A landscape scheme will normally be
required for all development proposals involving new building.
Trees are a vital element in the
environment. Apart from their visual appeal, they help to reduce
pollution, form screens to break up and soften the landscape,
integrate developments into the landscape and are invaluable to many
forms of wildlife.
Existing trees should be protected as an environmental resource. New
development offers the opportunity to improve and enhance this
resource, through the planting of new trees. A development site will
be considered, not only in terms of building design but also, in
terms of the contribution that it can make to the amenity of the
surrounding area. Each development scheme involving new buildings
will normally require a landscape scheme.
The requirements of a landscape scheme will include:
- a full survey of existing
landscape features such as trees, hedgerows and other vegetation,
and archaeological and historic features;
- details of the protection
proposed, throughout the construction period, for all existing
features which are to be retained;
- appropriate provision for the
planting and initial maintenance of new trees and vegetation; as
well as
- details of all hard and soft
landscaping.
In areas with poor tree cover
particular attention will be paid to the need for appropriate new
tree planting in development proposals. Even where existing tree
cover is good there may be a need to renew the tree stock. There
will be a preference for native trees in the rural area.
Where a development proposal affects a site containing trees or
woodlands of significant amenity value, a Tree Preservation Order
may be made to protect the trees while the application is being
considered.
There will be a presumption against proposals which cause
unacceptable tree loss, which do not allow for successful retention
of existing trees or which do not make adequate provision for
replacement planting to compensate for the potential loss of trees
which would result from development.
This policy applies to development sites in both urban and rural
situations. Its basic objective is to sustain and increase a scarce
local resource and it is intended to complement the landscaping
requirements for built development set out in policies
DES2 and
DES5. |
