Key issue 5: Green infrastructure

This does not do enough, you should be promoting a net gain of biodiversity - in the Open Spaces Strategy 2016 to 2021, you recognised that Harborough is 'relatively poor in biodiversity and geodiversity terms', you should be trying to improve this. Paragraph 114 of the NPPF states that LPAs should 'set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and green infrastructure'. The bullet points after this issue do not do enough to comply with the NPPF. 'Safeguarding the recognised areas of high biodiversity and geodiversity' is not enough, you should be creating new habitat, linking areas of habitat and improving existing areas of habitat.

We support addressing the biodiversity deficit in the District through the provision of multifunctional greenspace that includes a range of habitats and linkages to established habitats, as part of all new development;
* safeguarding the recognised areas of high biodiversity and geo diversity.

The original Magna Park site was built on a former RAF aerodrome which could be considered as a brownfield site. The two outstanding planning applications for the proposed Magna Park expansion area are for land which is currently agricultural land. This conflicts with paragraphs 111 and 112 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF): The proposed submission of the Harborough Local Plan 2011 to 2031 does not consider whether there are any brownfield sites which could be used in preference to the agricultural land currently proposed.