SC1 3h.i.

local nature reserve must be left as not yet established and area of golf course suffice to provide all requirements

wildlife presently seen in the area surrounding Hall road. Pheasants, greater spotted woodpecke, green woodpecker, bull finch, ducks, sparrow hawk, munk Jack deer, bats, owls an abundance of insects, butterfly's, dragonfly, these and many more all thrive on an undeveloped area of land that limits access to the public. Residents enjoy relative security at the rear of their property because public access is limited.. It would best left as a wildlife corridor only.

The Scraptoft Nature Reserve should be left as a nature reserve not made a green corridor. it is vital to protect the many species of plants and animals on this site and any disturbance to the nature reserve would result in a loss of these species. The plan is supposed to protect Local Green Spaces.

Scraptoft nature resrvev is fine as it is. The proposed wildlife corridors will not support the variety of wildlife that the resrve does.

I have already set out my objections to the overall plan to reduce the existing nature reserve to a wedge only 100 meters wide for the reasons stated. The whole building programme will decimate the existing wildlife which will not return.. The report by the county ecologist clearly contains information in support of retaining this area as a valuable site for wildlife. Being an old prisoner of war camp there are undoubtedly hidden problems which will arise such as concrete bases, culverts and bunkers etc leftover. There is also the brook which has never been maintained and is already becoming filled up with silt following the recent developments. I am concerned that this will increase and with additional building the gardens backing onto the brook will be subject to flooding..

We support the concept of a wildlife corridor and part of the area to the south being designated a Local Wildlife Site. Scraptoft Parish Council is at present confused by the reference being made to the retained wildlife area being 100 metres wide, yet supporting maps do not show show this amount of land being retained. We seek clarification on this.

This is an important Green Wedge because it provides much needed habitat for wildlife in an increasingly built up area. In 2002 it was declared a nature reserve based on a report by Sue Timms in 1999. Contrary to the RPS report compiled by Melenie A'Lee after Sue Timms and Karen Headley re-visited the site in May 2017 on behalf of Leicestershire County Council, they reported that there has been no deterioration in the bio diversity of the site, they state that the site meets the current Local Wildlife Criteria for scrub-grassland habitat mosaics. The report notes that the area is used by members of the public and there is no evidence of anti-social behaviour on the site. In the time they were there they spotted Chiffchaff, Great-tit, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Song-thrush, Starling, Wood-pigeon and Green Woodpecker and insect life plus a wide variety of trees and shrubs along with high herb rich areas of grassland especially in the south and west and northeast. They said they area would benefit from further faunal survey.

I support this as it is vital to maintain the wildlife in this area, but I am concerned that the area designated in the plan is far too small.

The brook has never been maintained to my knowledge, I have never seen any work here even though in years past there were supposed to be monies allocated.

The " corridor " should go back as far as the Golf Club Practise field.
Many of the mature trees should be kept.
To lose Green Wedge in the Hamilton Lane area means the identity of SCRAPTOFT will become an extension of Netherhall.

A great number of trees and shrubs will be lost due to recent building developments. , the green corridor is not enough to sustain a variety of wildlife , trees have already been lost due to building in the area and reducing this further will be very detrimental to song birds, birds of prey and other creatures . The green corridor will in no way make upmfor the loss of a large natural area.

The nature reserve becoming a "wildlife corridor" would result in a significant loss of wildlife. Building work close by with all its noise and disturbance would also have a severe negative impact on wildlife within the corridor.

No firm evidence has been presented as to why it is necessary, justified or reasonable to remove the Local Nature Reserve designation to accommodate the SDA. It is stated that the site has been identified to help meet future housing needs and that the LNR forms part of the Scraptoft North Strategic Development Area. However the LNR itself forms only a small part of the overall site. Whilst it may mean reducing the number of houses it has not been demonstrated that the LNR cannot remain in the event of the golf course being developed.
The proposed de-declaration appears initially to have been largely justified on a consultant's report submitted by the site promoters dated May 16. This alleged the LNR was generally of poor quality with little formal access or interpretation of the site. However, Natural England (NE), the Government's statutory advisor, say that local authorities should explain why the impacts on an LNR cannot be avoided or mitigated and why all or part of the LNR cannot continue to be managed for its statutory purpose. NE also draws attention to the NPPF which gives some strong steers that the Council should be helping to achieve the Government's aims for biodiversity. This raises a key question whether de-declaration of the LNR meets the objectives of sustainable development and whether this is in line with the core principle for planning that it should contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment and reducing pollution. NE advise that local authorities should consider partial de-declarations where it is possible to bring about improvements in the quality of the remaining LNR to counteract the loss in land area.
Contrary to the conclusions of the promoters report, a site visit undertaken by ecologists from Leicestershire County Council reached rather different conclusions. Their report in May 17 states that little of the site has changed significantly in quality since the previous survey in 1999 that led to the LNR declaration in 2002. Apart from the north eastern part of the site the rest of the grassland is not over-grazed and has similar species composition and habitat description to that recorded in 1999. The report goes onto to say that with the exception of the north-eastern part, the site meets current Local Wildlife Site criteria for scrub- grassland habitat mosaics. In July 17 the promoters commissioned a further survey of the LNR by Ecological Planning and Research Ltd. This report seems to reach similar conclusions to those of the County ecologists and recommends that any development should be focused on habitat polygons that are of lower biodiversity interest.
The Council are proposing to designate part of the site as a LWS however, my concern is that this is not a statutory process and does not provide the same level of protection as LNR status. LWS status does not preclude development and the landowner's consent is required. It is not known if this would be forthcoming.
The supporting evidence for the SDA includes a note on a Green Infrastructure Strategy for the SDA. This mentions the creation of a new park to the north of Scraptoft Brook partly on the site of the LNR. The note states the park would be around 100 mm deep extending to the north providing a range of natural habitats. However an accompanying infrastructure plan dated May 17 provides an indicative layout showing GI / open space. The area set aside for the park on this plan appears significantly smaller than the existing LNR. In fact it appears to fall well short of the 100m stated in the note on GI. I have measured the LNR field from Beeby Road and it is approximately 130m to the field gate. I estimate that the depth of the area shown on the GI plan to be less than half that and this would result in a significant reduction in the area currently designated as LNR. Furthermore the report prepared by the County Council ecologists includes a map at appendix 5. This proposes a much larger area for the Local Wildlife Site than put forward by the promoters in their note and accompanying GI Plan. The lack of clarity on the area that would remain undeveloped and protected as a site for nature conservation is of great concern to the local community and is not helping the plan making process.
The proposed SDA is also in conflict with the Scraptoft Neighbourhood Plan. Policy S11 on Biodiversity highlights the diversity of habitats within the Parish which includes the Local Nature Reserve forming part of the Green Wedge with the City of Leicester, five wildlife corridors and other landscape features. The Plan seeks to protect these and to retain and enhance the Local Nature Reserve. The examining Inspector did not propose any changes to this policy.

this needs to stay

These proposed corridors will not replace the nature reserve

I was born on Beeby Road adjacent to the Local Nature Reserve. My earliest memories are that of cows in the field tended by my great uncle William till. Myself and my parents and our dogs have all been a part of this community and have, wherever needed, gave up time to help with local matters concerning the village and LNR.
My father is a member of the golf course and wants it to stay in Scraptoft. The council has refused to re-let the land on which 4 of the golf holes are situated which is a very bullish attitude to all the members, a lot of whom have been members for more years than I have been born.
Leicester council have land, which was at one time also tenanted by SGC and now lies in ruins just north east of the LNR which can be used to facilitate housing rather than ruining the enjoyment and giving a lot of upheaval to members.

Parker's can find land elsewhere beyond the boundaries of the LNR and golf course suitable for housing or simply lower the quota for Scraptoft and surrounding villages. We simply do not have the infrastructure either for this sort of project, the roads are not sufficient, the villages and junctions will become totally clogged with traffic and Scraptoft is a very tight one way road system. Please do not ruin what we have left as recreation and countryside. The LNR has been left alone for years, it has grown and matured and the amazing amount of wildlife within it and around it is all now threatened because of targets, please do not let this happen.

this is NOT a corridor but a thriving nature reserve and should be kept as such and the brook maintained in a proper manner large numbers of wildlife have migrated to the nature reserve due to being squeezed out of their previous habitat due to the excessive felling of trees and the 720 houses built in their place the green wedge between Hamilton lane and hall road is also an important part of our village identity and should be kept as such

This Policy not suitable and I Object. due to the following:
Increased Traffic
increased pollution
Loss of peaceful village life
Loss of local wildlife

its not enough to accommodate the current wildlife in the area.

the area proposed is not enough.
I totally object to the development of the 1200 new homes as it will cause major disruption to the area. I have concerns with traffic, noise, pollution, and the major disruption to the natural wildlife and greenery of the area. It will also have a massive impact to the schools, doctors surgeries, hospitals, and nurseries in the area which area currently struggling without the added pressure. The roads cannot handle the traffic now and I fail to see how an additional 1200 homes will manage.

How can the 'creation' of a wildlife corridor along Scraptoft Brook compensate for the loss of the existing habitat and the displacement of wildlife elsewhere by the building of 1200 houses ? Also. there seems to be no mention of the history of the proposed building area having been the site of a Second World War prisoner camp and a muster area for the preparation of D Day Normandy Landings. The resulting archaeological earthworks of this area have created an uneven ground surface of hollows and small mounds which provides habitat for a variety of existing flora and fauna..

Support the policy in general. However, The current Scraptoft nature reserve is too important to the local community to be de-designated and the land built on. This part of the proposal is in conflict with the made Scraptoft Neighbourhood Plan, Policy S11, which highlights the nature reserve as an important element of the Green Wedge between Scraptoft and Leicester City.

The area was given nature reserve status in 2002, following an ecological report conducted in 1999. LCC ecologists revisited the site in May 2017 and reported, contrary to the findings of consultants acting for the SDA promoter, that:
- there had been no deterioration in the bio diversity of the site which meets the current local wildlife criteria for scrub-grassland habitat mosaics
- the site is well used by members of the public;
- there was no evidence of anti-social behaviour;
- a wide range of bird life, insects, trees, shrubs and herb rich areas of grassland was identified.

APPENDIX
HARBOROUGH LOCAL PLAN 2011 TO 2031 PROPOSED SUBMISSION
LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL RESPONSE

Transport

1. Leicestershire County Council, in its role as Local Highway Authority (LHA), has been working closely with Harborough District Council as part of the Local Plan making process. As such, the LHA is content that the draft submission document is appropriately evidenced and also appropriately deals with transportation considerations at this stage in the planning process.

2. Subject to Harborough District Council's continued commitment to the policies and delivery approaches set out within the document, the LHA supports the submission of the Local Plan and looks forward to working with Harborough District Council in its delivery.

Education

3. Policies F1, MH2 and MH3 include no reference to securing suitable contributions for educational facilities. It may be that the intention is that these are covered by Policy IN1 - Infrastructure Provision, however whilst this policy refers to the Leicestershire Planning Obligations Policy (LPOP), it only does so in terms of waste, it does not refer to education.

4. Policies L1 and SC1 refer to delivery of Primary Schools 'soon after 300 dwellings'. The County Council would normally, and has with Harborough District Council, requested that the intended provision be available for opening in the September prior to the occupation of 300 dwellings.

Ecology

5. It is acknowledged that the de-declaration of the Scraptoft Local Nature Reserve is also currently being consulted on, and that its de-declaration would enable land to come forward for development as part of the Scraptoft North Strategic Development Area (SDA). The County ecologist has and continues to be actively involved, working through an approach which ensures the retention and management of areas of ecological value whilst enabling the release of some land for future development. This may involve the designation of a Local Wildlife Site.

Waste Management

6. The Local Plan needs to recognise that Waste Management considers proposed developments on a case-by-case basis and, when it is identified that a proposed development will have a detrimental effect on the local civic amenity infrastructure, appropriate projects to increase the capacity to offset the impact have to be initiated. Contributions to fund these projects are requested in accordance with Leicestershire's Planning Obligations Policy and the Community Infrastructure Legislation Regulations.

Economic Growth

7. The County Council supports the new employment land allocated in association with the Lutterworth SDA and recognises a similar approach is not necessarily appropriate with the Scraptoft North SDA with opportunities to access existing B use employment sites and proximity and ease of access to the City for employment.

8. The proposed portfolio of B use employment land in the Local Plan, which will provide the opportunity to deliver a range of jobs and economic prosperity in the District and wider area, is supported.

9. The County Council supports the approach taken to strategic storage and distribution (strategic B8 use) at Magna Park in the Local Plan, which has been informed by recent evidence commissioned by Harborough District Council. In particular, it supports additional strategic distribution proposals at Magna Park needing to meet the six criteria set out within the second part of Policy BE2, which sets a limit of 700,000 square metres for non-rail-served strategic B8 use in the Plan period.

10. The emphasis on the vitality and viability of the town centres is supported, and the regeneration emphasis on Lutterworth town centre although it is considered there is scope to strengthen this further, beyond the focus on vacant units absorbing identified need in Lutterworth town centre.

Strategic Assets

11. Comments from Strategic Assets are made in relation to the County Council's role as landowner. Its main interests in Harborough District are:

* land at Misterton County Farms Estate which forms part of the East of Lutterworth SDA (for which a separate detailed collaborative response will be submitted on behalf of the landowner consortium), and;
* potential smaller scale sites within Market Harborough, Lutterworth and rural settlements throughout the District.

12. Query whether the settlement hierarchy requires further consideration, to enable settlements which are better serviced than others in the same tier of the hierarchy to be more clearly distinguished and potentially receive more development.

13. In general terms the distribution of housing across the settlement hierarchy is supported; however, considers that there needs to be more clarity regarding the future housing needs of key settlements and seeks more flexibility for future housing numbers for smaller settlements.

14. The allocation of the East of Lutterworth SDA as a preferred strategic housing allocation is, in particular, strongly supported. The Objectively Assessed Need (OAN) supported by the Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) should therefore inform and provide strategic guidance to the development of later SPDs and Neighbourhood Plans. In considering the distribution of housing in the lower tiers of the hierarchy the Plan needs to demonstrate that those key centres and rural centres with neighbourhood plans will deliver housing numbers based on the current OAN rather than those contained within existing plans which were based on an earlier, much lower, OAN. Without this clarity the methodology could be open to criticism.

15. The integration of the social element of housing for older people and specific groups should be incorporated within the quantum and mix of affordable housing in order to mitigate any negative effect on site viability.

16. The County Council requests that planning consents at Airfield Business Park, Market Harborough (BE1.1a (ii)) and the land south of Lutterworth / Coventry Road, Lutterworth (BE1.1b (ii)) should be shown as existing commitments. Further, the consented site at Gaulby Road, Billesdon (a former highways depot), should also be shown as a commitment.

17. Whilst recognising the desire to concentrate strategic distribution at Magna Park, the proposal in Policy BE2.2 to allocate sites capable of delivering units of at least 9,000 sqm is seen as logical, as is the desire to stimulate economic growth by delivering sites that meet regional and sub-regional demand.

18. Policy BE3 on existing employment areas is supported; BE3.1 being seen as of particular relevance in ensuring that development meets the needs/demands of the wider sub-regional market in addition to local businesses in order to attract inward investment.


19. The allocation of both convenience and comparison retail floor space within the Lutterworth East SDA in Policy RT1 is supported, as is the additional provision within Lutterworth town centre which will complement the development of the new local centre and maintain a balance across the expanded community.

20. Policy L1- East of Lutterworth SDA is strongly supported. Being situated in the M1 corridor within one of the priority areas for economic growth in the Strategic Economic Plan it is clear that Lutterworth should be the focus of major strategic development within the District. The East of Lutterworth SDA is seen to meet best the criteria set out in Key Issues section of the plan and compliments the further development of Magna Park. Further, it is confirmed that the site, which is recognised as the most sustainable location for major development within the district, is available, being owned by a consortium of willing landowners, deliverable and capable of supporting a viable development.

21. Policy L2 - Land south of Lutterworth Road/Coventry Road. Outline planning consent has been granted and accordingly it should be regarded as an existing commitment for the purposes of the Local Plan.