Option 1: A policy for the assessment and provision of green space with new development

Object

Representation ID: 2244

Received: 11/02/2012

On page 36 of this document paragraph 5.34 there is a statement which implies that within Appendix B at the end of the document all Ancient Woodland/SSSIs/local nature reserves etc have been identified. This is not true. Whilst this map shows green hatching, there is nothing to indicate the status of these sites. Yet again these important sites have been lumped in together with playing fields/private parks/allotments and burial grounds. This is totally unacceptable and gives no indication of which development sites may be adversley affected.This is contrary to advice given by Natural England.

Object

Representation ID: 2263

Received: 20/02/2012

Information has been received which states Cllr. Peter Chowney disagrees that maps showing statutorily protected sites should form part of this consultation. WHY is this? If the public do not know where these protected sites are located, how can they make informed opinions on proposed development sites? This is completely unacceptable. All consultations should be transparent with all relevant information available to the public. This is a serious failure on the part of this council and MUST be rectified immediately.

Comment

Representation ID: 2321

Received: 21/02/2012

I have not yet tracked down the wording of policy EN3 but what I would suggest, if not already being considered, is a very clear and unambiguous policy statement in the final planning policy document that makes it quite plain that there has to be some extraordinary circumstance for HBC to even consider any building development on locally designated green spaces. Residential or commercial building for the purpose of profit generation should not be considered an extraordinary circumstance.

Support

Representation ID: 2474

Received: 23/04/2012

Yes

Comment

Representation ID: 2517

Received: 25/04/2012

I would like to see ecology studies submitted with all applications and compiled at the correct time of year, which are accurate and not biased towards the developers needs. All to often the ecology on potential sites are ignored or is wiped away before an application is submitted; trees cut down, vegetation removed and the wildlife interfered with. The 'experts' ecolgoy reports are taken as gospil and the locals' knowledge ignored as they perceived as NIMBY's concerned with stopping development and not with the local ecology or wildlife. Why are all studies accepted without checking their accuracy?

Support

Representation ID: 2931

Received: 24/04/2012

I support the boundaries shown in Appx B. I would support a more stringent version of Option 1, i.e. the wording should commence "The Council requires that proposals include assessments of existing ecology. These assessments etc..".

Comment

Representation ID: 3146

Received: 27/04/2012

It is recommended that, where the presence of a protected species is suspected, as a minimum, the information submitted with a planning application should include a detailed survey for species and details of measures that will be incorporated into a scheme to avoid contravention of the law. This involves consideration of any impacts that will affect the species directly or indirectly, whether within the application site or in an area outside of the site which may be indirectly affected by the proposals.

Comment

Representation ID: 3147

Received: 27/04/2012

All surveys should be carried out at an appropriate time of year and employ methods that are suited to the local circumstances. It is important that this work is undertaken by a reputable, qualified and where appropriate, suitably licensed person.

Comment

Representation ID: 3148

Received: 27/04/2012

Para 5.39 - A GI strategy including needs and opportunities may assist in informing decisions about what contributions development can make and what areas need to be protected from windfall development.

Support

Representation ID: 3319

Received: 26/04/2012

We support Option 1 'a policy for the assessment and provision of green space with new development', as the draft policy is consistent with national policy.

Comment

Representation ID: 3342

Received: 26/04/2012

Paragraph 5.38:

A Green Infrastructure Strategy for the borough would help to guide development policy in terms of the need to conserve and enhance spaces and landscape features within and close to proposed development areas. It would also help to identify areas of deficit and provide evidence for securing funding for developer Section 106 and CIL funds to contribute to delivery and long term management of GI in the borough. This will in turn contribute to the actions in the East Sussex Environment Strategy for Green Infrastructure.

The incorporation of environmentally sensitive design in development schemes, e.g. sensitive planting regimes, bat bricks, green roofs, sustainable drainage systems etc, can also contribute to green infrastructure and should be encouraged.

The policy should reflect that habitats can include manmade structures, e.g. buildings may house bats and/or breeding birds, local stone can be important for lichens and bryophytes, and bare ground is important for some species.

In addition it should also reflect that new planting should be appropriate to the local area, taking into consideration the requirements of mobile species which may use the new "green" space as a wildlife corridor.

The strategy could including mapping of all of the many and varied GI assets in the Borough to show how these are interrelated and identify opportunities to link them:

Ghylls and ghyll woodland
Streams and water features
Woods and Tree features
Parks / cemeteries and other public spaces including squares and hard landscaped areas.
Public rights of Way, By ways and green lanes
Other important landscape features e.g. cliffs and built features etc.
Semi natural green spaces
Seafront

Paragraph 5.39: The identification of green infrastructure networks for the Borough within allocation sites should have regard to the action plan for green infrastructure that is being developed through implementation of the Environment Strategy. The potential for existing green lanes and route ways to provide sustainable transport opportunities for walking, cycling and horses, as well as corridors for wildlife is a particular feature in Hastings.