Policy OB4
Nature conservation
- The nature conservation areas and green corridors identified on the Policies Map and in Appendix 4 will be protected from development likely to cause demonstrable harm to their ecological (habitats and species) value. In these areas, development will not be permitted unless:
a) the proposed development would release a site for built development needed to realise a qualitative gain for the local community in pursuance of other physical, social and economic regeneration objectives of the Local Plan, and measures are included for the protection and enhancement of any substantive nature conservation interest that the site may have so that there is no net loss of native species and no net loss of habitat; and
b) provision is made for replacement nature conservation interest of greater value elsewhere in the locality.
- Outside of the areas identified on the Policies Map, proposals should enhance the nature conservation interest through initiatives such as new green infrastructure and habitats, tree planting and brown and green roofs and protect any significant interest on the site and any nearby nature conservation area, appropriate to the scale and nature of the development.
- Planning conditions will be imposed, or planning obligations sought to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of nature conservation areas where these are affected by development proposals.
Map - Designated Nature Conservation Areas
9.41 There are Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) of metropolitan importance in the borough, namely the River Thames and its inlets, the Grand Union Canal and Wormwood Scrubs. The latter has been recommended as a site of Metropolitan Importance as a result of the most recent SINC review. There are also a number of sites of borough-wide and local importance. All three types of areas provide habitats for species of flora and fauna, as well as a valuable resource for the local community for educational and recreational purposes.
9.42 The council's Open Spaces Audit 2025 identifies that there is an overall deficiency in access to nature conservation areas in the borough, with an area of deficiency running north-south through the borough from the River Thames to Brook Green. The London Plan Implementation Report: Improving Londoners' Access to Nature provides information on addressing these deficiencies in access to nature with a number of priority sites for improving biodiversity identified within Hammersmith and Fulham. In a borough where land is at a premium it is important to protect these areas from demonstrable harmful impacts both from on-site development but also from development in the local area because of their contribution to ecosystem services.
9.43 Where replacement nature conservation areas are proposed as a result of development, then permission will only be given where it has been demonstrated that there will be greater nature conservation value, that is no net loss of habitat as a result of new site. It is also important that these areas are managed in order to minimise the impact of invasive non-native species. In this borough green corridors extend along parts of the railway network and link nature conservation areas. The River Thames creates an ecological corridor that allows animals and plants to live and move through the built-up area which often can be a barrier for many species to survive and move through. The Thames provides a continuous stretch of water, vegetation, and relatively undisturbed space that supports biodiversity. Such corridors are of great value in boroughs such as Hammersmith and Fulham which are not well endowed with nature conservation sites.
9.44 Opportunities to further strengthen the fundings of the green corridors will be sought. These may be future development proposals within the corridors, including those arising from operational uses or specific environmental improvement schemes as a result of council or voluntary activities. Any such proposals to enhance the green corridors or waterways, including filling in gaps or extensions, should not prejudice the operational needs alongside the road or rail thoroughfares, or the safe navigation of the waterways. The closely built-up nature of the borough, and the overall deficiency in accessible nature conservation areas, makes it important that all new development contributes to addressing these deficiencies by respecting and enhancing existing designated nature conservation sites and provide future opportunities to improve the biodiversity of the area, as well as opening up currently inaccessible sites where appropriate.