Trees, Woodlands, Hedgerows and Landscaping

hedgerows. BGL2 - Trees, Woodlands, Hedgerows and Landscaping 1) Proposals for new development should be submitted with landscaping proposals which seek to retain trees and other important landscape and nature conservation features. Landscaping proposals should also include new trees and other planting, create tree-lined streets and enhance the landscape and habitats of the site and its surroundings as appropriate. 2) A minimum of one tree will be required to be planted on-site for each new dwelling (including applications for replacement dwellings and excluding applications for conversions and changes of use to residential) or per 100sqm floor space for non-residential developments. The planted trees should be native species and suitable for the site. There will be a presumption that new trees should be provided on-site, however, if it is justified that this is not possible, a financial contribution will be required towards the planting of trees off-site. A Landscape Plan should be submitted, providing details of the tree(s) to be planted and their long-term management. 3) Development proposals on sites which contain existing trees and hedgerows will be expected to retain as many trees and hedgerows as possible, particularly those of local amenity or nature conservation value or hedgerows considered to meet the criteria of the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. 4) Development proposals should demonstrate that existing trees, hedgerows and woodlands will be safeguarded and managed during and after development in accordance with the relevant British Standards. 5) Development should be designed in such a way as to allow trees and hedgerows to grow to maturity without causing undue problems of visibility, shading or damage. Development likely to result in future requests for significant topping, lopping or felling will be refused. 6) Planning permission will be refused for any development resulting in the loss or deterioration to protected woodland (including ancient woodland), protected trees (including aged or veteran trees) and hedgerows, unless conditions can be imposed to secure their protection. 7) Where the felling of a tree or removal of a hedgerow is permitted, a replacement tree or hedge of an appropriate number, species, size and in a suitable location will be required, taking account of issues such as landscape and biodiversity. 8) Areas forming part of development proposals which are to be transferred to the local authority for maintenance should be designed for ease of access and low-cost maintenance overheads and management regimes. Reasoned Justification: 9.38 Woodland, trees and hedgerows are important contributors to biodiversity and vital to moderating our climate, and may be protected by wildlife or conservation designations, Tree Preservation Orders or the Hedgerow Regulations. The NPPF ensures that they re main a planning consideration in all development proposals. Further, ancient woodland and trees are considered ‘irreplaceable’ and the Natural England/Forestry Commission Standing Advice makes clear the loss of ancient trees/woodlands is not permitted unless there are ‘wholly exceptional reasons’ and that ‘a suitable compensation strategy is in place’. 9.39 Whilst reiterating the nature conservation importance of ancient trees and woodlands, their cultural and societal benefits are also set out in Defra’s Keepers of Time policy. 9.40 In addition, all woodlands contribute to carbon sequestration, reduce noise and pollution, provide shade, reduce extremes of heat and wind, provide places to relax and reduce flood risk. Furthermore, new or existing woodlands can play an important role in Green Infrastructure networks and the Local Nature Recovery Network. 9.41 Whilst the protection of the most important woodlands may be achieved via the biodiversity policies elsewhere in this plan, it is important that all woodlands are suitably protected, retained (where possible), managed for the long term and wherever appropriate added to, since pressure for development will increasingly threaten trees, woodlands, hedgerows and their surrounding habitat. 9.42 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. It is acknowledged that for some minor development, particularly on brownfield sites there may be limited space to plant a minimum of one tree per dwelling. Where this is the case, applicants should demonstrate why it has not been possible to meet the policy requirements for new tree planting and how they have sought to maximise the planting of trees on the site , taking into account the constraints of the site. A commuted sum would be sought for any shortfall. 9.43 Developers should have regard to the potential impact of development proposals on trees and woodlands from the outset. Applications should be accompanied by sufficient information to assess the impact of the proposed development on any trees or woodlands. Arboricultural reports, Impact Assessments and Tree Protection Method Statements submitted in support of applications should comply with guidance set out in the British Standard BS5837:2012 ‘Trees in relation to design, demolition and construction – Recommendations’ and any future editions of the standard. 9.44 For sites with significant tree cover, and which include trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order or located within a Conservation Area, a planning application should be accompanied by a Tree Survey and an Arboricultural Impact Assessment. The advice of an arboriculturalist should be sought to identify all relevant trees to be included in a Tree Survey. 9.45 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). 9.46 Landscaping proposals should address: • The incorporation of visually obtrusive elements of development such as car parks, bank elevations and electricity sub-stations • The setting of buildings within the site, and the setting of the site within the locality • The creation of views into and out of buildings and the site as a whole and the creation and enhancement of visual focal points • The conservation of existing local landscape character and enhance natural features Green and Blue Infrastructure 9.47 Green Infrastructure is defined by national policy as a network of multi -functional green and blue spaces and other natural features, urban and rural, which is capable of delivering a wide range of environmental, economic, health and wellbeing benefits for nature, climate, local and wider communities and prosperity. 9.48 The high-level green and blue infrastructure network for Three Rivers includes key landscape features, strategic wildlife corridors and areas of high biodiversity. Key elements are chalk streams and river valleys, wetland and grazed pastures, dry chalk valleys and chalk landforms, woodlands and ancient woodlands, historic parklands and designed landscapes and farmland. The district has a number of strategically significant and historic green infrastructure assets, such as the corridors along the River Chess, Colne and Gade, and the Grand Union Canal. It also has a network of public access routes enabling people to reach these areas. Safeguarding and enhancing the highly attractive and diverse environment is therefore a key objective. 9.49 Agriculture, horticulture and forestry are traditional, land-based businesses which are still present in the district and continue to contribute to its rural economy. Appropriate and well-designed farming and forestry development (e.g. grazing, coppicing, nature reserves) supports farming and countryside practices that enhance wider biodiversity and landscape quality by supporting economically and socially valuable acti vities. This ensures that the district’s existing land -based business sector continues to flourish, while simultaneously ensuring that the district’s landscape is protected. 9.50 This policy demonstrates the council’s commitment to conserve and enhance the district’s Green and Blue Infrastructure, which will help to improve the district’s Green and Blue Infrastructure network and ensure its multi-functional benefits are achieved. The conservation and enhancement of the Green and Blue Infras