1. The Borough’s green infrastructure will be protected and enhanced. In considering proposals that affect the Borough’s green infrastructure account will be taken of the scale, type and quality of any assets lost or created and the contribution they make to the wider green infrastructure network. As appropriate to the scale of development and the opportunities it offers, development should:

2. Where new or improved green infrastructure is proposed, the maximum benefit should be achieved by designing it to serve a variety of functions.

3. Where development is required to provide green infrastructure, consideration should be given as to whether this can be in a form that provides accessible natural green space and other green infrastructure assets to help meet identified green infrastructure requirements in Bracknell Forest.

4. Where the need for development has been demonstrated and adverse impacts on green infrastructure are identified, including fragmentation, they must be proportionately addressed in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy of:

5. Where the requirements of this hierarchy cannot be met, development will be refused.

6. Where development is proposed adjacent to a main river or an ordinary watercourse a minimum 8 metre wide undeveloped buffer zone should be created or retained between the top of the river bank and the development. A long term landscape and ecological management plan will be required for this buffer.

7. Planning permission will only be granted for proposals which do not involve the culverting of watercourses, unless there are no other means of access, and do not prejudice future opportunities for de-culverting.

For more information please visit Bracknell Forest’s Local Plan document here.