Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees Supplementary Planning Document December 2018 Foreword Basingstoke and Deane has a range of high quality natural environment assets that are greatly valued by residents and visitors alike. The Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan 2011- 2029 sets out ambitious plans for growth, and it is important that any impacts on the natural environment are sensitively and appropriately considered to ensure that our valued green spaces, landscapes and habitats continue to contribute to the borough’s environment. This Supplementary Planning Document adds further detail to the natural environment policies in the Local Plan, providing guidance on how existing green infrastructure, landscape, biodiversity, and trees should shape development proposals and be considered as part of the planning process. The document will help to both protect and enhance the borough’s landscapes, minimise impacts on and provide net gains for biodiversity, and ensure that the many environmental benefits of trees are recognised. As such, it will help to create distinctive, high quality and healthy places to live. This document has been informed by extensive consultation including a seven week formal consultation with residents and stakeholder. It has been prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of this Supplementary Planning Document .............................................. 6 What types of development does this Supplementary Planning Document apply to? ......................................................................................................................... 7 Professional sources of advice .............................................................................. 7 2. Policy context ................................................................................................................. 8 3. Green Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 10 4. Landscape .................................................................................................................... 12 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 12 Policy context ...................................................................................................... 12 Overview of how to create a strong landscape structure ...................................... 13 STAGE ONE: Understanding a site - Survey of the site and its surroundings ................ 14 STAGE TWO: Analysis - Evaluation of landscape information ....................................... 15 Landscape character ........................................................................................... 15 Visual amenity ..................................................................................................... 16 Other factors to be considered in the assessment process .................................. 16 Landscape Strategy ............................................................................................. 17 STAGE THREE: Design ................................................................................................ 19 Formulating a good design ............................................................................................ 19 Key design principles ........................................................................................... 19 Landscape masterplan requirements ................................................................... 20 Landscape design requirements .................................................................................... 22 Green space provision ......................................................................................... 22 Soft and hard landscaping ................................................................................... 24 Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)................................................................. 30 Artwork ................................................................................................................ 30 Other design considerations ................................................................................ 31 Maintenance and Management ..................................................................................... 33 Landscape management plan .............................................................................. 33 Adoption .............................................................................................................. 33 5. Biodiversity .................................................................................................................. 35 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 35 The borough’s biodiversity ................................................................................... 35 Policy context ...................................................................................................... 37 Biodiversity and the planning process ............................................................................ 39 STAGE ONE: Understanding the site’s biodiversity importance .................................... 40 Biodiversity checklist ............................................................................................ 40 General survey requirements ............................................................................... 42 Requirements of habitat surveys.......................................................................... 44 Requirements of species surveys ........................................................................ 45 Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD STAGE TWO: Evaluating the survey information .......................................................... 47 Habitats ............................................................................................................... 47 Species ................................................................................................................ 49 STAGE THREE: Designing for biodiversity ................................................................... 51 Avoidance ............................................................................................................ 52 Mitigation ............................................................................................................. 52 Enhancement ...................................................................................................... 58 Compensation ..................................................................................................... 60 During construction and long-term maintenance ............................................................ 61 Management and monitoring ............................................................................... 62 6. Trees, woodlands and hedgerows .............................................................................. 64 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 64 Policy context ...................................................................................................... 64 Trees and the planning process ........................................................................... 65 Understanding the tree resource ................................................................................... 66 Selecting trees for retention ........................................................................................... 67 Incorporating trees into development ............................................................................. 69 Tree planting ................................................................................................................. 72 Developing a scheme for tree protection........................................................................ 74 Post-development management .................................................................................... 75 Planning application information requirements............................................................... 76 Appendices ....................................................................................................................... 77 Appendix 1 Glossary of Terms ...................................................................................... 77 Appendix 4.1 Basingstoke and Deane borough Countryside Design Summary ............ 83 Appendix 4.2 Definitions of green space types ........................................................... 119 Appendix 5.1 Key species and habitats ...................................................................... 120 Appendix 5.2 Triggers for ecological surveys .............................................................. 124 Appendix 5.3 Biodiversity maps .................................................................................. 127 All plans and photographs provided by BDBC unless otherwise stated. All maps © Crown copyright and database rights 2018 Ordnance Survey LA100019356 Landscape, Biodiversity and Trees SPD 1. Introduction 1.1 This