Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
5.4.26 Policy EN1: Sites of Local Ecological Importance provides that the Council will not support
development which may have a detrimental impact upon the ability to achieve the objectives of
the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) unless clear evidence is provided that negative
biodiversity impacts can be satisfactorily mitigated. It also requires that development
proposals have due regard to the importance of non-designated sites of local nature
conservation or biodiversity importance and should minimise negative impacts on the integrity
of the nature conservation resource, of priority habitats and of priority species.
Water Resources
5.4.27 The Local Plan policies on water resources reaffirm those of the Structure Plan with regard to
flooding but also support the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).
5.4.28 Policy ENV4: Water Resources provides that all planning applications will be assessed for
flood risk and states that generally, where a site is determined as being at flood risk,
permission for new development will not be granted. It also requires that SUDS solutions to
surface water management will be required and sets out a presumption against canalisation
and/or culverting of any watercourse as part of development.
Historic and Built Environment
5.4.29 The Local Plan policies on the historic and built environment reinforce those of the Structure
Plan with regard to the protection of Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Gardens and
Designed landscapes and other valuable elements of the built heritage.
5.4.30 Policy EN6: Listed Buildings provides that when determining planning applications that affect
a listed building or its setting, the Council will seek to ensure the preservation of the building
and its setting.
5.4.31 Policy EN7: Archaeological or Historic Sites sets out a general presumption against
development proposals which would adversely affect a SAM or other important archaeological
or historic site or their setting.
5.4.32 Policy EN9: Nationally Important Gardens and Designed Landscapes states that any
development which would adversely affect a Garden of Designed Landscape will not normally
be permitted.
Environmental Enhancement
5.4.33 The Local Plan identifies that all new development brings an opportunity to improve
environmental quality and provides for specific environmental enhancement along river valleys.
5.4.34 Policy EN11: Enhancing Environmental Quality sets out criteria for assessing development
proposals in terms of making a positive contribution to its immediate environment. Most of the
criteria relate to built developments in the urban area and do not therefore apply to wind farm
proposals. However, those criteria of relevance include:
November 2010 Chapter 5 Page 10
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