Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Landscape, Biodiversity
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Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees Supplementary Planning Document July 2018 DRAFT for Economic Planning and Housing Committee 1 Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD – DRAFT for EPH 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4 Purpose of this Supplementary Planning Document .............................................. 4 What types of development does this Supplementary Planning Document apply to? ......................................................................................................................... 5 Professional sources of advice .............................................................................. 5 2. Policy context ................................................................................................................. 6 Links to Green Infrastructure Strategy ................................................................... 7 3. Landscape ...................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 9 Policy context ........................................................................................................ 9 Overview of how to create a strong landscape structure ...................................... 10 STAGE ONE: Understanding a site - Survey of the site and its surroundings ................ 11 STAGE TWO: Analysis - Evaluation of landscape information ....................................... 12 Landscape character ........................................................................................... 12 Visual amenity ..................................................................................................... 13 Other factors to be considered in the assessment process .................................. 13 STAGE THREE: Design ................................................................................................ 15 Formulating a good design ............................................................................................ 15 Key design principles ........................................................................................... 15 Landscape Strategy ............................................................................................. 16 Landscape masterplan requirements ................................................................... 17 Landscape design requirements .................................................................................... 18 Green space provision ......................................................................................... 18 Soft and hard landscaping ................................................................................... 20 Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)................................................................. 27 Artwork ................................................................................................................ 27 Other design considerations ................................................................................ 28 Maintenance and Management ..................................................................................... 29 Landscape management plan .............................................................................. 29 Adoption .............................................................................................................. 30 4. Biodiversity .................................................................................................................. 31 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 31 The borough’s biodiversity ................................................................................... 31 Policy context ...................................................................................................... 32 Biodiversity and the planning process ............................................................................ 34 STAGE ONE: Understanding the site’s biodiversity importance .................................... 35 Biodiversity checklist ............................................................................................ 35 General survey requirements ............................................................................... 36 Requirements of habitat surveys.......................................................................... 38 Requirements of Species surveys ........................................................................ 39 2 Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD – DRAFT for EPH STAGE TWO: Evaluating the survey information .......................................................... 41 Habitats ............................................................................................................... 41 Species ................................................................................................................ 42 STAGE THREE: Designing for biodiversity ................................................................... 44 Avoidance ............................................................................................................ 45 Enhancement ...................................................................................................... 51 Compensation ..................................................................................................... 53 During construction and long-term maintenance ............................................................ 54 Management and monitoring ............................................................................... 55 5. Trees, woodlands and hedgerows .............................................................................. 56 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 56 Policy context ...................................................................................................... 56 Trees and the planning process ........................................................................... 57 Understanding the tree resource ................................................................................... 57 Selecting trees for retention ........................................................................................... 58 Incorporating trees into development ............................................................................. 60 Tree planting ................................................................................................................. 62 Developing a scheme for tree protection........................................................................ 63 Post-development management .................................................................................... 65 Planning application information requirements............................................................... 66 Appendices Appendix 1 Glossary of Terms Appendix 3.1 Basingstoke and Deane borough Countryside Design Summary Appendix 3.2 Definitions of green space types Appendix 4.1 Key species and habitats Appendix 4.2 Triggers for ecological surveys Appendix 4.3 Biodiversity maps All plans and photographs provided by BDBC unless otherwise stated. All maps © Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey LA100019356 3 Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD – DRAFT for EPH 1. Introduction 1.1 This draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been produced to expand upon the natural environment policies in the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan (2011- 2029). It addresses how landscape, biodiversity, and tree considerations should inform new development to deliver high quality, sustainable places to live, that enhance biodiversity and support healthy lifestyles. 1.2 This draft SPD has been prepared in accordance with the Local Plan Regulations and, once adopted, will be a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications. 1.3 The character of Basingstoke and Deane is enhanced by its varied built form, diverse species and habitats and green infrastructure. Beyond the principal settlement of Basingstoke, the rural area is characterised by a network of dispersed towns and villages, many of which have heritage interest that is enhanced by its landscape setting. The landscape of the borough is predominantly rural and agricultural, and is made up of a number of different character areas, each of which contain their own special and distinctive qualities. 1.4 Part of the north west of the borough contains 80 square miles of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which is recognised as a landscape of national importance. The borough supports a wide range of habitats and species including a number of species representative of some very special habitats such as chalk rivers and ancient semi-natural woodlands. There is also a range of nationally and locally designated sites important for biodiversity including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). Together with the borough’s other natural and green open spaces, these form an interconnected green infrastructure network. 1.5 The importance of landscape, biodiversity