Section Five: The natural environment
Principles for the natural environment
5.1 The quality and diversity of the natural environment of Tynedale is one of its key assets. Tynedale is home to sites and areas of national and even international importance for biodiversity, geological and landscape interest. The objective is to protect and wherever possible enhance the character and quality of the natural environment generally with particular protection to designated sites and areas. The principles for doing this are set out in Policy NE1. The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is of particular strategic importance due to the area covered and its landscape and geological character.
Core Strategy Policy NE1
The principles for the natural environment are to:
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Protect and enhance the character and quality of the landscape, biodiversity and geological interest of the District and give particular protection to areas and sites recognised for their environmental and scientific interest
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Manage the relationship between development and the natural environment in order to:
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Minimise risk of environmental damage
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Avoid the urbanisation of the countryside
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Maintain good local air quality and the quality of ground and surface water
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Protect and enhance the extent and quality of ancient woodlands and other important natural habitats and networks of habitats; and encourage creation of new habitats and restoration of those that are damaged or fragmented
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Avoid the unnecessary loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land
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Give specific protection to the landscape quality, wildlife and geological value of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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Ensure that development close to the Northumberland National Park does not have an unacceptable adverse effect on its landscape quality, wildlife or geological value
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Enable and encourage people to experience, enjoy and understand the natural environment
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Protect and enhance areas of open space within towns and villages
Policy NE1 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Allocation of sites for development in the Site Allocation DPD.
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Development of detailed policies in the Development Control DPD.
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Decisions on planning applications.
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Undertaking, encouraging and supporting enhancement schemes.
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Supporting projects to encourage public access and enjoyment of the countryside.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring the number and condition of designated sites.
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Monitoring the number of (a) European and (b) Nationally Protected Species present in the District.
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Monitoring the number of Air Quality Management Zones.
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Monitoring the proportion of water samples that are good or fair quality for biology and chemistry.
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Monitoring the length of rivers in good or fair condition.
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Monitoring the amount and quality of open space in towns and villages.
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Monitoring of development approved as a departure from this policy
Landscape character
5.2 Much of the landscape in Tynedale is of extremely high quality and is protected in the Local Plan through the identification of an Area of High Landscape Value (AHLV). PPS7 and strategic policy in the region advocate the definition of landscape character areas and the use of character assessments as a tool to manage, protect and enhance the landscape.
5.3 The landscape character area approach will enable a broader view of the landscape to be taken and will provide for more informed and effective protection and enhancement. It will be a useful tool to assess the landscape implications for development proposals and to encourage developers to make a positive contribution to landscape enhancement. It will also provide a basis for landowners and other organisations to develop positive management and enhancement schemes where appropriate.
5.4 The Countryside Character map produced by the former Countryside Commission in 1996 has already defined six broad character areas in Tynedale: the ‘Border Moorlands and Forests’, ‘The Tyne Gap and Hadrian’s Wall’, ‘North Pennines’, ‘Durham Coalfield Pennine Fringe’, ‘Mid-Northumberland’ and ‘Northumberland Sandstone Hills’. These will form the basis for the definition of more detailed local areas for which assessments will be carried out. In addition, Historic Landscape Character Assessments are currently being co-ordinated by Northumberland County Council.
5.5 The landscape character assessments will identify the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the landscapes of the whole District as a basis for their protection and enhancement under Policy NE1, supplemented in due course by more detailed policies or guidance where necessary. Protecting and enhancing the landscape, in the terms of the Policy, means that development proposals should respect the character and quality of the surrounding landscape and not cause unacceptable harm in either respect. Where possible, local character should be reinforced and quality enhanced.
Strategic green spaces
5.6 Green spaces within towns and villages are an important element of the character and appearance of the area and contribute positively to cultural heritage, the health and wellbeing of the local community and the general quality of life. In addition to visual amenity they can offer opportunities for informal recreation and provide wildlife habitats. They can also contribute to natural drainage and reduce surface water run off. The principle of protecting and enhancing open space generally is set out in Policy NE1.
5.7 Green space within larger towns and villages can be particularly important and the Council, in consultation with relevant Town and Parish Councils, has identified areas of strategic green space within the main towns and local centres. These are areas which are significant in terms of their size, function or location in relation to residential areas. The Council has not attempted to comprehensively identify all green spaces, as set out above these are given protection by Policy NE1. In addition to appropriate protection from development, the identification of strategic green spaces will help to raise their profile and provide a basis for the Council and others such as Parish and Town Councils, landowners and community organisations to positively manage them and pursue enhancement schemes and funding packages where appropriate.
Core Strategy Policy NE2
Existing areas of strategic green space within main towns and local centres have been identified and are shown on the Proposals Map. Their value in terms of biodiversity, visual amenity, the character of the area, cultural heritage, recreation and the general health and wellbeing of the community will be protected and enhanced.
Policy NE2 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Allocation of sites for development in the Site Allocation DPD.
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Decisions on planning applications.
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Undertaking, encouraging and supporting enhancement schemes.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring the area of strategic green space lost to development.
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Monitoring of development approved as a departure from this policy.
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Monitoring the number of enhancement schemes.