Publication

We welcome the recognition given under (5) of Policy 6 to protect, enhance and expand the Green Infrastructure network.

Under the East Norwich heading in the policy,we welcome the reference to protecting and enhancing green infrastructure (GI) assets, corridors and open spaces within the area. We also support the references to the delivery of GI under the section headed Elsewhere in the urban area including the fringe parishes.

Instead of the basic maps 8A and 8B, if reference could made in the policy to a specific GI strategy or similar document, which provides further details of what should be maintained and enhanced, it would assist in the delivery of a strategic GI and coherent ecological networks in accordance with para 170 (d) and 171 of the NPPF.

We welcome the reference to enhancing existing green infrastructure (GI) in the supporting text and in the final paragraph of the policy.

Instead of the basic maps 8A and 8B, if reference could made to a specific GI strategy or similar document, which provides further details of what should be maintained and enhanced, it would assist in the delivery of a strategic GI and coherent ecological networks in accordance with para 170 (d) and 171 of the NPPF.

Instead of the basic maps 8A and 8B, if reference could made in the policy to a specific GI strategy or similar document, which provides further details of what should be maintained and enhanced, it would assist in the delivery of a strategic GI and coherent ecological networks in accordance with para 170 (d) and 171 of the NPPF.

We welcome the reference to enhancing existing green infrastructure (GI) in the supporting text and in the final paragraph of the policy.

Instead of the basic maps 8A and 8B, if reference could made to a specific GI strategy or similar document, which provides further details of what should be maintained and enhanced, it would assist in the delivery of a strategic GI and coherent ecological networks in accordance with para 170 (d) and 171 of the NPPF.

Instead of the basic maps 8A and 8B, if reference could made in the policy to a specific GI strategy or similar document, which provides further details of what should be maintained and enhanced, it would assist in the delivery of a strategic GI and coherent ecological networks in accordance with para 170 (d) and 171 of the NPPF.

We welcome the reference to enhancing existing green infrastructure (GI) in the supporting text and in the final paragraph of the policy.

Instead of the basic maps 8A and 8B, if reference could made to a specific GI strategy or similar document, which provides further details of what should be maintained and enhanced, it would assist in the delivery of a strategic GI and coherent ecological networks in accordance with para 170 (d) and 171 of the NPPF.

‘The natural environment’ section needs to be improved and expanded as it currently is unclear or incomplete. It needs to recognise and include the issues that the natural environment, both within and adjoining the Plan area, is facing including biodiversity loss, climate change, habitat fragmentation, pollution etc and how the proposed Plan may impact on and address these issues. Currently, it could be read as the only issues facing our natural environment are those identified under (109), which is clearly not the case.

In (109) the Plan needs to recognise that recreational disturbance impacts affect not just internationally designated sites, but a wide range of other sites that are important for wildlife, including County Wildlife Sites (CWS) (locally protected sites).

We welcome the amendments and additions, respectively, to (112) and (115) which help to recognise that the protection and delivery of quality GI is key to delivering many of its objectives and growth cannot be regarded as being sustainable without this.

‘The natural environment’ section needs to be improved and expanded as it currently is unclear or incomplete. It needs to recognise and include the issues that the natural environment, both within and adjoining the Plan area, is facing including biodiversity loss, climate change, habitat fragmentation, pollution etc and how the proposed Plan may impact on and address these issues. Currently, it could be read as the only issues facing our natural environment are those identified under (109), which is clearly not the case.

In (109) the Plan needs to recognise that recreational disturbance impacts affect not just internationally designated sites, but a wide range of other sites that are important for wildlife, including County Wildlife Sites (CWS) (locally protected sites).

We welcome the amendments and additions, respectively, to (112) and (115) which help to recognise that the protection and delivery of quality GI is key to delivering many of its objectives and growth cannot be regarded as being sustainable without this.

‘The natural environment’ section needs to be improved and expanded as it currently is unclear or incomplete. It needs to recognise and include the issues that the natural environment, both within and adjoining the Plan area, is facing including biodiversity loss, climate change, habitat fragmentation, pollution etc and how the proposed Plan may impact on and address these issues. Currently, it could be read as the only issues facing our natural environment are those identified under (109), which is clearly not the case.

In (109) the Plan needs to recognise that recreational disturbance impacts affect not just internationally designated sites, but a wide range of other sites that are important for wildlife, including County Wildlife Sites (CWS) (locally protected sites).

We welcome the amendments and additions, respectively, to (112) and (115) which help to recognise that the protection and delivery of quality GI is key to delivering many of its objectives and growth cannot be regarded as being sustainable without this.

The current wording of the policy needs to be strengthened with regard to the delivery of green infrastructure (GI). Currently it is rather vague and weak with regard to the essential role that quality GI must play if sustainable development is to be delivered under the Plan and meet the needs and aims as set out in the accompanying text under (161).

The policy needs to cross reference Policy 3 in order to provide a strong and clear steer of what will be required to deliver the growth strategy, whilst protecting and enhancing the area’s natural environmental assets, and to make the Plan sound. It refers to other relevant Plan policies in relation to housing, the economy, areas of growth and other strategic infrastructure, so links to Policy 3 should be included too.

Please clarify in the text which strategy is being referred to.



We recommend that the wording of point (3) of the policy needs to be amended as follows (or a similar form of wording used):

"3. Contribute to multi-functional green infrastructure links, including through landscaping, to make best use of site characteristics and integrate into the surroundings, having regard to relevant green infrastructure strategies and delivery plans, and in line with Policy 3."

The current policy states:

"Development must be high quality, contributing to delivering inclusive growth in mixed, resilient and sustainable communities, to enhancing the environment, and to mitigating and adapting to climate change, assisting in meeting national greenhouse gas emissions targets. To achieve this, development proposals are required, as appropriate, to:

3. Contribute to multi-functional green infrastructure links, including through landscaping, to make best use of site characteristics and integrate into the surroundings, having regard to relevant green infrastructure strategies and delivery plans; "

It is unclear what are the 'relevant green infrastructure strategies and delivery plans' and the policy should also cross reference Policy 3 in order to provide a strong and clear steer of what will be required to deliver the growth strategy, whilst protecting and enhancing the area’s natural environmental assets, and to make the Plan sound.