Report under section 40A of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006

Wyre Forest District Council Biodiversity Duty Report

March 2026

Wyre Forest District is named after one of the largest areas of ancient semi-natural woodland in England and is located in north-west Worcestershire. The district covers approximately 75 square miles and has an estimated population of around 100,000 people. The area is predominantly rural, with three principal towns: Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley. These towns form a central triangle of settlements, separated by narrow corridors of countryside that contribute to ecological connectivity across the district.

The district contains a wide range of sites of importance for biodiversity, reflecting its varied landscapes and long land-use history. These include nationally designated sites, locally designated sites and council-owned land managed for nature conservation.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves within or partly within the district include Chaddesley Woods National Nature Reserve and Feckenham Forest SSSI, which together comprise large areas of ancient semi-natural woodland and species-rich unimproved grassland. Wyre Forest SSSI and National Nature Reserve represents one of the largest and most significant ancient woodlands in England and includes woodland, scrub, springline flushes, streams, grassland and traditional orchards, together with several outlying areas. Areley Wood SSSI is a large ancient semi-natural woodland of high ecological value.

Additional SSSIs and nature reserves include Devil’s Spittleful and the Rifle Range, (part managed by Wyre Forest District Council), Hurcott and Podmore Pools (part managed by Wyre Forest District Council) which form the County’s largest alder woodland, and a small part of Kinver Edge, which supports woodland, heathland and important geological features. Puxton Marshes, Stourvale Marshes (part managed by Wyre Forest District Council) and Wilden Marsh and Meadows SSSIs represent the County’s most important marshland habitats and are associated with the River Stour. Showground Meadow at Callow Hill and Ranters Bank Pastures are designated for their species-rich meadows, grassland and traditional orchards. Eymore Cutting and the River Stour Flood Plain are designated for geological interest, while Dumbleton Dingle supports broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland. Hurcott Pasture is a species-rich lowland acidic grassland pasture.

The District also contains a number of Local Nature Reserves which the council both owns and manages and sites of county or local importance. These include Burlish Top between Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn, Habberley Valley to the north-west of Kidderminster, which forms part of a wider lowland heath complex of national and international significance, and includes woodland and acid grassland. Marshland and fen habitats are represented at Blake Marsh, Spennells Valley, Redstone Marsh and Moorhall Marsh. Other locally important sites include Hurcott Woods, Vicarage Farm Heath on the Birchen Coppice Estate, Half Crown Wood on the Walshes Estate and Stourport-on-Severn Riverside, The Council owns the following land that is not designated but is managed for biodiversity, Mitton Marsh and Burlish Meadows.

Other nature reserves within the District are owned and managed by other organisations. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust manages sites including Chaddesley Wood, Betts Reserve, Bishop’s Meadow, Devil’s Spittleful, Knowle’s Coppice and Wilden Marsh. The Woodland Trust manages Verflores Wood and Wassell Wood. Forest Enterprise and Natural England manages the Wyre Forest Nature Reserve. Important arboreta and historic landscapes include Arley House, a Registered Park and Garden, and Bodenham Arboretum.

In addition, a network of 58 Local Wildlife Sites is distributed across the District, incorporating the Rivers Severn and Stour, associated brooks, streams and pools, These sites contribute to ecological networks and landscape-scale biodiversity.

Wyre Forest District Council owns and manages 19 sites of importance for wildlife, covering approximately 267 hectares of land. See Appendix A. The Council leads a partnership that delivers conservation grazing across its own land holdings and in collaboration with other organisations, supporting the management of priority habitats and species.

Biodiversity Duty

The Environment Act 2021 strengthened the biodiversity duty placed on public authorities in England, including local authorities and local planning authorities. In exercising their functions, public authorities are required to consider what actions they can take to conserve and enhance biodiversity, agree policies and specific objectives based on that consideration, and take action to deliver those policies and objectives.

Biodiversity Duty reporting period

This report covers the period to 1 January 2026.

During the reporting period, Wyre Forest District Council continued to discharge its biodiversity duty through the exercise of its statutory functions, including its role as Local Planning Authority. The Council upheld and implemented the policies and objectives contained within the adopted Wyre Forest District Local Plan 2016–2036.

The Local Plan sets out eleven primary aims, including the objective to maximise opportunities for the inclusion of green infrastructure within high-quality development in order to support quality of life and increase opportunities for walking and cycling, while safeguarding and enhancing the district’s biodiversity and geodiversity assets.

The adopted Local Plan establishes a framework of policies and objectives designed to protect and enhance biodiversity across the district. See appendix B

Strategic site allocations and delivery during the reporting period

The adopted Wyre Forest District Local Plan allocates a number of strategic development sites. During the reporting period from 1 January 2025 to 1 January 2026, several of these sites have progressed through the planning process, either securing planning approval, approval of reserved matters, or commencing physical works on site.

For each of these allocations, site-specific policies within the Local Plan have been prepared to promote the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. During the reporting period, the relevant biodiversity-related requirements of these policies have been implemented through planning approvals, condition discharges and the commencement of development.

Policy SP.KEE1 – Land at Husum Way

The site-specific policy requires the provision of measures to protect and enhance biodiversity and ecological connectivity. These include the creation of an enhanced landscape buffer along the railway corridor to strengthen its function as a wildlife corridor, the use of sensitive lighting to avoid impacts on habitats and protected species associated with road and rail embankments, and the retention of existing boundary hedgerows and trees, supplemented with additional native planting where access arrangements allow.

During the reporting period, these measures have been secured through the planning process and have been implemented and delivered as part of the approved development.

Policy SP.KEE3 – Land at Comberton Road

The policy for this allocation requires the creation of a linear nature reserve along the western edge of the site, providing new wetland habitats and forming a buffer between existing and proposed development. Existing hedgerows and natural features are to be retained and enhanced as part of a comprehensive green infrastructure strategy informed by the Kidderminster East Green Infrastructure Concept Statement.

Additional requirements include the provision of ecological buffers to the Hoo Brook and its tributaries, together with blue and green infrastructure enhancements, including flood storage reduction measures where feasible. The eastern edge of the site is required to be planted to form a substantial green buffer, creating a quieter north–south wildlife corridor. The Hoo Brook Local Wildlife Site and associated wet meadow are to be buffered from development, and opportunities are to be taken to improve ecological and pedestrian connectivity between the western wooded stream corridor, the Hoo Brook Local Wildlife Site and Spennells Valley Nature Reserve to the south of the A448. A long-term habitat management and monitoring plan is also required.

During the reporting period, reserved matters for this site were approved, securing these biodiversity measures as part of the development proposals.

Policy SP.BLK2 – Land off Station Drive, Blakedown

This allocation partially overlaps with the Churchill and Blakedown Valleys Local Wildlife Site to the north. The policy requires the provision of buffering to the Local Wildlife Site, with the embankment and woodland retained as open space. The development is required to optimise opportunities for sustainable drainage systems and the creation of a mosaic of semi-natural marshland and wet woodland, reflecting the site’s location within Flood Zones 2 and 3.

The policy also requires the retention and protection of mature trees along the Station Drive frontage, with tree canopies kept free from lighting for ecological reasons. Where tree loss is unavoidable, full justification is required through arboricultural assessment, with replacement planting provided within the development.

During the reporting period, reserved matters were approved and physical works commenced on site in accordance with these requirements.

Policy SA.K16 – Land at Low Habberley

The policy for this site requires the retention and enhancement of existing hedgerows and trees to soften the impact of development and to contribute towards biodiversity net gain. Development is required to be set back from the bridleway to protect the setting of High Habberley House, and the rear hedge line is to be strengthened to form a defensible boundary to the Green Belt.

The policy also requires that impacts on the nearby Habberley Valley Nature Reserve and Local Wildlife Site are addressed through biodiversity net gain, and that proposals demonstrate how existing and surrounding habitats, including Habberley Valley and Eastham’s Coppice, have been taken into account. Measures to protect and mitigate impacts on bats and brown hare are also required.

During the reporting period, applications for the discharge of conditions were approved and development works commenced on site.

Policy SA.B2 – Stourport Road Triangle

This allocation requires the provision of enhanced green infrastructure alongside Riddings Brook, including a buffer strip to protect and enhance the watercourse. Existing hedgerows are required to be protected and supplemented, particularly along the northern boundary, to strengthen connectivity with nearby woodland habitats.

During the reporting period, condition discharge applications were approved and development works commenced in accordance with these biodiversity requirements.

Actions to benefit biodiversity undertaken during the reporting period

During the reporting period, Wyre Forest District Council undertook a range of actions to conserve and enhance biodiversity across the district, both through the planning system and through the direct management of land and community engagement.

Additional part-time ecological support was recruited to strengthen the Council’s capacity to review and oversee the delivery of biodiversity requirements secured through the planning process. This role focuses on ensuring that biodiversity enhancements and mitigation measures agreed through planning permissions granted prior to the introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain are fully implemented, and that applications subject to Biodiversity Net Gain are delivering the approved gains and mitigation measures.

Fourteen enforcement cases relating to impacts on biodiversity were raised during the reporting period. Of these, five cases remain open and ongoing, while nine cases were successfully resolved and closed.

In early 2025, approximately 7.8 hectares of land adjacent to Burlish Top Local Nature Reserve were brought under the management of the Council’s Countryside Team, increasing the area of land actively managed for biodiversity.

A new management approach for selected roadside verges was introduced to allow wildflowers to establish and flourish, supporting pollinators and improving habitat diversity. This formed part of a wider reduction in pesticide use during the reporting period, with alternative physical control methods employed wherever practicable.

Tree planting initiatives were delivered across the district, including the planting of approximately 5,000 trees along the Stourport-on-Severn riverside. A community tree planting scheme was also delivered, promoting and supporting garden tree planting within the district ward identified as having the lowest percentage of tree cover. December 2024 saw hundreds of trees fall at Hurcott pools and wood SSSI. These were composed mainly of Larch plantation. Replacement has begun by planting native, mixed broadleaf species and a native mixed hedgerow to improve biodiversity of the woodland.

Biodiversity enhancements were implemented across several parks and green spaces. Bird and bat boxes were erected at Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens in Bewdley, Bewdley Hill Wood in Kidderminster, and along Bewdley riverside. Grazing was introduced at Springfield Park to promote the establishment and management of native wildflower meadows. Biodiversity interpretation and education boards were installed at Springfield Park, Stourport riverside and Bewdley riverside.

Wildlife walks and public engagement events were held at Burlish Meadows, Blakemarsh and Hurcott Pools in Kidderminster, supporting community awareness and involvement in nature conservation. An active volunteer conservation group continued to operate twice weekly conservation activities across publicly accessible land.

Partnership working was strengthened during the reporting period through collaboration with the Natural Networks Team, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, CABA Catchment Based Approach, the West Midlands Heath Forum and Worcestershire County Council’s Natural Flood Management team. These partnerships support coordinated and targeted biodiversity improvements across the district.

Future actions proposed for delivery over the next five years

Over the next five years, the Council intends to progress a number of actions to further strengthen the delivery of its biodiversity duty. This includes the preparation of a new Local Plan. The new Local Plan will include biodiversity evaluation of proposed site allocations, integration of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy into site selection, and the preparation of site-specific biodiversity policies.

The Council will explore the production of a local habitat bank and the potential creation of a biodiversity offsetting scheme linked to public land holdings. Further actions include the expansion of roadside pollinator patches, the delivery of active conservation projects on public land of biodiversity interest, and increased provision of bird and bat boxes on publicly owned land.

Monitoring and enforcement will remain a priority, including the monitoring of landscaping and biodiversity mitigation secured on developments approved prior to mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, enforcement action where approved biodiversity measures are not delivered, and the monitoring and enforcement of Biodiversity Net Gain requirements on applicable developments.

Future potential negative impacts on biodiversity

Active consideration is being given by the Council’s Cabinet to a proposal to sell most of Burlish Meadows (also known as Burlish Country Park) for a development which has the potential to be detrimental to biodiversity within the area that would be developed. Strategic policy SP.28 in the adopted local plan sets out that the Council will “safeguard and implement a scheme on land between Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn for development as the Burlish Country Park, as shown on the Policies Map. Proposals for development which would prejudice the provision of the Country Park in these areas will not be permitted”. A decision on the sale of the land has yet to be taken at the time of this report and a planning application has not been submitted. Advice will be provided to decision makers on compliance with the biodiversity duty and due regard will be given to mitigating, offsetting and enhancement measures when a planning application is submitted.

Biodiversity Net Gain

Wyre Forest District Council, as Local Planning Authority, is responsible for overseeing the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain through the planning process.

During the reporting period, three Biodiversity Net Gain plans were approved. Although the associated developments have only recently commenced and none has yet reached the statutory trigger point requiring the full physical delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain, early-stage biodiversity delivery has occurred in accordance with the approved plans.

Across the three Biodiversity Net Gain plans approved during the 2025 monitoring period, 0.09 habitat units were delivered on-site and 0.07 habitat units were delivered off-site. This equates to a calculated net change of 283.94 per cent gain for on-site biodiversity units and a 10.43 per cent net gain for off-site biodiversity units.

On-site biodiversity delivery included the creation of approximately 0.03 habitat units of urban trees, 0.05 habitat units of modified grassland and 0.6 habitat units of other neutral grassland. This included the loss of 0.59 habitat units of modified grassland, which was offset by the creation of other neutral grassland habitats within the site boundaries.

Off-site biodiversity delivery totalled 1.03 habitat units and was secured through the creation of heathland and shrub habitats, including mixed scrub and traditional orchard grassland. These off-site units are located within the Redcar and Cleveland Local Planning Authority area and are referenced under off-site biodiversity gain site reference BGS-091024001.

No irreplaceable habitats were affected by any of the approved developments. As the developments have only recently commenced, none has yet reached the minimum time duration required for formal Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring in accordance with statutory requirements.

Prior to the reporting period, five applications had Biodiversity Net Gain plans approved. Of these, three were monitored during the reporting period. Two had commenced development but had not reached the trigger point requiring Biodiversity Net Gain delivery, and one had not commenced development.

Investigations have been undertaken into the potential creation of Biodiversity Net Gain sites on public land. These have not yet been brought to a conclusion but discussions continue with a view to finalising suitable delivery arrangements during the coming reporting period.

No third-party proposals to establish a Biodiversity Net Gain land bank within the district were received during the reporting period.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Wyre Forest District Council is a supporting authority in the production of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. During the reporting period, the Council contributed ecological expertise, promoted draft versions of the strategy to the public, District and Parish Councillors through organised events, and reviewed the pre-publication document.

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy is due to be published in Quarter 1 of 2026. Once published, it will be used to support site allocation decisions, assess biodiversity connectivity requirements for windfall development sites, and help prioritise the Council’s biodiversity projects and investment.

Summary of how Wyre Forest District Council is meeting its Biodiversity Duty

During the reporting period, Wyre Forest District Council continued to manage its land assets with biodiversity as a key consideration. The majority of council-owned land supporting priority habitats is managed through Higher Level Stewardship agreements and is meeting or exceeding the targets set within those agreements. The Council has explored opportunities to increase the area of land managed primarily for conservation and has integrated biodiversity enhancement into formal park management regimes and the maintenance of roadside verges under its control.

The Council has delivered environmental education activities, supported a weekly wildlife conservation volunteer group, and installed biodiversity interpretation signage across a range of sites.

Biodiversity policies are robustly embedded within the adopted Local Plan and, while the number of Biodiversity Net Gain plans approved to date has been limited, systems are in place to monitor and enforce the delivery of current and future schemes.

Prior to the introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, a significant number of major planning applications were approved and are now in the process of being delivered. The biodiversity enhancements secured through these developments are expected to create new areas of priority habitats, including wetland and grassland, across the district. A monitoring and enforcement programme is in place to ensure that all agreed biodiversity enhancements and mitigation measures are delivered in full.

Appendix A

Council owned land Managed for Biodiversity

Appendix B

Adopted Local Plan policies supporting the conservation and enhancement of Biodiversity.

Policy SP.22 - Landscape Character

Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils.

Policy SP.23 - Protecting and Enhancing Biodiversity

1. The Council will expect proposed developments to deliver measurable net gains in biodiversity through the promotion and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of legally protected and priority species populations. Delivery of measurable net biodiversity gains should be designed to support the delivery of the identified biodiversity network. The level of biodiversity net gain required will be proportionate to the type, scale and impact of development.
   Enhancements for wildlife within the built environment will be sought where appropriate from all scales of development.
2. Where required proposals for development must be supported by an appropriate level of up to date technical ecological assessment, demonstrating how ecological features identified have influenced the design and layout.
3. In these circumstances development should support the conservation, enhancement and restoration of biodiversity across the Plan Area. Specific provisions are identified below. Full consideration will be given in making planning decisions to the importance of any affected habitats and features, taking account of the hierarchy of protected sites:
   1. Development which is likely to have an adverse impact on the integrity of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (including candidate SACs), Special Protection Area (SPA) (including candidate SPAs), or other international designations or the favourable conservation status of European or nationally protected species or habitat will not be permitted.
   2. Development likely to have an adverse effect on nationally important sites including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and irreplaceable features including (but not limited to) ancient woodland, and ancient or veteran trees will not be permitted, except where the public benefits of the development at that site clearly outweigh the loss or deterioration of habitat and a suitable compensation strategy exists.
   3. Development which would compromise the favourable condition, (or make it less likely that favourable condition can be reached) of a Local Wildlife Site (LWS), a Grassland Inventory Site (GIS), an important individual tree or woodland and species or habitats of principal importance recognised in the Worcestershire Biodiversity Action Plan, or listed under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, will only be permitted if the need for and the public benefits of the proposed development outweigh the loss.
   4. The ecological network of wildlife corridors that link the biodiversity areas detailed above, including areas identified for habitat restoration and creation will be protected.
   5. Where the policy requirements of b and c and d have been met, full compensatory provision, to include establishment (secured through a legal agreement where appropriate) commensurate with the ecological value of the site will be required.
      In the first instance this should be through on-site mitigation, the details of which should be agreed with the Local Planning Authority. Off-site mitigation will only be acceptable where on-site mitigation is shown not to be possible.
4. The development will secure the management and monitoring of biodiversity of features retained and enhanced within the site or for those features created off-site to compensate for development impacts for a period reasonably related to the lifetime of the development.
5. Where, having followed the mitigation hierarchy, there is an unavoidable requirement for offsite biodiversity compensation to offset harm, applicants will be expected to demonstrate that this will be brought forward at a scale and proximity to the proposed development in keeping with the harm caused. Where pooled off-setting is required for multiple sites compensation will need to be proportionally supported in scale and kind by the project proposer(s).
6. Proposals for new housing development should ensure that the development (including gardens) are permeable to native wildlife (such as small mammals, reptiles and amphibians).

Policy SP.25 - Regenerating the Waterways

1. Rivers
   
   All proposals for development in or adjacent to the District's rivers and/or within an area at risk of flooding must also conform with Policy SP.31. Rivers are to be enhanced in accordance with Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Water Management Policies.
   
   Development which opens up views and enhances the landscape and biodiversity of the River Stour in Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn will be encouraged.

Policy SP.28 - Green Infrastructure

1. The existing green infrastructure (and associated blue infrastructure) network will be safeguarded from inappropriate development.
2. New development will be expected to retain, protect, enhance and provide Green Infrastructure (GI) assets (and associated blue infrastructure) by integrating GI into developments and contributing positively to the District's green infrastructure network. Housing and employment development proposals (including mixed use schemes) will be required to contribute towards the provision, maintenance, improvement and connectivity of GI, directly delivering GI as part of their design as follows, subject to viability requirements designated by the NPPF:
   1. For Greenfield sites exceeding 1ha (gross): 40% GI (excluding private gardens). b. For Greenfield sites of less than 1ha but more than 0.2ha (gross): 20% GI (excluding private gardens).
   2. For Brownfield sites: no specific GI figure. However, mitigation would be expected if the proposed development will impact negatively on protected environmental sites and/or where brownfield sites have a high environmental value.
3. Development which is unable to retain, protect and enhance the integrity of the GI network and its connectivity or 'stepping-stone' features will be considered inappropriate. Within brownfield developments it is expected that key GI features such as SuDs, green roofs, green walls, enhancements to the District's urban and peri-urban forest, and biodiversity measures will be delivered wherever possible and integrated into the wider GI network.
4. Within the identified key strategic development corridors it is expected that master planning for all major developments will be informed by the Green Infrastructure Concept Plans.
5. The precise form and function(s) of the GI provided will depend on local circumstances and the Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy's priorities. Developers should seek to agree these matters with the Council in advance of submitting a planning application. Effective management arrangements should also be clearly set out and secured. Once planning permission has been given by the Council, the associated GI will be protected as Natural Space or Open Space (see Policy DM.7).
6. Development proposals that would have a detrimental impact on important GI attributes within areas will not be permitted unless:
   1. A robust independent assessment of community and technical environmental need and functionality shows the specific GI typology to be surplus to requirements in that location
   2. Replacement of, or investment in, GI of at least equivalent quantity and quality of community and technical environmental benefit is secured in a suitable location agreed with the LPA.
7. To the north of Kidderminster Town Centre, the Council will safeguard the areas shown on the Policies Map in the Stour Valley for future development as a Country Park. Proposals for development which would prejudice the provision of a Country Park in these areas will not be permitted.
8. The Council will safeguard and implement a scheme on land between Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn for development as the Burlish Country Park, as shown on the Policies Map. Proposals for development which would prejudice the provision of the Country Park in these areas will not be permitted.

Policy SP.32 - Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Improvements to the Green Infrastructure and biodiversity of the area.

Policy SP.33 - Pollution and Land Instability

1. Development proposals must be designed in order to avoid any significant adverse impacts from pollution, including cumulative ones, on any of the following:
   • Human health and wellbeing.
   • Biodiversity.
   • The water environment.

Policy DM.8 - Provision for Open Space, Sports Pitches and Outdoor Community Uses in Housing Development

Where a development is in proximity to an existing community facility, green space or biodiversity asset, the developer will need to enhance or buffer the existing asset to mitigate any increase in demand put on that asset by the new development

Policy DM.26 - Landscaping and Boundary Treatment

Landscape schemes must demonstrate that they:

1. Are informed by the Landscape Character Assessment and/or Historic Landscape Characterisation, protecting existing trees, hedges and other landscape features where possible.
2. Provide adequate room for growth and acknowledge the importance of existing trees, hedges and plants when specifying their location
3. Predominantly use local native species to protect and improve biodiversity Boundary Treatments must be designed to:
   1. Reflect the local landscape or urban character and appearance of the area and protect existing trees, hedges or distinct landscape features to protect and improve biodiversity
   2. Reinstate and include appropriate new vegetative boundaries wherever possible
   3. Provide woodland planting where new development is proposed along transport corridors if this is appropriate to the existing landscape type or natural habitats

Policy DM.31 - Equestrian Development

All proposals for equestrian related development will be required to demonstrate that they have taken full account of their potential impact on local biodiversity and habitats and, wherever possible, should incorporate measures to promote and protect biodiversity.

Policy SP.8 - Reserved Housing Sites in the Green Belt

Highlights the reserve housing sites in the district and states that an ecological appraisal of the site will also be required where necessary to demonstrate no net loss of biodiversity (in accordance with the GI policies in this Plan).

DM.19 – Supporting Major Tourist Attractions

States that ‘Proposals that enhance the role and function of the SVR (including visitor attractions and facilities and maintenance facilities subject to their impact on the surrounding landscape, biodiversity… will be supported’.

The Wyre Forest - Future development proposals that enhance the tourism and leisure role of the Wyre Forest will be supported. Proposals will need to ensure that they respect the landscape, biodiversity and historic environment of this ancient woodland. Proposals that cause adverse impact to the area will not be permitted.

Arboreta – There are two large arboreta located within the District at Upper Arley and Wolverley (Bodenham)’… ‘Proposals will need to ensure that they respect the landscape, biodiversity and historic environment of these areas and proposals that cause adverse impact on the environment will not be permitted.