1. All development should seek to either preserve or where possible enhance (both quantitatively and qualitatively) the following environmental assets within Knowsley:

• The openness and character of areas designated as Green Belt;

• The network of greenspaces within and adjacent to Knowsley’s urban areas;

• Knowsley’s stock of Sites of Biological Interest, Nature Reserves, Sites of Local Geological Interest, and other sites, habitats and species which are identified as being of importance in the North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan;

• Knowsley’s stock of trees, woodland, hedges, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds; and

• The buildings, features and areas, together with archaeological remains which represent the best of Knowsley’s historic heritage.

2. New development will be required to contribute to the management and maintenance of environmental assets where this is necessary either to avoid long-term harm to the asset concerned or to ensure that environmental benefits associated with the development are achieved.

3. Development that would damage the above assets will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and documented over-riding benefit arising from the development. In such cases, the Council will require mitigation measures to be implemented which will counter any loss in the environmental resource.

This is a part 1 policy