South Ayrshire Local Plan

Section One - Natural Environment

Nature Conservation

Nature conservation is not, and should not be regarded as protecting only endangered species from harm. Greater recognition of the overall benefits of wildlife is now emerging amongst the wider public from an interest in nature, to simply enjoying the countryside, parks or small areas of open space and gardens. All of these areas are inter-related and consequently an overall view of nature conservation and the natural environment is essential in order that valuable physical and environmental resources are not diminished or lost.

Different areas are able to absorb these pressures to varying degrees without serious detriment to their environmental value. In this regard, it is important to identify the areas where development may be encouraged, and areas which, due to sensitivities of landscape or nature conservation interest should be protected from inappropriate development or uses. The Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan and South Ayrshire Council's Wildlife Strategy have been influential in identifying and forming the framework for the Plan's nature conservation policies.

It is also important to recognise that valuable natural heritage resources may be located in urban as well as rural areas, and the Plan seeks to recognise and conserve these resources. Some specific sites are recognised to be of national or international importance, protected by UK legislation and European Directives. These sites are accordingly also granted strong protection through the environmental objectives of the Plan. However, it is recognised that Natural Heritage is not confined to nationally or locally designated areas and the Plan affords a mechanism to safeguard the wider natural heritage environment in accordance with national planning guidance.

For ease of reference, the following policies have been divided into those relating to statutorily designated sites, non statutorily designated sites and sites of general nature conservation interest.

POLICY ENV1

There will be a strong presumption in favour of protecting all existing or proposed:

a) Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) unless there are imperative reasons of over-riding public interest and there is no alternative solution; and

b) Sites of Special Scientific Interest unless any adverse effects are outweighted by social or economic benefits of national importance.

POLICY ENV2*

The Council will presume in favour of safeguarding the integrity of the following sites of local natural heritage value:

a) Local nature reserves; and

b) Sites containing species protected by the Habitats Directive, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 or the Badgers act 1992; and

c) Wildlife sites and provisional wildlife sites; and

d) Ornithological sites.

Wildlife Strategy

The Local Biodiversity Action Plan and Wildlife Strategy, prepared as a requirement of the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan, emphasise the importance of green wildlife corridors, especially within urban areas (The Wildlife Strategy is to be found in Appendix II). The Plan recognises the importance of these features generally, and has identified such areas which are of importance in maintaining a network of interrelated wildlife resources.

POLICY ENV3*

The Council will require development proposals to have regard to safeguarding features of nature conservation value including woodlands, hedgerows, lochs, ponds, watercourses, wetlands and wildlife corridors in accordance with the Wildlife Strategy.

NOTE 1
The Wildlife Corridors are identified on Wildlife Strategy Map

NOTE 2
In operating this policy, prospective developers should be aware that the Council does not necessarily accept that in all cases, development proposals can adequately safeguard such areas of nature conservation value.

The Council will seek to promote a greater awareness and understanding of wildlife in South Ayrshire, which it is hoped will lead to a greater appreciation of this asset and a corresponding respect and protection within the community as a whole.

POLICY ENV4*

Development proposals which directly assist in the promotion/ interpretation of natural resources for educational or recreational purposes will be encouraged.