Making Spaces for Growing Places

MSGP37 Biodiversity and Geodiversity

  1. Where appropriate development proposals must demonstrate how they will:

    i. avoid/minimise adverse impacts on biodiversity and geodiversity in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy; and

    ii. provide net gains in biodiversity.

  2. Where development which is likely to adversely affect biodiversity and/or geodiversity is to be approved, the Council will require planning conditions and/or obligations to secure the provision, maintenance and monitoring of appropriate mitigation, compensation and/or enhancement measures.

  3. Proposals for development or land use that would adversely affect a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as shown on the Policies Map, either directly or indirectly, will only be permitted where the reasons for the development, including the lack of an alternative solution, clearly outweigh the nature conservation value of the site and the national policy to safeguard the national network of such sites.

  4. Proposals for development or land use that would adversely affect a Local Wildlife Site or Local Geological Site, as shown on the Policies Map, either directly or indirectly, will only be permitted where:

    i. the developer can demonstrate that there are no reasonable alternatives; and

    ii. the case for development clearly outweighs the need to safeguard the intrinsic value of the site.

  5. Proposals for development or land use that would adversely affect the ecological, recreational and/or educational value of a Local Nature Reserve will only be permitted where:

    i. the developer can demonstrate that there are no reasonable alternatives; and

    ii. the case for development clearly outweighs the need to safeguard the ecological, recreational and/or educational value of the site.

  6. Development proposals that would have a significant adverse impact on the value and integrity of a Wildlife Corridor, as shown on the Policies Map, will only be permitted where suitable replacement land, or other mitigation, is provided to retain, and where possible enhance, the value and integrity of the corridor.