Comment

Representation ID: 55882

Received: 08/08/2013

Respondent: Warwickshire Wildlife Trust

Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) are core areas for nature conservation, underpin local ecological networks and make significant contribution towards national and local biodiversity targets and objectives. NPPF assigns them protection which must be upheld during site selection process.

Eight of the identified sites include or are adjacent to a statutory or non-statutory LWS. Sites well away from a LWS, or which have no significant effects on a LWS should be selected. Only where justified, sites inclusive of or adjacent to a LWS should be selected and must safeguard the LWS and provide mitigation in accordance with NPPF (paragraph 118) eg buffer zones. Gypsy and Traveller developments should be able to accommodate mitigation measures. However, need a policy which requires effectively designed and implemented mitigation as part of planning application process. This does not exist in Warwick at the moment.

Local Wildlife Site should be clearly identified as a development constraint where appropriate. Pitch densities on preferred sites should reflect presence of LWS and the required long-term mitigation measures.

Local Plan needs a robust policy for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity reflecting NPPF paragraph 113 of the so that sites receive appropriate protection and provisions which seek enhancements to create coherent and resilient ecological networks.