We support the proposals for peatland restoration in parts of the plan area where there are significant areas of peat which have become degraded. In other areas, we would like to see the plan advocate significant expansion of tree canopy cover, either through planting of woodland, natural regeneration or planting of standard trees in streets or other locations as part of new development.

The leaders group for the Oxcam Growth Arc has recently agreed a set of environmental principles to guide development in the Growth Arc and two of these which are relevant are doubling of land managed for nature and an expansion of tree canopy cover from the current 7.4% up to 19%. Given that Cambridgeshire has the lowest woodland cover of any county in England, we believe that it is particularly important that expansion of tree cover is seen as a priority in the Greater Cambridge area, recognising the important role which trees and woods can play in tackling both the climate and biodiversity emergencies.