ENIVRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT

Transcription

1 ENIVRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT

2 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER STRATEGY AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY - POLICY CONTEXT As part of the government s Sustainable Communities Plan Northamptonshire was identified as part of one of four major growth areas in the wider South East. This will see high levels of growth in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Region, where the population is expected to grow by 750,000 people. The establishment of policies and guidelines for the management of the environment, the focus of the Environmental Characterisation Process, and the associated proposals for a Strategic Green Infrastructure, are intended to inform the decision making and development process at all stages, and to ensure that the character of Northamptonshire, which is a unique and finite resource, is conserved and enhanced for the benefit of all. Environmental policy for Northamptonshire sits within the framework of national and regional policy and guidance. In addition to building on the policies and guidelines for environmental planning, the framework also seeks to support the achievement of sustainable development, defined in the government s Sustainable Development Strategy Securing the Future. The environment, and its component parts of biodiversity, cultural heritage and landscape character, forms a core driver behind a number of Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) documents, most notably PPS1 (Delivering Sustainable Development), which sets out the overarching policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system, PPS7 (Sustainable Development in Rural Areas), PPS9 (Biodiversity and Geological Conservation), PPG15 (Planning and the Historic Environment) and PPG16 (Archaeology and Planning). In addition other PPSs and PPGs make reference to environmental considerations, PPS22 (Renewable Energy) in particular. Below this national tier of planning policy is regional policy guidance. The Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands 2005 (RSS8) provides a broad development strategy for the East Midlands Region up to 2021, and contains overarching policies related to the environment. Also, the policy framework supports the vision, objectives and priorities of the East Midlands Integrated Regional Strategy. The framework of national, regional and local planning and environment policy that this approach to environmental character is based on is detailed in Appendix 1. The Environmental Character Process and Green Infrastructure, and the associated raft of strategic and local policy underpinning them, have been developed in response to the policy and guidance contained in these documents, in addition to earlier and now outdated policy at county and district/ borough level. Whilst, in this instance, national and regional policy and guidance has helped guide and shape policy, their adoption and subsequent review will, in the future, has the potential to help shape a revised Regional Spatial Strategy for the period post The Environmental Character Process provides a comprehensive suite of documents that includes detailed assessments of the character of Northamptonshire s environment, as well as strategy and guidance dealing with the management of landscapes, and for the development of an integrated Green Infrastructure. The Environmental Character Assessment represents the top tier of an emerging hierarchy of assessments, and was informed by the assessments of the county s current landscape, historic landscape and biodiversity character, all of which build on the comprehensive and common Physiographic and Land Use baseline data sets. The base line data of the Environment Character Assessment has informed the development of the proposals for a Strategic Green Infrastructure, the need for which was established in the Green Infrastructure Guide for Milton Keynes and South Midlands, produced by the MKSM Environment and Quality of Life Sub Group. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT

3 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER STRATEGY AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY - POLICY CONTEXT Vision for Environmental Character and Green Infrastructure The new planning system has been designed to be more responsive, positive and inclusive. It also recognises that character and sustainability are the cornerstones of good planning, design and decision-making. The Environmental Character and Green Infrastructure Suite was developed to support and integrate with this process and to provide technical guidance for the environmental policies in the Core Spatial Strategies for North and West Northamptonshire. In this context, the studies have the potential to support local planning authorities to: conserve and enhance the unique qualities and characteristics of the Northamptonshire environment, and the variations in its visual and historic character, built heritage, natural diversity and other environmental and cultural assets maintain and manage a vibrant, high quality environment in accordance with the principles of sustainable development that respects and enriches local distinctiveness and sense of place, functions well and contributes to the prosperity of the county preserve and enhance the most valued environmental assets In recognition of the significant change that planned and future growth will bring to the county, and the opportunities this represents, pioneering work has been undertaken in Green Infrastructure Planning in Northamptonshire. This has the potential to support local planning authorities to: adopt an holistic approach to environmental planning and will ensure that new development is sustainable and follows the principles of Green Infrastructure by providing environmental, social and economic gains whilst, at the same time, enhancing environmental character and quality and maximising opportunities for landscape scale connectivity These aspirations represent an important shift in emphasis and reflect the importance that local planning authorities place on the protection and enhancement of the county s varied and much valued environment. In developing and taking the vision forward, as well as the following set of objectives, supported by Strategies and Guidelines for EC and GI, the local authorities are responding to national guidance and applying the principles of good environmental planning. By acknowledging the importance of transparency, and promoting the concepts of environmental character, Green Infrastructure and of sustainability, Northamptonshire is at the forefront of development planning in the UK. Social and economic, along with environmental issues, are all key considerations in the planning and decision making process. In developing the vision and objectives, through the inclusion of environmental policies for Environmental Character and Green Infrastructure in their Core Spatial Strategies, local authorities in Northamptonshire are taking steps to ensure that the profile and importance of environmental issues are given due consideration in planning decisions. This will improve standards of planning and design and help to protect, conserve and enhance the character, distinctiveness and functionality of Northamptonshire, and ensure that new development in areas of degraded or lost character, are responsive to place and appropriate in terms of the new landscapes created. To achieve this, an integrated approach to planning is essential to secure environmental, social and economic objectives. By linking the CSS policies to the Strategy and Guidance, Northamptonshire will seek to avoid the negative impacts of development on the environment and ensure that where the loss of some features is unavoidable, this is compensated with appropriate gains elsewhere, guided by environmental character and green infrastructure policies, to ensure that there are no net losses as a result of development. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT

4 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER Landscape character comprises a recognisable pattern of elements and features that occur consistently across a particular type of landscape. Character is derived from the unique combination of geology, landform, soils, vegetation, and patterns of land use and human settlement that interact to make places locally distinctive. The Northamptonshire Current Landscape Character Assessment is a record of the various landscapes that exist across the county. It identifies analyses, maps and describes areas of common character and by doing so draws out the differences in character that exist across the county, highlighting the elements and features that make one landscape different from another. Landscape character assessment is concerned with gaining an understanding of all landscapes, not just those areas that are considered to be particularly valued. On the basis that all landscapes matter, the Northamptonshire Current Landscape Character Assessment is an essential tool for the planning and management of rural landscapes and should be used to encourage integrated planning and sustainable development in the county. Landscape Character Objective The overall objective of planning policy in Northamptonshire with regard to landscape character is to ensure that high standards of design are employed that respond to and enhance landscape character by reference to visibility, landscape patterns, layout, scale, massing, materials and detailed design. This will be achieved by reference to the Northamptonshire Current Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Strategy and Guidelines. All new development in the open countryside and in the urban/ rural fringe in Northamptonshire will be required to demonstrate that the Current Landscape Character Assessment has been used and the findings applied to a more localised assessment of the character of a site and its setting. In addition, the Landscape Guidelines for each landscape type will be assessed and appropriate measures taken to follow these guidelines where this is appropriate. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT

5 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT The Historic Environment lies all around us and comprises all those aspects of the environment that reflect the influence of past human activity. It is both urban and rural and includes upstanding and relict monuments, historic buildings, buried archaeological remains, relict landscapes, patterns of land use traditions and human settlement. Conservation, enhancement, piecemeal or wholesale removal of elements of the historic environment is a causal force in the creation of all present-day urban and rural landscapes. Historic environment remains must be considered to be fragile, vulnerable and valuable in their own right. They are a finite and non-renewable resource (PPG16, 1990) and as such once lost, either through the agencies of land use change or to development, historic landscape remains cannot be regenerated. The historic landscape of Northamptonshire must therefore be considered to be important for its own intrinsic value, and for communicating the sense of place, local identity and distinctiveness of the many localities in the County. The historic landscape also has recreational and aesthetic value (as high value historic landscape often, but not exclusively, exhibits a traditional or an unspoilt character, and often accompanies landscapes with high ecological value). The Government has recognised the importance of the historic environment in the following terms: For some it is a medium for learning about the past; for others a visitor experience; for many it provides employment; for still more it provides a home or place of work; for everyone it is a contributor to overall quality of life (The Historic Environment: A Force for Our Future DCMS/DTLR, December 2001). The Northamptonshire Historic Landscape Character Assessment forms an essential tool for the planning and management of the county s rural landscapes, and should be used to encourage integrated planning and sustainable development in the county. Historic Landscape Character Objective The overall objective for the historic environment in Northamptonshire is to ensure the conservation and proactive management of historic environment assets, their settings, and the wider historic landscape character of the county, ensuring that through a well informed decision making process, new development and land use change conserves and enhances the historic character of the County. This will be achieved by reference to the Northamptonshire Historic Landscape Character Assessment and Historic Landscape Strategy and Guidelines. All new development in the open countryside and in the urban/ rural fringe in Northamptonshire will be required to demonstrate that the Historic Landscape Character Assessment has been used and the findings applied to a more localised assessment of the character of a site and its setting. In addition the Historic Landscape Guidelines for each landscape type will be assessed and appropriate measures taken to follow these guidelines, where this is appropriate. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 5

6 BIODIVERSITY The policies for Northamptonshire s biodiversity need to respond to national and regional policy and guidance and, in particular, address the specific needs of biodiversity in the county. In Northamptonshire, the decline in biodiversity is amongst the greatest in England. Only 1.6% of the county is formally protected as Sites of Scientific Interest despite the recent designation of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SSSI, which covers over a third of the designated area. The Nene Valley Gravel pits are also a proposed Special Protection Area under the EC Birds Directive. A further 4.9% of the county is designated for its local biodiversity importance as County Wildlife Sites. Many of these existing sites are small and their distribution is fragmented. In a county where the decline of biodiversity has been so great, where wildlife site retention is so low and where many important sites that remain are so isolated, it is essential that policies for biodiversity halt further declines and ultimately reverse the downward trend. In support of the environmental policies in the Core Spatial Strategy, objectives and guidance for the conservation and enhancement of Northamptonshire s biodiversity have been developed in response to national, regional and local policies and guidance. (See Appendix 1) Northamptonshire Biodiversity Character Assessment 2006 The Northamptonshire Biodiversity Character Assessment is a record of the pattern of semi-natural habitats as they occur across Northamptonshire. It identifies, analyses, maps and describes areas of common biodiversity character and in so doing draws out the differences in character that exist across the county, highlighting the combination of features and elements that make one ecological landscape different to another. It divides Northamptonshire into broad Biodiversity Character Types, which are further sub-divided into geographically discrete Biodiversity Character Areas. The character of a Biodiversity Character Type comprises the pattern of typical semi-natural habitats, other biodiversity features and the associated species that rely on these habitats and features for their survival. Their presence in the landscape is influenced by geology soils, topography, drainage and current and historic human activity. Unlike landscape character, which is defined by obvious features, the biodiversity character can be difficult to identify. This is partly due to the superficial similarities of some habitats, e.g. grasslands, which may be acidic, neutral or calcareous, and partly because the retention of many semi-natural habitats is low and their distribution is often fragmented. The Biodiversity Character Assessment does not make judgments about the importance or value of a particular Biodiversity Character Type or Area. Instead it adopts the approach that all landscapes are valuable and offer opportunities for habitat conservation, restoration, extension, creation, buffering and linkage to create large, interlinked and functioning ecosystems at a landscape-scale. The Biodiversity Character Assessment: Strategy and Guidelines provide an important tool for the planning and management of Northamptonshire s natural assets as a component of integrated planning and sustainable development. Biodiversity Objectives The overall planning policy objective for Northamptonshire s biodiversity is to ensure the: Protection and enhancement of biodiversity character as identified by the Northamptonshire Biodiversity Character Assessment. Protection and enhancement of internationally, nationally and locally important sites designated for their biodiversity importance and protected species. Protection and enhancement of the priority habitats and populations of species identified in A Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire. Nathalie Hueber - Common Frog ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 6

7 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE The development of Green Infrastructure (GI) is an holistic process that seeks to maximise the contribution that the environment can make to the principles of sustainable development through the conservation, enhancement, restoration and creation of landscapes and townscapes. The multifunctional nature of GI extends to its planning and delivery. Importantly, GI encourages different organisations to work together, and to design, fund and deliver sustainable development that makes a positive contribution to the natural and human environment. Multifunctional GI and associated developments can only truly succeed through this shared commitment to the process of collaborative working and the pooling of resources and expertise. In parallel with the holistic approach to GI is the imperative to restore and repair damaged habitat and ecosystems, promote the existing biodiversity resource, and reintroduce lost or declining plant and animal species while working to reconcile human needs and livelihoods in balance and harmony with the needs of nature. Similarly, GI also represents an important opportunity to address issues of human connectivity and access by the development of the Sustainable Movement Network, which delivers a vision of sustainable movement for communities within Northamptonshire. On this basis Green Infrastructure is critical for the future management of Northamptonshire s environment and in particular shaping and directing new development, and particularly that associated with the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area. Notwithstanding the opportunities GI represents in shaping new landscape, habitat and movement networks, it is also a core mechanism for delivering the objectives and guidelines for landscape, biodiversity and historic landscape character, and objectives concerning health, wellbeing and education. Green Infrastructure Objective The overall objective for Green Infrastructure is to ensure that new development and environmental change contributes to a sustainable environmental system that supports a network of green infrastructure within Northamptonshire s towns, villages and the wider countryside that enhances the character and diversity of landscapes and townscapes within the county, enriches its wildlife value, and cultural and built heritage. It will also support and promote healthy living by providing opportunities for improved access, sport and recreation, and act as a stimulus for education. Delivery partners will work together and with the community towards achieving a living and working landscape that performs a multitude of functions and benefits. This will be achieved by reference to the West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire Strategic Green Infrastructure Assessments and other existing and future planned GI studies such as the Green Infrastructure Study for Corby. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 7

8 ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER Environmental Character The Northamptonshire Environmental Character Assessment and Process accords with important advice set out in the Government s Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas. PPS 7 provides the Government s objectives for rural areas, and makes explicit reference to landscape character in the context of planning. PPS 7 states that the Government s overall aim is to protect the countryside for the sake of its intrinsic character and beauty, the diversity of its landscapes, heritage and wildlife, the wealth of its natural resources. It also states that All development in rural areas should be well designed and inclusive, in keeping and scale with its location, and sensitive to the character of the countryside and local distinctiveness. With specific regard to planning policy, PPS 7 states that Planning policies in Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and Local Development Documents (LDDs) should facilitate and promote sustainable patterns of development and sustainable communities in rural areas. This should include policies to sustain, enhance and, where appropriate, revitalise country towns and villages and for strong, diverse, economic activity, whilst maintaining local character and a high quality environment. With regard to the design and the character of rural settlements, PPS 7 acknowledges that many country towns and villages are of considerable historic and architectural value, or make an important contribution to local countryside character. Planning authorities should ensure that development respects and, where possible, enhances these particular qualities Local planning authorities should prepare policies and guidance that encourage good quality design throughout their rural areas, in accordance with Annex C to PPS1, and utilising tools such as Landscape Character Assessments, and the design elements of Village or Parish Plans prepared by local communities. On the subject of local landscape designations The Government recognises and accepts that there are areas of landscape outside nationally designated areas that are particularly highly valued locally. The Government believes that carefully drafted, criteria based policies in LDDs, utilising tools such as landscape character assessment, should provide sufficient protection for these areas, without the need for rigid local designations that may unduly restrict acceptable sustainable development and the economic activity that underpins the vitality of rural areas. In response to this, Northamptonshire County Council has removed its local landscape designations comprising Special Landscape Areas in recognition of the belief that all landscapes matter and not just those that are particularly well known or evoke strong images. It will seek to protect the whole of the landscape resource through application of a robust environmental character assessment framework and criteria based policies and guidelines that respond to and reflect variations in the character of the landscape within the county. In the Northamptonshire Policy Framework, reference to landscape designation policy has been removed, in accordance the guidance set out in PPS7. The Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8) provides a broad development strategy for the East Midlands up to It contains five main priorities areas that the strategy aims to address. A number of policies relate directly to landscape character and good design. Area specific polices are also contained in RSS8 relevant to the character of specific areas within the county, however, these are not listed here. Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands 2005 (RSS8) Landmarks And Signs Cogenhoe Photo-construction 8 x4 John Harper 2005 ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 8

9 APPENDIX 1 - POLICY CONTEXT Policy 4 - Promoting Better Design Local Authorities, regional bodies, utility providers and developers should work together to ensure standards of design and construction are constantly improved. This should be achieved by promoting: the use of design led approaches which take account of local natural and historic character, for example landscape character assessments, urban design frameworks, town and village design statements, local concept statements, countryside design summaries, and masterplanning exercises; design and construction that minimises energy use, improves water efficiency, reduces waste and pollution, incorporates renewable energy technologies and sustainably sourced materials wherever possible and considers building orientation at the start of the design process; architectural design which is functional, yet which respects local natural and built character; increased densities for new housing in line with national guidance; access from new development to local facilities on foot, by cycle or by public transport; highway and parking design that improves both safety and the quality of public space; design which helps to reduce crime, supports community safety and vitality, and benefits the quality of life of local people; and approaches to design, layout and construction which takes account of, and where appropriate provide for increases in biodiversity. Policy 30 - Priorities for the Management and Enhancement of the Region s Landscape Development Plans, future Local Development Frameworks, and other strategies of local authorities and agencies should:. promote initiatives to protect and enhance the natural and heritage landscape assets, in particular the Sherwood, Charnwood and Rockingham Forests; and be informed by landscape character assessments to underpin and act as key components of criteria-based policies for the consideration of development proposals in rural or urban fringe areas. Where not already in place, local authorities should work towards preparing comprehensive assessments of the character of their landscapes to coincide with the review of their local development documents. This should assess whether there are exceptional local circumstances that would require the retention of any local landscape designations and associated policies in local development frameworks. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 9

10 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT National Policy Context National advice for the identification and protection of historic buildings, conservation areas, archaeological remains and other elements of the historic environment are set out in PPG15, Planning and the Historic Environment, and PPG16, Archaeology and Planning. Regional Policy Context At the regional level, policies on the historic environment are established in, and influenced by: The Regional Environment Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8): This emphasises the importance of ensuring change does not destroy the region s irreplaceable historic assets and distinctive character and that the need for change informed by understanding, careful management and the involvement of local communities. It also stresses the significant contribution that the historic environment can make to economic development, regeneration and tourism. Viewpoints on the Historic Environment of the East Midlands (July 2002,) produced by the Regional Heritage Forum The annual Heritage Counts: The State of the East Midlands Historic Environment Report, produced by English Heritage All three documents confirm that East Midlands has a rich and diverse Historic Environment which is undervalued and increasingly under threat. However, the historic environment can bring many benefits and opportunities. As a result, English Heritage recommends that development plans and other strategies should adopt an approach based upon: adequate identification and assessment of the natural and cultural assets; consideration of the contribution that these make to local character and diversity; and an assessment of the capacity of these assets to absorb change and the impact of proposals on the quality and character of the historic environment In areas identified for growth and regeneration, it is particularly important that the impact of new development on the historic environment is properly understood and considered at an early stage in the development process. In many areas, opportunities will exist for conservation led regeneration, which will benefit the local economy. Policy 31 - Priorities for the Historic Environment Regional proprieties for the Historic Environment Development Plans, future Local Development Frameworks, and other strategies should seek to understand, conserve and enhance the historic environment of the East Midlands, in recognition of its own intrinsic value, and its contribution to the region s quality of life. Across the region and particularly in areas where growth or regeneration is a priority, Development Plans, Local Development Frameworks and economic development strategies should pay particular attention to promoting the sensitive change of the historic environment, by: identifying and assessing the significance of specific historic and cultural assets (including their settings); using characterisation to understand their contribution to the landscape or townscape in areas of change; encouraging the refurbishment and reuse of disused or under-used buildings of some historic or architectural merit and incorporating them sensitively into the regeneration scheme; promoting the use of local building materials; and recognising the opportunities for enhancing existing tourism attractions and developing the potential of other areas and sites of historic interest. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 10

11 BIODIVERSITY National Policy Context Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation 2005 (PPS 9) Planning Policy Statements (PPS) set out the Government s national policies on different aspects of planning in England. Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS 9) sets out planning policies for the protection of biodiversity and geological conservation through the planning system. The policies set out in PPS9 need to be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of regional spatial strategies and by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents. PPS 9: Regional Spatial Strategies Regional planning bodies should liaise closely with regional biodiversity forums or equivalent bodies, English Nature or its successors and the Environment Agency to identify the current regional and sub-regional distribution of priority habitats and species, internationally and nationally designated areas and broad areas for habitat restoration and re-creation. Regional planning bodies should also liaise with the British Geological Survey and, where appropriate, local Regionally Important Geological/ Geomorphological Sites groups on geodiversity issues. Over time the distribution of habitats and species, and geomorphological processes and features, will be affected by climate change and such change will need to be taken into account. Regional Spatial Strategies should: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) incorporate biodiversity objectives; address regional, sub-regional and cross-boundary issues in relation to habitats, species and geomorphological processes through criteria-based policies; include policies to conserve and enhance biodiversity at the regional and subregional levels; include targets for the restoration and re-creation of priority habitats and the wrecovery of priority species populations, linked to national goals; and identify suitable indicators for monitoring biodiversity. PPS 9: Local Development Frameworks Local authorities should take an integrated approach to planning for biodiversity and geodiversity when preparing local development documents. They should ensure that policies in local development documents reflect, and are consistent with, national, regional and local biodiversity priorities and objectives (including those agreed by local biodiversity partnerships). Local development frameworks should: (i) (ii) indicate the location of designated sites of importance for biodiversity and geodiversity, making clear distinctions between the hierarchy of international, national, regional and locally designated sites; and identify any areas or sites for the restoration or creation of new priority habitats which contribute to regional targets, and support this restoration or creation through appropriate policies. Regional Policy Context ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 11

12 BIODIVERSITY Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands 2005 (RSS8) The Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands 2005 (2005) provides a broad development strategy for the East Midlands up to It responds to the guidance in PPS9 and presents overarching policies that seek to achieve biodiversity gains. RSS Policy 1.7. Regional Core Objectives Development Plans, Local Development Frameworks, Local Transport Plans and Economic Development Strategies will seek: to bring about a step change increase in the level of the region s biodiversity, by managing and developing habitats to secure gains wherever possible, and ensuring no net loss of priority habitats and species. RSS Policy 4. Promoting Better Design Local Authorities, regional bodies, utility providers and developers should work together to ensure standards of design and construction are constantly improved. This should be achieved by promoting: approaches to design, layout and construction which takes account of, and where appropriate provide for, increases in biodiversity. It also includes specific policies for biodiversity enhancement, increasing woodland cover and Strategic River Corridors, which require a sub-regional response. RSS8 recognises that the area of statutory sites important for biodiversity in the East Midlands is well below the national level and that, overall, there has been a significant decline in biodiversity. It identifies that, to compensate for past losses, regional habitat restoration and creation targets need to be proportionally greater than in other regions, and the significantly low regional proportion of woodland cover offers a specific opportunity for habitat creation. Given these major declines in regional biodiversity, action is required in four key areas to: ensure that there is no net loss of Biodiversity Action Plan habitats and species in the region; deliver large scale habitat creation at a landscape scale and which will contribute to rural diversification and regeneration; address isolation and fragmentation through creating buffer zones and linking corridors; and create semi-natural green spaces in urban areas so that everyone can have access to and benefit from an improved environment. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 12

13 BIODIVERSITY RSS Policy 28. Priorities for Enhancing the Region s Biodiversity Local authorities, environmental agencies, developers and businesses should work together to promote a major step change increase in the level of the region s biodiversity. This should be done by the: achievement of the East Midlands regional contribution towards the UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets; establishment of large scale habitat creation projects in the priority areas of Lincolnshire, the region s Strategic River Corridors and heathland areas; establishment of a regional project to promote the recreation of key wildlife habitats in each Natural Area in the East Midlands; establishment of a network of semi-natural green spaces in urban areas; management of features of the landscape which act as corridors and stepping stones, essential for the migration and dispersal of wildlife; and development and implementation of mechanisms to ensure that development results in no net loss of BAP habitats and species and that net gain is achieved. Policy 29. A Regional Target for Increasing Woodland Cover Local authorities, environmental agencies, developers and businesses should help to create new areas of woodland to meet a regional target of an additional 65,000 hectares of tree cover by Opportunities include the National Forest, Sherwood Forest, Greenwood Community Forest, and other forest initiatives. Preference should be given to native species. Ancient woodlands and other woodlands of acknowledged national and regional importance should be protected through Development Plans and Local Development Frameworks Policy 34. Regional Priorities for Strategic River Corridors Development Plans, future Local Development Frameworks, and other strategies of local authorities and other agencies should seek to protect and enhance the natural and cultural environment of the region s strategic river corridors of the Nene, Trent, Soar, Welland, Witham, Derwent and Dove, along with their tributaries, and rivers which contribute to river corridors of a strategic nature in adjoining regions. Actions of agencies and other bodies including those of adjoining regions should be co-ordinated to maintain and enhance the multi-functional importance of strategic river corridors for wildlife, landscape and townscape, regeneration and economic diversification, education, recreation, the historic environment, including archaeology, and managing flood risk. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 13

14 BIODIVERSITY A Biodiversity Strategy for the East Midlands 2006 To help inform the RSS and county level biodiversity policy and guidance development and implementation, the East Midlands Biodiversity Forum has identified Biodiversity Conservation Areas (BCAs) and Biodiversity Enhancement Areas (BEAs). BCAs represent areas that retain some of the best wildlife resources in the region, which could, if well managed, be reservoirs of wildlife that help the East Midlands biodiversity recover to sustainable levels. BEAs are areas in which biodiversity may be at greatest risk or is already severely degraded. BEAs include the Strategic River Corridors identified in RSS8 Policy 34. BCAs and BEAs are not designations, nor should they be treated as constraints on development. They are intended to provide a focus for regional, and sub-regional, biodiversity funding and partnership working, but they are not the only areas of the East Midlands where action for biodiversity is needed. The strategy advises that sub-regional authorities should consider whether existing plans and programmes in these areas properly acknowledge the potential and opportunities that exists in order to fulfill the requirements of the RSS (particularly RSS8 Policy 29). If not, they should consider what action is required to achieve the required outcomes. Biodiversity Conservation Areas and Biodiversity Enhancement Areas in Northamptonshire Biodiversity Conservation Areas: Biodiversity Enhancement Areas: River The Rockingham Forest Daventry Grasslands, Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge, Nene Strategic River Corridor Local Policy Context A Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire 2002 A Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire is Northamptonshire s response to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. It sets out a framework through which the people of Northamptonshire can ensure that the county s threatened natural heritage is conserved and enhanced for future generations. The plan identifies the habitats and species that are priorities for conservation and enhancement and outlines four key themes for action: A Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire. Themes for Action: Keeping Track Of Wildlife: the need to have a good, current knowledge about Northamptonshire s biodiversity, in particular the need for co-ordinated biological recording and for the establishment of a Northamptonshire Biodiversity Records Centre to hold and disseminate biological information. This will ensure that development plan policies and planning decisions are based upon up-todate information (PPS9: Principle 1) and that biodiversity targets and the effectiveness of planning policies can be accurately and effectively monitored. Keeping Wildlife on the Map: the need to protect existing wildlife sites and species populations. Putting Wildlife Back on the Map: the need to restore degraded wildlife habitats, create new areas for wildlife and, if habitat requirements can be met, re-introduce certain scarce or locally extinct species. People and Wildlife: the need to work in partnership to achieve the plan objectives and realise the important contribution that biodiversity makes to people s quality of life. Policy in the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8), (March 2005), incorporating the MKSM Sub- ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 14

15 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Regional Strategy, in addition to addressing the particular needs to conserve and enhance the historic environment and biodiversity, makes explicit reference to environmental and green infrastructure as part of wider policies relating to sustainability. The MKSM Strategy has six principal objectives, one of which is: To ensure that development contributes to an improved environment protecting and enhancing environmental assets (including landscape and biodiversity) and providing green space and related infrastructure (green infrastructure). The objectives set out in Policy 3 in respect of Sustainable Communities also embraces the principles that underlie a multi functional green infrastructure network. MKSM Strategic Policy 3: Sustainable Communities Sustainable Communities will be achieved in the Sub-Region through the implementation of development in accordance with the following principles: designing attractive cities, towns and public places; promoting the highest standards of environmental performance, including all aspects of water resource management; ensuring good accessibility and providing better public transport; facilitating safe and convenient movement on foot and by cycle; reducing reliance on car-based transport; maximising the opportunities afforded by growth to facilitate the regeneration of deprived communities; protecting, enhancing, and increasing the Sub-Region s stock of strategic environmental and cultural assets; providing green infrastructure for existing and expanding communities, including access to green space that promotes healthy lifestyles and can be used for formal and informal recreation and educational purposes; ensuring that the countryside in and around towns is sensitively designed to assimilate urban extensions into the landscape and accommodate links to and from the wider countryside; improving skills levels, enterprise, and innovation support; ensuring a supply of housing of the right types, sizes and tenure, and providing a step change in both the quantity and quality of affordable housing to meet the needs of the Sub-Region; providing the social (e.g. primary, secondary, further and higher education, health and social care) and environmental (e.g. water supply and treatment) infrastructure in accordance with current deficits and additional demands; managing and reducing demand where appropriate (e.g. demand for water); taking advantage of development opportunities for different scales of renewable energy in the Sub-Region; providing high quality employment land and premises which meets the needs of growing industries; maximising the contribution of previously developed land to the Sub-Region s growth; promoting and facilitating community development through the active involvement of the voluntary and community sectors; and ensuring improved community safety. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 15

16 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Paragraph 52 of the MKSM Strategy also states: The provision of green infrastructure needs to be addressed in planning development throughout the Sub-Region so as to ensure a net gain to meet the needs generated by growth and, where relevant, help to address existing deficiencies. This may take the form of protection, enhancement or extension of existing resources or the provision of new or replacement facilities. Green infrastructure includes recreational and sports facilities, pathways and routes, natural and historic sites, canals and water spaces, as well as accessible countryside. A network of multi-function green spaces in urban areas, the countryside in and around towns and the wider countryside, needs to be established. It will also be important that the character and diversity of the wider countryside is protected and, wherever possible, enhanced. In 2005 Planning Sustainable Communities - A Green Infrastructure Guide for Milton Keynes & the South Midlands was prepared by the Milton Keynes & South Midlands Environment & Quality of Life Sub Group. It is derived from A joint statement on the need for Green Infrastructure in the Milton Keynes & South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy (February 2004). The report identifies Green Infrastructure as a network of multi-functional greenspace, provided across the Sub-Region. It is set within, and contributes to, a high quality natural and built environment and is required to deliver liveability for new communities. It states that Green Infrastructure (GI) can be delivered through a planned network of multifunctional greenspaces and interconnecting links, which is designed, developed and managed to meet the environmental, social and economic needs of communities across the Sub-Region. It is set within, and contributes to, a high quality natural and built environment and is required to enhance the quality of life for present and future residents and visitors, and to deliver liveability for sustainable communities. Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands 2005 (RSS8) Policy 30 - Priorities for the Management and Enhancement of the Region s Landscape Development Plans, future Local Development Frameworks, and other strategies of local authorities and agencies should: continue to promote the highest level of landscape character protection for the region s nationally designated landscapes of the Peak District National Park and the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; promote initiatives to protect and enhance the natural and heritage landscape assets, in particular the Sherwood, Charnwood and Rockingham Forests; and be informed by landscape character assessments to underpin and act as key components of criteriabased policies for the consideration of development proposals in rural or urban fringe areas. Where not already in place, local authorities should work towards preparing comprehensive assessments of the character of their landscapes to coincide with the review of their local development documents. This should assess whether there are exceptional local circumstances that would require the retention of any local landscape designations and associated policies in local development frameworks. ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER & GREEN INFASTRUCTURE SUITE POLICY AND CONTEXT 16