The Neighbourhood Plan designates the Sandleheath Green Infrastructure Network, as shown on the map below.
- New development will be required to demonstrate how it protects and enhance these features under current legislation, national and local policy, and secure a minimum 10% net gain for biodiversity in line with the statuary framework for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
- 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 seek to realise any 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 new open space.
- New development will also be required to retain trees and hedgerows and to secure opportunities to create connected habitats suitable for species adaption to climate change. Where they are unavoidably lost, replacement trees and hedgerows using indigenous species must be planted. 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.
- Development proposals that lie within or adjoining the Network are required to have full regard to 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.
All those features have been mapped to show not just where they are but also to point to where the network may be improved to be better connected if land is developed or redeveloped.The policy protects the existing green and blue infrastructure in Sandleheath from harmful development and to encourage its improvement and better connectivity when future development does take place. This includes ensuring a strong green infrastructure buffer to any development situated adjacent to the proposed Local Gap.
Green Infrastructure is a term that covers a wide range of natural, ecological and recreational features, including parks, woodlands, water bodies, hedgerows, mature trees, lines of street trees, allotments etc that combine to create important habitat networks.
The network has been mapped using publicly available data, primarily that produced by Natural England and Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre. A local resident has also supplied a list of vulnerable wildlife species which can be found in Sandleheath including fungi, birds, flowers, animals and reptiles and insects. The full list can be found in Appendix D. The policy will also work alongside the Hampshire Nature Recovery Strategy once progressed.
The purpose of this policy is to promote ecological connectivity, outdoor recreation and sustainable movement through the village and into its surrounding countryside and of helping mitigate and adapt to climate change. In most cases assets have multi-functional, nature conservation and recreational and amenity value. The existing green infrastructure network is intrinsic in the development of Sandleheath as a settlement. It’s discrete setting in the landscape and the verdant array of trees and hedgerows which both surround it and run through it, enable the village to sit quietly within the wider wooded farmland vistas. Any erosion of this network will not only affect the setting of the village but the wide variety of flora and fauna which inhabit it. The designation of land north of the Main Road (Site 1, parcel B) will allow for the creation of additional publicly accessible open space which will provide opportunities for enhancing local biodiversity as well as providing recreational opportunities locally to reduce pressure on the nearby New Forest for walking and leisure opportunities.