Proposed Policy NM20: Biodiversity

The Neighbourhood Plan identifies a Green Infrastructure Network, as shown on the Policies Map, for the purpose of increasing biodiversity, promoting ecological connectivity, providing outdoor recreation, sustainable movement through the town and into its surrounding countryside, and helping mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Network comprises assets of high nature conservation value including rare and threatened heathland habitats, wildflower-rich meadows, ancient semi-natural and secondary woodland, trees, hedgerows and water bodies – all assets of high biodiversity value.  Also included are those areas of recreation and amenity value including children’s play areas, allotments, recreational playing fields, and off-street footways, cycleways, and bridleways in and around New Milton. In most cases assets have multi-functional, nature conservation, recreational and amenity value..

1. Development proposals that lie within or adjoining the Network are required to have full regard to creating, maintaining and improving the functionality of the Network in the design of their layouts, landscaping schemes and public open space provisions. Proposals that will harm the functionality or connectivity of the Network, will not be supported.
2. Proposals for new development requiring the provision of on-site open space will be supported where the design of open space is integral to the scheme and is effectively connected to any adjoining green infrastructure assets. Proposals for smaller infill schemes should also create opportunities to connect their landscape schemes with adjoining green infrastructure assets. Where appropriate, developers will be expected to enter into a planning obligation to secure satisfactory arrangements for the long-term management of this open space.
3. New development will also be required to retain trees and hedgerows and to secure opportunities to create connected habitats suitable for species adaptation to climate change. Where they are unavoidably lost, replacement trees and hedgerows using indigenous species must be planted (two trees must be planted for every one lost. All proposals for development in the Plan area must ensure that any potential impacts upon rare and threatened species are fully assessed, and that, where necessary, mitigation measures are incorporated to safeguard and protect those species.
4. Save for householder applications, development proposals on sites outside the Town Centre as defined on the Policies Map, and 0.5 ha or more, are required as a minimum to achieve a future canopy cover of 20% of the site area principally through the retention of existing trees and the planting of new trees. Where it can be demonstrated that this is impracticable, the use of other green infrastructure (e.g. green roofs and walls) can be used where they are capable of offering similar benefits to trees.
5. Development proposals in the Town Centre as defined on the Policies Map, and on sites below 0.5 Ha, are required to maximise the opportunities available for canopy cover, including tree retention and planting or the provision of other green infrastructure (e.g. green roofs, walls and rain gardens).