Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

With regard to the policy on Ancient Semi Natural Woodland buffer zones, with a 15m buffer minimum with the precise buffer to be determined by the LA tree officer: we would reiterate that the 15m is an absolute minimum and should only be used for development where it can be demonstrated that all impacts to the ancient woodland have been considered and can be avoided.

The Forestry Commission can comment and advise on suitable buffers and mitigation for woodlands and especially Ancient woodland when they may be affected by development.

Your policies on arb impact assessments, canopy cover assessments, long term maintenance of trees and use of UKFS, all align with usual Forestry Commission guidance.

Regarding the section that states: ‘Development will not be permitted which involves felling, significant surgery (either now or in the foreseeable future), and potential root damage to trees of amenity value,’ we would recommend changing that to state “….potential root damage to trees of amenity or ecological value”

We would also recommend promoting the use of home grown timber used in construction as a sustainable building material, therefore reducing the embodied carbon emissions of new builds. In line with the Government’s 25 Environment Plan (Page 47), the “Timber in construction” roadmap and the Net Zero Strategy.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

With regard to the policy on Ancient Semi Natural Woodland buffer zones, with a 15m buffer minimum with the precise buffer to be determined by the LA tree officer: we would reiterate that the 15m is an absolute minimum and should only be used for development where it can be demonstrated that all impacts to the ancient woodland have been considered and can be avoided.

The Forestry Commission can comment and advise on suitable buffers and mitigation for woodlands and especially Ancient woodland when they may be affected by development.

Your policies on arb impact assessments, canopy cover assessments, long term maintenance of trees and use of UKFS, all align with usual Forestry Commission guidance.

Regarding the section that states: ‘Development will not be permitted which involves felling, significant surgery (either now or in the foreseeable future), and potential root damage to trees of amenity value,’ we would recommend changing that to state “….potential root damage to trees of amenity or ecological value”

We would also recommend promoting the use of home grown timber used in construction as a sustainable building material, therefore reducing the embodied carbon emissions of new builds. In line with the Government’s 25 Environment Plan (Page 47), the “Timber in construction” roadmap and the Net Zero Strategy.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

With regard to the policy on Ancient Semi Natural Woodland buffer zones, with a 15m buffer minimum with the precise buffer to be determined by the LA tree officer: we would reiterate that the 15m is an absolute minimum and should only be used for development where it can be demonstrated that all impacts to the ancient woodland have been considered and can be avoided.

The Forestry Commission can comment and advise on suitable buffers and mitigation for woodlands and especially Ancient woodland when they may be affected by development.

Your policies on arb impact assessments, canopy cover assessments, long term maintenance of trees and use of UKFS, all align with usual Forestry Commission guidance.

Regarding the section that states: ‘Development will not be permitted which involves felling, significant surgery (either now or in the foreseeable future), and potential root damage to trees of amenity value,’ we would recommend changing that to state “….potential root damage to trees of amenity or ecological value”

We would also recommend promoting the use of home grown timber used in construction as a sustainable building material, therefore reducing the embodied carbon emissions of new builds. In line with the Government’s 25 Environment Plan (Page 47), the “Timber in construction” roadmap and the Net Zero Strategy.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

With regard to the policy on Ancient Semi Natural Woodland buffer zones, with a 15m buffer minimum with the precise buffer to be determined by the LA tree officer: we would reiterate that the 15m is an absolute minimum and should only be used for development where it can be demonstrated that all impacts to the ancient woodland have been considered and can be avoided.

The Forestry Commission can comment and advise on suitable buffers and mitigation for woodlands and especially Ancient woodland when they may be affected by development.

Your policies on arb impact assessments, canopy cover assessments, long term maintenance of trees and use of UKFS, all align with usual Forestry Commission guidance.

Regarding the section that states: ‘Development will not be permitted which involves felling, significant surgery (either now or in the foreseeable future), and potential root damage to trees of amenity value,’ we would recommend changing that to state “….potential root damage to trees of amenity or ecological value”

We would also recommend promoting the use of home grown timber used in construction as a sustainable building material, therefore reducing the embodied carbon emissions of new builds. In line with the Government’s 25 Environment Plan (Page 47), the “Timber in construction” roadmap and the Net Zero Strategy.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.