4.3 Natural Environment |
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4.3.1 East Dunbartonshire Council is particularly keen to protect and enhance the natural environment of the area as part of its commitment to sustainability. The Council’s wider programme is set out in its Sustainable Development Strategy, which reflects Local Agenda 21 and the world-wide agenda for sustainable development originally set down at the Rio ‘Earth Summit’ of 1992 and followed up in the document ‘Sustainable Development - the UK Strategy’ in 1994 and ‘A Strategy for Sustainable Development for the United Kingdom’ in 1999.
4.3.2 The local natural environment components of the strategy will be provided by:
• a Local Biodiversity Action Plan which will reflect National priorities for
action at the
• a Greenspace Strategy which will audit community space (both urban and rural) and identify a programme for implementation.
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NE 1 Natural Environment Strategies The Council, in conjunction with the local community and other interested parties will implement the Sustainable Development Strategy, for which the local natural environment components will be provided by: a. a Local Biodiversity Action Plan, and b. a Greenspace Strategy. |
4.3.3 Until the proposed Local Biodiversity Action Plan has been prepared, the Council will continue to ensure that areas and species of wildlife value are identified and protected from the impact of potentially damaging development and that the biodiversity of the area is enhanced wherever opportunities arise.
4.3.4
The emphasis on protection is placed firstly on sites which are designated as
being of national importance, and such Sites of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI) are given the highest level of protection. There are no other nationally
designated or Ramsar sites in
4.3.5 Nationally designated sites protect only a limited part of the area’s biodiversity and there is a wide range of locally important sites, particularly Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) of District Importance and Wildlife Corridors (as well as water courses) which are also considered to be of value in providing networks of natural sites. SSSIs and SINCs are listed in Appendix 4, and they, along with wildlife corridors are plotted on the Proposal Map. Networks of sites in urban areas can be particularly important as they may represent the only sites and routes by which wildlife can be sustained and migrate within the area.
4.3.6
There are a number of Ancient Semi-Natural and Long Established woodlands in
4.3.7
The sites are further described and explained in the Nature Conservation
Strategies for the
4.3.8 The Council will apply the precautionary principle to ensure that development is sustainable, and in order to avoid possible environmental damage when the scientific evidence for acting is inconclusive but the environmental damage could be great.
NE 2 Natural Environment Protection - Local Biodiversity
The Council will protect landscape features and wildlife habitats which contribute to biodiversity, in particular, habitats and species which are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), European Directives, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and the Council’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Planning permission will not be granted for any development that would be liable to cause demonstrable harm to such species or their habitats - unless conditions can be attached to secure their protection in accordance with precautionary principle.
NE 2A Natural Environment Protection - Protected Sites
The Council will protect and promote the enhancement of the following natural environment sites and features:
a. sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
b. sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs)
c. important Wildlife Corridors
d. water courses, wetlands, lochs and ponds
e. ancient, Long Established and Semi-Natural Woodlands.
Development which would be likely to harm an SSSI will not be permitted.
There will be a presumption against development which is likely to have an adverse impact on the sites and features b to e above unless mitigating measures can be taken to protect the important features or suitable replacement features are secured. An appropriate buffer zone will also be required between watercourses and development. The Council will take account of the relative value of other sites of local nature conservation value as part of the overall assessment of development proposals. Sites identified as ‘Article 10’ features through survey will additionally be appropriately protected. Development affecting these features may be permitted where it is sufficiently justified in terms of:
i. there being a demonstrable need for the development and no alternative site can be identified,
ii. the social and economic benefits of the scheme outweighing the total or partial loss of the nature conservation feature, and
iii. the loss being compensated by the delivery of habitat creation/site enhancement elsewhere in the locale.
4.3.9 In addition to protecting the identified natural environmental resources from adverse impact, the Council wishes to see the potential biodiversity of these locations sustained and enhanced through active management wherever appropriate.
4.3.10
The creation of Local Nature Reserves and
4.3.11
The sites at Geelong Gardens (Lennoxtown) and Maitland Drive (Torrance) are
identified in the Kelvin Valley Countryside Project Nature Conservation
Strategy as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) by virtue of
their marshy Grassland Habitat. The sites are used for informal recreation and
have potential to give greater ecological and educational value to the
community. The Council therefore proposes to enable their designation as
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NE 2B Enhancement of Sites of Nature Conservation Interest The Council will support proposals for the sustainable management of, and appropriate access to SSSIs, SINCs, IWCs, Water Courses, Wetlands, Lochs and Ponds, and Ancient, Long Established and Semi-Natural Woodlands (including any ‘Article 10’ features that may be identified) which contribute positively to the landscape character and bio-diversity. It is proposed that the following locations be designated as Local Nature Reserves:
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Lenzie Moss |
The Council will support and encourage Lenzie Moss being designated as a local nature reserve and will take such measures as are necessary to achieve this. A draft management scheme has been prepared in anticipation of designation. The Council will seek to acquire, by Compulsory Purchase, that part of Lenzie Moss required to secure Council ownership and designation as a local nature reserve. On completion of acquisition, the Council will undertake environmental improvements in accordance with the draft management scheme and commensurate with nature conservation and community objectives. The support of Scottish Natural Heritage is anticipated in this respect. It is proposed that a Steering Group be set up of all those interested parties with the aim of identifying and implementing the most appropriate proposals for the community as a whole. |
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It is proposed that the Council will progress the
designation of
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It is proposed that the following locations be designated as Village Nature Parks: a. b.
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4.3.12 In addition the Council will through its own activities take all available opportunities to enhance biodiversity by specifying native trees, shrubs and wild flora in appropriate landscaping schemes and when disturbed sites (for example those associated with road improvements) are being reinstated.
NE 2C Native Planting
Developers will also be encouraged to specify native planting in landscaping schemes for development sites.
4.3.13 The Council considers that Greenspaces make a substantial contribution to the identity and image of a community, help reduce the effects of pollution, help promote sustainability and can have educational value. Greenspaces include parks and gardens, amenity greenspace, children’s play areas, sports facilities, green corridors and semi/natural greenspaces.
4.3.14 The Council supports the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Greenspace Trust which has been established by local authorities in the area and Scottish Natural Heritage to promote Greenspace for Community projects and initiatives. Access to the nature conservation sites will be addressed in the Council’s Access Strategy (see policy TRANS 2).
NE 3 Greenspace Strategy
It is proposed that the Greenspace Strategy will in part be implemented through an East Dunbartonshire Greenspace for Communities Partnership. To this end the Council will establish a local partnership and will continue to support and fully participate in the activities of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Greenspace Trust.
4.3.15 In addition to the greenspace within and immediately adjoining the towns and villages, the quality of the wider landscape setting is valued by communities. The landscape is important in maintaining the identity of communities and their quality of life, by providing a backdrop for recreation. The quality of landscapes in East Dunbartonshire also contribute to its image as an attractive environment for investment. A “Landscape Character Assessment” (LCA) has been undertaken for the whole of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley area. As well as dividing the landscape into “character areas” including in East Dunbartonshire:-
a. green corridors,
b. rolling farmlands,
c. broad valley lowland,
d. drumlin foothills, and
e. rugged moorland hills.
4.3.16 The assessment describes the characteristics of each landscape and gives guidance on priorities for its active management and an indication of the types of development which might be accommodated without having an adverse impact. The relevant sections of the LCA report are summarised in Guidance Note 14.
4.3.17 The Council consider it important to give a general protection to the landscape around the settlements, both the green belt (specifically protected in the Strong Communities Section) and the hills beyond. The appropriate management of the countryside is also clearly important in sustaining its character and the Council will support proposals which achieve this. Countryside management will be assisted through the Greenspace for Communities initiative (see policy NE3).
NE 4 Landscape Character
Developments in the green belt (including the Kilpatrick Hills) and the Campsie Fells must take account of the landscape character and distinctiveness of the area concerned, and should enhance and reinforce landscape characteristics where appropriate. Proposals will not be permitted if they would harm the character of the landscape.
4.3.18 The Campsie Fells and Kilpatrick Hills, which are areas of Rugged Moorland are recognised in the Structure Plan as Regional Scenic Areas and have been assessed for their landscape value through the above Landscape Assessment. The Council wishes to protect these areas for their landscape and ecological value. Proposals should take account of natural and built heritage features of the landscape, such as woodland, hedges, wetlands, stone walls etc. They also have significant recreational and tourist potential, which if promoted sensitively, could enhance the economic status of the area. There is greatest potential in the Campsie Fells and along the Campsie Valley, and the Council continues to support the potential of the Fells as a Regional Park.
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NE 4A Campsie Fells Regional Park The Council will promote the Campsie Fells as a Regional Park and will co-operate with further studies into the feasibility of this proposal.
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NE 4B Campsie Fells and Kilpatrick Hills Regional Scenic Areas
There will be a general presumption against development on land in the Regional Scenic Areas. Limited potential for recreational development in the Campsie Fells exists through the possible future designation as a Regional Park, but only the most environmentally sensitive proposals will be considered for approval.
4.3.19 All of our landscapes are the result of human intervention and some of the most valued, including the well wooded settings of our towns and villages have been consciously planned. The most outstanding Designed Landscapes are recorded in a National Inventory, and although East Dunbartonshire does not contain any of these, a list of ‘non-inventory’ locally important gardens and designed landscapes is contained in the Strathclyde Structure Plan and others have been identified in surveys by the Garden History Society. All of these are listed in Appendix 3 and plotted on the Proposals Map and warrant protection through the planning system. The Council proposes to carry out a comprehensive survey of East Dunbartonshire in conjunction with the Garden History Society, but until this work is completed, all the above sites will be protected from development which could have an adverse impact.
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NE 5A Designed Landscapes and Historic Gardens The Council in conjunction with appropriate interested parties, particularly the Garden History Society, will carry out a survey of regionally and locally important designed landscapes and gardens in East Dunbartonshire, with a view to identifying areas which warrant the strongest protection and designation in the Inventory.
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NE 5B Designed Landscapes and Historic Gardens
The Council will resist developments which could have an adverse impact on Designed Landscapes and Historic Gardens, unless mitigating measures can be taken to protect important features which contribute to their distinctive character, and proposed developments at these locations should include measures for improvement, restoration and management of the features. Known examples of such sites are contained in Appendix 3. The Council will encourage the enhancement, restoration and sensitive management of any designed landscape and historic garden.
4.3.20 The Council aims to ensure that all trees in the landscape which contribute to the character and quality of the area are protected. The Council will continue to manage trees in its own ownership in the best environmental interests, and will develop a protocol for ensuring that where works are proposed to trees the Council will apply the same standards to itself as to private parties. Confirmed Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) are shown on the Proposals Map. Where Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) have been confirmed, the Council will be prepared, where appropriate, to discuss woodland management agreements with owners.
4.3.21 Such agreements are intended to ensure long term protection through good husbandry and eliminate the need to seek Council approval for woodland work within the scope of the agreement. Where trees are at risk, the Council will use its powers, where appropriate, to ensure their protection e.g. by designating new TPOs. Proposals which would result in a significant impact on trees should be accompanied by a full tree survey showing the position and crown spread of each tree accurately plotted in plan form, together with a schedule identifying each tree by type, height, spread, girth or diameter, age, condition and recommended action. Any trees lost to development will be expected to be replaced. Developers should ensure that proposals affecting trees comply with the requirements of BS3998.
NE 6A Tree Protection
The Council will protect significant areas of trees and woodland. Proposals which would result in a significant impact on trees should be accompanied by a full tree survey.
Further Tree Preservation Orders may be promoted by the Council throughout the life of this plan where it is considered appropriate. Provisional tree preservation orders are likely to be promoted where important groups of trees or individual specimens appear to be threatened.
The Council will develop a protocol to provide procedures for ensuring best environmental standards in dealing with trees in the Council’s ownership.
4.3.22 The Indicative Forestry Strategy contained in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan identifies the Green Belt as a preferred area for new woodland planting. The Council recognises that many of our landscapes are relatively devoid of trees and, subject to the guidance set out in the Landscape Character Guidance Note 14, planting proposals in the green belt will generally be supported.
4.3.23 Broad leaved trees of native species planted in small woods, shelter belts or in hedgerows will be particularly welcomed. Responses to the Forestry Authority on woodland grant applications will reflect this approach and the Council will support other proposals which comply with the Central Scotland Forest Strategy and the Campsie Touch Hills Local Forestry Framework.
4.3.24 The Council is particularly keen to improve the recreational potential of the area and will promote public access whenever appropriate when considering planting proposals. The Council has adopted the Clyde Valley Community Woodland Plan and will support appropriate proposals for Community Woodlands and continue to implement a program of Community Woodland creation and management of its own whenever opportunities arise and particularly where these contribute to creating a defensible edge to the green belt.
4.3.25 Woodlands with Community Access have already been developed at:-
• Redhills (Lennoxtown)
• Southfield (Lennoxtown)
• Redhills View (Lennoxtown) - in private ownership
• Allander (Milngavie)
• Boghead (Lenzie)
• Tintock (Kirkintilloch)
• Craigton (Milngavie)
• Birdston (Milton of Campsie) - privately developed
• Campsie Glen - in private ownership
• Craigdhu Wedge (Milngavie/Bearsden)
• Templehill (Bearsden)
• Cairnhill (Bearsden)
• Whitehill (Bearsden)
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NE 6B Trees in the Landscape and Community Woodlands The Council, separate from this Local Plan, will undertake a survey to identify sites and boundaries which would benefit from structural and amenity tree planting. The Council will, where appropriate, endeavour to work in partnership with private land owners to enable suitable planting schemes to be undertaken, and in the continuing management as the woodlands develop. The Council will actively support and promote the planting of trees and woodlands in the plan area, particularly where in accordance with the Local Forestry Framework and Landscape Character Assessment, in order to enhance the quality of the built and natural environment. Planting will particularly be encouraged: • within sites which would benefit from environmental improvement, • within sites which are making no identifiable contribution to the objectives of the Plan, • where local recreational assets and/or community woodlands can be created, • around the perimeter of development sites, • within sites where the landscape setting of communities would be strengthened, • around the edge of the urban area where the green belt boundary would be reinforced, • for the economic production of timber, and • where it involves or includes native hardwood planting. The Council will support and protect existing Community Woodlands, and will encourage the creation and management of new Community Woodlands. The Council will undertake, and will encourage the positive management of established woodlands and community access to them, particularly at Lennox Forest and Barr Hill. |
NE 6C Tree planting
Further afforestation and particularly commercial conifer woodland will only be supported in the Campsie Fells where it accords with the Local Forestry Framework and the Landscape Character Guidance Note. In the Kilpatrick Hills further planting will be required to accord with a stringent application of Forestry Commission design guidance and the Landscape Character Guidance Note . New planting elsewhere will also be resisted where it is judged to have an adverse impact on identified heritage, nature conservation, environmental or landscape resources.