Policy information sourced from the Barking & Dagenham Local Plan

DMNE 3 Nature conservation and biodiversity

1.

Development should not lead to adverse effects on the integrity of Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in line with Policy DMNE 1, or loss or degradation of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), including local nature reserves. All existing SINC boundaries are shown on the Policies Map.

2.

All development proposals are required to:

  • minimise the impacts of development on biodiversity and nature in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy set out in Policy G6 of the London Plan 2021
  • demonstrate a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain, even where development proposals do not result in biodiversity loss using the Biodiversity Metric 4.0 (or updated equivalent) in accordance with the Environment Act 2021 and associated regulations (or updated equivalent). Applications for material change of use applications, alterations to buildings, and house extensions, are excluded from this requirement. In the event that Biodiversity Net Gain cannot be delivered on site, developers should work with the Council to deliver net gain off-site but within the borough
  • prepare a long-term monitoring and management plan of biodiversity net gain sites for a period of 30 years, preferably within the development area
  • provide wider environmental benefits where possible.

3.

The Council’s Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Strategy identifies opportunities for habitat creation, wildlife corridors and Green Design Codes for different parts of the borough, which should be used to inform net gain proposals.

4.

Major development proposals are required to:

  • contribute to the strategic network of green and blue spaces, as identified in the Council’s Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Strategy (or updated equivalent) and in accordance with Policy G1 of the London Plan 2021
  • contribute to improving local access to nature, in accordance with national and London Plan 2021 requirements and taking account of Natural England’s latest Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards and having regard to areas of deficiency in access to nature, as defined by the London Plan 2021
  • submit an ecology assessment demonstrating biodiversity enhancements that contribute to the objectives of the latest Council’s strategies, as well as guidance and best practice for habitat creation
  • submit a habitat management plan setting out the long-term maintenance and monitoring of all biodiversity protection and enhancement measures
  • prioritise the use of native species of local provenance particularly those which are climate resilient, in soft landscaping schemes within 250m of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, waterways, and wildlife corridors, and on green and brown roofs and roof gardens. Where the use of native species is not feasible, proposals should use local species with known benefit to local ecosystems. On all other sites, the use of native plants of local provenance should be at least 75% by area of the soft landscaping scheme
  • incorporate soft landscaping that minimises the risk of new plant diseases and avoids introducing invasive species by sourcing plants from stock grown in the UK and avoiding the use of plants listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). Landscaping and planting around developments must control potentially invasive non-native species and eradicate these where possible as part of redevelopment
  • create new, appropriately located nesting and roosting sites for wildlife (for example through integrated nesting and roosting bricks, towers and boxes together with street trees, green walls and green roofs).

For more information please see the Barking & Dagenham Local Plan