Policy information sourced from the Lewisham Local Plan
GR5 Urban greening and trees
Strategic Objectives:
D A greener borough,
E Responding to the climate emergency,
G Healthy and safe communities.
A Development proposals must demonstrate how the design-led approach has been used to maximise opportunities for urban greening. This includes the integration of high quality and species diverse landscaping, street trees, wildlife habitat, green roofs and walls and Sustainable Drainage Systems. They must be designed with consideration given to the site context and the wider landscape setting as well as the layout, design, construction and long-term management of buildings and spaces.
B Development proposals must respond positively to landforms including by retaining or enhancing landscape features of historic, ecological and visual amenity value.
C Major development proposals must increase green cover on site to achieve the recommended target Urban Greening Factor (UGF) in the London Plan, unless it can be suitably demonstrated that this is not feasible. The target UGF score is 0.4 for predominantly residential development and 0.3 for predominantly commercial development (excluding B2 and B8 uses). Existing green cover retained on-site will count towards the target score. Planning contributions may be sought where the target UGF is not achieved.
D Development proposals should maximise the use of green roofs and walls. Major development proposals will be expected to demonstrate that the feasibility of integrating these measures has been fully investigated, and minor development proposals are strongly encouraged to incorporate them. Green roofs and walls will be supported where they are appropriately designed, installed and maintained. Development proposals should have regard to the latest industry good practice guidance to help ensure that green roofs and walls are designed to maximise environmental benefits and will function effectively over the lifetime of the development.
E Development proposals must seek to retain existing trees as well as the associated habitat with regard for the urban forest, with reference to Policy GR3 (Biodiversity and access to nature).They should also maximise opportunities for additional tree planting particularly in urbanised locations such as streets and town centres. Development proposals must demonstrate that they will:
- Provide for the sensitive integration of all trees whilst ensuring any new or replacement on-site provision is of a high ecological quality (including appropriate species, stem girth and life expectancy) and contributes positively to the microclimate;
- Protect veteran trees and ancient woodland;
- Retain trees of quality and associated habitat, wherever possible, with appropriate arrangements to secure their protection throughout demolition, construction, and external works, to the occupation stage of development;
- Avoid the loss of, and mitigate against adverse impacts on, trees of significant ecological, amenity and historical value;
- Ensure building foundations are sufficient to be climate change resilient in proximity to trees; and
- Ensure adequate replacement tree planting where the retention of trees is not reasonably practical, with replacement provision that meets the requirements of (a) above.
F Development proposals must look to retain protected trees (i.e. those covered by a Tree Preservation Order and trees within Conservation Areas). Developments should avoid imposing detrimental impacts on the health of protected trees and visual amenity they provide. The Council may identify and seek to protect trees that are of a significant amenity, heritage, ecological, or other value through the development management process.
G Major development proposals, and where appropriate other development proposals, will be required to submit a Landscape Design Strategy and Arboriculture Survey to demonstrate that landscaping and other urban greening measures are appropriate to the site, can be implemented effectively and will be suitably managed over the lifetime of the development.
For more information and policy context please see the Lewisham Local Plan