Strategic Objectives:

A An open Lewisham as part of an open London,

D A greener borough,

E Responding to the climate emergency,

H Securing the timely delivery of infrastructure.

A The Council will work positively with stakeholders, including the Lewisham Biodiversity Partnership, to promote and secure the conservation, restoration and management of habitats as well as the protection of species. It will prepare a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) as part of a strategic approach to nature conservation and to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain within the Borough.

B Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) are safeguarded in the Local Plan. Development proposals must protect and maximise opportunities to enhance the wildlife value of SINC sites. They must also protect and conserve irreplaceable habitats, protected and priority habitats and species that sit outside of the SINC network, with reference to the London Environment Strategy.

C Development proposals must seek to avoid harm to biodiversity including within SINC sites and Local Nature Reserves. In line with London Plan policy G3 (Biodiversity and access to nature), where it is demonstrated that harm is unavoidable, and where the benefits of the development proposal clearly outweigh the impacts on biodiversity, the following mitigation hierarchy must be applied to minimise impacts:

D Development proposals that have the potential to impact on designated international or national nature conservation sites located outside of the Borough must ensure that impacts are assessed in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements. Proposals will be considered having regard to national planning policies and legislation.

E In accordance with national legislation (Environment Act 2021), development proposals should seek to secure Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The BNG benchmark as set out in the national legislation is a minimum 10 per cent increase in habitat value for wildlife compared with the pre-development baseline, calculated using an appropriate Biodiversity Metric. Biodiversity should be fully integrated into the design-led approach with consideration given to the site context and its wider landscape setting.

F All major development proposals and other development proposals that are likely to have a direct or indirect adverse impact on a SINC, Local Nature Reserve or other site with biodiversity interests must submit an Ecological Assessment carried out by a chartered ecologist. Major development proposals adjacent to a SINC should consult the Lewisham Biodiversity Partnership to assist with the assessment of potential impacts on the site and opportunities to enhance the site’s biodiversity value.

G Planning conditions and/or legal agreements may be used to secure Management Plans where these are considered necessary to support nature conservation objectives.

H Development proposals that help to reduce deficiencies in the population’s access to nature will be considered favourably.

For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan