THE VISION: Natural environments, open spaces, biodiversity and wildlife are restored, enhanced, protected and accessible for all. There are a network of ecological corridors that connect through the villages and to the wider countryside. Space for a wide range of active and passive recreation, for all ages. Air & water quality is good, it is quieter with dark skies and tranquility.
Below you can see our individual policies for this chapter. Click to expand the aims, issues and objectives.
The abundance of natural green and blue spaces in and surrounding the parish are vital in protecting wildlife, habitats, biodiversity and geodiversity and off-setting the effects of air pollution. Developments are required to deliver biodiversity net gain of 10% and this is encouraged to be delivered within the development. However, this is not always possible and Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOA) are identified. BOAs in B&L Parish include Wealden Heaths, the River Wey, Radford Park, Bohunt Manor Estate, Community Supported Agriculture.
Aim: To protect and enhance the biodiversity of the Parish
Key policy points:
- Development delivers a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity
- The network of green and blue (land and water) infrastructure is maintained, enhanced, and better connected
Indicators of success:
- Number of developments meeting / exceeding 10% BNG
- % developments delivering BNG onsite/ offsite (within / external to the parish)
- % of developments guided by the Building with Nature standards
- Number of locations where green / blue infrastructure network has been extended/ improved
There are many natural areas in the parish designated as important and are protected including areas of the SDNP, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - Weavers Down & Woolmer Forest, Bramshott and Ludshott Commons; Ancient Woodland - Gentle’s Copse, Griggs Green Copse and Croaker’s Patch. Other important natural features that are important but not protected include mature trees, established woodland, hedgerows, ponds, mature planted gardens, agriculture and grazing land, wide green verges, sunken roads and banks of River Wey.
Aim: To protect and enhance the natural features of the Parish and ensure that development contributes positively to these.
Key policy points:
- Non-designated natural features of the Parish are retained and where possible incorporated into development. Additional features provided to reflect the natural character of the Parish.
- Open space within development is
- Wildlife friendly features incorporated into development
- Ancient and notable trees protected
Indicators of success
- % developments incorporating natural features and nature of these
- % proposals incorporating at least 1 fruit tree in each residential garden
- % tree cover/ hedgerows compared to baseline
- % proposals utilizing native species v non-native species
- % developments incorporating hedgerows v fencing
- % developments incorporating wildlife friendly features and the nature of these
- % additional accessible green space provided
The community values small green spaces that are special because of their close proximity to where they live. These spaces have a particular beauty, historic value, recreational value, are spaces of tranquillity or have a richness in wildlife.
Aim: To designate Local Green Spaces - to protect demonstrably special green spaces from inappropriate development
Key policy points:
- Valued green spaces within the Parish are designated as Local Green Spaces.
- The spaces are protected against inappropriate development.
Indicators of success:
- Number of LGS protected from inappropriate development
As a whole, a major attraction of the Parish is that there is easy visibility of as well as access to the surrounding natural landscape and this visual as well as much as physical access provides mental and physical health benefits to residents, workers and students as well as providing natural carbon sinks. This policy seeks to maximise as well as protect from development the visual attraction of the natural landscape .
Aim: To safeguard sightlines to the surrounding natural landscape around the Parish from the negative impacts of development hindering or preventing the current ease of visibility
Key policy points:
- Sight lines to the surrounding natural landscape around the Parish are protected against the negative impacts of development
Indicators of success:
- Number of views protected from significant detrimental impact
Dark skies are important for both nocturnal and diurnal wildlife and are predominantly unspoilt in rural parts of the parish, particularly Woolmer forest and Bramshott and Ludshott Common. Dark skies are also part of the connection of residents to their natural local landscape.
Aim: To minimise light pollution in order to retain the dark skies that the Parish benefits from
Key policy points:
- Development that takes place does not detrimentally impact the darkness of skies mapped within the Parish
Indicators of success:
- Annual monitoring of dark sky data (see CPRE site) compared to baseline data
