SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 97
Biodiversity Net Gain
8.
Development will be required to demonstrate how it will secure a ‘net gain’ in
biodiversity of at least 10% compared with the pre-development baseline.41
9.
In the first instance, net gain should be provided in situ, as habitats and features to
support native biodiversity, as well as conserving and enhancing existing nature
conservation assets value within and around the development.
10.
In the circumstances where development, which otherwise meets the objectives of
the Plan, is likely to have significant harmful effects on the natural environment, as a
result of the development itself, or the cumulative impact of developments,
developers must demonstrate that all possible alternatives that would result in less
harm have been considered and robustly discounted.
11.
Where development is permitted, appropriate mitigation of the impacts and
compensation will be required to deliver a net gain in biodiversity. This should be
provided as:
i.
habitat creation and/or restoration,
ii.
increased connectivity of the ecological and green infrastructure network,
and;
iii.
responds to landscape character and local distinctiveness.
12.
Enhancements should be undertaken either on the site, or in its vicinity, but where it
is clearly justified that this is not possible, biodiversity offsetting, in alternative
strategic locations within the Borough’s ecological or green infrastructure network,
may be considered as a last resort.
13.
Evidence should be provided using the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull
Biodiversity Impact Assessment calculator or Defra equivalent. Further guidance will
be provided in a Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Net Gain SPD.
Arden Landscape
14.
The Council will seek to protect, enhance and restore the diverse landscape features
of the Borough and to create characteristic habitats such as new woodlands, copses,
hedgerows and standard trees, urban trees, species-rich grassland, wood pasture,
parklands, wetlands and heathland. To halt and where possible reverse the
degrading of the Arden landscape and promote local distinctiveness.
15.
Development should take full account of national and local guidance on protecting
and restoring the landscape and the areas in need of enhancement, including
guidance relating to the countryside. Developers will be expected to incorporate
measures to protect, enhance and restore the landscape, unless it is demonstrated
that it is not feasible, disproportionate or unnecessary.
41
The Council will take seriously any attempt to minimise the biodiversity baseline value, such as the removal of trees
prior to planning application.
97
97