Residents of Hertford Heath face a critical decision: where to build 84 new homes? The need for housing has been established in the East Herts District Plan, but the potential cost to the environment can be severe. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be a choice between housing and nature. Two local examples show us the right and wrong ways to approach development.
Barclay Grange: Where Nature Wins
At Barclay Grange, we have put Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) at the heart of our plans. This isn’t just about maintaining the status quo; it’s about leaving nature measurably better off. With meticulous care, our proposals offer an onsite 76.4 % net increase in biodiversity! Imagine new wildflower meadows, thriving hedgerows and trees, wildlife ponds, and green spaces woven into the development itself. This benefits local wildlife and the people who will live in the community.
The Steering Group Site: Wildlife Pays The Price
The alternative sacrifices vital habitat. Surveys of the Steering Group’s proposed site of 84 homes, predict a devastating 63.4% net loss of biodiversity. Habitats will be destroyed, insect populations decimated, and the health of the local ecosystem will be compromised. This is particularly damaging due to the site’s proximity to protected areas like Hertford Heath SSSI, ancient woodlands, and is classified as a priority habitat network. Loss of trees and hedgerows, alongside impacts on protected species, paints a grim picture.
Why Biodiversity Net Gain is Essential (and Required!)
- Nature is Our Lifeline: Biodiversity is the foundation of a healthy world. It provides clean air, water, pollination services, and makes us more adaptable to the challenges of climate change.
- It’s the Law: New developments are legally mandated to achieve a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.
- BNG Works: New and improved habitats can offset the impacts of development, leaving a positive legacy.
- Better Places to Live: BNG makes developments healthier and more vibrant, filled with trees, wildflowers, and spaces for both wildlife and people.
Barclay Grange shows what responsible development looks like. Residents should demand this approach for all proposals. By putting biodiversity first, we build a better future for both people and the natural world.
Did you know? The neighbourhood plan proposes building 84 homes on a site that’s vital for local wildlife. This area is officially recognised as a priority habitat network that deserves protection.
The Evidence is Clear:
Purple Area: should be avoided by development and protected by the development management system where reasonable to do so* (Haileybury Site). Orange areas are appropriate for development.(Barclay Grange)
- Official Maps: The HERC Mapping (D11012*) highlights that the proposed site in the Hertford Heath Neighbourhood plan is located in an area crucial for wildlife conservation and should be protected. (click Link for report)
- Expert Guidance: Authorities state these habitats should be avoided by development. Restoring them elsewhere is far more difficult than protecting what we have.
- National Policy: Developments harming biodiversity should be rejected unless there are absolutely no alternatives.
Your Voice Matters
This isn’t just about the steering group. Demand transparency and accurate environmental information in future consultations. Your choices shape the community’s future and ensure a Sustainable Hertford Heath.
Further information can be found on the Resources Page.
Barclay Grange: Building Communities with Nature
At Barclay Grange, we believe that enhancing biodiversity must be a priority in development plans. Developments should offer accessible green spaces near homes, designed to complement the wider local landscape and linking up large, nature-rich open spaces with a network of green corridors. 5 acres of open green space will provide a vital place for communities to connect, play, and unwind, benefiting both people and wildlife.
