Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Protection - Justification and Policy Framework

Preserving and enhancing the natural environment is a core planning principle of the SPPS and the furtherance of biodiversity conservation is a statutory legal requirement of all public authorities. The SPPS sets out the planning policies that apply to international, national and local designations, protected species and other important natural heritage assets and the council will take full account of these in assessing development proposals. The LDP policy supports the policies set out in the SPPS and seeks to provide overall protection, conservation and, where appropriate, improvement of nature conservation and biodiversity interests. Designated sites, habitats and species are provided with protection generally according to a hierarchy of importance, from a local to an international perspective. The LDP acknowledges this and confirms that careful design of new development should ensure that there is no damage to nature conservation interests.