Nature & environment

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the site allocations for Carpenders Park. Three housing sites are allocated with a combined indicative capacity of around 244 homes: Land at Oxhey Lane (98 homes), Land North of Oxhey Lane (96 homes) and Grange Wood (50 homes). The site tables set out size, phasing and Green Belt status, together with site-specific requirements and constraints that future planning applications must address.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the site allocations for Chorleywood. Eight housing sites are allocated, references H18 to H26 (there is no H19), with a combined indicative capacity of around 217 homes. The largest are Land at Chorleywood Station (81 homes), North Hill Farm (57 homes) and Hill Farm, Stag Lane (40 homes); the smallest include garage sites and Chorleywood Library at five homes each. Site tables cover size, phasing, Green Belt or grey belt status and site-specific requirements such as access, heritage and flood mitigation.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the biodiversity, green and blue infrastructure and landscapes chapter. It explains that England is one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth and Three Rivers has not escaped that decline. New laws, especially the Environment Act 2021, give councils a duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity, and introduce Biodiversity Net Gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. Development must follow the mitigation hierarchy: avoid harm first, then mitigate it, and only compensate as a last resort. The district's wildlife, from wetlands to woodlands, is described as integral to its character and quality of life.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires qualifying development to deliver at least 10% measurable biodiversity net gain, meaning the site must be left better for nature than before, measured with the Government's statutory metric. Gains should be delivered on site first, then off site, with buying statutory credits a last resort, secured by monitoring plans lasting at least 30 years. Protection of wildlife sites is weighted by importance, from international down to local, and loss of irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland will normally be refused. New housing must provide on average at least one swift brick per dwelling for nesting birds.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects trees, woodlands and hedgerows and requires good landscaping in new development. At least one tree must be planted on site for each new dwelling, or one per 100 square metres of non-residential floorspace, using native species, with a financial contribution towards off-site planting where on-site planting is not possible. Existing trees and hedgerows should be retained wherever possible, and permission will be refused for development causing loss of protected woodland, ancient woodland, veteran trees or protected hedgerows unless conditions can secure their protection. Approved felling requires suitable replacements.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy seeks a net gain in the quality and quantity of green and blue infrastructure, the network of green spaces, waterways and natural features across the district. Priorities include the chalk streams and corridors of the Rivers Chess, Colne and Gade, the Grand Union Canal, the Chilterns National Landscape, the Colne Valley Regional Park and Rickmansworth Aquadrome. New development must contribute to new and improved green space and better links between assets, with management and maintenance plans required. Public rights of way should be protected, ideally with 20 metre buffers, and development must not fragment the network.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the site allocations for South Oxhey. Four housing sites are allocated with a combined indicative capacity of around 200 homes: Northwick Day Centre on Northwick Road (50 homes), the former Sir James Altham School (30), Pinewood Lodge (40) and Land South of St Josephs (80). Each site table sets out size, phasing, whether the land is brownfield or greenfield, Green Belt status and the site-specific requirements future proposals must meet.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation, an internationally important wildlife site, from pressure caused by new residents visiting it. Development within the site's zone of influence that would add 100 or more homes must undergo a Habitats Regulations Assessment. Where required, schemes must provide mitigation or avoidance measures, principally Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), attractive green space designed to draw visitors away from the protected area, or a financial contribution towards it. The 100-home threshold was set on the advice of Natural England.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects the district's landscapes, especially the 546 hectares of the Chilterns National Landscape. There is a presumption against major development there, normally 10 or more homes or sites over 0.5 hectares, unless exceptional circumstances apply and it is in the public interest. Permission requires conserving the area's special qualities, following the Chilterns Management Plan and Buildings Design Guide, avoiding harm to important views, and submitting a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment. Elsewhere, proposals must respond to the character and sensitivities of their landscape area as set out in the Hertfordshire Landscape Character Assessments.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section covers Warner Bros. Studios at Leavesden, a key asset for the creative industries and one of the few UK locations able to host large-scale film production. The studio tour attracts over 6,000 visitors a day at peak times, and Warner Bros. plans to grow the site by around a quarter. The existing 63 hectare studios site (WB1) is safeguarded, and two expansion sites are allocated: land at Gypsy Lane, Hunton Bridge (WB2) and land west of Leavesden Aerodrome (WB3), which already has planning permission and includes public open space.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy controls adverts, signs and shop fronts. They must not harm the character of an area or building through poor size, design, colour or materials, and must not put pedestrians or road users at risk. Flashing signs and lighting that causes light pollution for nearby homes or wildlife are not allowed. Signs should normally sit within the premises they relate to, avoid adding to clutter, and respect listed buildings, conservation areas and other heritage assets.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets the district's parking standards for cars, disabled parking, cycles, electric vehicles and powered two-wheelers. Standards vary by use, for example one space for a one-bedroom home and 2.5 spaces for homes with four or more bedrooms, and can be adjusted with robust evidence. In zones near stations, provision drops to 60% in Zone 1 around Rickmansworth station and 80% in Zone 2. For most uses, 20% of car spaces must have working electric vehicle charging, with a further 30% wired ready for future points.