Responsibility for man and nature
It is not rare for construction projects to result in intrusion on nature and the environment. In that case, the parties responsible for the project are obliged to keep this intrusion to a minimum or to compensate for it elsewhere. These measures are set forth in a complementary landscape conservation plan (CLCP). The CLCP is an integral part of the planning documents required to obtain planning permission for construction projects. The CLCP becomes legally binding when the planning permission decision is issued.
The ecological aspects of landscape conservation have to be considered right from the start of all construction projects. Even in the initial formal town and country planning and project approval procedures, potential construction variants are discussed not only in terms of construction engineering and costs, but also from the viewpoint of their environmental impact.
Characteristic elements of the complementary landscape conservation plan are:
- Measures to minimise intrusion on nature and the environment, for example by selecting the variant which has least impact on the landscape, or which envisages provisions for animals to cross traffic routes.
- Protective measures for flora and fauna, such as the erection of protective fences or planting schemes.
- Compensation for developed areas, for example which provide an equivalent replacement for natural habitats, or the full rehabilitation of areas vacated as a result of the construction project.
- Substitute areas if it is not possible to execute compensation measures in the immediate vicinity of the construction project.