L1 3.u.i

Misterton with Walcote Parish Council SUPPORTS the policies L1.3.jiii and L1.3.u which aims to protect greenspaces, woodland and the Misterton Marshes SSSI within the site. Although paragraph 15.2.25 promises that Harborough District Council will consider a detailed ecological assessment of the site, Misterton with Walcote Parish Council considers it imperative such survey be completed before any development is begun on the site.

The local authority does not appear to be giving the natural environment the priority or protection that the NPPF identifies it should, especially as there are alternative less damaging locations. The local authority should be clear that there are no other sequentially preferable locations, or be convinced that there are no other suitable options that have lesser potential or actual harm on the natural environment. If the local authority proposes to progress this location, then it should be entirely satisfied that the development would not pose an unacceptable risk to the natural environment. To be confident of that, a full and detailed hydrological model and risk assessment would need to be undertaken before the site is allocated. The local authority would also need to be entirely confident that measures can be implemented and maintained (in perpetuity) to protect the highly delicate hydrology that is integral to Misterton Marshes SSSI.