Policy information sourced from the Tandridge Local Plan Part 2: Detailed Policies

DP19: Biodiversity, Geological Conservation & Green Infrastructure

A. There will be a presumption in favour of development proposals which seek to:

  1. Protect, enhance or increase the provision of, and access to the network of multi-functional Green Infrastructure (GI);
  2. Promote nature conservation and management;
  3. Restore or create Priority Habitats; or
  4. Maximise opportunities for geological conservation.

B. In order to conserve and enhance the natural environment, proposals which would result in significant harm to local, national or statutory sites of biological or geological importance or the broader GI network will be refused planning permission unless:

  1. All reasonable alternative locations with less harmful impacts are demonstrated to be unsuitable; and
  2. The proposal incorporates measures to avoid the harmful impacts arising, sufficiently mitigate their effects, or, as a last resort, compensate for them.

C. Where a proposal is likely to result in direct or indirect harm to an irreplaceable environmental asset of the highest designation, such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), ancient woodland or veteran trees, the granting of planning permission will be wholly exceptional.

  1. With regard to SSSIs, exceptions will only be made where benefits of development at the site clearly outweigh both the impacts on the features of the site and on any broader networks of SSSIs.
  2. In the case of ancient woodland and veteran trees exceptions will only be made where the need for and benefits of the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss.
  3. In all cases, any impacts or harm should not just be mitigated, but overall ecological benefits should be delivered.

D. Planning permission for development directly or indirectly affecting protected or Priority species will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the species involved will not be harmed or appropriate mitigation measures can be put in place.

For more information please see the Tandridge Local Plan Part 2: Detailed Policies