HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS BY REMODELLING AND REPLANTING WHICH
CAN SUBSEQUENTLY BE MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY
OL20B;
PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF ECOLOGICAL AREAS WHICH ARE
SUBJECT TO POLICY EC1 THROUGH APPROPRIATE RESTORATION AND
AFTERCARE;
ESTABLISHMENT OF APPROPRIATE OPEN AIR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES;
AND
IMPROVEMENTS TO FOOTPATH, BRIDLEWAY AND CYCLEWAY NETWORKS,
PARTICULARLY IN THE COLNE VALLEY REGIONAL PARK.
Trees and Woodland
3.44 Trees and woodlands are an important feature of the landscape of the Borough. In the north, there
are extensive established woodlands, the majority of which are in Council ownership. Much of this can be
classified as "ancient woodland" and has been designated by English Nature as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest. It is managed by the Council in accordance with an agreed Management Plan. Elsewhere, many of
the smaller privately owned woods are neglected, and receive little management, and the rate of new
woodland planting is low. However, with new uses being sought for agricultural land, the Council will
encourage tree planting as an alternative countryside use, especially in urban fringe locations. Such
planting, while improving the quality of the environment of many areas, could also have a multi-functional
role, providing recreation, access and wildlife opportunities, while being managed as woodlands. On a
smaller scale, there are opportunities for the planting of small groups of trees in field corners, and in
association with development proposals in the countryside.
3.45 The Council will encourage the planting of trees throughout the Borough and, in conjunction with
private landowners, will make every effort to achieve planting of trees on unused land. The planting of
native deciduous trees will be encouraged wherever possible. The Council intends to carry out a survey of
council owned land to identify potential sites for tree planting. Policies for trees and landscaping in the
built-up area of the Borough are set out in policies BE38 and BE39.
3.46 In assessing applications for Forestry Commission grants and felling licence proposals the Local
Planning Authority will have regard to the following:
(i) Proposals should be soundly based on site conditions, ecology and management needs;
(ii) Where the existing landscape is broadleaved in character this should not be changed;
(iii) Proposals should retain and protect the sites, areas and features of ecological importance.
OL26 THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY WILL PROTECT TREES AND WOODLANDS
AND ENCOURAGE THE PRESERVATION, PROPER MANAGEMENT AND IN APPROPRIATE
LOCATIONS THE EXTENSION OF WOODLANDS. PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN
THE MORE RURAL AREAS OF THE BOROUGH SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY
PROPOSALS FOR LANDSCAPING AND TREE PLANTING WHEREVER PRACTICABLE,
AND THE RETENTION OF EXISTING LANDSCAPING FEATURES WHERE APPROPRIATE.
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan