Policy information sourced from the Harlow Local Development Plan 2020-2033 PDF.
PL9: Biodiversity and Geodiversity Assets.
Development should contribute to and enhance biodiversity or geodiversity assets, to ensure a net gain in biodiversity.
The potential harm caused by development on these assets and their surroundings will be assessed based on the harm caused by the development. The greater the significance of the asset, the greater the weight that is given to the asset’s protection. Distinction will be made between the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated and non-designated sites so that the level of protection afforded is consistent with their status.
Development must meet the following criteria
- (a) it conserves and enhances existing biodiversity and geodiversity assets;
- (b) where (a) is not possible, it includes appropriate and effective measures to mitigate the negative effects on existing biodiversity and geodiversity assets;
- (c) where there is a residual impact, it includes provision for compensatory measures to be secured off-site;
- (d) it creates new biodiversity and creates links to existing biodiversity and geodiversity assets.
For more information, please visit Harlow’s Local Plan here.