2.1 Reference has been made, in describing the
District, to the extremely high environmental quality of the Eden
Local Plan area. In considering the natural environment, and the
aims which the Local Plan will seek to achieve, it is important to
bear this context in mind.
2.2 A substantial part of the Local Plan area
comprises landscapes which have been recognised for their high
quality. These include the North Pennines AONB and a number of
areas including parts of the Eden Valley, the Pennine foothills,
Westmorland Fells, Howgills, and the Greystoke Forest, all of which
are designated Landscapes of County Importance. The south and west
boundaries of the Local Plan area abut National Parks, reflecting
the quality of the landscape.
2.3 The protection of areas of wildlife or
geological interest must also be a prime concern. Within the Local
Plan area are many Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs),
designated and accorded protection due to the national significance
of their flora, fauna or particular geological value. The area also
has, at Orton Scar and Great Asby Scar, some of the most extensive
areas of limestone pavement in Britain, these enjoy special
protection. In addition, the River Eden and its tributaries, are
currently being evaluated for designation as an SSSI for their
exceptional water quality and fauna communities. These areas
together with a variety of sites which are of regional or local
value also warrant the exercise of particular care in order to
maintain corridors and habitats which contribute to species and
habitat diversity.
2.4 The District contains a number of areas
already designated as SSSIs which have been recently notified by
the Government as qualifying for designation as Special Areas of
Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive, due to their
international value. These include the Asby complex of limestone
pavements; a number of areas of hay meadow grouped under the title
North Pennine Dales Meadows, which include some in the Lune valley
as well as among the Pennines; and, the Moorhouse and Upper
Teesdale area which incorporates a range of rare habitats. This
latter area is also a proposed Special Protection Area (under
European Commission Directive 79/409 on the Conservation of Wild
Birds) due to its value for birds. These areas of international
significance warrant especial care and protection.
2.5 Throughout the area the Council has a duty
under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to protect endangered
species. This issue can become particularly significant where
development, such as the conversion of traditional buildings, may
disturb the nest or roost sites of protected species including bats
and owls. All of the concerns outlined in preceding paragraphs
support key approaches to sustainability including the maintenance
of biodiversity, that is, variety of habitats and species, and
protecting the best of the environment for future generations.
2.6 Notwithstanding the constraints imposed by
its landscape and nature conservation importance, Eden's
countryside is a living and working environment. It is necessary
that the needs of farmers and local communities are met in a
sensitive way. It is important to preserve the best and most
versatile agricultural land and, in some parts of the District
where land quality is generally poor, lower quality land which is
important to agriculture in the local context. Equally there is a
need to facilitate the diversification of the rural economy, in
order to support agricultural holdings and other rural enterprises
and to maintain the vitality of communities.
2.7 In relation to these issues and in
particular to the application of Plan Principle 1 on sustainability
and Plan Principles 2 and 3, a number of objectives concerning the
natural environment have been identified. These, and the policies
which derive from them, are intended to define and protect the
natural assets of the District. These objectives and policies
therefore provide a context and in some respects a constraint
within which the Council's development strategy has been
formulated.
Objective 1 to protect the
character and amenity of the District's landscapes by ensuring that
development normally takes place within or adjacent to established
settlements.
Objective 2 to afford special
protection to areas of recognised landscape or nature conservation
value including Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Landscapes of
County Importance, and areas of internationally, nationally and
regionally important scientific or nature conservation value.
Objective 3 to protect the best
and most versatile agricultural land.
Objective 4 to support
appropriate forms of diversification in the countryside.
Objective 5 to afford
protection to species and habitats of identified value including
those protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
