2 Development Plans

13.149 The implementation of the Habitats Directive²⁸⁴ has had a major impact upon land use planning for the countryside. All local development plans documents must include policies in respect of the conservation of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside and the landscape.

13.150 The Directive seeks to ensure that consideration is given through the development control process to the protection of linear habitat features which are necessary for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species.²⁸⁶ The features to be accommodated in plans are those which,’ by virtue of their lineal or continuous structure’ or their function as ‘stepping stones’ are essential to the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species – features specified in the Directive within this category include rivers, field boundaries, ponds or small woods.²⁸⁷ Planning policy requires that local authorities should, when formulating their development plans, identify policies on the form and location of development that take a strategic approach to the conservation, enhancement and restoration of biodiversity.²⁸⁸ The National Planning Policy Framework recommends that, in order to minimise impacts on biodiversity, planning policies should plan for biodiversity at a landscape scale across local authority boundaries and also identity components of local ecological networks, including not only national and internationally designated sites but also wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them, and areas identified by local partnerships for habitat restoration or creation.²⁸⁹

13.151 Local authorities should, in their local development documents, indicate the location of designated sites (making clear distinctions between the hierarchy of international, national, regional and locally designated sites), and identify areas for the restoration and creation of new priority habitats which contribute to regional targets, and support the restoration and creation of habitats through appropriate policies.²⁹⁰