Preferred Options 2025

Other

Representation ID: 101891

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

This area is located within the Green Belt and ignores the current efforts by the Heart of England Forest to create new native broadleaf woodland immediately adjacent and contiguous to this area. No information is provided on how this developing Nature Recovery Area will be protected should this area be adopted. The new woodland which is an existing and tangible asset will contribute to achieving LNRS objectives and assist with addressing the climate emergency. This area should not be included within the plan.

Other

Representation ID: 101922

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

The Heart of England Forest has created a significant area of native broadleaf woodland, grassland and wetland habitats (approx. 35ha) within the centre of this area. Should A1 be adopted within the SWLP, any such development would put significant pressure on the site and should not be included within any future plan. The inclusion of the area would compromise its ecological integrity and be counter to both the LNRS where the Government has committed to ensuring 30% of land is protected for nature by 2030, and draft Policy 36 within this document.

Other

Representation ID: 101982

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

The proposed land (BW) protrudes into the centre of 80ha of native broadleaf woodland planted by the Heart of England Forest and partially surrounding the site. Additionally, the area abuts Bearley Bushes SSSI. The adoption of this area and subsequent development will put significant pressure on these two areas and should not be included within any future plan. The inclusion of the area would compromise both sites’ ecological integrity and be counter to both the LNRS where the Government has committed to ensuring 30% of land is protected for nature by 2030, and draft Policy 36 within this document.

Other

Representation ID: 101993

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

The policy does not provide enough detail on how important environmental assets will be protected and enhanced, especially when a large number of the allocations are next to and even covering important designated Local Wildlife Sites as well as sites which have no designation but are developing into significant Nature Recovery Areas.

Other

Representation ID: 102000

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

The policy says ‘expected to support the principles’ of the LNRS. The policy needs to be far more explicit and state development proposals will support the principles of the LNRS, creating a Nature Recovery Network which is bigger, better and more connected as per the Lawton Review. If the Councils’ intend to reach 30% of land dedicated to nature and in recovery by 2030, as stated in the Environment Act 2021, genuine, robust and ambitious targets must be set.

Other

Representation ID: 102010

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

The Heart of England Forest acknowledges the councils’ intention to ‘explore opportunities’ for higher than the bare minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain. However, rather than the statement to ‘explore opportunities’ there should be a clear statement of commitment with the intention to include a higher percentage than the minimum, to ensure that the loss of nature is adequately addressed, and this trend is reversed.

Other

Representation ID: 102026

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

It is unclear how this will deliver wider connecting corridors which are more substantial than the proposed small scale on-site improvements. The councils should update their Green and Blue Infrastructure evidence base, in line with the NPPF and in time to influence chosen housing sites in the Local Plan.

Other

Representation ID: 102034

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

As an organisation that is actively engaged in the process of creating new native woodland and associated habitats we would hope and expect to see an ambitious tree planting plan with targets formally set out in a tree canopy cover assessment report.

The ecological value of a tree can still be highly significant even if the tree is dead or dying therefore the blanket approach for removal as stated within the proposed policy must be nuanced and approached on a case-by-case basis.

Yes

Representation ID: 102045

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

Yes, in principle. It is not clear if this allocation will be used to replace the important Green Belt, green infrastructure corridors and Wildbelt designations which should already be included in the Plan and given substantial weight. Green Belts shouldn’t include housing allocations.

Other

Representation ID: 102053

Received: 07/03/2025

Respondent: Heart of England Forest

This policy needs stronger wording as it currently states that the SLA designation will not restrict development. The Heart of England Forest, whilst not specifically being designated a SLA, much of our land sits within the former Ancient Forest of Arden. Development next to or adjacent to these sites has the potential to negatively impact on wildlife that has established itself in the existing and recently created habitats. Development in and around such sites should be restricted with robust policies and be redirected to areas where the impact on nature would not be so significant.