GI5 2aiv.
Object
Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission
Representation ID: 6481
Received: 07/11/2017
Respondent: Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
Should include sites that meet LWS criteria but have not been notified - a lack of a notification does not mean that the site does not contain locally valuable habitats.
Should include 'and sites that meet local wildlife site (LWS) criteria and local BAP priority habitats and species' - a lack of designation does not indicate that a site is not valuable to wildlife - it may just indicate that a site has not been surveyed, so any surveys should consider whether it meets LWS criteria or is a LBAP species or habitat.
Paragraph 114 of NPPF states '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'. Therefore, to protect a site, it should be surveyed to identify its worth. If a site meets Local Wildlife Site criteria, it should be viewed as a LWS for planning purposes.