Question 12. How should the Local Plan help us improve the natural environment?

4.7.1 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account.

4.11 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account.

2.20. New development provides significant opportunities for improvements to the natural environment, particularly with larger scale development sites. Often, agricultural land provides little in terms of biodiversity except for in the field margins, whereas new developments are able to target specific biodiversity issues, and provide well planned green infrastructure that relates and connects to existing natural features. The Local Plan should require net biodiversity gains to be fully explored and provided.

4.11 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account. 4.12 For reference as to how Land to the South of Station Road, Harston could improve the natural environment, please refer to Section 2 of these representations, the enclosed Illustrative Masterplan prepared by Bidwells and the Ecology Report prepared by Applied Ecology.

5.10 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. 5.11 An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be considered. 5.12 For reference as to how land west of High Street Fowlmere could improve the natural environment, please refer to Question 2. Development of the site will allow for existing vegetation to be retained and enhanced where appropriate, and together with new planting is likely to have a positive bio-diversity net gain.

4.18 Page 34 of the GCLP acknowledges that in recent decades biodiversity in the area has been decreasing and states “The rural area is dominated by agricultural land, which is often not biodiverse, and in urban areas the loss of gardens and increase in urban uses reduces biodiversity.” In addition, development has often been required to ensure that certain densities of development are met. This can lead to a dense style hard urban environment. Flexibility should be allowed to developments that allow a greener approach to take place including planting and habitat improvements not only on the application site itself but other land with the immediate area. This would allow biodiversity improvements with net gain. 4.19 The site the subject of this representation has the opportunity to improve biodiversity in the area. There are several parcels of land that are segregated from the main fields and whilst designated as countryside in the Local Plan, they make little contribution to the wider landscape character. This land is also under the landowners control and could be used to support green infrastructure in relation to creating semi-natural spaces, allotments, additional woodland, scrubland and grassland areas etc to improve biodiversity in the area rather than low-value agricultural fields.

4.18 Page 34 of the GCLP acknowledges that in recent decades biodiversity in the area has been decreasing and states “The rural area is dominated by agricultural land, which is often not biodiverse, and in urban areas the loss of gardens and increase in urban uses reduces biodiversity.” In addition, development has often been required to ensure that certain densities of development are met. This can lead to a dense style hard urban environment. Flexibility should be allowed to developments that allow a greener approach to take place including planting and habitat improvements not only on the application site itself but other land with the immediate area. This would allow biodiversity improvements with net gain. 4.19 The site the subject of this representation has the opportunity to improve biodiversity in the area. There are several parcels of land that are segregated from the main fields and whilst designated as countryside in the Local Plan, they make little contribution to the wider landscape character. This land is also under the landowners control and could be used to support green infrastructure in relation to creating semi-natural spaces, allotments, additional woodland, scrubland and grassland areas etc to improve biodiversity in the area rather than low-value agricultural fields.

To improve our environment within a generation and leave it in a better state than we found it will mean that in this area we contribute fully to the creation of a more resilient landscape, with enhanced tree cover, richer in plants and wildlife. This will not happen simply by protecting existing sites, but by identifying where our biodiversity assets and opportunities are; and to prioritise them in land-use planning. This is putting a planning process into a new paradigm, one in which we take an active view of the contribution which areas can make to an overall environmental gain, then to consider the development potential of nominated sites, with a requirement in each case for a net gain from the development proposed. We would welcome this Plan initiating a Cambridge -based Nature Recovery Network, drawing upon examples like the West of England Nature Recovery Network. In doing so the local plan should provide a clear framework and mechanism for new development to be able to contribute to any such District level initiative.

4.15 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account. 4.16 The Travis Perkins site could deliver a net increase in biodiversity and natural capital by providing high quality public realm on site, with new, open, green spaces, additional trees, roof gardens and other features such as green roofs.

3.19 The Local Plan should explore how it can go beyond existing targets and measures to improve the existing green infrastructure network and build on strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change through setting short and longer term targets to improve the natural environment. This includes but is not limited to, biodiversity monitoring, increased tree cover, the promotion of multi-functional public open spaces that are highly accessible to existing and new developments and encouraging the community in getting involved with caring for the natural environment. 3.20 To improve its surrounding natural environment, Trumpington South can deliver high performance, multi-functional open space, delivering significant natural capital gains, such as 25%+ net biodiversity gain while promoting active lifestyles, social inclusion and cohesive communities.

4.14 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account. 4.15 The development of land at Papworth could improve the natural environment by providing high quality public open space on site, roof gardens and biodiversity features such as green roofs. In addition to this, strategic off site opportunities offer the opportunity to significantly increase biodiversity other than providing site specific biodiversity improvements. 4.16 VJF recognise the importance of enhancing the natural environment and is committed to achieving net biodiversity gain in respect to potential redevelopment proposals at Papworth. The Sites present opportunities to improve wellbeing through improved green spaces to relax and socialise. As referred to above, new areas of green infrastructure also provide opportunities to mitigate against climate change, through creating resilient new habitats. Page 12 4.17 Three ecological appraisals were completed by Ecology Solutions in January 2020 and accompany these representations. The key findings from the appraisal are summarised below: ● There are no statutory or non-statutory designated sites within or directly adjacent to the site; ● The habitats within the site are of limited intrinsic ecological interest; ● There are no overriding ecological constraints to redevelopment of the Site; ● The sites offer potential opportunities for different species for which further survey work is recommended at appropriate times of the year, however, there is good scope for providing enhancements for species as part of any redevelopment proposal; and ● Sites A and C present opportunities to achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain through a sensitively designed, landscape-led scheme which would incorporate native species of local provenance and those of known value to native wildlife to offer biodiversity gains post development.

• Existing biodiversity habitats should be protected, enhanced and better managed. It should look to extend / buffer existing biodiversity resources. • Create a local ecological network to contribute to the Nature Recovery Network and deliver connected habitats for wildlife across Greater Cambridge and wider landscape. This should link with county-wide Habitat Opportunities Mapping • Secure measurable Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as part of planning permissions (based upon an approved BNG calculator metric). Locally, given the significant decline and loss of biodiversity habitat across Cambridgeshire, the Local Plan should looks to secure a target of 20% BNG as part of development. • Undertake a strategic biodiversity audit, including up-to-date condition surveys of all City and County Wildlife Sites, to identify the current biodiversity resources across the Local Plan area. Use this evidence base to develop a local ecological network, identify key opportunities for habitat delivery (e.g. landscape-scale biodiversity creation) and key habitats that are priorities for the local authorities. These will help to inform BNG schemes, which are weighted in favour of strategic obnjectives; as well as providing opportunities to seek developers to contributions to habitat projects.

3.19 The Local Plan should explore how it can go beyond existing targets and measures to improve the existing green infrastructure network and build on strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change through setting short and longer term targets to improve the natural environment. This includes but is not limited to, biodiversity monitoring, increased tree cover, the promotion of multi-functional public open spaces that are highly accessible to existing and new developments and encouraging the community in getting involved with caring for the natural environment. 3.20 To improve its surrounding natural environment, Trumpington South can deliver high performance, multi-functional open space, delivering significant natural capital gains, such as 25%+ net biodiversity gain while promoting active lifestyles, social inclusion and cohesive communities.

The Local Plan should build on strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change through setting short and longer term targets to improve the natural environment. This includes but is not limited to, biodiversity monitoring, improved tree coverage, the promotion of multi-functional public open spaces that are highly accessible to existing and new developments and encouraging the community in getting involved with caring for the natural environment.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS: Accessible green space, with trails, pathways and other infrastructure, increases phyiscal activity, social connectedness and mental wellbeing. MAIN COMMENTS: Green spaces are a key way of providing the public with opportunities for physical activity, supporting social interactions, and improving mental wellbeing - as well as reducing net carbon - therefore the inclusion of biodiversity and green spaces as a theme in the local plan is supported. A balance needs to be struck beween protecting some natural habitats from human disturbance and supporting the provision of accessible green space across Greater Cambridge. We know that provision of accessible green spaces - inclusive of: parks, forests, playing fields, river corridors, play areas and cemeteries - have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of mortality by increasing physical activity and social interactions, and reduce the risk of mental illness and high blood pressure through the positive connections with nature (M Kondo 2018; C Maller 2005). Importantly, the benefits appear to be greatest for children, older people, and those from more deprived backgrounds (S De Vries 2003; G Vanaken 2018). The key determinants of green space usage appear to be its proximity and accessibility; whilst it has also been shown that provision of trails (paved or unpaved) increase the likelihood of people using the green space for physical activity sevenfold (E Howard 2002; A Kaczynski 2008). In addition, the National Planning Policy Framework states that planning policies should "enable and support healthy lifestyles … for eample through the provision of safe and accessible green infrastructure" (Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government 2019). Therefore the local plan should include policies requiring the provision of accessible greenspace (the term greenspace should also include "blue space") both formal and informal to accompany all forms of development, and the provision of green/bluespace should consider the proximity to housing to ensure equitable access.

Please see section 4.0 of the accompanying representations document. This a site whereby a net biodiversity gain is attainable and also offers up an opportunity to take the pressure of other local nature reserves close to the site including Beechwoods Nature Reserve through provision of a substantial country park.

4.14 This new Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. To achieve this, the new Local Plan should be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain both on and off-site. 4.15 An off-site net gain solution should be allowed for by policy. The Councils’ should work collaboratively with other key stakeholders to develop a strategic offsetting mechanism to support this. This would allow for new green infrastructure and biodiversity habitats to be strategically planned. This has potential to provide a greater overall net gain, than the provision of small, uncoordinated and disconnected new habitats across a range of new developments and locations. 4.16 In addition, the Local Plan should recognise the scope that larger scale development/new settlements have in providing net gain in biodiversity through onsite and offsite provision, taking a more radical approach to the use of planning contributions in improving the natural environmental on the local and wider scale. 4.17 Overall, any future Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to be made for each site taking into account development specific issues.

The Local Plan can be instrumental in improving the natural environment, such as by: + Allocating a strategic green infrastructure network, contributing to wellbeing, biodiversity, protection of watercourses, and urban greening. + Developing a biodiversity enhancement strategy with which development would need to align or contribute. + Setting out urban greening requirments to meet the proposed 'doubling nature' aspiration (e.g. an Urban Greening Factor). + Setting up a local ecology forum, involving Natural England, with whom developments should consult. This could include requirements to control degredation of natural environments, such as ecological assets, and establish conservation priorities for the area.

2.20 Natural Cambridgeshire has a vision to double nature by 2050, and has produced a Developing with Nature Toolkit to achieve the aim of a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is noted that Natural Cambridgeshire’s vision and toolkit acknowledge the role that development has in supporting the delivery net biodiversity gain. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements.

Please see section 4.0 of the accompanying representations document. This a site whereby a net biodiversity gain is attainable and also offers up an opportunity to take the pressure of other local nature reserves close to the site including Beechwoods Nature Reserve through provision of a substantial country park.

Legislation will require mandatory biodiversity net gain. Paragraph 20 and 20d of the revised NPPF sets out a new requirement for local authorities to develop strategic policies which set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and quality of development, and the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment, including landscape and green infrastructure and climate change mitigation/adaptation. The proposal for a new community at the Six Mile Bottom Estate will provide a significant net gain. The proposal will retain woodland areas and hedgerows throughout to allow wildlife to continue to thrive. Will establish expansive semi-natural area reserved for wildlife with managed access so that ecology can thrive. The proposal also includes a new multifunctional 3km long linear park running through the settlement with play parks, sports pitches, picnic areas, allotments, running and cycle routes.

4.15 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account. 4.16 The Travis Perkins site could deliver a net increase in biodiversity and natural capital by providing high quality public realm on site, with new, open, green spaces, additional trees, roof gardens and other features such as green roofs.

4.7.1 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account.

4.11 This Local Plan must deliver effective policy which protects and enhances natural capital. We support delivery of net gain for new development. Such policy must be flexible enough to enable creative and cost-effective solutions for the delivery of net gain and support the Vision for the Natural Future of Cambridgeshire in 2050 as outlined by Natural Cambridgeshire and affiliated organisations. An off-site net gain solution should be clearly allowed for by policy. While it is a Local Plan priority as a part of one of the four big themes, the Local Plan policy must allow for a planning judgement and balanced decision to allow for site and development specific issues to be taken into account.

The Local Plan should explore how it can go beyond existing targets and measures to improve the existing green infrastructure network and build on strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change through setting short and longer term targets to improve the natural environment. This includes but is not limited to, biodiversity monitoring, increased tree cover, the promotion of multi-functional public open spaces that are highly accessible to existing and new developments and encouraging the community in getting involved with caring for the natural environment. To improve its surrounding natural environment, Trumpington South can deliver high performance, multi-functional open space, delivering significant natural capital gains, such as 25%+ net biodiversity gain while promoting active lifestyles, social inclusion and cohesive communities.