Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan

Support

Representation ID: 1225

Received: 24/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

Welcome the integrated approach to sustainable development including moves to net zero carbon and to protect & enhance the natural environment.

Suggest adding explicit reference to the use of nature-based solutions in a new point i) and renumbering, e.g.:
Development proposals shall consider how they can proactively encourage, as
appropriate:
g. the use of previously developed land, conversions or the redevelopment of
vacant or unutilised land or buildings within settlements; and
h. the use of sustainable construction materials as well as the reuse of construction
materials on site.
i. the use of nature-based solutions in design and construction.

Object

Representation ID: 1377

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

It is good to see specific wording on protecting ancient woodland. However the wording proposed does not adequately reflect the requirements of the NPPF para 180c. We suggest amending it to replace "unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss or harm." with "unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists”.

Support

Representation ID: 1383

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We suggest strengthening the policy by setting a BNG minimum of above 10%, and by adding an urban greening factor metric where appropriate. We welcome the integration of offsite provision with habitat opportunity areas and the LNRS.

Support

Representation ID: 1384

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We support this policy, in particular requirements for integrating trees and green spaces into developments early on in the design process. We recommend adding a reference to supporting the emerging South Kesteven Tree Strategy.

Support

Representation ID: 1385

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We support the requirement that development should be designed from the outset to improve air, land and water quality and promote environmental benefits.

We suggest strengthening this policy by adding the words "and maximising the use of nature-based solutions".

Support

Representation ID: 1387

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We support this policy, in particular the requirements for the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs) and to maximise the use of green infrastructure and natural flood management.

Woods and trees should form an integral part of all Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). Planting trees as part of sustainable drainage schemes (SuDS) can slow the flow of water and reduce surface water runoff by up to 62% compared to asphalt.

Support

Representation ID: 1389

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We suggest strengthening the wording on trees in conservation areas as follows:

"Ensure the preservation of trees within the Conservation Area. In exceptional circumstances, and only where sufficient evidence is provided to justify their loss, significant existing trees may be removed. In these instances, development proposals will only be supported where they re-provide the amenity, canopy, habitat and biomass of the existing trees through replacement planting or an equivalent off-site contribution."

Support

Representation ID: 1395

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We support measures to require trees as part of good design. We recommend strengthening this policy by requiring a minimum tree canopy cover from development sites, of at least 20% and ideally 30%, to make a positive contribution to achieving an acceptable average tree cover district-wide, and focusing this on the areas in greatest need.

Support

Representation ID: 1396

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We have no objection to this policy but suggest strengthening it by adding a point in support of tree retention

eg "The design will keep garden trees and landscaping features that make a positive contribution to the character of the area and ensure that any trees that are unavoidably lost, are replaced elsewhere"

Support

Representation ID: 1398

Received: 25/04/2024

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

We have no objection to this policy but propose it be strengthened by adding a new section

4 Nature Based Solutions
New development should maximise the use of nature-based solutions, such as rain gardens and SuDS for drainage, green walls and roofs for natural cooling, and planted barriers for pollution control.