Publication Draft

Comment

Representation ID: 7733

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

In addition to the Habitat Bio-diversity Audit, we recommend that species, geological and landscape data should be screened from existing Warwickshire Local Record Centre data to complement the habitat data. This would enable a fuller appraisal of each option as to the impact on protected species, geodiversity and landscape and enable the natural environment to be monitored to inform on the outcomes of the Core Strategy.
The 'picture' of the natural and historic environment should help then shape the options for growth. It will help identify areas of constraint, but also areas of opportunity for targeting habitat restoration at the landscape scale, using developer contributions for example.

Comment

Representation ID: 7735

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

We welcome the reference to Green Infrastructure in the strategic objective number 7.
Green Infrastructure can fulfil many functions. These include the provision of opportunities for climate change adaptation for example through green corridors for wildlife movement, cooling of summer temperatures through tree shade and opportunities for recreation and leisure giving benefits for health and well-being. There are major opportunities to provide integrated benefits for the landscape, recreation and biodiversity through maintenance and enhancement of the Green Infrastructure network.
Natural England believes that all Core Strategies should be underpinned by Green Infrastructure (GI) studies.

Comment

Representation ID: 33522

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

We welcome the references in paragraph 1 to '....creating high quality safe environments with low levels of waste and pollution and make a meaningful contribution to addressing the causes and potential impacts of climate change' we suggest adding 'flood risk, biodiversity, landscape and air quality' to the end of this sentence.
We welcome the references in paragraph 9 to 'linked wildlife-rich nature reserves and areas', recognizing the fact that biodiversity is not limited to protected sites and requires policies that protect and enhance connections between sites to enable movement and colonization of new areas. We would prefer to see the words: Warwick District will be renowned for having a 'strategically planned and interconnected network of green infrastructure' inserted into this paragraph to recognize the fact that green infrastructure should a primary consideration in spatial planning.

Comment

Representation ID: 33526

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Necessary development should be accommodated with minimum impact on the natural environment and deliver maximum benefits for the natural environment and people together.
The most environmentally sustainable locations should be found for new development. Development should avoid environmental assets such as protected and historic landscapes, habitats, sites (statutory and non-statutory), habitat networks, species and floodplains, and should promote sustainable travel patterns. Policies and decisions on development proposals should conserve valued environmental assets by seeking first to avoid loss or harm, before considering the need for mitigation or compensatory measures. Where development takes place in areas which currently have a low environmental value, we would expect the development to enhance environmental value by providing green infrastructure as well as provide new development.
Natural England supports the valuable urban containment role played by the green belt. However we also believe that there is potential for to increase people's enjoyment of green belt (and improving its effectiveness as a result) through improved access to it in appropriate locations. This could be through the establishment of strategic green links between settlements and the green belt. Other benefits of such an approach include opportunities for education regarding the natural environment, habitat enhancement and landscape benefits. A Green Infrastructure study could highlight where enhanced access to green belt would be appropriate and feasible.

Comment

Representation ID: 33527

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England suggests that Green Tourism is included as an important reference with an associated policy. The provision of Green Infrastructure can provide opportunities for green tourism, recreation and leisure giving benefits for health and well-being.

Comment

Representation ID: 33528

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

The strategic objective references green infrastructure which is to be strongly welcomed. However then makes no further description of this term. A description of Green Infrastructure should be included in paragraph 11.1 'Why is this a Strategic Objective' eg 'Green Infrastructure is a strategically planned and delivered network of high quality green spaces and other environmental features'.
It is also suggested that this statement is associated to the SCS objective relating to natural environment eg 'The built and natural environment has been protected and enhanced' and linked with the adopted LAA target of NI197 Biodiversity.

Comment

Representation ID: 33529

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Green Infrastructure Study should be carried out.

Comment

Representation ID: 33531

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

This paragraph makes reference to the possibility of using CIL for district wide infrastructure needs such as schools and train stations. Natural England supports this approach and the proposal to prepare an infrastructure delivery plan and would wish to see the obligation mechanism/ delivery plan for infrastructure provision extended to green infrastructure. We strongly recommend the inclusion of policies relating to green infrastructure and specifically in relation to the use of developer contributions for its provision

Comment

Representation ID: 33532

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England support the preparation of an infrastructure delivery plan to assist in the delivery of high quality open space and we recommend that this is linked to the provision of multi-functional green infrastructure. Natural England's green space standards state that every home should be within 300 m of an accessible natural green space of at least two hectares (ha) which is equivalent in size to two football pitches. In addition each home should also have access to: at least one accessible 20 ha site within 2 km; at least one accessible 100 ha site within 5 km and; at least one accessible 500 ha site within 10 km.

Comment

Representation ID: 33533

Received: 15/12/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England strongly welcomes the inclusion of this strategic objective. It would be appropriate to reference here the SCS objective relating to the Natural Environment as the quality of life benefits of providing access to the natural environment are well recognised.