What can go wrong in forward planning     Local Development plans should take account of the need to conserve biodiversity. Not only nationally and internationally scheduled sites; not only locally designated sites, but also traditional landscapes and wildlife habitats in the wider countryside.     Wetlands are part of our traditional landscapes and while the many of the best sites in terms of their biodiversity are already designated in some way, the links between them are often not.     Allowing development across low-ways, valleys and streams in the vicinity of the wetlands can cause:   at best, the slow decline of their special character,   at worst the direct removal of their surface and groundwater supplies, and also greatly increase potential for pollution leading to rapid degradation and decline. Factors that can lead to wetland degradation include:   reduction of surface water catchment;   removal of groundwater supplies;   increased supply of nutrients;   pollution by phyto and zootoxic substances. Copyright © The Environmental Project Consulting Group 2002