Question 14. How do we achieve biodiversity net gain through new developments?

There should be a simple, and proportionate, methodology set out in the local plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach is probably necessary for large developments. The local plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are in general terms. For example, is the priority tree planting, wetland creation or habitat enhancement?

There should be a simple, and proportionate, methodology set out in the local plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach is probably necessary for large developments. The local plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are in general terms.

This is a complex argument and I do not have an exhausting answer. Nevertheless these ideas come to mind: Increase house density in order to eat up less territory. Reserve some space for environment restoration.

By meeting the requirements for 10% net gain coming through the Environment Bill.

We have seen planning applications where the destruction of biodiversity sites has been permitted but their replacement seems to have been an afterthought at best. Force developers to preserve or replace any biodiversity assets damaged by new development.

There should be a simple and proportionate, methodology set out in the Plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach may be necessary for ‘major’ development or site allocations. The Plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are.

There should be a simple and proportionate, methodology set out in the Plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach may be necessary for ‘major’ development or site allocations. The Plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are.

The issue of achieving net bio-diversity gain is a difficult one as there is no focus or value given to one species or habitat over another. An invasive non-native species could be given as much weight as a single species native hedgerow. Policy should seek to provide opportunities for bio-diversity in the form of habitat provision but a simple requirement to deliver a net bio-diversity gain will encourage developers to simply clear a site pre-planning, having the opposite effect, while meeting the wording of the policy. There needs to be a pragmatic view; what species are you trying to promote and why? For example, it would be dangerous to encourage additional birds to occupy sites around the airport so a more focussed rather than broad brush approach is needed. Any policy should seek to encourage bio-diversity enhancements rather than a simple net increase in species.

The issue of achieving net bio-diversity gain is a difficult one as there is no focus or value given to one species or habitat over another. An invasive non-native species could be given as much weight as a single species native hedgerow. Policy should seek to provide opportunities for bio-diversity in the form of habitat provision but a simple requirement to deliver a net bio-diversity gain will encourage developers to simply clear a site pre-planning in order to achieve the net gain, having the opposite effect, while meeting the wording of the policy. There needs to be a pragmatic view; what species are you trying to promote and why and the baseline from which you are working? For example, it would be dangerous to encourage additional birds to occupy sites around the airport so a more focussed rather than broad brush approach is needed. Any policy should seek to encourage bio-diversity enhancements rather than a simple net increase in species otherwise you the Council is likely to find itself with any site with a baseline of zero species.

There should be a simple and proportionate, methodology set out in the Plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach may be necessary for ‘major’ development or site allocations. The Plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are.

There should be a simple and proportionate, methodology set out in the Plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach may be necessary for ‘major’ development or site allocations. The Plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are.

Water bodies, especially with some degree of management (to ensure they aren't completely surrounded by trees). Having some parts of lake edges without human or dog access to allow for breeding areas If greenfield site, farmland mitigation areas with management moved towards that of RSPB Hope Farm or similar to enhance biodiversity and abundance in other areas. Help fund nestbox schemes (barn owls etc.) Funding off-site mitigation and habitat creation on nearby reserves Green areas within the development designed both for humans (+dogs) and for wildlife, including denser scrub areas for nest sites and roosts and wildflower meadows Work around existing trees and hedgerows Nesting sites built into houses (swifts, starling especially), municipal buildings (eg sparrows, house martins) and landscaping (kestrel, sand martin?) Provide information for easy improvements people can make to gardens (ensure gardens have soil and aren't full of rubble would be a start...)

There should be a simple, and proportionate, methodology set out in the local plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach is probably necessary for large developments. The local plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are in general terms. For example, is the priority tree planting, wetland creation or habitat enhancement?

There should be a simple, and proportionate, methodology set out in the local plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings or 1000m² of employment space for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach is probably necessary for large developments. The local plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are in general terms. For example, is the priority tree planting, wetland creation or habitat enhancement?

The local plan should continue as per the current situation – protect important natural areas and, where appropriate, encourage the provision of new greenspace associated with large scale development. In particular land adjacent to areas proposed to be released from the Green Belt. The City of Cambridge would benefit from further large-scale greenspace on its periphery i.e. areas large enough to serve the whole population. There may be potential opportunities to achieve major new green infrastructure associated with Green Belt release.

The land north of Cherry Hinton Caravan & Motorhome Club off Limekiln Road, Cambridge was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of Dudley Developments. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding which sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The site at land off Limekiln Road in Cambridge contains a number of trees and shrubs. The promoted development will seek to retain as many of the trees as possible, and the existing copse of trees within the site would be retained as a feature within an area of open space. The promoted development would also seek to retain any ecological features on site and seek to provide ecological enhancements within a landscape strategy. It should be noted that there is sufficient space within the site to include those ecological enhancement measures on site in conjunction with development.

Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted developments at land east of Hinton Way and land west of Haverhill Road in Stapleford would retain any ecological features on the sites and seek to provide ecological enhancements within a landscape strategy. Axis Land Partnerships is promoting the possibility of creating a 20 hectare public open space on the land between Hinton Way and Haverhill Road, in conjunction with the promoted developments and Greater Cambridge Partnerships proposed public transport route from Haverhill and Cambridge. The open space would include landscape planting comprising native species and chalk grassland, the retention and enhancement of existing hedgerows at the site, and an ecological management plan. The proposed open space could potentially connect with other green infrastructure in the surrounding area including Ninewells Nature Reserve, Magog Down, Wandlebury Country Park and Hobson’s Park. It is considered that these ecological enhancements and the proposed open space would deliver a net gain in biodiversity, consistent with Natural Cambridgeshire’s objectives. This is detailed on pages 5, and 8-9 of our Exhibition Boards document.

The house and land at Bury Farm in Meldreth was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of Hastingwood Developments. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted development at land at Bury Farm in Meldreth would retain any ecological features on site and seek to provide ecological enhancements. It should be noted that there is sufficient space within the site to include those ecological enhancement measures on site in conjunction with development.

The site at land off Home End in Fulbourn was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of the KG Moss Will Trust. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted development at land off Home End in Fulbourn will seek to retain any ecological features on site and include ecological enhancement measures. It should be possible for most of the hedgerows and trees at the site boundary to be retained within the promoted development, and a landscape strategy will be prepared which would provide benefits for biodiversity.

The land at xx was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of xx. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted development at land off xx will seek to retain any ecological features on site and include ecological enhancement measures. It should be possible for most of the hedgerows and trees at the site boundary to be retained within the promoted development, and a landscape strategy will be prepared which would provide benefits for biodiversity.

See answer to Q3 and Q8. In addition, by developing outside the Cambridge urban area, the College’s Duxford “Call for Sites” proposals will help decrease the urban “heat island” effect.

The land off Cabbage Moor in Great Shelford was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of Shelford Investments. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted development at land off Cabbage Moor in Great Shelford would retain any ecological features on site and seek to provide ecological enhancements within a landscape strategy. It should be noted that there is sufficient space within the site to include those ecological enhancement measures on site in conjunction with development.

There should be a simple, and proportionate, methodology set out in the local plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (e.g. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach is probably necessary for large developments. The local plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are in general terms.

The land off xx was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 in behalf of xx. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted development at land off xx would retain any ecological features on site including the trees and hedges within the site and at the boundary. The promoted development would also seek to provide ecological enhancements. It should be noted that there is sufficient space within the site to include those ecological enhancement measures on site in conjunction with development.

There should be a simple, and proportionate, methodology set out in the local plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach is probably necessary for large developments. The local plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are in general terms.

Land at xx and Land to the north of xx were promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of xx. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted developments at land at xx and land to the north of xx would retain any ecological features on site and seek to provide ecological enhancements. It should be noted that there is sufficient space within the sites to include those ecological enhancement measures on site in conjunction with development.

Two sites, at land east and west of xx, were promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of xx. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted sites where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding which sites to allocate for development in the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted developments at land east and west of xx are of current low grade biodiversity, being monogenous scrubland. The density of the promoted development would have the ability to retain any ecological features on site and seek to provide ecological enhancements. For example the boundaries of the site have the ability to be planted to provide the opportunity for enhancements. There is the potential for each plot to have a garden for individual enhancement of biodiversity.

The land at xx was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of xx. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding which sites to allocate for development in the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted development at land at xx would retain any ecological features on site and seek to provide ecological enhancements, and the existing trees and hedges at the site boundary could provide the opportunity for enhancements.

The land rear of xx was promoted to the call for sites process in March 2019 on behalf of xx. The representations to the Issues & Options consultation document will refer to that promoted site where relevant. Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development, and in particular large-scale development with sufficient land available, can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. The promoted development at land rear of xx would retain any ecological features on site and seek to provide ecological enhancements. The existing trees and hedges at the site boundary could provide the opportunity for enhancements. The woodland to the rear of the site would be retained as part of the promoted development.

There should be a simple, and proportionate, methodology set out in the local plan to allow demonstration of biodiversity gain associated with new development. For minor development (i.e. less than 10 dwellings for example) a standardised approach could be adopted but a more tailored approach is probably necessary for large developments. The local plan should clearly set out what the desirable biodiversity gains are in general terms. For example, is the priority tree planting, wetland creation or habitat enhancement?