Policy information sourced from the Central and Eastern Berkshire Joint Minerals & Waste Plan
DM3 Protection of Habitats and Species
- Minerals and waste development that will contribute to the conservation, restoration and enhancement of biodiversity through the securing of at least 10% measurable net gain in biodiversity value will be permitted.
- Development that is likely to result in a significant effect, either alone or in combination, on internationally designated sites including Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Ramsar sites; sites identified, or required, as compensatory measures for adverse effects on such sites; and European Protected Species, will need to satisfy the requirements of the Habitats Regulations.
- The following sites, habitats and species will be protected and enhanced in accordance with the level of their relative importance:
- Nationally designated sites including Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves, and nationally protected species;
- Irreplaceable habitats (such as ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees).
- Locally designated sites including Local Wildlife Sites, and Local Nature Reserves;
- Habitats and species of principal importance;
- Priority habitats and species listed in the national and local Biodiversity Action Plans;
- Trees, woodlands, and hedgerows; and
- Features of the landscape that function as ‘stepping stones’ or form part of a wider network of features by virtue of a coherent ecological structure or function, or importance in the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species.
- Development likely to result in the loss, harm or deterioration of the above sites, habitats and species will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated:
- For Sites of Special Scientific Interest that the benefits of the development clearly outweigh both its likely impact on the features of the site that make it of special scientific interest, and any broader impacts on the national network of such sites;
- For irreplaceable habitats that there are wholly exceptional reasons for the development and a suitable compensation strategy exists;
- For those listed in c – g of paragraph 3, in proportion to their relative importance (alone or as part of a wider network), where loss, harm or deterioration to biodiversity cannot be avoided through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts, adequate mitigation, or, as a last resort, compensation is provided.
For more information please see the Central and Eastern Berkshire Joint Minerals & Waste Plan