Policy information sourced from Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan

NE1 Supporting biodiversity

  1. The Plan supports development that provides a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The following should be included as part of the design of the scheme where feasible:
    • increasing canopy cover and volume as part of any landscaping scheme;
    • increasing biomass through the planting of hedges and shrubs and necromass through establishing wood piles and other dead plant life;
    • living green roofs and walls;
    • using restrained lighting in low blue content white or yellow light to minimise impact on humans and wildlife and to reduce light pollution;
    • the protection or enhancement of the status or population of priority habitats, species, and wildlife movement;
    • increasing the area of permeable surfaces, particularly those that include biodiversity-enhancing features, and reducing the area of impermeable surfaces, including artificial grass.
  2. The Plan encourages all residential development, including garden buildings, to explore opportunities to provide a 1-metre gap at the end of the rear (or main) garden to provide space for planting and the movement of wildlife. Where development is occurring within a Biodiversity Corridor, a 2-metre gap should be left and within an Historic Tree Line, a 3-metre gap should be retained.

For more information please see the Neighbourhood Plan