Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission

Dear Tess,

Thank you for providing Natural England with the opportunity to comment on the Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission document in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2012 and on the Status of Scraptoft Local Nature Reserve.

Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031: Proposed Submission
We have already provided comments on previous iterations of the Local Plan and have nothing further to add here except to welcome the commitment to continue to liaise with Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Lead Local Flood Authority and other stakeholders over the mitigation measures to protect the integrity of Misterton Marshes SSSI from any impacts arising from the proposed East of Lutterworth Strategic Development Area. As a statutory consultee, we would also expect to be consulted on the associated planning applications.

Harborough Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
Natural England welcomes the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the Harborough Local Plan and considers that the scope of the report, its methodology and conclusions meet the requirements of the Habitats Directive and associated guidance. Natural England concurs with the report's conclusion that the Harborough Local Plan will not have a likely significant effect on any European Site either alone or in combination with other plans and projects. Therefore an Appropriate Assessment is not required.

Harborough Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
We note and welcome the completion of a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for the Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission. We are pleased to note that our comments in relation to the potential Strategic Development Area at Lutterworth and its potential impact on Misterton Marshes SSSI appear to have been taken into account.

Scraptoft Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
Please refer to our previous comments on the proposed de-declaration of Scraptoft Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

We hope that you find these comments helpful. We would be happy to comment further should the need arise but if in the meantime you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. For any queries relating to the specific advice in this letter only please contact me on 02080261940. For any new consultations, or to provide further information on this consultation please send your correspondences to consultations@naturalengland.org.uk.

Kind regards

Dear Tess,

Thank you for providing Natural England with the opportunity to comment on the Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission document in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2012 and on the Status of Scraptoft Local Nature Reserve.

Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031: Proposed Submission
We have already provided comments on previous iterations of the Local Plan and have nothing further to add here except to welcome the commitment to continue to liaise with Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Lead Local Flood Authority and other stakeholders over the mitigation measures to protect the integrity of Misterton Marshes SSSI from any impacts arising from the proposed East of Lutterworth Strategic Development Area. As a statutory consultee, we would also expect to be consulted on the associated planning applications.

Harborough Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
Natural England welcomes the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the Harborough Local Plan and considers that the scope of the report, its methodology and conclusions meet the requirements of the Habitats Directive and associated guidance. Natural England concurs with the report's conclusion that the Harborough Local Plan will not have a likely significant effect on any European Site either alone or in combination with other plans and projects. Therefore an Appropriate Assessment is not required.

Harborough Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal (SA)
We note and welcome the completion of a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for the Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission. We are pleased to note that our comments in relation to the potential Strategic Development Area at Lutterworth and its potential impact on Misterton Marshes SSSI appear to have been taken into account.

Scraptoft Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
Please refer to our previous comments on the proposed de-declaration of Scraptoft Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

We hope that you find these comments helpful. We would be happy to comment further should the need arise but if in the meantime you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us. For any queries relating to the specific advice in this letter only please contact me on 02080261940. For any new consultations, or to provide further information on this consultation please send your correspondences to consultations@naturalengland.org.uk.

Kind regards