Policy information sourced from the Islington Local Plan
G4 Biodiversity, landscape design and trees
- All developments must protect, enhance and contribute to the landscape, biodiversity value and growing conditions of the development site and surrounding area, including protecting and enhancing connectivity between habitats.
- Development should protect Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). SINCs are areas designated for their importance for wildlife, biodiversity and access to nature and are shown on the Policies Map. The level of protection will be commensurate with the status of a SINC and the contribution it makes to the wider ecological network (refer to paragraph 5.27). Where harm to a SINC is unavoidable, and where the benefits of the development proposal clearly outweigh the impacts on biodiversity, the following mitigation hierarchy should be applied to minimise development impacts:
- Avoid damaging the significant ecological features of the site;
- Minimise the overall spatial impact and mitigate it by improving the quality or management of the rest of the site;
- Deliver off-site compensation of better biodiversity value. Refer to paragraph 5.30 for further detail
- Development proposals involving the creation of new buildings, redevelopment of existing buildings or large extensions must submit a Landscape Design Strategy (as part of the Sustainable Design and Construction Statement) which maximises green infrastructure, biodiversity and sustainable drainage. This must consider landscape design holistically from the outset of the design process and demonstrate the following:
- An integrated approach to hard and soft landscaping design, prioritising soft landscaping and urban greening, including areas of unconstrained planting;
- Consideration of existing and proposed trees, hedges, shrubs and other vegetation of landscape or environmental significance, and their impact on biodiversity, sustainable drainage, air quality and urban cooling;
- Achieving a functional, attractive and inclusive design;
- Maximising biodiversity benefits and ecological connectivity, including through the protection and enhancement of existing biodiversity, and the incorporation of new areas of biodiversity and opportunities for wildlife, including green roofs and vertical greening. Development proposals must aim to secure a net gain in biodiversity value, with a clear priority for on-site measures;
- Incorporation of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) into the landscape design as part of an integrated approach which maximises biodiversity and water use efficiency alongside other benefits including, where appropriate and practical, amenity and recreation;
- Incorporation of suitable wildlife habitats, including micro-habitats;
- Consideration of the potential impact on biodiversity of lighting, noise or shading, and adoption of a lighting scheme design that minimises impacts on biodiversity;
- Provision of a robust planting design that can sustain itself without intensive maintenance and/or intervention;
- Incorporation of appropriate maintenance arrangements that will be put in place from the outset of the development, including a requirement for a specific management plan secured by planning condition where necessary; and
- Integration of food growing opportunities, where feasible and practical.
- All developments must protect and enhance site biodiversity, including wildlife habitats, trees and measures to reduce deficiencies in access to nature. Developments involving refurbishment and/or extension of existing buildings must be designed and implemented to reduce impact on existing species and their habitats.
- Biodiversity benefits and ecological connectivity must be maximised through planting design, ecological landscaping, and the incorporation of areas of biodiversity that complement surrounding habitats and support the Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan. Species chosen for planting must maximise biodiversity benefit, be beneficial to wildlife and complement the existing habitat. Habitat features must be incorporated on-site to support existing species of wildlife and provide opportunities for new wildlife.
- All developments, including refurbishment works, must carry out ecological surveys and assessments wherever the proposed development is likely to have an impact on protected species; habitats or priority species identified in the borough’s Biodiversity Action Plan; and/or is either within or in close proximity to a SINC(s).
- All developments are required to minimise impacts on existing trees, hedges, shrubs and other significant vegetation, and provide sufficient space for the crowns and root systems of existing and proposed trees and their future growth. Developments within proximity of existing trees are required to provide protection from any damage during development. The Council will normally refuse permission or consent for the removal of protected trees, i.e. trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and trees within a conservation area; and for proposals that would have a detrimental impact on the health of protected trees.
- Any loss of or damage to trees or other significant planting, or adverse effects on their growing conditions or survival, will only be permitted where it is demonstrably unavoidable in order to meet other relevant Local Plan policy requirements (as agreed with the Council). In such circumstances, the developer must follow the following hierarchy, with each step down justified by evidence and agreed with the Council:
- Replace tree provision on site,
- Replace tree provision directly adjacent to the site on land owned by the developer,
- Pay a financial contribution to the Council to provide appropriate reprovision.
For more information please see the Islington Local Plan