Policy information sourced from the Epsom & Ewell Development Management Policies Document
DM4: Biodiversity and New development
Development affecting existing or proposed nature conservation sites and habitats of international, national or local importance will only be permitted if:
- The development would enhance the nature conservation potential of the site or is proven to be necessary for the conservation management of the site; or
- there is no alternative location for the development and there would be no harm to the nature conservation potential of the site; or
- there are imperative reasons of overriding public interest for the development
Elsewhere in the Borough:
Development affecting any site or building that supports species protected by Law, including their habitats, will only be permitted if appropriate mitigation and compensatory measures are agreed to facilitate the survival of the identified species, keep disturbance to a minimum and provide adequate alternative habitats to ensure no net loss of biodiversity.
Mitigation and compensatory measures will be secured through planning obligations or conditions, with priority for such measures to be provided within the development.
Whether or not there are any species or habitats that enjoy statutory protection, every opportunity should be taken to secure net benefit to the Borough’s biodiversity. To this end, an assessment of the existing nature conservation assets on a development site should be undertaken at the application stage and suitable biodiversity enhancements proposed.
For more information please see the Epsom & Ewell Management Policies Document