New Local Plan Options

Support

Representation ID: 4761

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We support the broad vision for the District. We strongly support the commitment to improve the overall diversity and quality of Harborough's countryside, natural environment and built heritage and to ensure better access to the countryside and an improved range of open spaces for local communities to enjoy. We welcome the commitment to improve the District's resilience to the impacts of climate change by locating new development in areas of low flood risk and incorporating Sustainable Drainage Systems to manage run-off water sustainably.

Support

Representation ID: 4762

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We support the draft objectives to help deliver the draft vision. We particularly welcome objectives 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13, relating to the natural environment, the built environment, town & village centres, design, transport, flood risk, environmental impact and promoting tourism and culture including access to the countryside.

Comment

Representation ID: 4763

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We have no specific comments on the resulting settlement hierarchy other than to make clear that there are a number of environmental considerations to be taken into account when allocating sites for development, such as nationally and internationally designated nature conservation sites, locally and regionally designated sites for geodiversity and biodiversity, wildlife habitats and protected species, ancient woodland and landscape character. These considerations are unlikely to have any influence over the settlement hierarchy but may have a bearing on the subsequent allocation of sites. A coherent network of accessible greenspace is another key component of any sustainable settlement.

Comment

Representation ID: 4764

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We welcome the commitment in paragraph 39 for the new local plan to set out the strategy for objectively meeting Harborough's housing needs to 2031 through sustainable development which ensures infrastructure is delivered, local communities are protected, environmental capacity is respected and the quality of the built environment and heritage assets are protected. It would be inappropriate for Natural England to express any preferences. We would simply reiterate the environmental concerns need to be taken into account.

Comment

Representation ID: 4765

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We would like to raise serious concerns about the potential Strategic Development Area at Lutterworth given its proximity to Misterton Marshes SSSI. It is highly likely that large-scale residential and associated development in this area would have significant hydrological and other impacts on the SSSI, including human footfall, which could damage or destroy the interest features for which it is notified.

Comment

Representation ID: 4766

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We would like to raise serious concerns about the potential Strategic Development Area at Lutterworth given its proximity to Misterton Marshes SSSI. It is highly likely that large-scale residential and associated development in this area would have significant hydrological and other impacts on the SSSI, including human footfall, which could damage or destroy the interest features for which it is notified.

Comment

Representation ID: 4767

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We would like to raise serious concerns about the potential Strategic Development Area at Lutterworth given its proximity to Misterton Marshes SSSI. It is highly likely that large-scale residential and associated development in this area would have significant hydrological and other impacts on the SSSI, including human footfall, which could damage or destroy the interest features for which it is notified.

Support

Representation ID: 4768

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We welcome the Proposed Settlement Development Policy to replace current Limits to Development. We particularly welcome points 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 & 12.

Comment

Representation ID: 4769

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Along with our usual concerns about landscape character, biodiversity and protected species, early consideration should be given to the quality of soil resource affected by potential development sites. Local authorities should take into account the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land.

Support

Representation ID: 4770

Received: 27/10/2015

Respondent: Natural England

We strongly support the commitment to protect Harborough's green wedges as part of a wider network of green wedges around the Leicester urban area.