Policy information sourced from Hammersmith & Fulham Planning Guidance

BD7 Enhancement of Biodiversity

Development proposals, (excluding householder applications) should include design measures that will enhance, restore or create features or habitats used by wildlife.

Appropriate to the scale, type and potential impacts of the proposed development on biodiversity, developers should create new and/or enhance existing green infrastructure and habitats in or around new developments by incorporating some, or all of the measures listed below:

  • Creating new green infrastructure, including green corridors linking habitats on and next to the site so that wildlife can move between habitats;
  • Creating new habitats such as hedges and ponds that will benefit wildlife. Often even small scale, cost effective habitat creation can provide significant biodiversity gains and greatly add to the visual interest of the development;
  • Ensuring that landscape schemes, including ornamental landscaping and management routines, benefit wildlife and biodiversity;
  • Integrating nesting and roosting opportunities for bats and birds into buildings and other built structures;
  • Wherever appropriate, developers should consider how their landscape proposals relate to and contribute to meeting the London Plan targets for the improvement and expansion of priority habitats; and
  • Designing external lighting to minimise light spill and other light pollution.

For open spaces around development, the emphasis should be on developing multi-functional spaces that can also effectively function as habitats for biodiversity.

For strategic development sites, a Green Infrastructure Strategy setting out the key principles for green infrastructure development on the site will be required. This may be part of a Concept Statement or development brief that will influence the site planning and design and help ensure green infrastructure is incorporated from the early stages of the project. Concept statements can also be used as the basis for the Design and Access Statement.

Where on-site improvements to green infrastructure are not possible, developer contributions or suitable green infrastructure provision in other areas of the borough may be required.

For more information please see the Hammersmith & Fulham Planning Guidance