Policy information sourced from Dacorum Local Plan 2004 Alteration
103 Management of Sites of Nature Conservation Importance
Where planning permission is granted for developments on or adjoining sites of importance to nature conservation, the Council will require applicants to undertake the following:
- submit environmental statements where it is considered a proposed development would have a significant adverse effect on nature conservation interests (i.e. sites covered by Policy 102);
- retain and enhance important nature conservation features and habitats within and/or, where appropriate, adjoining the site;
- ensure the protection of such features and habitats from damage both during and after development;
- make provision for the future management of such features and habitats.
Where loss of features or habitats is unavoidable, the Council will require compensatory measures to replace or reinstate the nature conservation value that has been lost.
Where appropriate the Council will achieve these objectives by the imposition of planning conditions and/or the negotiation of planning obligations and/or management agreements (Section 61 Wildlife and Countryside Act).
The overall conservation, enhancement and enjoyment of Dacorum’s wildlife will be furthered by support for the work undertaken by Hertfordshire’s Countryside Management Service, Biological Records Centre, the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and voluntary agencies and the Countryside Heritage Project. In addition appropriate partnerships will be fostered with landowners, local environment and countryside forums and other interested parties.
The following measures will be employed, where appropriate, to ensure the creation, protection and good management of sites of nature conservation value:
- management agreements under Section 39 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;
- other forms of voluntary management agreement, particularly linked to development proposals and the Hertfordshire Countryside Heritage Project;
- designation of local nature reserves under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949;
- provision of appropriate financial assistance, advice and information on best practice to voluntary agencies and other bodies.
The ecological context and framework for these actions will be provided by the Local Biodiversity Action Plans (particularly the Dacorum Borough Nature Conservation Strategy).
Specific sites identified for designation as local nature reserves are listed in the Schedule of Environment Proposal Sites.
For more information please see the Local Plan