Chapter 9 – Environment

Support

Representation ID: 4557

Received: 27/11/2023

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

Trees and forests are crucial to life on our planet. They stabilise the soil, generate oxygen, store carbon, play host to a spectacular variety of wildlife, and provide us with raw materials and shelter. They offer us respite, inspire our imagination, creativity and culture, and refresh our souls. A world without trees and forests would be barren, impoverished and intolerable.
We are interested in working with Rutland County Council in developing policies beneficial to trees and woodland in its emerging Local Plan (LP). We would also like to work with this authority to enable it to better protect woodland, particularly irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees, and to plant trees as part of a well-planned network of green infrastructure.
It is essential that the climate and nature crises are addressed jointly, with trees’ remarkable ability to fight each recognised by the LP. So, while encouraged by the LP’s references to trees’ biodiversity contribution, and extensive recognition of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), we would like it to go further, assigning definite BNG targets while grasping future opportunities afforded by Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSes) required by the Environment Act 2021.
In summary, we consider that the Environmental Principles must be treated as a foundational component of the LP. As part of incorporating the principles, the LP must support the protection of sensitive natural assets, such as ancient and veteran trees; be an exemplar of emerging BNG practice; and set high standards for the retention and provision of trees within developments.

Object

Representation ID: 6201

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Mrs Aileen Child

There can be no justification for building on Quarry Farm or the Stamford North plan when there are so many different rare species of native orchids, wild flowers & butterflies which will be lost. Badgers are protected & have setts VERY close to the proposed road. Any counter actions will not replace the diverse grasses and wild life which relies on them. The proposed 'park' will in no way replace or preserve the existing valuable flora & fauna. The planned houses will bring pets which will predate the many varieties of birds and small mammals on the sites.

Support

Representation ID: 6608

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)

Agent: Montagu Evans LLP

Comments made on behalf of the DIO as part of a full written response to Rutland Council. Representations should be read in context and not in isolation.

The DIO are supportive of the Council’s vision and objectives and encourage the protection and enhancement of the existing natural environment. New planning policies should accord with national planning policy and legislative requirements and avoid duplication where possible.

Object

Representation ID: 7299

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Ketton and Tinwell Joint Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

We fully support the response on environmental matters – which are touched on throughout the Local Plan proposals and also looked at in depth in section EN - which has been submitted by the Leicester and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

In particular, we would note the need to strengthen the emphasis on avoiding negative impacts on local biodiversity, and in extending the time periods for biodiversity net gain. We also agree with their view that that currently the Plan does not look as fully as it might at the various important ecological characteristics of the county.

Support

Representation ID: 7522

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Wing Parish Council

Wing PC welcomes these policies which broadly align with those elaborated in the Wing Neighbourhood Plan.

Support

Representation ID: 7657

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Severn Trent

New developments have a role to play in protecting water resources, we encourage you to include the following policies:

Protection of Water Resources Policy
New developments must demonstrate that they will not result in adverse impacts on the quality of waterbodies, groundwater and surface water, will not prevent waterbodies and groundwater from achieving a good status in the future and contribute positively to the environment and ecology. Where development has the potential to directly or indirectly pollute groundwater, a groundwater risk assessment will be needed to support a planning application.

Supporting Text:
National Planning Policy Framework (July 2021) Paragraph 174 states:
“Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:
e) preventing new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. Development should wherever possible, help to improve local environmental conditions such as air and water quality, taking into account relevant information such as river basin management plans;”