diverse mycorrhizal fungi associations which help sequester carbon as well as playing an important role in maintaining plant diversity and productivity. Soil resources must be protected and used sustainably to retain ecosystem services, in line with accepted best practice.
Part 2: Environmental protection
Development proposals, as appropriate to their nature and scale, must set out environmental impacts arising both during construction and once completed. Mitigation measures must minimise adverse impacts to air, land and water quality, vibration, heat, dust, light, odour and noise pollution. Development will not be permitted where, taking into account mitigation measures, it would lead to unacceptable impacts upon the health and safety of the public, residential amenity or the natural, historic or built environment.
The acceptability of likely pollution levels arising during both the construction and operational phases of development will be assessed having regard to the following considerations:
Lighting - New lighting schemes must be appropriate to the type of development and its location. Proposals for outdoor lighting must not have an unacceptable adverse impact by reason of light spillage or glare on neighbouring building/uses, the countryside, highway safety, aviation safety or biodiversity. Where bats will be impacted by the scheme, bat sensitive lighting will be required.
The potential impacts on human health and amenity.
The proximity, nature and sensitivity of existing and proposed uses
the impact on the viability and operation of existing neighbouring businesses; and
the impact on allocated or permitted development;
The proximity, sensitivity and significance of environmental and heritage assets, including potential effects on wildlife and habitats;
Existing background pollution levels, including the presence of any Air Quality Management Areas or other relevant designations; and
Any relevant national, regional or local strategies, objectives and targets for pollution control and reduction.