Policy G6 — Biodiversity and access to nature

Policy G6 Biodiversity and access to nature A Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) should be protected. B Boroughs, in developing Development Plans, should: 1) use up-to-date information about the natural environment and the relevant procedures to identify SINCs and ecological corridors to identify coherent ecological networks 2) identify areas of deficiency in access to nature (i.e. areas that are more than 1km walking distance from an accessible Metropolitan or Borough SINC) and seek opportunities to address them 3) support the protection and conservation of priority species and habitats that sit outside the SINC network, and promote opportunities for enhancing them using Biodiversity Action Plans 4) seek opportunities to create other habitats, or features such as artificial nest sites, that are of particular relevance and benefit in an urban context 5) ensure designated sites of European or national nature conservation importance are clearly identified and impacts assessed in accordance with legislative requirements. C Where harm to a SINC is unavoidable, and where the benefits of the development proposal clearly outweigh the impacts on biodiversity, the following mitigation hierarchy should be applied to minimise development impacts: 1) avoid damaging the significant ecological features of the site 2) minimise the overall spatial impact and mitigate it by improving the quality or management of the rest of the site 3) deliver off-site compensation of better biodiversity value. D Development proposals should manage impacts on biodiversity and aim to secure net biodiversity gain. This should be informed by the best available ecological information and addressed from the start of the development process. E Proposals which reduce deficiencies in access to nature should be considered positively. 8.6.1 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) comprise: Sites of Metropolitan Importance – strategically-important conservation sites for London Sites of Borough Importance – sites which support habitats or species of value at the borough level Sites of Local Importance – sites which are important for the provision of access to nature at the neighbourhood level. Several Sites of Metropolitan Importance also have statutory European or national nature conservation designations (see paragraph 8.6.3) 8.6.2 The level of protection afforded to SINCS should be commensurate with their status and the contribution they make to wider ecological networks. When undertaking comprehensive reviews of SINCs across a borough, or when identifying or amending Sites of Metropolitan Importance, boroughs should consult the London Wildlife Sites Board. 8.6.3 Sites with a formal European or national designation (including Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserves and Local Reserves) are protected by legislation. There are legal provisions which ensure these sites are not harmed by development; there is a duty to consult Natural England on proposals that might affect these sites, and undertake an appropriate assessment of the potential impacts on European sites if a plan or project is likely to have a significant effect on the integrity of a European site. 8.6.4 Although heavily urbanised, London consists of a wide variety of important wildlife habitats , including a number of sites which have national and international protection. These habitats range from semi-natural features such as chalk grasslands and ancient woodlands to more urban habitats such as reservoirs and vegetated railway corridors. The wildlife value of these sites must be protected and appropriate maintenance regimes should be established to maintain or enhance the wildlife value of sites, recognising the additional pressure some sites may experience due to London’s projected growth. Improved sustainable access to wildlife sites should be secured, where appropriate, so that Londoners can better experience and appreciate the natural environment within the city. The connections between protected sites – green corridors – are often critical in helping to sustain wildlife populations that would be vulnerable if they were confined to isolated areas of habitat. London’s water spaces make up an important set of habitats in London. Policy SI 17 Protecting and enhancing London’s waterways addresses the protection of water spaces, with a particular priority for improving and restoring them. The habitat value of waterways is a key element of their future management. 8.6.5 Development proposals that are adjacent to or near SINCs or green corridors should consider the potential impact of indirect effects to the site, such as noise, shading or lighting. There may also be opportunities for new development to contribute to enhancing the nature conservation value of an adjacent SINC or green corridor by, for example, sympathetic landscaping that provides complementary habitat. The London Environment Strategy includes guidance on identifying SINCs (Appendix 5) as well as habitat creation targets and a comprehensive list of priority species and habitats that require particular consideration when planning decisions are made. The London Wildlife Sites Board offers help and guidance to boroughs on the selection of SINCs. [138] Figure 8.2 - Designated nature conservation sites Figure 8.2 - Designated nature conservation sites 8.6.6 Biodiversity net gain is an approach to development that leaves biodiversity in a better state than before. This means that where biodiversity is lost as a result of a development, the compensation provided should be of an overall greater biodiversity value than that which is lost. This approach does not change the fact that losses should be avoided, and biodiversity offsetting is the option of last resort. The Mayor will be producing guidance to set out how biodiversity net gain applies in London.London Plan Policy G6 · official source →