Introduction

13.1

This chapter covers a number of environmental issues which are concerned with protection of the public and the environment from risk of harm arising from development.

Key Issues - Environmental risks and Pollution

13.2

The first part of the chapter (policies ENV1 to ENV8) provides guidance on:

•  The control of polluting development;

•  The control of hazardous industries, pipelines etc.;

•  Control over sensitive uses (such as housing) where these would be close to existing sources of pollution or hazard;

•  Development on contaminated land;

•  Flood risk and drainage; and

•  The siting of new telecommunications masts.

 13.3

The planning system does not operate alone in controlling potentially polluting or hazardous developments. Other legislative controls exist and are described in relation to each policy. Planning decisions will be used to complement, rather than duplicate, the controls available under other legislation.

Key Issues - Nature Conservation

 13.4

The second part of the chapter (policies ENV9 and 10) provides guidance which seeks to protect sites and species of nature conservation importance. Knowsley contains a number of ecological sites and species, which are identified as important within the North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan (NMBAP). The NMBAP is an important document, prepared under the provisions of the Government’s biodiversity strategy - see footnote ¹⁶.

 13.5

The NMBAP identifies sites, species and habitats of conservation importance, together with links between wildlife habitats which should be protected.

13.6

Additional information concerning nature conservation is also provided in the Alt/Crossens and the Lower Mersey Local Environment Agency Plans (LEAPs). These identify, for example, a need to retain wetland features, in view of the rarity of such habitats in Knowsley and their importance for habitat creation, landscape renewal and recreation.

13.7

The Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West requires the Council to set out a coherent and functional ecological framework which identifies priority biodiversity resources, areas of land which have the potential for returning these resources to viable levels and wildlife corridors. Work is currently being carried out to develop Knowsley's spatial ecological framework in accordance with the RSS.

¹⁶ The Government’s biodiversity strategy is entitled “Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan”