8.1 Biodiversity encompasses the whole variety of plant and animal life on Earth including all species of plants and animals and the complex ecosystems of which they are part. The world is losing biodiversity at an ever-increasing rate as a result of human activity. In the UK over 100 species were lost during the last century.
8.2 Woodlands, trees and hedgerows are important contributors to biodiversity and may be protected by wildlife or conservation designations, Tree Preservation Orders or the Hedgerow Regulations. It is important that those not covered by designations are retained, protected and wherever possible, added to, since pressure for development will increasingly threaten trees, woodlands, hedgerows watercourses and their surrounding habitat. Authorities are obliged to conserve and enhance wildlife and landscape under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, the Water Framework Directive and the Natural Environment White Paper.
8.3 National policy states that the planning system should contribute
to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts
on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible.
The National Planning Policy Framework requires local authorities to
identify and map the locations of designated sites of biodiversity and
geological importance, and identify any areas or sites for the restoration
or creation of new priority habitats. Appropriate weight should be attached
to designated sites of international, national and local importance,
protected species and to biodiversity and geological interests in the
wider environment.
8.4 Biodiversity is an integral part of the character of Three Rivers and contributes to the high quality of life in the area. The District supports a variety of wildlife in habitats as diverse as wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, orchards, heath and urban gardens. Conserving and enhancing the diversity of wildlife and habitats in Three Rivers is a strategic objective for the Core Strategy.
8.5 The Hertfordshire Local Nature Partnership has been established in response to the Natural Environment White Paper and will take a strategic lead on how the natural environment can be taken into account in decision-making within the local area. The Local Nature Partnership may identify or endorse priority areas for habitat conservation and restoration.
8.6 Three Rivers has a number of important wildlife sites, ranging from nationally designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) to Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and sites of local wildlife importance referred to as Local Wildlife Sites. These include:
Sites of Special Scientific Interest at:
Local Nature Reserves at:
and 147 Local Wildlife Sites. These sites are identified on the Proposals Map.
The Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP): A 50-Year Vision for the wildlife and natural habitats of Hertfordshire (2006) identifies three key biodiversity areas in Three Rivers:
8.7 These represent priority areas for conserving existing biodiversity resource and also provide the best opportunity for maintaining and creating large areas of quality habitat. The Council will give particular weight to impacts of development on biodiversity and ecological connectivity within Key Biodiversity Areas as defined in the BAP and future revisions thereof.
8.8 Biodiversity is a key element of Green Infrastructure (networks of green spaces and natural elements including open spaces, waterways, gardens, woodlands, green corridors, wildlife habitats, street trees, natural heritage, heritage assets, earth science interests and open countryside). The Core Strategy identifies key assets for Green Infrastructure and the existing and potential linkages. It also sets out policy to seek a net gain in the quality and quantity of Green Infrastructure though the protection and enhancement of assets and the provision of new green spaces.
8.9 In addition, mature trees on development sites can make a major contribution to the quality of finished development, provided they are given the space and protection they need.
8.10 Developers should have regard to the potential impact of development proposals on biodiversity, trees, watercourses and woodlands from the outset. Applications should be accompanied by sufficient information to assess the impact of the proposed development on any protected species, trees, watercourses, woodlands or priority habitats. Where it is considered that a habitat/species protected under European or Statutory legislation could be affected by development, the Council will require adequate survey information to be submitted at the time of the application together with an assessment of the potential impacts and appropriate mitigation/compensatory measures. The surveys should be undertaken and carried out by competent persons and at appropriate times of the year. Herts Biological Records Centre is able to provide information on species data for a development site and further information is also available from Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
8.11 For sites including trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order or located within a Conservation Area, or where the site has trees within or adjacent to it which are greater than 75mm in diameter, then the advice of an arboriculturalist should be sought to identify all relevant trees to be included in a Tree Survey. Guidance in relation to Tree Preservation Orders can be sought from the Council's Landscape Section.
8.12 Further information on the Council's requirements for survey information can be found in the Validation Checklist.
8.13 In accordance with national policy on biodiversity and geology the Council will conserve and, where possible, enhance:
8.14 When considering development proposals, the Council will take account of UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan and other relevant information to:
8.15 The Council will support measures identified in management plans (including the Thames River Basin Management Plan) and related status reports for Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserves and other wildlife sites that seek to conserve, enhance and restore biodiversity. Where appropriate, developers may be required to contribute to improvements in biodiversity as part of their proposals.
8.16 Landscaping of new development should be considered as an integral part of the design process. Landscaping refers to both soft landscaping (planting and/or retention of trees, shrubs and other plants and earth contouring) and hard landscaping (paths, walls, seats, planters, kerbing etc.).
8.17 Landscaping proposals should address:
DM6 Biodiversity, Trees, Woodlands, Watercourses and Landscaping |
Development should result in no net loss of biodiversity value across the District as a whole. The weight given to the protection of sites will be commensurate with their position in the hierarchy:
a) Development that would affect a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Local Nature Reserve, Local Wildlife Site or protected species under UK or European law, or identified as being in need of conservation by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan or the Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan , will not be permitted where there is an adverse impact on the ecological, geological or biodiversity interests of the site, unless it can be demonstrated that:
b) The following areas have been highlighted as key areas for biodiversity within the Hertfordshire Biodiversity Action Plan:
c) In the first instance development should seek to avoid impacts on designated sites and important habitats/species through sensitive design and consideration of alternatives. Proposals should seek to incorporate measures for biodiversity enhancement and Green Infrastructure delivery wherever possible. d) Development must conserve, enhance and, where appropriate, restore biodiversity through:
e) Linked habitats are important in allowing species to adapt and respond to circumstances. Development must not result in fragmentation or isolation of wildlife habitats and should seek opportunities for habitat connectivity with the wider landscape. f) Trees, Woodlands and Landscaping
g) Watercourses Any development adjacent to, over or in a watercourse needs to take into account consideration of the Water Framework Directive requirements and opportunities outlined in the Thames River Basin Management Plan. All developments should seek to improve the biodiversity of the site and contribute towards the riparian corridor's ability to be used by migrating species. |
| Policy Links | |
| National Policy (others may also be relevant) |
National Planning Policy Framework |
| Related Core Strategy Policies | CP1: Overarching Policy on Sustainable Development
CP9: Green Infrastructure |
| Core Strategy Strategic Objective | S9 |
| Further Guidance | |
| Supplementary Planning Documents | Green Infrastructure and Landscape SPD (Forthcoming) |
8.18 Policy DM6 demonstrates the Council's commitment to meet the relevant national requirements to conserve and enhance biodiversity, trees and woodland. It also recognises that where development is necessary it should not be at the expense of irreplaceable natural assets.
8.19 The policy will contribute directly to the achievement of Core Strategy Objective 9 which is to conserve and improve the countryside and the diversity of wildlife and habitats.
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