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| 6. Countryside And Nature Conservation |
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| 1 |
To protect the countryside from inappropriate development.
(aim 1) |
| 2 |
To identify, protect and, where appropriate, enhance valuable
landscapes and landscape features. (aim 1) |
| 3 |
To identify, protect and enhance sites of nature conservation
and earth science interest and ensure the diversity and quality of habitats
and features are maintained. (aim 1) |
| 4 |
To identify and protect the green spaces which preserve the
separate identity of settlements. (aim 1) |
| 5 |
To seek to protect and enhance the rural economy, taking
into account the need to maintain viable agriculture. (aims 2 and 3) |
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| The countryside is a valuable and vulnerable
natural resource which is under significant pressure. Change is inevitable
but must be both appropriate and controlled if the resource is not to be
devalued. Over 75% of the County Borough is countryside. This chapter puts
forward ways of protecting and enhancing it while maintaining the opportunity
for appropriate growth and development. |
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INTRODUCTION |
| 6.1 |
The countryside represents a number of valuable assets: attractive
and unique landscapes; a wide variety of natural habitats and species; an
important opportunity for recreation, leisure and tourism; the backdrop
to the towns and villages in the County Borough. Pressures on the countryside
come from a number of sources: from urban and other forms of development;
from exploitation of natural resources such as minerals; from changes in
agricultural practice. |
| 6.2 |
Planning policy and control over the countryside is vital
in order to: |
|
i) |
protect the countryside environment as an important asset
for its own sake; |
|
ii) |
meet the needs of the communities living and working in the
countryside; |
|
iii) |
allow agriculture and the rural economy to change and develop; |
|
iv) |
maintain an attractive rural backdrop for urban communities; |
|
v) |
attract visitors to the area to support the growing tourism
industry; |
|
vi) |
and provide an essential focus for the changes of image necessary
to secure inward investment into the County Borough and retain existing
businesses. |
| 6.3 |
Government planning guidance
recognises that both statutorily designated sites (such as National Parks)
and locally designated sites (such as Special Landscape Areas and Sites
of Importance for Nature Conservation) contribute to the conservation of
the natural heritage and should be taken into account when determining applications
for development. |
| 6.4 |
In areas statutorily designated for their conservation interest,
regard will be had for the purpose of the designation when determining applications
for development. Where a proposal will threaten a habitat which supports
a nationally important wildlife or plant species, development will be resisted.
Where an area does not have statutory protection, but is considered to be
of local importance, regard will be had for the purpose of the local designation
when determining applications for development. In all instances regard will
be paid to the requirements outlined in the EEC Habitat Directive .
Sites known to be valuable in nature conservation terms but which are not
designated will be protected through additional policy measures. |
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POLICIES |
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Countryside Protection Strategy |
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Note |
Policy 1C, the strategic policy which
seeks to protect the countryside and areas of nature conservation and landscape
importance, can be found in Part 1 of the UDP above. It is repeated here
for convenience only so that the following supporting text is set in its
context. |
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PART 1 POLICY |
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1C |
THE COUNCIL WILL PROTECT THE COUNTRYSIDE
FROM INAPPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT AND WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NATURE CONSERVATION,
LANDSCAPE AND AMENITY VALUE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY BOROUGH. THE COUNCIL WILL
PROTECT AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, ENHANCE LAND DESIGNATED FOR: |
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A |
ITS LANDSCAPE VALUE; OR |
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B |
ITS NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE; OR |
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C |
ITS VALUE AS GREEN SPACE BETWEEN AND WITHIN SETTLEMENTS,
OR |
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D |
ITS AGRICULTURAL VALUE |
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(Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4)
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| 6.5 |
The term 'countryside' is used within the UDP to refer
to the land that lies beyond the Settlement Boundary as defined by Policy
DC2. The countryside encompasses a variety of landscapes within the
County Borough, including land between villages and towns, urban fringe,
steep-sided valleys and mountain-top plateaux, and the more traditional
areas of agricultural fields. However, because there is land with nature
conservation, landscape and amenity interests within settlement boundaries,
this Policy applies to land throughout the County Borough and not just to
the countryside. To secure the enhancement of the countryside encouragement
will be given to initiatives such as woodland management, common land management
and farm conservation schemes. These initiatives will only be possible with
the co-operation of the landowners, commoners and the public, private and
voluntary sectors. |
| 6.6 |
In addition to the statutory and other national designations
and protection, a package of policy mechanisms is put forward in the UDP
to protect sensitive areas of the County Borough from inappropriate development.
These policies can broadly be divided into the following categories: |
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Nature Conservation Policies (C10 and C11)
which conserve areas of importance for nature conservation interest: |
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- Sites of Special Scientific Interest
- Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation - (SINCs)
- Local Nature Reserves - (LNRs)
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Landscape Protection Policies (C12)
which conserve and enhance the landscape setting of the County Borough:
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- Special Landscape Areas - (SLAs)
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Anti Coalescence Policies (C14 and DC2)
which prevent the coalescence of neighbouring settlements: |
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- Green Wedges
- Settlement Boundaries
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| 6.7 |
The policies put forward in these three broad categories
are each targeted to achieve a specific objective. Designations can overlap
so that policies reinforce each other where appropriate. This package of
policies therefore affords the environment effective protection. At the
same time, it is also flexible because individual designations can be reviewed
through the UDP process, in the light of changed circumstances, in relation
to the specific purpose which the policy is designed to serve. Because designations
are reviewed at regular intervals, there is no need to provide 'safeguarded
land' for development beyond the plan period (as associated with a Green
Belt designation), this removes the uncertainty of the development status
of unallocated land. |
| 6.8 |
Welsh Assembly Government guidance indicates that, should
local authorities be inclined to designate Green Belts they "must consider
and justify which would be the most appropriate means of protection. When
including Green Belt policies in their Plans, authorities must demonstrate
why normal planning and development control policies would not provide the
necessary protection" . Strategic
Planning Guidance South East Wales (January 2000) concluded: "that
the regional importance of Cardiff requires the strategic protection of
a Green Belt but that other designations are more appropriate elsewhere
in South East Wales" . |
| 6.9 |
Having considered the matter carefully, it is the Authority's
view that, in the context of the County Borough, the package of measures
outlined above and detailed below has clarity of purpose and is both more
powerful and more flexible than the designation of a Green Belt. It has
therefore been concluded that a Green Belt designation cannot be justified
within Caerphilly County Borough. |
| 6.10 |
Altogether, within the County Borough the package of national
and UDP designations amounts to some 22,837 hectares of land
as follows: |
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- 10 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - 142 ha
- 3 Local Nature Reserves (LNR) - 21.5 ha
- 186 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) - 5,280
ha
- 17 Special Landscape Areas (SLA) - 14,530 ha
- 5 Landscapes / Gardens / Parks of Historic Importance - 1,651.5
ha
- 32 Green Wedges - 1,212 ha
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Figure 4 |
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| 6.11 |
The landscape strategies prepared for the former Islwyn and
Rhymney Valley Council areas, and the Countryside Strategy prepared by Caerphilly
County Borough Council provide the supporting evidence for these designations.
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| 6.12 |
By identifying valued and sensitive areas, these designations
together indicate where development should be resisted and, conversely,
where there is capacity to accommodate necessary development in appropriate
locations with least harm to the environment. Figure 4 above shows the broad
distribution of the main areas of protection in the County Borough. From
this it can be seen that much of the south of the County Borough is protected
with limited opportunity for development. It is for this reason that the
overall strategy outlined in Part 1 proposes policies of constraint for
this area. |
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| 6.13 |
The Government's UK Biodiversity Action Plan 1994, placed
the onus on local authorities to play a lead role in the preparation of
local Biodiversity Action Plans. This authority has prepared a local Biodiversity
Action Plan for the County Borough which involved individuals and representatives
of community groups, local naturalists, wildlife groups, and representatives
from local businesses in the process. The Biodiversity Action Plan is one
strategy that the UDP must be in conformity with. Specific policies on nature
conservation have been included in this chapter of the UDP (Policies C9,
C10, C11 and C13) to ensure that biodiversity is incorporated
into the planning process. Biodiversity is an essential element of sustainable
development. Similarly the interaction between the UDP and the Environment
Agency's Eastern Valleys LEAP in relation to biodiversity, waste management
and other matters is of particular importance. |
| 6.14 |
Old buildings and a variety of locations throughout the County
Borough can contain roosts for bats and owls which are protected by the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Where protected species are found to
occur in buildings, the scheme should where possible make provision for
the retention of the protected species, by enabling continued access to
the building by these species. The Council will consult the Countryside
Council for Wales (CCW) in cases where protected species occur. The Council's
Development Design Guides 3 "Dwellings in the Countryside", 4 "Buildings
in the Countryside" and 11 "Development and Nature Conservation" should
be referred to for more detailed guidance. |
| 6.15 |
Policy 1C also affords protection for land designated
for its agricultural value. The limited amount of high quality agricultural
land (Grades 1, 2, and 3a) located in the south east of the County Borough
will be protected from irreversible development unless very exceptional
circumstances can be demonstrated and there is no lower quality agricultural
or non-agricultural land available. Moderate and low quality agricultural
land (Grade 3b and 4) will be protected for agricultural reasons where its
loss to non-agricultural development would result in significant harm to
the viability of farming in the area. It should be noted that poor quality
agricultural land can have landscape or wildlife/ecological value. In this
respect, Policies C11 and C12 will apply. |
| 6.16 |
It must be noted that the fact that an area is not covered
by a protective designation does not mean that it can or should be developed.
General countryside protection policies apply to those areas which are not
specifically designated for protection or allocated for development. It
is these general policies which are put forward first (Policies C1 to C8). |
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GENERAL COUNTRYSIDE POLICIES |
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Development in the Countryside |
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C1 |
DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL
ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE IT WILL NOT HAVE A HARMFUL [IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER,
AMENITY, LANDSCAPE AND NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE OF THE AREA |
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(Objectives 1, 2 and 5)
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| 6.17 |
The character of the countryside is the product of man's
activity over thousands of years. Agricultural practices, the Industrial
Revolution, landscape improvements, and more recent development in the countryside
have all contributed to the environment, much of which is cherished today. |
| 6.18 |
The countryside still provides employment and housing for
many people and supports the recreational and leisure pursuits of nearby
communities. Consequently the countryside cannot be preserved without change
but should be allowed to develop in a sustainable manner. This is recognised
in Policy DC2 which restricts development in the countryside but
allows for exceptions in respect of appropriate and necessary types of development. |
| 6.19 |
Where development is allowed, it must be sympathetically
designed to have regard for the appearance and character of the countryside.
Suitable mitigating measures will help to minimise any harm that a proposal
could otherwise cause. In addition, it should not have an unacceptable impact
on the landscape and nature conservation value of the area. |
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Infill Development in the Countryside |
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C2 |
INFILL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN VILLAGES
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE: |
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A |
THE SITE IS SMALL AND WITHIN AN OTHERWISE CONTINUOUSLY
BUILT-UP FRONTAGE, OR |
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B |
THE SITE IS SMALL AND IS LARGELY SURROUNDED BY DEVELOPMENT;
AND |
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C |
THERE WILL BE NO HARMFUL IMPACT ON THE AMENTIES OF ADJOINING
OCCUPIERS OF THE LAND OR TO THE CHARACTER OF THE SURROUNDING AREA; AND |
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D |
IT DOES NOT LEAD TO LOSS OF OPEN SPACE TO THE DETRIMENT
OF THE CHARACTER AND AMENITY OF THE AREA |
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INFILL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD COMPLEMENT THE CHARACTER
OF EXISTING DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF DESIGN AND DENSITY |
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(Objective 1)
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| 6.20 |
Beyond the Settlement Boundary there are hamlets and small
villages that may contain sites which could be developed without prejudicing
the character of the area and the wider countryside. However, development
will only be appropriate in these circumstances, where it is genuinely small
scale, will occupy a small gap in a definable frontage, is on a small site
largely surrounded by development, and will not have an unacceptable impact
on the amenity and character of the area as a whole. |
| 6.21 |
Where a proposal for development is acceptable in principle,
sensitive design will be of paramount importance to ensure that the visual
amenity of the area is not compromised. The Council's Development Design
Guide 3 "Dwellings in the Countryside" should be referred to for
more detailed guidance on the types of proposal considered acceptable. |
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Extension of Buildings in the Countryside |
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C3 |
THE EXTENSION OF BUILDINGS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE: |
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A |
THERE WILL BE NO UNACCEPTABLE IMPACT ON THE VISUAL AMENITY
OF THE SURROUNDING AREA; |
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B |
THE EXTENSION IS WELL RELATED IN TERMS OF SCALE AND DESIGN
TO THE EXISTING BUILDING WHICH WILL REMAIN THE DOMINANT ELEMENT |
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IN THE CASE OF PROPOSALS TO EXTEND BUILDINGS
WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXTENDED THE PROPOSAL SHOULD HAVE REGARD FOR THE
SCALE AND CHARACTER OF THE ORIGINAL PART OF THE BUILDING |
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(Objective 1)
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| 6.22 |
There are many buildings beyond the Settlement Boundary which
are old and which require an extension in order for the property to meet
the demands placed upon it by its occupants. Any extension should be sympathetically
designed so that it is in scale with the host building and that there is
no unacceptable visual impact on the character of the area as a whole. The
Council's Development Design Guide 2 "Householder Developments" should
be referred to for more detailed guidance on the types of extension considered
acceptable. |
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Farm Diversification |
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C4 |
FARM DIVERSIFICATION PROPOSALS WILL
ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE: |
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A |
THE SCALE AND NATURE OF THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE AN UNACCEPTABLE
IMPACT ON THE RURAL CHARACTER OF THE AREA BY WAY OF NOISE, SMELL OR VISUAL
IMPACT, INCLUDING NEAR OR DISTANT VIEWS AND LIGHTING; |
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B |
WHERE POSSIBLE, EXISTING FEATURES SUCH AS HEDGEROWS, STONE
WALLS AND TREES ARE INTEGRATED INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OR, ALTERNATIVELY, MEASURES
ARE TAKEN TO MITIGATE THEIR LOSS. |
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C |
ACCESS ROADS CAN ACCOMMODATE THE VOLUME AND NATURE OF TRAFFIC
PROPOSED WITHOUT AN UNACCEPTABLE IMPACT ON THE RURAL CHARACTER OF THE AREA; |
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D |
THE LANDSCAPE AND/OR NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE OF THE SITE
IS NOT HARMED, PARTICULARLY WHERE THE SITE IS CLOSE TO SITES OF SPECIAL
SCIENTIFIC INTEREST (SSSI), ANCIENT WOODLAND AND/OR SITES OF IMPORTANCE
FOR NATURE CONSERVATION (SINC); |
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E |
THE DESIGN AND MATERIALS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ARE
APPROPRIATE TO THE RURAL SETTING; AND |
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F |
ANY GOODS SOLD ARE INCIDENTAL TO THE AGRICULTURAL USE OR
THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY BEING CARRIED OUT |
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(Objectives 1 and 5)
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| 6.23 |
The Council recognises that there are changes taking place
in agriculture which can be of benefit to the viability of a farm unit.
These can range from the use of part of a farm for recreation or the provision
of tourist accommodation through the reuse of redundant farm buildings.
This Policy applies to countryside recreation and other proposals which
relate to farm diversification. General countryside recreation proposals
will be considered against Policies L11 and L12 of the Leisure
and Tourism Chapter. |
| 6.24 |
The Council will support proposals for farm diversification
provided they do not involve development which would have an unacceptable
impact on the character of the rural area, such as the widening of rural
lanes to provide access, hedgerow removal, or the provision of street lighting
and footways. Developments should have a minimal visual impact at all times
therefore proposals involving flood lighting would normally be out of place.
The higher grades of agricultural land need to be protected from development
therefore proposals affecting Grade 3a land or above will only be supported
where the land would be capable of being brought back into agricultural
use. |
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| 6.25 |
Where a farm diversification project requires the provision
of housing on the site the need for this will have to be justified through
the identification of a functional and a financial need. It will normally
be expected that temporary accommodation will be used until such time as
the project has become established. |
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Agricultural Development |
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C5 |
AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIRING
PLANNING PERMISSION WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE: |
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A |
IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT A BONA FIDE AGRICULTURAL NEED
EXISTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT; |
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B |
IT IS IN KEEPING WITH THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF THE
IMMEDIATE LOCALITY IN TERMS OF FORM, MASSING, MATERIALS AND DESIGN; |
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C |
THE PROPOSED USE AND SITING OF THE DEVELOPMENT IS COMPATIBLE
WITH ADJOINING AND SURROUNDING LAND-USES AND IS APPROPRIATE TO A RURAL LOCATION;
AND |
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D |
THE LANDSCAPE AND/OR NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE OF THE SITE
IS NOT HARMED, PARTICULARLY WHERE THE SITE IS CLOSE TO SITES OF SPECIAL
SCIENTIFIC INTEREST (SSSI), ANCIENT WOODLAND, AND/OR SITES OF IMPORTANCE
FOR NATURE CONSERVATION (SINC) |
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(Objectives 1 and 5)
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| 6.26 |
This Policy applies to proposals which require planning permission
or are subject to the need to give advance notification to the local planning
authority as set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) Order 1995. |
| 6.27 |
The Council supports proposals for the maintenance of existing,
and development of, viable agricultural enterprises. However, it will also
be necessary to ensure that development associated with new or existing
agricultural enterprises does not have an unacceptable impact on the character
of the rural area, existing buildings, or the best quality agricultural
land. |
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Conversion and Rehabilitation of Buildings |
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C6 |
THE CONVERSION AND REHABILITATION FOR
RE-USE OF BUILDINGS AND DWELLINGS OUTSIDE SETTLEMENT BOUNDARIES WILL BE
PERMITTED WHERE: |
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A |
THE EXISTING BUILDING IS STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND CAPABLE
OF CONVERSION WITHOUT MAJOR EXTERNAL ALTERATION OR RECONSTRUCTION; |
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B |
THE CHARACTER OF THE EXISTING BUILDING IS RESPECTED (PARTICULARLY
IF IT HAS ARCHITECTURAL AND OR HISTORIC MERIT) AND THE CONVERSION OR REHABILITATION
IS IN KEEPING WITH THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF THE IMMEDIATE LOCALITY
IN TERMS OF FORM, MASSING, MATERIALS AND DESIGN; |
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C |
THE PROPOSED USE IS COMPATIBLE WITH ADJOINING AND SURROUNDING
LAND-USES AND IS APPROPRIATE TO A RURAL LOCATION; |
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D |
SATISFACTORY PROVISION IS MADE FOR SERVICES, ACCESS AND
PARKING; AND |
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E |
IN THE CASE OF CONVERSION AND REHABILITATION FOR REUSE
OF MODERN AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE FOR AN ALTERNATIVE
COMPATIBLE ECONOMIC USE |
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(Objectives 1 and 5)
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| 6.28 |
This Policy applies to the conversion and rehabilitation
of buildings and dwellings outside settlement boundaries for residential,
new commercial, industrial, and recreation use. Buildings in the countryside,
if not put to a useful purpose can become derelict, and the careful conversion
and rehabilitation for a new use can be the key to their conservation. When
assessing planning applications for the re-use of rural buildings, the Council
will ensure that the nature and extent of the new use proposed for the building
is acceptable in planning terms. Where legitimate planning objections outweigh
the advantages of the proposed re-use of a building the development will
be refused. |
| 6.29 |
The Council wishes to promote economic diversification and
to provide a variety of employment opportunities for those who live in rural
areas, therefore the reuse and adaption of existing buildings (including
modern buildings) to new commercial, industrial, or recreation uses should
be encouraged. However, proposals for the conversion of rural buildings
for business re-use should not lead to a dispersal of activity on such a
scale as to prejudice town and village vitality. In order to control the
conversion of buildings in the countryside they will be judged against the
above criteria. This will ensure that any conversion or rehabilitation will
be carried out in a sympathetic manner that reflects the character of both
the existing building and its locality, and provides a positive benefit
to the landscape. The Council's Development Design Guide 3 "Dwellings in
the Countryside" should be referred to for more detailed guidance on the
types of alterations considered acceptable. |
| 6.30 |
In developments of this type, the Council may wish to remove
permitted development rights for the property to ensure that porches and
extensions of an unsuitable nature are not added at a later stage. |
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Replacement of Existing Dwellings in the
Countryside |
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C7 |
THE REPLACEMENT OF AN EXISTING DWELLING
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
ARE MET: |
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A |
THE DWELLING HAS NO ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC MERIT; |
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B |
IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE RESIDENTIAL USE OF THE
DWELLING HAS NOT BEEN ABANDONED; AND |
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C |
THE SCALE, FORM, SITING, DESIGN AND THE MATERIALS USED
ARE APPROPRIATE FOR A RURAL LOCATION |
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(Objective 1)
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| 6.31 |
In order to retain existing traditional buildings in the
countryside and avoid their replacement with inappropriate new development,
replacement dwellings will not be permitted unless all of the above criteria
can be satisfied. This policy is designed to ensure that firstly, existing
dwellings which are clearly ruinous or abandoned are not classed as dwellings
that require re-building; and secondly, properties are not replaced by new
developments that are not in keeping with their rural location. |
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Agricultural and Forestry Dwellings |
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C8 |
THE CONSTRUCTION OF PERMANENT AGRICULTURAL
AND FORESTRY WORKERS DWELLINGS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL BE PERMITTED, PROVIDED: |
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A |
IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE WORKER
LIVES AT OR CLOSE TO THE PLACE OF WORK; |
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B |
THE SCALE, FORM, SITING, DESIGN AND THE MATERIALS USED
ARE APPROPRIATE FOR A RURAL LOCATION |
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(Objectives 4 and 5)
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| 6.32 |
The allocation of land for housing within the development
plan framework and the identification of Settlement Boundaries will ensure
the countryside will be protected from further housing development. It is
however recognised that there may be exceptional cases where residential
development will need to be allowed in the open countryside. One such exception
would involve proposals which can clearly justify the need for people actively
engaged in agriculture or forestry to live at or near their place of work,
and there is no suitable land or housing available in a nearby settlement.
This applies to land or housing within defined settlement boundaries and
also to hamlets and villages in the countryside as defined by Policy C2. |
| 6.33 |
Proposals for agricultural or forestry workers dwellings
will be assessed on the criteria outlined in Planning Policy Wales, March
2002 (Paragraph 9.3.7). In assessing applications for such new dwellings
the Council will need to apply functional and financial tests. A 'functional'
test will be necessary to establish whether it is essential for the proper
functioning of the enterprise for one or more workers to be readily available
at most times, requiring accommodation on the farm. As part of this test
it will be necessary to demonstrate that there is no suitable land or housing
sufficiently close by within the existing settlement boundary. Agricultural
or forestry workers dwellings cannot be justified on agricultural grounds
unless the farming enterprise is economically viable. A 'financial test'
is necessary for this purpose, and to provide evidence of the size of dwelling
which the unit can sustain. The Council's Development Design Guide 3 "Dwellings
in the Countryside" should be referred to for more detailed guidance
on the 'functional' and 'financial' tests. |
| 6.34 |
The Council will use its powers to impose planning conditions
on planning permissions to ensure that occupancy of the new dwellings will
be used in conjunction with the farm or forestry business. In certain circumstances,
the use of conditions will be extended to ensure that other dwellings in
the ownership of the applicant, on the same farm unit, are also the subject
of occupancy agreements. In appropriate circumstances the Council will use
planning obligations to tie a farmhouse to adjacent farm buildings, to prevent
them being sold separately. The implementation of these measures will protect
the countryside from unnecessary housing developments. |
| 6.35 |
In circumstances where it can be demonstrated that new dwellings
are required for agricultural purposes in the countryside, such dwellings
may need to be sited near existing buildings to minimise their effects on
the local environment. |
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NATURE CONSERVATION POLICIES |
|
Site Protection Policy |
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|
C9 |
IN RELATION TO LAND OUTSIDE AREAS WHICH
ARE DESIGNATED BY REASON OF THEIR NATURE CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE, TO ENSURE
THAT DEVELOPMENT TAKES APPROPRIATE ACCOUNT OF NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS
PROPOSALS WILL BE REQUIRED, WHERE NECESSARY, TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING:
|
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A |
A SITE INVESTIGATION TO IDENTIFY ANY FEATURES OF NATURE
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE; |
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B |
MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF FEATURES
OF NATURE CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE IDENTIFIED FOR RETENTION; |
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C |
MEASURES FOR COMPENSATING FOR ANY NATURE CONSERVATION FEATURES
DAMAGED OR DESTROYED DURING THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS |
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(Objectives 1 and 4)
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| 6.36 |
This policy is aimed at providing appropriate protection
for sites which are known or believed to be of value in nature conservation
terms but which lie outside any of the designated areas. The intention is
to ensure that there will be no net loss of the natural/environmental resource
as a result of development. Also where proposals can be made subject to
conditions, or if necessary a planning obligation, which will effectively
limit the impact of the development on wildlife habitats and important physical
features, permission will not normally be refused on nature conservation
grounds alone. |
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Statutory Nature Conservation Designations |
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C10 |
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WITHIN OR IN
THE VICINITY OF SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST (SSSI) WHICH WOULD
HAVE A HARMFUL IMPACT, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ON THE SSSI WILL NOT
BE PERMITTED UNLESS THE REASONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT CLEARLY OUTWEIGH THE
VALUE OF THE SITE ITSELF AND THE NATIONAL POLICY TO SAFEGUARD THE INTRINSIC
NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE OF THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF SUCH SITES |
|
(Objective 2)
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| 6.37 |
There are 10 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
in the County Borough, which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981. The main aim of SSSIs is to identify and give protection to areas
which are considered to be of national importance and to ensure that habitats
and geological features remain as large and diverse as possible. |
|
| 6.38 |
Development proposals within or in the vicinity of SSSIs
will be subject to special scrutiny. Where such development proposals will
have a significant unacceptable impact, either directly or indirectly on
the SSSI, they will not be permitted unless the reasons for the development
clearly outweigh the value of the site itself and the national policy to
safeguard the nature conservation value of the national network of such
sites. The Council will consult Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) concerning
development proposals both within or in the vicinity of SSSIs, or within
any consultation area which has been identified by CCW. Where development
is permitted the Council will consider the use of conditions or planning
obligations to ensure the protection and enhancement of the site's nature
conservation interest. |
| 6.39 |
Protecting sites from inappropriate development or land-use
change is one key component of conservation, but this is not adequate in
itself; management schemes which will enhance and improve the habitat or
feature are also essential. In this context, the Council has prepared a
Biodiversity Action Plan and will prepare (in consultation with the
appropriate bodies) a Nature Conservation Strategy which will set
out in more detail how these important sites of nature conservation value
will be protected and, where appropriate, enhanced. |
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Regional / Local Nature Conservation Designations |
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C11 |
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WITHIN OR IN
THE VICINITY OF LOCAL NATURE RESERVES (LNR) OR SITES OF IMPORTANCE FOR NATURE
CONSERVATION (SINC) OR REGIONALLY IMPORTANT GEOLOGICAL OR GEOMORPHOLOGICAL
SITES (RIGS) WHICH WOULD HAVE A HARMFUL IMPACT ON THE PROTECTED FEATURES
OF SUCH SITES WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE THE NEED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
CLEARLY OUTWEIGHS THE NEED TO SAFEGUARD THE SITE |
|
(Objective 2)
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| 6.40 |
In the County Borough there are 3 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)
and 186 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). These are listed
in Appendix 7 and are identified on the Proposals Map. |
| 6.41 |
LNRs and SINCs identify areas which are of local nature conservation
interest and, in some cases, national significance. They include a wide
variety of habitats ranging from ancient semi-natural woodlands, wetlands,
unimproved species rich grassland, to rock outcrops. This policy seeks to
ensure that local natural heritage remains as large and as diverse as possible. |
| 6.42 |
Where development is permitted, it may be necessary to use
planning conditions and / or obligations to safeguard the nature conservation
value of the site, or provide appropriate compensatory measures by enhancement
of existing habitats and the creation of new ones, either elsewhere or on
the site. Regional and local designations do not carry the same weight as
sites designated as being of national importance which include SSSIs. Therefore,
any test of need required would not in practice be as exacting for SINCs
or RIGs as they are for SSSIs. It is however important to recognise that
ongoing survey work could reveal both changes to existing sites, or other
potentially important sites over the plan period. The Council will establish
a separate public consultation procedure for the designation / deletion
/ amendment of SINCs over the plan period. This Policy applies to all SINCs
identified on the proposals map and also to any sites designated via the
appropriate procedure over the plan period. |
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LANDSCAPE PROTECTION POLICIES |
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Special Landscape Areas |
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C12 |
SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREAS ARE DEFINED
AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS: |
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1 |
NORTH OF THE HEADS OF THE VALLEYS ROAD |
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2 |
EAST RHYMNEY |
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3 |
NORTH EAST OF NEW TREDEGAR |
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4 |
CEFN Y BRITHDIR |
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5 |
GELLIGAER COMMON |
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6 |
VALLEY SIDES AND UPLAND PLATEAU AROUND MYNYDD PENYFAN AND
GRUGWYN |
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7 |
UPLANDS NORTH OF MARKHAM |
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8 |
MYNYDD EGLWYSILIAN |
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9 |
MYNYDD MAEN |
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10 |
MYNYDDISLWN |
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11 |
LOWER SIRHOWY VALLEY |
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12 |
MYNYDD DIMLAITH |
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13 |
MYNYDD MACHEN |
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14 |
NORTH OF TRETHOMAS AND MACHEN |
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15 |
MYNYDD MEIO |
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16 |
SOUTH OF RUDRY AND MACHEN |
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17 |
CAERPHILLY MOUNTAIN |
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WITHIN THESE AREAS DEVELOPMENT WILL ONLY BE
PERMITTED WHERE IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO HARMFUL IMPACT
ON: |
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A |
FEATURES OF LANDSCAPE INTEREST OR NATURE CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE;
AND |
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B |
THE LANDSCAPE SETTING OF NEARBY SETTLEMENTS |
|
(Objectives 1 and 4)
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| 6.43 |
Special Landscape Areas are designated to protect those areas
which are considered to be important to the overall landscape of County
Borough, in terms of their intrinsic value and by virtue of the contribution
the landscape makes in terms of the visual setting of towns and villages
and the historic environment. |
| 6.44 |
These landscapes were identified in earlier studies
and include: the upland moorland of Pen March and the open commons of Gelligaer
and Mynydd Maen; the dramatic steep sided valley slopes of the Ebbw, Sirhowy
and Rhymney rivers; the traditional patchwork of agricultural fields of
the Mynyddislwyn plateau; and the mixed agricultural and woodland landscapes
of the Machen and Rudry areas. Additional areas of Special Landscape Area
have been allocated in the south of the County Borough following a further
assessment based on the criteria used in the Rhymney Valley Landscape Strategy.
The boundary of the SLAs are shown on the Proposals Map, and the site-specific
detail can be referred to in Topic Paper 5. |
| 6.45 |
It is unlikely that significant development will be approved
in the SLAs, but it is not intended to preclude development consistent with
other policies of the Plan provided it is sited and designed to harmonise
with its landscape setting. However, where development would harm the historic
or rural setting of the County Borough it will not be permitted. In this
context where a development is proposed within an SLA, applicants may be
required to demonstrate the effect of the proposal on the wider landscape
setting, in particular on significant views, in relation to the rural backdrop
of an area, and on the skyline. |
| 6.46 |
Mineral extraction, though not necessarily inconsistent with
the reasons for designating an SLA, could potentially have a serious adverse
effect on it. Therefore, when assessing proposals for mineral workings against
the criteria of Policies DC1 and M5, the impact on the SLA will be a material
and important consideration. Where a proposed mineral development would
have a significant adverse effect on the purpose of the SLA, the SLA designation
will take precedence unless it can be shown that extraction of the mineral
at that location is of other than local importance. |
|
| 6.47 |
In order to ensure the protection and, where appropriate,
the enhancement of the landscape within SLAs, encouragement will be given
to countryside management initiatives such as woodland management, common
land management and farm conservation schemes. These initiatives will only
be possible with the co-operation and support of the landowners, and the
public, private and voluntary sectors. |
|
| 6.48 |
Part of the County Borough which is designated as SLA lies
adjacent to the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Brecon Beacons National
Park Executive is responsible for planning within the National Park. Consequently
the Council will, in accordance with Welsh Office Circular 13/99, need to
take account of the provisions in National Park aims when considering proposals
within this SLA. |
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Trees, Woodlands and Hedgerows |
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C13 |
DEVELOPMENT WHICH INVOLVES THE LOSS
OF TREES, WOODLANDS AND HEDGEROWS WHICH ARE OF SIGNIFICANT AMENITY AND/OR
NATURE CONSERVATION VALUE WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE THE NEED FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OUTWEIGHS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FEATURE OR WHERE ACCEPTABLE
MITIGATING MEASURES, WITHIN THE CONTROL OF THE DEVELOPER, CAN BE PROVIDED |
|
(Objectives 1 and 2)
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| 6.49 |
Trees, woodland and hedgerows make a particularly beneficial
contribution to both the natural and built environment. They enhance townscapes
by providing a pleasant, natural contrast to the built environment and screen
unsightly structures and activities. In the open countryside they form an
important element of wider landscape views. In both urban and rural locations
they provide an important habitat for wildlife. It is therefore important
that development, which unacceptably affects the tree cover of the County
Borough, is resisted. |
| 6.50 |
Developments and land use changes should, wherever possible,
not adversely affect, directly or indirectly, the integrity or continuity
of hedgerows, linear tree belts or woodland. Developments should where appropriate
provide mitigating features which would reinstate the integrity or continuity
of these features. Appropriate management of these features will be encouraged
generally and particularly by the imposition of conditions on planning permissions,
the use of planning obligations and by entering management agreements with
landowners and developers. |
| 6.51 |
Acceptable mitigating measures will include replacement planting
of a scale and nature sufficient to enable the development to be accommodated
without causing environmental damage; any other potential landscaping or
landform remodelling should also be specified. The means, for example planning
conditions or obligations, by which those measures will be secured should
also be evident. |
| 6.52 |
There is a wide-ranging coverage of Tree Preservation Orders
throughout the County Borough which protect individual specimens and woodland
areas from being damaged or felled. The Council will continue to make Tree
Preservation Orders under the Town and Country Planning Act where appropriate
to protect trees which are under threat and where the amenity value is high.
Hedgerow Protection Orders will also be placed on hedgerows of importance
to ensure their retention. |
| 6.53 |
The Council will encourage management schemes for woodland
areas, particularly ancient semi-natural woodlands, which would enhance
and preserve the landscape value of the area, this will be undertaken through
partnerships between the public and private sectors; e.g. landowners, the
Forestry Commission, the Countryside Council for Wales and Coed Cymru. |
| 6.54 |
The Council will prepare a Woodland Strategy which
will identify areas where it will support proposals for areas of large scale
planting and the type of species preferred, and encourage the proper management
of existing trees and woodlands in Caerphilly County Borough in both public
and private ownership. The Woodland Strategy will also seek to encourage
access to woodland developments for recreational and educational purposes. |
| 6.55 |
Planting of trees and shrubs as part of the landscaping of
development schemes can make a significant contribution to the appearance
of the scheme and to the wider landscape. Structural planting in major development
projects and in highly visible locations can have a significant impact over
a wide area. Appropriate conditions will therefore continue to be attached
to planning permissions. |
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ANTI-COALESCENCE POLICY |
|
Green Wedges |
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|
C14 |
GREEN WEDGES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED IN
ORDER TO PREVENT COALESCENCE BETWEEN AND WITHIN SETTLEMENTS AT THE FOLLOWING
LOCATIONS: |
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1 |
BUTE TOWN, LLECHRYD AND RHYMNEY |
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2 |
RHYMNEY, PONTLOTTYN AND ABERTYSSWG |
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3 |
FOCHRIW AND PONTLOTTYN |
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4 |
ALONG THE NANT BARGOED RHYMNI, DERI |
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5 |
BETWEEN BRITHDIR AND TIRPHIL |
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6 |
ARGOED AND MARKHAM |
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7 |
WEST OF NELSON |
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8 |
BARGOED, ABERBARGOED AND PENGAM |
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9 |
BLACKWOOD AND ARGOED |
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10 |
SHOWFIELDS AND GOLF COURSE, BLACKWOOD |
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11 |
SOUTH WEST OF OAKDALE |
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12 |
SOUTH EAST OF OAKDALE |
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13 |
CROESPENMAEN AND TREOWEN |
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14 |
WAUN RHYDD, GELLIGAER |
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15 |
GELLIGAER, PENYBRYN AND PENPEDAIRHEOL |
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16 |
PENPEDAIRHEOL, TIR Y BERTH, PENALLTA AND CEFN HENGOED |
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17 |
SOUTH WEST OF BLACKWOOD |
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18 |
NORTH EAST OF MAESYCWMMER |
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19 |
NEWBRIDGE AND ABERCARN |
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20 |
MAESYCWMMER AND YSTRAD MYNACH |
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21 |
ABERCARN AND CWMCARN |
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22 |
CWMCARN AND PONTYWAUN |
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23 |
CWMFELINFACH AND YNYSDDU |
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24 |
LLANBRADACH AND YSTRAD MYNACH |
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25 |
NEWTOWN, CROSSKEYS AND WATTSVILLE |
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26 |
BRYNAWEL AND CWMFELINFACH |
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27 |
RISCA AND ROGERSTONE |
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28 |
LLANBRADACH AND PWLL Y PANT |
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29 |
BEDWAS AND CAERPHILLY |
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30 |
ABERTRIDWR AND CAERPHILLY |
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31 |
NORTH OF GRAIG Y RHACCA |
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32 |
MACHEN, GRAIG Y RHACCA AND WATERLOO |
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WITHIN THESE AREAS DEVELOPMENT WHICH PREJUDICES
THE OPEN NATURE OF THE LAND WILL NOT BE PERMITTED |
|
(Objective 3)
|
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|
| 6.56 |
The Council considers that there is a need to define and
maintain open spaces within urban areas and gaps of open countryside between
settlements within which further urban development will not be permitted.
Green Wedges help prevent the coalescence of urban areas and maintain the
integrity of communities and neighbourhoods. |
|
| 6.57 |
Within these Green Wedges, it is intended that an open nature
should be maintained by permitting only agricultural, forestry, recreational
or other uses which involve no substantial new building. Development which
is permitted will be of a small scale and will be required to be of a high
quality, and should ensure that the open nature of the Green Wedge is not
eroded or destroyed. |
|
| 6.58 |
Within Green Wedges, the Council will encourage measures
which will sustain and improve their contribution to the environment of
the urban fringe. Where features such as riverbanks and hedges form wildlife
corridors, they will be retained. Where there are opportunities to do so,
the Council will encourage the creation of new features and habitats to
sustain a diversity of wildlife. |
| 6.59 |
Mineral working is not necessarily incompatible with this
policy, but any proposals for such development will be required to conform
to the Minerals Policies of the Plan. |
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