The Watling Chase Community Forest is one of 12 Community Forests around England. It covers an area of approximately 18,840 hectares (72 square miles) of land in Hertfordshire and the northern fringe of London, which includes several sizeable settlements but is predominantly rural. The majority of the Forest is within the area covered by Hertsmere Borough Council, with other parts within the areas of St Albans City and District,Welwyn Hatfield District,Watford Borough and Three Rivers District Councils and the London Boroughs of Barnet and Harrow. Implementing the aims of the Watling Chase Community Forest will increase the quality of the environment and the desirability of being located in the area. Watling Chase Introduction Community Forest St Albans Hatfield Potters Bar Radlett Watford Borehamwood Barnet Bushey Edgware Stanmore Watling Chase Community Forest - A Guide for Landowners, Developers and Users Introduction 1.1 The aim of this Guide is to highlight the 1.3 Central Government advice in Planning Policy importance of the Watling Chase Community Guidance Note 12 (PPG12) advises that Forest and to explain how development Supplementary Planning Guidance should be proposals within it can help achieve its objectives. reviewed on a regular basis alongside reviews of development plan policies to which it relates. 1.2 This Guide acts as Supplementary Planning SPG does not form part of a Local Plan but it may Guidance (SPG), which is to be taken into supplement specific policies in a Plan. SPG should account as a material consideration in the be issued separately from the Plan, made publicly determination of planning applications. The Supplementary Planning Guidance available and its status made clear. Secretary of State will give substantial weight to SPG in making decisions where the SPG derives 1.4 Sections 1 to 5 of this SPG provide background out of, and is consistent with, any relevant information relating to the Forest and this SPG, national or regional guidance and the whilst section 6 onwards focuses on how development plan, and has been prepared in a development proposals can contribute towards proper manner. This guidance supplements the Forest. policies of the Hertsmere Local Plan 2003 which are set out in Appendix 3. Watling Chase Community Forest Chase Community Watling Watling Chase Community Forest 2.1 The Watling Chase Community Forest is one of leisure enterprises, nature areas and public 12 Community Forests around England. It covers open space.’ (Watling Chase Community an area of approximately 18,840 hectares (72 Forest Plan Review 2001, p5). Their square miles) of land in Hertfordshire and the establishment, development and maintenance northern fringe of London,which includes several should increase environmental quality and the sizeable settlements but is predominantly rural. desirability to be located in the area. The map The majority of the Forest is within the area in Appendix 1 shows the extent of the Watling covered by Hertsmere Borough Council, with Chase Community Forest and the boundaries other parts within the areas of St Albans City and of the local authorities in the area. The map in District, Welwyn Hatfield District, Watford Appendix 2 shows the location of some of the Borough and Three Rivers District Councils and main non-motorised access routes through the the London Boroughs of Barnet and Harrow. Forest, namely the Timberland Trail, Alban Way, London LOOP, Hertfordshire Way, London 2.2 Community Forests are not continuous areas Orbital Bridleroute (H25) and Great North of closely grown trees but are instead intended Cycle Route. to be ‘a rich mosaic of landscape, within which land uses include farmland, woodland, villages, Planning Policies and Guidance 3.1 Development proposals must be assessed in 3.5 Planning Policy Guidance Note 9 (PPG9): Nature relation to National and Regional Planning Conservation sets out the Government's Guidance and County and District Council objectives for nature conservation and how level planning policies. National Planning Policy these are to be reflected in land use planning. Guidance and Regional Planning Guidance in The UK Biodiversity Action Plans are also relation to the Watling Chase Community important documents covering a range of Forest are outlined below. County and District wildlife and habitat issues. Council level planning policies are set out in Regional Planning Guidance Appendix 3. 3.6 RPG9: Regional Planning Guidance for the South National Planning Policy Guidance East covers the majority of the area within the 3.2 Several Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) Watling Chase Community Forest. Policy E5 of Supplementary Planning Guidance contain specific references to the Community RPG9 states that development plans should, Forests. These are: ‘promote the retention, protection and I PPG2: Green Belts extension of woodland and forest habitats, particularly ancient and semi-natural woodlands I PPG7: The Countryside: Environmental and also Community Forests’. However, Quality and Economic and Social boundaries for RPG were adjusted in 2000. The Development new RPG which is currently being prepared for I PPG12: Development Plans the East of England includes Hertfordshire and I PPG17: Planning for Open Space, Sport five other counties. RPG14 for the East of and Recreation. England will cover the period to at least 2021 and it is anticipated that this will be issued by the 3.3 The most extensive reference to Community Watling Chase Community Forest Chase Community Watling Government in late 2004 or 2005. Forests is contained within PPG7, Annex D. This guidance explains that each Community 3.7 Small sections of the Forest fall within the Forest is to have a non-statutory Community London Boroughs of Barnet and Harrow which Forest Plan which describes how the Forest are covered by RPG3: Strategic Guidance for Team and its partners propose to create the London Planning Authorities. RPG3 outlines the Forest. It advises that ‘[a]lthough an approved purpose of the Community Forest programme Community Forest Plan might be a material and states that the London Boroughs should, consideration in deciding a planning application ‘draw up policies which facilitate the within a Forest, policies and proposals that are establishment of the Thames Chase and Watling likely to provide the basis for deciding such Chase Community Forests and include applications or determining conditions to be proposals for associated recreational facilities’. attached to relevant planning permissions should be set out in the development plan, which is subject to statutory procedures.’ 3.4 National Planning Policy Guidance (in PPG7) relating to Community Forests explains that development plans should facilitate the establishment of the Community Forests and ensure that development proposals within them respect the woodland setting. It states that Community Forests offer valuable opportunities for improving the environment around towns by upgrading the landscape and providing for recreation and wildlife. It should be noted that much of the Watling Chase Community Forest is within the Green Belt and, as such, normal Green Belt policies apply. Other Relevant Policies and Strategies Watling Chase Community Forest Plan 4.3 The Forest Plan is a non-statutory document and as such, none of its policies, strategies or 4.1 The first Watling Chase Community Forest Plan proposals override statutory development was adopted in 1995, and a review was plans. However, when it is backed up by produced in 2001, which serves as a supplement statutory planning policies such as local plan to the 1995 Plan. These Plans aim to provide the policies, it can have a strong and positive ‘blueprint’ for the creation of the Forest as a influence over the quality and use of the well-wooded landscape for work, wildlife, landscape. The document aims to encourage education and recreation. They set out policies sustainable development, in line with county, and strategies needed to achieve the regional and national guidance on sustainability. Community Forest. The Plans identify landscape zones of different characters in which different Watling Chase Greenways Strategy Supplementary Planning Guidance types of strategy will be appropriate. They also 4.4 The Watling Chase Greenways Strategy is set targets and outline how their vision can be supported by a community partnership whose implemented, by identifying funding sources and vision is to develop an accessible network for those who can get involved in a variety of ways. non-motorised journeys in the town and 4.2 The main objectives of the Community Forest countryside. The partnership consists of include: representatives from Countryside Management Service, Hertsmere Borough Council, I creating a visually exciting and functionally Hertfordshire County Council and various diverse environment local user groups and organisations. The focus I regenerating the environment of the Green is on providing a network for walkers, cyclists Belt and similar areas and horse riders of all abilities to encourage Watling Chase Community Forest Chase Community Watling I protecting sites of nature conservation value sustainable commuting to school and work and and creating new opportunities for nature to provide opportunities for leisure. conservation 4.5 The Strategy covers the Community Forest I protecting areas of high quality landscape (although the focus has predominantly been within Hertsmere) and was chosen in 1998 to I increasing opportunities for sport and be a Countryside