Policy information sourced from the Houghton Regis Neighbourhood Plan

BNF1: Biodiversity and Protecting Natural Features

New development will be required to protect and enhance existing natural features of sites and provide at least 10% net gain in biodiversity.

Provision of appropriate species-related measures will be required in new buildings, including extensions, for example, swift bricks, bat and owl boxes, hedgehog highways.

Opportunities should also be taken by developers and landowners to link sustainable drainage solutions in new development to complement nature conservation objectives.

Any proposal to develop areas considered important natural features of the chalk landscape, especially those that are a prominent part of the parish’s character, must be protected and preserved, notably:

The springs at:

  • Kingsland (Map 6, no.1),
  • The Green (Map 6, no.2),
  • Bidwell (Map 6, no.3),
  • Sewell (Map 6, no.4),
  • Thorn (Map 6, no.5),
  • the source of the Ouzel Brook (Map 6, no.6),

The natural hilltops and viewpoints over the landscape as shown on the Policies Map

  • of and from Maiden Bower,
  • of and from the rim of the Houghton Regis Chalk Pit Nature Reserve,
  • Dog Kennel Down.

For more information, please visit the Houghton Regis Neighbourhood Plan