In this chapter

• Introduction to development management policy
• Housing
• Climate change
• Nature and ecosystem services
  • Policy N/SHS: Sites, habitats and species
  • Policy N/BNG: Biodiversity net gain
  • Policy N/GI: Green infrastructure
  • Policy N/OS: Open spaces
  • Policy N/TWC: Trees and woodland conservation
  • Policy N/CELLC Landscape character and setting of settlements
  • Policy N/RFSD: Flood risk management and sustainable drainage
  • Policy N/ES: Ecosystem services
  • Policy N/EN: Ecological networks and nature recovery - local nature recovery strategies
• Green Belt
• Jobs and economy
• Healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities
• Heritage and design
• Sustainable transport
• Pollution, contamination and safety
• Minerals and waste
• Waste
• Infrastructure

Policy N/SHS: Sites, habitats and species

About this page

How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works

These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:

Policy background

• Relevant national policy or regulations
• National or regional trends
• Local situation and needs/li>
• How we have dealt with this issue in the past
• The thinking behind the policy

Policy options for the new Local Plan

We may suggest a variety of approaches:

• Keeping existing policy as it is
• Making small changes
• Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
• Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future

Policy option analysis

• A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.

More on this topic

Read the Natural Environment Topic Paper, for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.

Explore the policy

Select a section below to read more.

Policy background

Background

9.177 The NPPF expects local planning authorities to include criteria-based policies in their Local Plan against which the impact of development proposals on or affecting protected biodiversity and geodiversity can be considered. It also requires distinctions to be made between the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites.

9.178 Placemaking Plan policy NE3 Sites Habitats and Species seeks to conserve and increase the abundance and diversity of Bath and North East Somerset’s wildlife habitats and species and to minimise adverse effects where conflicts of interest are unavoidable.

Policy approach

9.180 The B&NES Ecological Emergency Action Plan (EEAP) sets out the Vision to be Nature Positive by 2030. The EEAP sets out three guiding priorities consisting of:

• Increase the extent of land and waterways managed positively for nature across B&NES
• Increase the abundance and distribution of key species across B&NES
• Enable more people to access and engage with nature

9.181  The policy remains fit for purpose. The current policy accords with national and local strategies, however, amendments could be incorporated to ensure the policy is clearer particularly regarding the planning balance and judgement, including measures to help increase the abundance and distribution of key species, and in general meeting the three guiding priorities of the EEAP.

Policy option and discussion questions 

Option A

Retain policy NE3 with amendments as outlined above.

Advantages of Option A

Adopted policy tested recently at LPPU examination. No evidence to suggest major changes are required.

Disadvantages of Option A

None identified.

Discussion questions

Question 1

Do you agree with this approach? Please say why

Question 3

Are there any approaches you think we should take, to better reflect our Corporate Priorities to tackle the Climate and Ecological Emergencies?