49Protected Area—Escarpment Area

49 Protected Area—Escarpment Area

49 Protected Area—Escarpment Area

(1) Consent shall not be granted to development on any land within a Protected Area—Escarpment Area (protected land) that involves the clearing of native vegetation unless the consent authority is satisfied, by means of an assessment of the landscape and environmental impact of the proposed development, that the development complies with the objectives and other provisions within this clause.

(2) The objectives for a Protected Area—Escarpment Area are—

(a) to preserve and enhance the visual, cultural and ecological values of the escarpment systems within the City of Blue Mountains, and

(b) to restrict development, including buildings, alterations and vegetation clearing, so as to minimise adverse impact on the perception of escarpments as significant natural features, and

(c) to limit the proportion of hard surfaces in close proximity to escarpment systems, and

(d) to ensure that the design and siting of development minimises environmental impact, and

(e) to encourage the retention, restoration and maintenance of areas of disturbed native vegetation.

(3) Development, including the clearing of native vegetation, on any land within a Protected Area—Escarpment Area is to—

(a) not adversely impact on the ecological or scenic values of the escarpment system, and

(b) retain and maintain all existing native vegetation outside the area immediately required for the development, and

(c) incorporate measures to regenerate native vegetation within the escarpment system in those areas which are already cleared and do not form part of the site of any existing development or the proposed development, and

(d) be designed and sited to respond sympathetically to the landform in which it is proposed to be situated, and

(e) not protrude above the existing vegetation canopy of the immediate locality, and

(f) not protrude above the height of adjacent buildings, and

(g) not visually disrupt the skyline by protruding above the ridgeline within or behind the site or above adjacent buildings, and