Policy information sourced from the Hillingdon Local Plan: Part 2

DMEI 7: Biodiversity Protection and Enhancement

The design and layout of new development should retain and enhance any existing features of biodiversity or geological value within the site. Where loss of a significant existing feature of biodiversity is unavoidable, replacement features of equivalent biodiversity value should be provided on-site. Where development is constrained and cannot provide high quality biodiversity enhancements on-site, then appropriate contributions will be sought to deliver off-site improvements through a legal agreement.

If development is proposed on or near to a site considered to have features of ecological or geological value, applicants must submit appropriate surveys and assessments to demonstrate that the proposed development will not have unacceptable effects. The development must provide a positive contribution to the protection and enhancement of the site or feature of ecological value.

All development alongside, or that benefits from a frontage on to a main river or the Grand Union Canal will be expected to contribute to additional biodiversity improvements.

Proposals that result in significant harm to biodiversity which cannot be avoided, mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, will normally be refused.

For more information please see the Local Plan: Part 2