Open space and biodiversity

This chapter presents draft open space and biodiversity policies for the borough, including policies on protecting and enhancing open space and promoting biodiversity gain on development sites.

To read and make comments on this chapter please click on the links below or take the survey at the bottom of the page:

• Chapter - Open space and biodiversity (Interactive online version)
• Chapter - Open space and biodiversity (pdf)

What are the key open space and biodiversity challenges?

• Loss of open space - Additional development in the borough will put further pressure on the open space that is available to residents and visitors, unless additional open space can be created as part of new developments
• Biodiversity - Biodiversity in the borough has declined due to a range of factors, including urbanisation and improper waste disposal among other pressures.

How can the Local Plan help?

• Protecting open space - The council is committed to protect all open space across the borough and reduce open space deficiency by resisting any development on existing open space .
• New open space - The Local Plan aims to secure sufficient open space with the capacity to accommodate the additional demand arising from new development (including changes of use). Whenever feasible, the Council will prioritise on-site open space provision within new developments.
• Biodiversity net gain - All development will be expected to demonstrate that biodiversity has been fully integrated into the design and development of their scheme.
• Urban greening - The Local Plan requires all development to integrate green infrastructure and provide for urban greening.

If you require any of the consultation materials in an alternative format or language, please email localplan@lbhf.gov.uk