Q-B9: Should the plan include a policy requiring the safeguarding of sites of national importance, sites of local importance, and other non-designated sites known to make a positive contribution to biodiversity or geodiversity; unless the benefits of the
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WE need to protect and enhance biodiversity
The biodiversity of the English Countryside is a function of the traditional land management strategies adopted for hundreds of years. Changes in the last 100-years have led to a reduction in biodiversity and if it is to stand a chance of recovering, the importance of brownfield development first must be prioritised. If Green belt land is developed, then they will never again make a positive contribution towards biodiversity - this is the core principle of Green Belt to stop urban sprawl.
The phrases "clearly outweigh" and "where possible conserve and enhance these sites" have carried little weight in the past. The need for development usually overrules these considerations. The need for biodiversity is essential for preserving wild life as it plays an essential part in the food chain upon which we all depend.
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I believe that Special Landscape Areas should be designated across all of South Warwickshire. This designation was removed from the Warwick District Local Plan in 2006 based on the claim that the policies in the adopted Local Plan sought to refuse development which would have a detrimental impact on the attractive landscape character and open nature of the Special Landscape Areas. It was considered that the objectives of previous SLA policies, and the protection that they gave to these areas, would be equally well covered within the policy framework of the new Local Plan. The policy also drew attention to the broad extent of the Special Landscape Areas identified by the Structure Plan and should have ensured that these sensitive areas were afforded proper protection. Unfortunately, the removal of the Special Landscape Area designation has meant that it is no longer obvious which land used to fall into this category and has resulted in the ability for such land to be put forward as a site for consideration in the Call for Sites. Any piece of land that is, or used to be, within a Special Landscape Area should have been automatically rejected. Specifically, the area in Kenilworth between Rouncil Lane and Farm Road / Oaks Farm. The area consists of Grade 3 agricultural land, being made up of existing parcels of farmland which are separated by hedgerows and trees. Historically, this land was part of the Arden Special Landscape Area and is located wholly within the Green Belt. Being on the side and top of a hill, any housing development would be clearly visible from Kenilworth Castle so it is totally inappropriate that the location is even considered for development. It will also dominate the heavily used Centenary Way bridle path running south from Kenilworth Castle as well as destroying over half of the much used footpath linking Rounds Hill to Rouncil Lane. The land also falls within the site of 'the Olde Parke' to the South West of Kenilworth Castle, which formed part of the deer park belonging to Kenilworth Castle during the Medieval and Post Medieval periods. Earthworks, which may be the bank enclosing the deer park, are still visible. Again, a reason to restore the Special Landscape Area designation to justify the rejection of any development on it.
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the biodiversity of the English countryside is a function of traditional land management strategies over the last thousand years. changes in the last 100 years have eroded the biodiversity and if it is to stand a chance of recovery (which is vital for the population) the importance of brownfield first as an adopted policy is self-evident. If green fields are developed the return of biodiversity is significantly and tragically minimised. It is one the core functions of GreenBelt as a concept to prevent urban sprawl.
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Coventry City Council welcomes the protection and enhancement of biodiverse and geodiverse sites. Through on-going sub-regional joint working at officer level as well as work on Local Nature Recovery Strategies, Habitat audits and an updated Green Infrastructure Strategy, the council considers that key ecology assets can have long term protection through policies which provide for enhanced connectivity via green and blue infrastructure and are protected from inappropriate development.
Safeguarding of sites would work well in partnership with the SLA approach, wildbelt and other issues above, especially if applied to existing areas within the Green Belt; an area whose contribution to geo/biodiversity is often overlooked as unimportant in the face of development requirements. The opportunities for secondary and tertiary contribution to biodiversity and the impact on human health, wellbeing and agri-environmental productivity could be tremendous.
This would work well in partnership with the SLA approach, wildbelt and other issues above, especially if applied to existing areas with in the greenbelt; an areas whose contribution to geo/biodiversity os often overlooked as unimportant in the face of development requirements. The opportunities for secondary and tertiary contribution to biodiversity and the impact on human health, wellbeing and agri-environmental productivity could be tremendous.
Trees by the side of the road are not Open Green Space and should not be counted as such.
The canal network within the Plan area is a multi-functional resource and in addition to its importance as a heritage asset and a leisure, recreational and tourism resource, it plays an important role as a wildlife habitat supporting a wide range of biodiversity and providing a link between other green spaces and habitats. The Plan should seek to ensure that new development close to canals aims to protect and enhance this role through appropriate and sensitively designed landscape planting schemes and design of open spaces within developments. New development should seek to strengthen the role of canal corridors as part of the strategic green/blue infrastructure network, and particularly its value in providing a connection between other areas of green space.
Table 15 of Issue B5 (Environmental Net Gain) refers to the issues new development can have on water quality. For the purpose of structuring any future policies in the Plan, it may be appropriate within this table or the wider section to cross-reference the importance that SuDS can play in controlling and improving water pollution through the treatment of surface water runoff before discharging to the wider environment. There are likely to be opportunities related to Issue B6 (Wildbelt designations) to incorporate Natural Flood Management schemes to address known flood risks within a catchment, for the benefit of downstream communities. For the purpose of structuring any future policies in the Plan, it may be appropriate to reference this in the document or any subsequent policy.
The biodiversity of the English Countryside is a function of traditional land management strategies of the last thousand years. Changes in the last 100 years have eroded biodiversity and if it is to stand a chance of recovery, the importance of brownfield first as a policy is self-evident. If green fields are developed, they will never again make a positive contribution to the true return of biodiversity. This is one of the core functions of Green Belt as a concept, to prevent urban sprawl.
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Agreed appropriate to consider including a policy requiring the safeguarding of sites of national importance, sites of local importance, and other non-designated sites known to make a positive contribution to biodiversity or geodiversity in light of opportunity to review policies in the new Local Plan. No further comments.
Greenbelt has many function, one important one being to help maintain bio diversity by preventing urban sprawl amongst other things. In the last 100 years, much of our native bio diversity has been eroded and is further threatened by proposed development. If this is allowed to happen, it will never recover and once lost, impossible to replace. The policy of developing brown field sites as a first point of action should help to allow some restoration of biodiversity.
Safeguarding of sites would work well in partnership with the SLA approach, wildbelt and other issues noted above, especially if applied to existing areas within the Green Belt; an area whose contribution to geo/biodiversity is often overlooked as unimportant in the face of development requirements. The opportunities for secondary and tertiary contribution to biodiversity and the impact on human health, wellbeing and agri-environmental productivity could be tremendous.
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A lot of grant money is being spent on tree planting and environmental enhancement schemes on land that is not designated eg farmland. The importance of these areas should be recognised in policies too.
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We need to meet at least a 10% increase in biodiversity over the next few years. Increasing development requires that all plans should show how biodiversity is being maintained and enhanced by that development.
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