Policy CS18 Biodiversity and geology

The Council will protect and enhance its biodiversity and geological assets, whilst complying with national and regional policy and guidance by:

a ensuring development in Bexley does not adversely affect the integrity of any European site of nature conservation importance (including Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Ramsar sites) outside the borough. In particular, consideration will be given to potential impacts on the Thames Estuary and Marshes SPA through increased visitor pressure and reduced water quality, and on Epping Forest SAC through reduced air quality;

b protecting, conserving and enhancing Bexley’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC);

c resisting development that will have a significant impact on the population or conservation status of protected species and priority species as identified in the UK, London and Bexley Biodiversity Action Plans;

d protecting and enhancing the natural habitat as far as practicable, seeking biodiversity enhancements and improved access to nature, particularly in areas of deficiency, through new development, including new residential development and projects that help deliver the Open Space Strategy. Preference will also be given to enhancements which help to deliver the targets for habitats and species set out in the London Plan and Bexley Biodiversity Action Plan;

e Recognising the value of landforms, landscapes, geological processes and soils as contributors to the geodiversity of the borough, and evaluating whether it is appropriate to designate any Regionally or Locally Important Geological Sites (RIGS or LIGS) in the borough;

f enabling environmental education opportunities at the borough’s schools, and investigating opportunities to involve the wider community in biodiversity or geodiversity restoration and enhancement through projects; and

g Seeking opportunities to provide for greening of the built environment, including green roofs and walls in new buildings.