Policy information sourced from the Islington Development Management Policies

DM6.5 Landscaping, trees and biodiversity

A) Developments must protect, contribute to and enhance the landscape, biodiversity value and growing conditions of the development site and surrounding area, including protecting connectivity between habitats. Developments are required to maximise the provision of soft landscaping, including trees, shrubs and other vegetation, and maximise biodiversity benefits, including through the incorporation of wildlife habitats that complement surrounding habitats and support the council’s Biodiversity Action Plan.

B) Trees, shrubs and other vegetation of landscape and/or environmental significance must be considered holistically as part of the landscape plan. The following requirements shall be adhered to:

  • Developments are required to minimise any impacts on trees, shrubs and other significant vegetation. Any loss of or damage to trees, or adverse effects on their growing conditions, will only be permitted where there are over-riding planning benefits, must be agreed with the council and suitably reprovided. Developments within proximity of existing trees are required to provide protection from any damage during development. Where on-site re-provision is not possible, a financial contribution of the full cost of appropriate reprovision will be required.
  • The council will refuse permission or consent for the removal of protected trees (TPO trees, and trees within a conservation area) and for proposals that would have a detrimental impact on the health of protected trees.

C) Developments should maximise the provision of green roofs and the greening of vertical surfaces as far as reasonably possible, and where this can be achieved in a sustainable manner, without excessive water demand. New-build developments, and all major applications, should use all available roof space for green roofs, subject to other planning considerations.

D) The design and operation of green roofs must maximise benefits for biodiversity, sustainable drainage and cooling. Green roofs are required to have a varied substrate depth of average 80-150mm, unless it can be demonstrated that this is not reasonably possible.

See also Policy DM6.2 (New and improved public open spaces) and Policy DM6.3 (Protecting open space).

For more information please see the Islington Development Management Policies