Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan
NE1 International, National and Locally Designated Nature Conservation Sites
Development proposals, land use or activity (either individually or in combination with other developments) which are likely to have a detrimental impact which adversely affects the integrity of a designated site, will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that there are material considerations which clearly outweigh the need to safeguard the nature conservation value of the site, and any broader impacts on the international, national, or local network of nature conservation assets.
Evidence will be required in the form of up-to-date ecological surveys undertaken by a competent ecologist prior to the submission of an application. The type of evidence required will be commensurate to the scale and location of the development and the likely impact on biodiversity, the legal protection or other status of a site. Where insufficient data is provided, permission will be refused.
Where a site of International or National designation for nature conservation importance is adversely affected by the proposals, permission will only be permitted where the Council is satisfied that:
- There are imperative reasons of overriding public interest, which could be of a social or economic nature, sufficient to override the harm to the site; or
- There are imperative reasons of overriding public interest relating to human health, public safety or benefits of primary importance to the environment; and in either case
- There are no satisfactory alternatives to the proposal.
Proposals should avoid impacts on sites of nature conservation value and wherever possible, alternative options which reduce or eliminate such impacts should be pursued. Where adverse impacts are unavoidable, measures to mitigate the impact will be sought, commensurate to the importance of the site in terms of its status in the hierarchy and the contribution it makes to the wider ecological networks.
Where adequate mitigation measures are not possible, compensatory measures may be appropriate. Such compensatory schemes should seek to achieve a net gain for nature and the Council will consider the use of conditions and/or planning obligations to secure appropriate mitigation/compensation commensurate to the type and scale of development. Compensatory measures can be situated on or off the development site. The availability of compensatory measures will be a material consideration in the determination of development proposals.
Ecological impacts will be quantified by utilising and taking into account a locally approved Biodiversity Metric where appropriate. Development must demonstrate a net gain in ecological units. Ecological information must be supplied in accordance with BS 42020 2013.
For more information please see the District Plan