SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 101
and habitat creation and to have regard for Local Biodiversity Action Plan priorities,
accessible natural green space standards and priorities in the Green Spaces Strategy or its
successor, as well as take account of the forthcoming Defra Green Infrastructure standards.
331.
Applicants will be required to carry out ecological surveys, proportionate and relevant to the
type and scale of development, to determine the biodiversity value of the site in terms of
species and habitats. The Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Biodiversity Impact
Assessment calculator (as updated) or the Defra Metric 2.0 (as updated) should be used to
calculate the baseline biodiversity units of the site, as a comparison for net gain. In line with
the Environment Bill, if activities which would lower the biodiversity value are carried out after
30th January 2020, then the pre-development biodiversity value will be measured as
immediately before the activities took place.
332.
The Council is committed to an increase in nature conservation value throughout the
Borough and the delivery of net gains for biodiversity. Only where it is clearly justified this is
not practicable to achieve net gain on-site, and where it is shown to have been considered
and sought from the early stages of the design and layout of the development, will off-site
provision, in the form of land in lieu or equivalent financial contributions, be agreed.
333.
Where development would be harmful to the natural environment, developers must consider
alternatives that would result in less harm, and to incorporate appropriate mitigation and,
where relevant, compensation so as to deliver a net gain in biodiversity, landscape character
restoration and ecosystem services. Indirect impacts should also be taken into account, such
as air pollution from traffic and light pollution, the latter in particular for bats and
invertebrates. Biodiversity offsetting should only be delivered as a last resort. Where
biodiversity offsetting is agreed, then the offset should be provided within the Borough or
contributing to net gains that will result in a measurable enhancement of the Borough’s
ecological or green infrastructure network.
Challenges and Objectives Addressed by the Policy
A
Mitigating and adapting to Climate Change
C
Sustaining the attractiveness of the Borough for people who live, work and invest in
Solihull
E
Protecting key gaps between urban areas and settlements
F
Reducing inequalities in the Borough
J
Improving health and well being
K
Protecting and enhancing our natural assets
L
Water quality and flood risk
Policy P11 Water and Flood Risk Management
Water Quality
1.
All new development should have regard to the actions and objectives of the relevant
River Basin Management Plan in striving to protect and improve the quality of water
bodies in and adjacent to the Borough, including the Rivers Blythe and Cole and their
tributaries. Developers shall undertake thorough risk assessments of the impact of
proposals on surface and groundwater systems and incorporate appropriate
mitigation measures where necessary. The Council will require developers to
demonstrate that all proposed development will be served by appropriate sewerage
infrastructure and that there is sufficient sewage treatment capacity to ensure that
there is no deterioration of water quality, or that the delivery of any development will
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