

• The rural environment enjoys protection for its own sake

• Opportunities for appropriate environmentally friendly forms of development are encouraged

Public Consultation

2.3 Results from research carried out as part of the preparation of the Borough’s Community Strategy shows the importance that local residents attach to environmental issues:

• 89% of respondents felt that protecting and enhancing the quality of the landscape and trees, woodlands and wildlife habitat was either important or very important. This was the second most important issue identified by the survey.

• 85% felt that creating and enhancing existing open spaces and making them accessible to all was either important or very important.

• 78% of respondents felt that improving the attractiveness and quality of our built environment was either important or very important.

2.4 The environment was also a key issue raised by respondents to the Local Plan Issues Report – for example protecting and enhancing environmental assets and environmental quality were considered to be important issues that the Local Plan should address. Other environmental issues raised included:

• The need to reduce pollution

• Increase recycling

• The quality of design

• The need for environmental improvements

• Protection of villages and the countryside

• Protection of the rivers and river valleys.

2.5 This chapter of the Plan reflects these views and where possible translates them into land use proposals. Topics included are:

• Development control

• The built environment including conservation areas and listed buildings

• Environmental protection including recycling and renewable energy

The Built Environment

2.6 Maintaining and enhancing the quality of the built environment is important as it is home to the vast majority of the Borough’s residents and is also the place where they work and shop. A high quality of design is essential and the Council has published a range of SPG which set out more information on the design context for new development – for example, the Countryside Design Summary, Designing for Accessibility and Urban Design Guidance for Residential Development. An SPD covering Design and Sustainability will be produced as part of the Local Development Framework.

2.7 Many of the older settlements in the Borough are identified as Conservation Areas, recognising that they have an historic or architectural character that should be protected. Detailed guidance for Conservation Areas, and for historic buildings is also set out in SPG.

Development Control

Policy E1 Proposals for new development will be permitted provided that they are of a high standard of design, make efficient use of land, respect the amenities of neighbouring occupiers, and do not result in inappropriate traffic generation or compromise highway safety. All development proposals should therefore: Respond to the local context of buildings in terms of design, siting, density and spacing, reinforce attractive qualities of local distinctiveness and enhance areas of poor design; extensions should respect their host building Provide a comprehensive landscaping scheme, where appropriate, enabling the development to successfully integrate with the landscape and surrounds, and not result in the loss of or have a potentially adverse impact on protected trees; and Not generate traffic of a type or amount inappropriate for roads, properties or settlements in the locality, and provide safe and convenient access for all potential users, integrating into existing movement networks and open spaces; and Provide a co-ordinated and comprehensive scheme that does not prejudice the development of adjoining land; and v. Incorporate features to minimise the energy consumed in the construction and future use of the building, conserve water and minimise water use; and Create attractive public spaces, which are safe, minimise opportunities for crime, facilitate public enjoyment, and foster the legibility of the built environment; and Minimise the potential for pollution of air and soil and not create noise or light which harms living and working conditions or the public’s enjoyment of the built and natural environment.

2.8 In order to meet its overall aims and objectives it is vital that the Council ensures that a high quality of new development is achieved. Securing high quality developments, irrespective of size, location or proposed use, plays an important role in improving quality of life within the Borough, contributing towards an attractive environment, successful economy and community well-being.

2.9 A design-led approach will ensure that every development proposal, whatever its scale, responds positively to its context and site and reinforces local distinctiveness. It is recommended that design concepts are discussed at the pre-application stage, and a Design Statement should accompany, at the outset, planning applications for all new buildings. This should indicate how the proposals respond to the context and the design principles that have been employed. Good design can help to promote and secure sustainable forms of development. It can prevent unneighbourly development, which can result in loss of light, overshadowing, overlooking or other harm to amenities.

2.10 This plan includes proposals to promote more sustainable patterns of development, through the promotion of mixed development and through encouragement for higher densities in proximity to local amenities and public transport. New housing development should make efficient use of land in line with PPG3 (Housing), which encourages development to be of a density of between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare. The design of individual developments and buildings also influences sustainability. Early in the design process, consideration should be given to ways in which building designs can minimise energy consumption and lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Council has produced Supplementary Planning Guidance on Sustainable Design and Construction which was adopted in July 2004 and is producing an SPD on Design and Sustainability.

2.11 Good planning and design can contribute to reducing the opportunities for crime to occur, and reduce people’s fear of crime. The design and layout of new development must therefore take account of public health, crime prevention and community safety. Public art can enhance and add value to developments, contributing to all aspects of design. Incorporated into any publicly accessible or visible space, public art can contribute towards the quality and design of a development, creating local distinctiveness. It can play an important role in improving the legibility of the public realm and also the general visual quality of the environment as a whole. For these reasons the Borough Council will seek the provision of public art in appropriate development schemes, particularly where it would enhance public spaces or buildings which surround those spaces.

2.12 To supplement guidance contained in “Places, Streets and Movement”, the “Urban Design Compendium” and “Better Places to Live”, the Borough Council has prepared SPG for specific types of development. They will be updated as necessary, to keep abreast of changed conditions or circumstances (such as new Government guidance) and the Council will prepare new Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) as and when required. The current list of guidance is set out in Appendix 1. Additionally local distinctiveness in the built environment is identified in Village Design Statements and Conservation Area Appraisals.

Buildings of Historic or Architectural Interest

Policy E2 Proposals for development that would affect a listed building, structure or its setting will be determined against the following guidelines: The demolition of a listed building or structure will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. Alterations and extensions that preserve the character and/or setting of a listed building and any features of architectural or historic interest will be permitted Developments within the curtilage of or adjacent to a listed building which do not detrimentally affect their setting will be permitted. Development will not be permitted if it would harm a building or feature of local historic or architectural interest or adversely affect its setting.

2.13 The Government is required to compile or approve Lists of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, and the Borough has around 1,700 buildings which are nationally recognised by such lists.

2.14 The Council has adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance which amplifies the above guidance to encourage the maintenance and preservation of listed buildings. This includes advice on alterations and extensions, conversions, demolition, setting and enabling development with respect to listed buildings. Planning applications likely to affect the setting of a listed building should be full applications so that the implications can be properly assessed. A list of buildings of local historic or architectural interest will be compiled during 2006/7. This will be done using the criteria set out in the Council’s adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance on Buildings of Local Interest which also provides guidance on the protection, demolition, alteration and extension of these buildings.

Areas of Architectural or Historic Interest

Policy E3 Development within Conservation Areas, or on sites outside where development would affect the setting of the Conservation Area, will be permitted provided that the proposals preserve or enhance their special character or appearance. Through determining applications, the Borough Council will: Seek to retain buildings, architectural features, trees, spaces and other features which are important to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area; and Allow new development if this would contribute to the area by preserving or enhancing its character and appearance; Shopfronts and advertisements make a significant contribution to the character of shopping areas, which lie within Conservation Areas. All proposals should therefore maintain, preserve and where appropriate, restore, the architectural details of shopfronts and advertisements in Conservation Areas.

2.15 Areas that are of ‘special architectural or historic interest’ are designated as Conservation Areas and their character and/or appearance shall be preserved or enhanced. The Council has so far designated 44 Conservation Areas. The Council has a duty to review these Conservation Areas and consider whether new designations or amendments to existing boundaries are needed.

2.16 The Borough Council has adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance to amplify the above guidance in order to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Conservation Areas. This includes guidance on new development, demolition, shops and shopfronts, and advertisements within Conservation Areas. Conservation Area Appraisals have been published for every Conservation Area in the Borough. These define and appraise those qualities and features that contribute to, or detract from, the special interest of the area and will be used when considering planning applications.

2.17 The Borough Council will require proposals for development within a Conservation Area to be submitted in the form of a fully detailed application, and to show the relationship of any new development with adjacent buildings.

Ancient Monuments / Archaeology

Policy E4 Development proposals should be located and designed so as to avoid disturbance or other adverse effects on nationally important archaeological sites and monuments, whether scheduled or not, and their settings. Proposals should seek to preserve the archaeological remains in situ. Development proposals which would have an adverse effect on remains of local archaeological value will be permitted only if the importance of the development outweighs the value of the remains. Where physical preservation of the deposits in situ is not possible, applicants must make provision for the professional excavation and recording of the archaeology, in accordance with a detailed scheme approved prior to the development commencing. Proposals should seek to enhance the setting of visible archaeological remains. In areas where there is evidence that archaeological remains may exist, but where the extent and importance of these remains is unknown, developers will be required to arrange an archaeological field assessment prior to the determination of a planning application.

2.18 Archaeological remains are a finite and non-renewable resource that represents an irreplaceable record of former times. These remains are fragile and vulnerable to damage or loss due to the pressures of development. Remains of national importance are scheduled as Ancient Monuments by the Government on the advice of English Heritage. The criteria for scheduling are so stringent that large numbers of nationally important archaeological sites will remain unscheduled.

2.19 The Plan area contains a number of major archaeological sites from a range of periods, some of which are of international importance. However, only a small number of the archaeological sites in the Plan area are protected as Scheduled Ancient Monuments and it is only those which are shown on the Proposals Maps and the Inset Maps. The definitive boundaries of these sites can be acquired from English Heritage. All the other sites have no statutory protection and must rely on the sympathetic application of planning and management policies for their survival and protection.

2.20 Where preservation in situ is not possible or feasible, archaeological investigation and recording may be an acceptable alternative. Planning conditions and/or a planning S106 obligation may be used to ensure that the applicant makes satisfactory provision for archaeological investigation and recording prior to the commencement of development.

Historic Parks and Gardens

Policy E5 Development which adversely affects sites on English Heritage’s Register of Historic Parks will not be permitted

2.21 English Heritage maintain The Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. The Borough of Basingstoke and Deane contains many parks and gardens which are included within these Registers, two of which are Grade I, of highest importance nationally (Hackwood Park and Highclere Park).

2.22 Historic parks and gardens make an important contribution to the local character and amenity of an area. They are individual and specific to a locality, and have association with local people.

2.23 In considering planning applications for development that would affect historic parks or gardens (including their setting) , the Council will take account of the historic interest of the site. Any such application should therefore be accompanied by an historic landscape survey and assessment.

The Natural Environment

2.24 The vast majority of the Borough is rural. The rural area includes part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), an area of landscape which is of national importance.

2.25 There are also important wildlife, ecological and nature conservation sites in the Borough. Many of these are subject to national and local designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). The Borough Council works in partnership with other agencies to aid appropriate management for nature conservation and secure appropriate conservation and enhancement of the landscape and ecology in the Borough.

Landscape Character

Policy E6 Planning permission will only be granted where it is demonstrated that the proposals will be sympathetic to the landscape character and quality of the area concerned. Development proposals should contribute to the regeneration, restoration, repair or conservation of any landscape likely to be affected. In particular they should respect, and improve the following: the particular qualities of the relevant Landscape Character Area as defined in the Basingstoke and Deane Landscape Assessment; and visual amenity and scenic quality; and the setting of a settlement, including important views to, across and out of settlements; and the local character of buildings and settlements, including important open areas; and trees, hedgerows, water features and other landscape elements and features; and historic landscapes, features and elements Consideration will also be given to the impact that development would have on sense of place, sense of remoteness or tranquillity, and the quiet enjoyment of the landscape from public rights of way. The designation of the North Wessex Downs AONB reflects the national importance of that landscape. In addition to the other requirements of this Policy, applications for development in the AONB will be determined in accordance with the policy in PPS7 also having regard to the setting of the AONB.

2.26 Where overriding economic or social interests outweigh the need for environmental maintenance or improvement, conditions and/or planning obligations will, as appropriate, be used to minimise the damage and to provide compensatory measures, on and/or off site.

2.27 A comprehensive landscape assessment of the Borough was undertaken in 2000 to see how best to recognise and respect its great diversity of landscape character. This has been adopted as SPG. This document describes the landscape, classifying it into 20 distinct Character Areas, summarising the key characteristics, qualities and issues associated with each area.

2.28 Other relevant documents include the Countryside Design Summary and Village Design Statements that the Borough has published as Supplementary Planning Guidance. Further information on landscape character and on guidance for landscape management priorities can be found in various strategies e.g. for the Forest of Eversley, ‘The Hampshire Landscape: A Strategy for the Future’, a Landscape Assessment and a Management Plan for the North Wessex Downs AONB.

Nature/Biodiversity Conservation

Policy E7 Development or a change of land use will be permitted where it will not have an adverse effect on protected species or the conservation status of priority species, harm the nature conservation interest of a statutory or non-statutory wildlife nature conservation site or lead to the loss or deterioration of a key habitat type or harm the integrity of linkages between such sites and habitats. Proposals will be expected to conserve and, where possible, enhance the biodiversity of the receiving environment, taking into account the aims and targets of the UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plans. Where appropriate, planning conditions and obligations will be used to secure these requirements. In particular, the opportunity will be taken to secure the creation and management of features of the landscape that, by virtue of their linear and continuous structure or their function as ‘stepping stones’, are of major importance for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species. The weight given to the protection of nature conservation interests will depend on the national or local significance and any statutory designation or protection applying to the site, habitat or species concerned. Where the public interest in favour of a proposal is deemed to outweigh harm to biodiversity, the local planning authority will require the use of the best practicable mitigation/compensation measures, which will be secured through planning conditions and planning obligations, as appropriate. Applications for development must include adequate information to enable a proper assessment of the implications for biodiversity. It should be noted that adverse effects on nature conservation interests are not necessarily limited to the proposal site. Adjacent land, including that outside the local plan boundary, must also be considered.

2.29 In assessing the impact of development on the integrity of linkages between designated sites and key habitats, regard will be given to whether proposals will increase fragmentation or isolation of the sites and habitats or introduce barriers to species movement between them.

2.30 Statutory nature conservation sites of national significance are those designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

2.31 Locally significant sites include Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), declared under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, and non-statutory Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), which are identified by the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre, on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and other partner organisations, using the criteria set out in Appendix 6.

2.32 Nature conservation sites of national or local significance (i.e. SSSIs, SINCs and LNRs) may be designated for geological or geomorphological, as well as wildlife, interests.

2.33 Details of nature conservation site locations and sources of further information are provided at Appendix 6.

2.34 Protected species, in the context of this policy, mean those given statutory protection for nature conservation reasons. Specifically, this means those species given protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Habitats Regulations 1994 and the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

2.35 Priority species are those Species of Principle Importance in England, listed by DEFRA under the provisions of Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and those identified as Priority Species by the Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership. Both lists are reproduced at Appendix 6.

2.36 Key habitats, in the context of this policy, include: ancient semi-natural woodlands (and plantations on ancient woodland sites); lowland pasture woodland/parkland; ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows; unimproved neutral grassland/fen; calcareous grassland; floodplain grazing marsh; lowland heath/bog/acid grassland; fen/carr/marsh/swamp/reedbed; standing open water; chalk rivers; and canals. Descriptions of these habitat types are reproduced at Appendix 6.

2.37 Local Biodiversity Action Plans relevant to this policy include Species Action Plans, Habitat Action Plans and Topic Action Plans produced by the Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership. A list of current plans and details of where they may be obtained are provided at Appendix 6.

2.38 Features of the landscape that are of importance for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species may include, but are not limited to, hedgerows, linear tree belts / shelter belts, green lanes/drove roads, river corridors and floodplains, canals, and ponds.

Water Environment

Policy E8 Development will not be permitted if it would increase the number of people or property at high risk of flooding, or be likely to increase the risk or severity of flooding elsewhere. Proposals will be assessed according to the sequential risk-based approach set out in Table 1 of PPG25. Those areas believed to be at high risk are defined on the Proposals Maps as floodplains; applications within such areas must be accompanied by a flood risk assessment. Development will not be permitted if it would increase the risk of flooding elsewhere, as a result of changing the surface water run-off, unless that risk can be overcome through measures to be implemented by the developer. Developments likely to increase surface water run-off should incorporate sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). Developers will be required to ensure that arrangements are in place for the long term management and maintenance of the SUDS. Development will not be permitted if it would affect the water environment and, as a consequence hydrology and thus adversely impact upon the biodiversity of an area either locally or at a distance. Development will not be permitted if it would adversely impact upon groundwater quality.

2.39 The water environment within the Borough is of a high quality. The Borough lies on the watershed between the River Test and River Loddon catchments. The River Loddon is a high quality watercourse and is subject to a range of environmental objectives including the EU Freshwater Fish Directive and is an EU designated salmonid river.

2.40 Changes to the water environment encompassed by the Policy include the effect of land use and development on rainwater interception, drainage and surface water run-off, changes to water tables and water levels of wetland habitats, the flow rate and turbidity of rivers and streams and the volume and frequency of floodplain inundation, as well as the overall effect on water quality.

2.41 The chalk major aquifer underlies much of the Borough and is vulnerable to contamination. The Council, in consultation with the Environment Agency, will need to be satisfied that the risk of development proposals has been evaluated and adequate protection measures put in place.

2.42 The Agency’s Groundwater Source Protection Zones I, II and III are shown on the Proposals Map. Further information on the definition of the Zones and groundwater protection is found in the Environment Agency’s Policy and Practice for the Protection of Groundwater (1998).

2.43 The Proposals Map shows floodplains based on the indicative floodplain maps of the Environment Agency for land with an annual probability of flooding of 1% or greater, but the actual flood risk affecting any specific site and the consequence of flooding for a proposed development will need to be established by a flood risk assessment undertaken by the applicant and submitted when the application is made. Guidance on the requirements for undertaking a flood risk assessment is set out in PPG25 Appendix F.

2.44 SUDS are described in PPG25 Appendix E and their benefits in controlling pollution are referred to in PPS23 Annex 1. Developers will be expected to adhere to best practice in the design, implementation and maintenance of SUDS, currently set out in the Interim Code of Best Practice for Sustainable Drainage Systems (www.ciria.org.uk/suds/icop) and the relation publications to which the code refers.

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