Policy information sourced from the Woking Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD)
DM1: Green Infrastructure Opportunities
Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Assets
New green infrastructure assets required to support development and the general community will be expected to be designed and located to maximize the range of green infrastructure functions and benefits.
Where proposals include new or enhanced green infrastructure assets, the applicant will be required to provide a statement detailing:
- where new features will be located and, where relevant, how they may be accessed. A map should be provided of the existing and proposed green infrastructure on relevant sites; and
- the function of green infrastructure assets, what benefits they will bring (e.g. social, environmental, economic) and how proposals will contribute or integrate with the existing and/or proposed green infrastructure network; and
- management and maintenance arrangements that will be put in place to ensure the sustainable long-term care for the asset; and
- that the provision of any Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace will not compromise the biodiversity value of Sites of Nature Conservation Interest.
Provided proposals are consistent with nature conservation objectives in other policies of the Development Plan for the area, the Council will support:
- the creation of footpaths and ‘cycle greenways’;
- the provision of new green infrastructure assets within the Green Belt, including open space proposals and facilities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation that preserve the openness of Green Belt which would improve public accessibility to open space and the countryside.
The provision of new or enhanced green infrastructure assets will be expected to take any reasonable opportunities to connect to, or enhance, the existing Green Infrastructure Network. Particular attention should be given to enhancing the green infrastructure opportunity areas that provides biodiversity benefits such as biodiversity opportunity areas (BOA) identified in Natural Woking: Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure Strategy and by Surrey Nature Partnership. The Council will encourage partnership working in the delivery of new or enhanced green infrastructure.
Development proposals which would result in significant harm to the broader green infrastructure network will only be considered if:
- all reasonable alternative locations with less harmful impacts are demonstrated to be unsuitable; and
- the proposal incorporates measures to avoid the harmful impacts arising, sufficiently mitigate their effects, or, as a last resort, compensate for them; or
- the benefit arising from the development is of sufficient value to the overall objectives of the Development Plan to outweigh any harm caused.
The Council will work with Neighbourhood Forums where they may designate Local Green Space in their Neighbourhood Plans to ensure they are well integrated into the broader green infrastructure network. The management of development on designated Local Green Spaces should be consistent with paragraph 78 of the NPPF.
For more information please see the Development Plan Document