Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan

NE3 Species and Habitats

Development should always seek to enhance biodiversity and to create opportunities for wildlife. Proposals must demonstrate how the development improves the biodiversity value of the site and surrounding environment. 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 Biodiversity value of a site pre and post development will be determined by applying a locally approved Biodiversity Metric where appropriate. Submitted information must be consistent with BS 42020 2013. Where insufficient data is provided, permission will be refused.

Proposals should detail how physical features will be maintained in the long term.

Development which would result in the loss or significant damage to trees, hedgerows or ancient woodland sites will not be permitted. The Council will seek their reinforcement by additional planting of native species where appropriate. Protective buffers of complementary habitat will be expected to adjoin these features, sufficient to protect against root damage and improvement of their long term condition. A minimum buffer zone of 10m (or greater if required) is considered appropriate.

Proposals will be expected to protect and enhance locally important biodiversity sites and other notable ecological features of conservation value.

Proposals should avoid impacting on Species and Habitats of Principle Importance as published under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (or as subsequently amended).

Where adverse impacts are unavoidable, appropriate mitigation and compensation measures must be employed, commensurate to the importance, the legal protection or other status of the species or habitat. The District Council will impose conditions / planning obligations which seek to: