Policy information sourced from the Surrey Heath Core Strategy
CP14A Biodiversity and Nature Conservation
The Borough Council will seek to conserve and enhance biodiversity within Surrey Heath. Working with partners, new opportunities for habitat creation and protection will be explored in particular on biodiversity opportunity areas. Development that results in harm to or loss of features of interest for biodiversity will not be permitted.
Particular regard will be had to the following hierarchy of important sites and habitats within the Borough (as identified upon the Proposals Map):
- Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) (European)
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Nature Reserves (National)
- Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), Local Nature Reserves (LNR), other Ancient Woodland not identified in (ii) above (Local)
Outside of these areas, new development will where appropriate be required to contribute to the protection, management and enhancement of biodiversity. On locally designated sites this will include those habitats and species listed in the Surrey Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
Within locally designated sites development will not be permitted unless it is necessary for appropriate on site management measures and can demonstrate no adverse impact to the integrity of the nature conservation interest. Development adjacent to locally designated sites will not be permitted where it has an adverse impact on the integrity of the nature conservation interest.
The Council will work in partnership to restore and enhance Biodiversity Opportunity Areas in particular those also designated as SPA or SAC which are of strategic importance.
Policy information sourced from the Surrey Heath Core Strategy