Trusts are urging that new housing developments should benefit the environment as well as people in a new report.
The report published by the Wildlife Trusts, which includes Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT), sets out new guidelines, and is published following the government’s pledge to build 300,000 homes per year in the UK until 2022.
Plans in Dorset already include 3,588 new dwellings per year, which could increase by 11 per cent if government proposals are adopted.
As reported by the Echo, North and West Dorset District Councils and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (WPBC) launched their ‘Opening Doors’ scheme in November, with plans to build 20,000 homes in western Dorset by 2033 to tackle the housing crisis.
In December, WPBC approved an outline planning application for 18 houses on the site of the former Mount Pleasant care home in Weymouth.
A plan for a major 500 home development on farmland at Crossways has also been given the green light. The development is set to include a village green, allotments and landscaping features.
DWT says the natural environment should be at the heart of Dorset’s planning system to give the government a chance of meeting its commitments to both be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we found it, and to build new homes and communities that people enjoy living in.
Imogen Davenport, DWT’s director of conservation, said: “In Dorset, DWT plays an active role in helping to ensure that wild spaces and habitats are protected and enhanced during the development process.
“We recognise the need for development. There is no need for conflict with the natural environment if development occurs in the right place, and in the right way, for the benefit of both wildlife and people.
“We believe that this is achievable and that happier, healthier communities can be created with wildlife and greenspace at the heart, locating houses in places where landscapes can be restored to aid nature’s recovery, as well as giving people access to nature right where they live.
“It is possible to create nature-friendly housing by retaining natural habitats, creating wildlife-rich community green spaces, and ensuring ‘win-win’ situations where infrastructure, such as road verges or flood defences, also enable wildlife to thrive. These gains for wildlife will also help improve people’s health and quality of life, too.”
The new report highlights the social, environmental and economic benefits to the approach, including benefits to wildlife, residents, the economy and businesses.
Visit the report 'Homes for people and wildlife - how to build housing in a nture friendly way' at dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/campaigns_wildlife_protection