Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan

Policy M14: Biodiversity and Landscape

Development on sites designated for their biodiversity value will not be granted planning permission unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the biodiversity value will not be adversely affected by the proposals. Proposed development located on or in close proximity to designated sites, priority or other irreplaceable habitats or priority species, or with potential effects on them, must demonstrate that it will not adversely impact on the biodiversity value or ecological pathways.

Habitats Regulations

All residential developments located within 6km of the North Kent Special Protection Areas and Ramsar sites will be subject to screening and appropriate assessment under the Habitats Regulations and will be required to implement mitigation measures to ensure that there are no likely significant effects on the protected features of those sites.

Residential developments of a scale greater than 15 dwellings located between 6 and 10km of the North Kent Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites will be subject to screening and appropriate assessment under the Habitats Regulations. This will also require the implementation of mitigation measures, albeit at a reduced rate, to ensure that there are no likely significant effects on the protected features of those sites.

The Council will seek one of the following options to mitigate impacts as required under 2a) or 2b):

  • Option 1: Payment of a tariff per dwelling. For developments within 6-10km this will be calculated as a proportion of that applied to developments within 6km of the SPAs and Ramsar sites, or
  • Option 2: Provision of suitable alternative new greenspace/ bluespace within or close to the proposed development, which if acceptable would remove/ reduce financial contributions made as part of mitigation, or
  • Option 3: Availability of demonstrably suitable and comparable alternative greenspace/ bluespace, which evidence shows would clearly divert potential residents from visiting the SPAs/ Ramsar sites. If acceptable this could reduce financial contributions to be made as part of mitigation.

Applicable planning applications falling within the above zones must contain enough information so that the local planning authority can carry out an appropriate assessment under the Habitats Regulations.

Biodiversity Net Gain and Protection

Developments will be expected to protect and enhance biodiversity. In the event that development adversely affects any existing habitats, this must be replaced by compensatory habitat of a similar type, size and condition in close proximity to that which is being lost. The new national requirements for at least 10% biodiversity net gain will apply to all applicable developments. Local delivery of net gains should be made by enhancing existing habitats and/ or creating new habitats on-site or, in cases where this is not achievable, offsite within the Biodiversity Opportunity Areas or as part of agreed county-wide habitat creation, nature recovery strategies or enhancement projects. These will need to be informed by and link as best possible to the Dartford Green Grid network. Developers must be able to demonstrate that impacts on ecology and biodiversity could not reasonably be avoided or mitigated on-site before biodiversity offsetting off-site will be considered. Biodiersity Net Gain will be measured using DEFRA’s latest biodiversity metric and habitats will need to be secured for at least 30 years.

Trees and Landscaping

All new developments should be designed and laid out in a way which is sympathetic to their landscape setting. Major developments will be expected to deliver a landscaping scheme that is visually attractive, enhances biodiversity, uses native species, incorporates sustainable drainage measures, and helps to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This will need to incorporate the following elements:

  • New trees and other landscape features should be used to create attractive new streets and provide appropriate natural shading on buildings, at street level and on open spaces.
  • Planting of particular species should be considered to reduce the impact of air pollution.
  • Management and maintenance of the landscape for the lifetime of the development will be required to ensure that landscape and biodiversity features are maintained

In all development proposals, including works to trees protected under a Tree Preservation Order, existing tree coverage, hedgerows and other landscape features should be retained wherever possible. If retention is demonstrated not to be feasible and/ or removal is justified, replacement provision should be of an appropriate native tree species or landscape feature which reflects the maturity, canopy cover and location of that being replaced.

Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan