Item7Appendix1DraftNaturalHeritage

This document contains non-statutory guidance related to Policy 4 (Natural Heritage) of the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2020. It aims to help safeguard and enhance natural heritage interests within the Cairngorms National Park by providing a framework for assessing the potential effects of development on habitats and wildlife. The guidance details how to use a mitigation hierarchy to minimize impacts, the process for considering natural heritage, and what information developers need to provide in planning applications, including ecological surveys. It also highlights sources of advice and information, emphasizing the importance of early consultation with the planning authority and adherence to relevant legislation to protect species and habitats.