Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

RSPB believes that biodiversity net-gain needs be an objective built into development design and master-planning. As above, it can be achieved by the provision of suitable habitats (in green space) and building design on-site. For large developments, and other development where net gain is not possible on site, developers should contribute toward strategic habitat creation identified by the Green Infrastructure Plan (and a Local Nature Recovery Strategy if/when these are provided for in the Environment Bill). Intensification of development must not result in loss or damage to the most important sites for wildlife. A principle of biodiversity net gain could be transformative, contributing to a joined-up network of new habitats for wildlife. However, the system’s success will depend on its ability to optimise potential benefits and minimise potential risks. We urge the Greater Cambridge councils to act as advocates for a regulated approach to biodiversity net gain that ensures habitats created through biodiversity gain contribute to a strategic plan that maximises ecological and climate benefits, are secured permanently, that all developments (with very limited exceptions) are in scope, that the level of gain is ambitious enough (at least 20%), and that international / national wildlife sites and irreplaceable habitats are excluded. Such a system will not only ensure that our most special places for nature remain protected but will also deliver more for nature through development. As outlined above, we hope that the Greater Cambridge Local Plan will outline the type and location of habitat that must be delivered through biodiversity net gain and provide a framework for delivery to be co-funded by other beneficiaries. These outlined areas need to be wide enough to avoid land prices rising unnecessarily and to allow a range of projects to be developed, but tight enough to ensure investment delivers against the priorities of the Local Plan in a strategic manner.

Yes, somewhat agree

Agree. Cambridgeshire has a relatively small amount of woodland compared to other counties. However, policies should not only require tree planting (and woodland planting where applicable) on-site as part of development proposals, but as a package of wider measures to provide recreational green space, wildlife habitats, flood attenuation and climate mitigation. Planting should be of native species or use natural regeneration. As part of a green infrastructure supplementary plan document which should be used to implement its net gain policy, the Greater Cambridge Local Plan should identify strategic opportunities to expand, buffer and join up existing woodland sites, restore those which have suffered historical deterioration (for example through conversion into non-native forestry plantation), and identify suitable new woodland sites. However, we believe that tree planting and woodland creation should be only one element of the green infrastructure plan, which should include other habitat opportunities that contribute towards the climate change, biodiversity and recreational objectives of the plan (for example creation of fen, wet grassland and meadow habitats).

Access to green space has been shown to have positive benefits for physical and mental health and people’s sense of wellbeing. It is therefore important that all Greater Cambridge residents, including children and the elderly, have access to greenspace. For example, it has been shown that those with easy access to nature are three times more likely to participate in physical activity and 40% less likely to become overweight or obese. An article from the University of Exeter has estimated that green spaces are worth £2.2bn to public health in England, again through providing opportunities for physical exercise. Providing access to good quality green spaces that are biodiversity rich is therefore likely to be important not only for individual physical health and wellbeing but our health economy as well. If we also took into account the mental health benefits that nature could provide, the economic benefits of nature could be even higher than the above estimates. We believe that an objective for the plan and its policies should be to ensure that all communities have access to quality green space where they can experience nature. Implementing the measures we mention in relation to questions 12-15 will help the plan achieve its wellbeing objectives.

Please see our response to question 16 on why all communities should have access to green space and nature and how this contributes to health outcomes.

We believe that the guided busway stop and cycle path near the RSPB Fen Drayton reserve is a good example of how local authorities can help support tourism (and access to green space) in the rural areas of Greater Cambridge. We therefore believe the plan should ensure that new public transport infrastructure in the plan area further improves access to nature reserves which service tourists from both within, and outside the area. Greater Cambridge also has the opportunity to deliver a major programme of landscape-scale habitat creation. Large new sites would provide the opportunity to attract high numbers of new visitors to areas surrounding Cambridge.

Please see our response to Question 8.