Policy EN5- Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 4556
Received: 27/11/2023
Respondent: The Woodland Trust
There should be a robust commitment to protection for individual ancient and veteran trees where identified.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 4607
Received: 04/12/2023
Respondent: Mr Nigel Roberts
Agree
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 4777
Received: 16/12/2023
Respondent: Mr Kevin Corby
Support in line with Woodland Trust. RCC must not support any development that requires tree felling (Quarry Farm).
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 4918
Received: 28/12/2023
Respondent: Mr Anthony Orvis
There should be an unequivocal commitment to protect to all individual ancient and veteran trees.
Mitigation or compensation is not appropriate in this case.
Any development should, at a minimum, adhere to Government Guidance regarding buffer zones.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5112
Received: 03/01/2024
Respondent: Natural England
Natural England supports this policy. Ancient woodland takes hundreds of years to establish and is defined as an irreplaceable habitat. Note the link in point 4 of Policy EN1 regarding irreplaceable habitats.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5212
Received: 03/01/2024
Respondent: Mr Frank Brett
Supported
Object
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5370
Received: 30/12/2023
Respondent: Mr John Deag
This policy provides important protection for ancient woodland and trees. However, given the scale of the Climate Crisis and Ecological Emergency (see Chapter 4, page 21), and the importance of woodland ecologically and to the landscape (as pointed out elsewhere in the Local Plan), some of the specific protections given by EN5 (notably 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6), should also apply to Rutland's woods in general. The assumption should be that these protections apply unless it can be shown by developers that they should not.
When assessing this please note the following. Ancient woodlands are considered ecologically important because they have ancient trees (usually native species) with a genotype well adapted to local environmental conditions and because of the specific flora that will have colonised the herb layer over hundreds of years. However, many of the 'ecological services' provided by ancient woodlands are also provided by other woodlands particularly those predominantly composed of native species. And these are just as vulnerable to the threats that Policy EN5 protects against. As a rural county, where sadly many areas have little woodland (see Figure 4 page 185), both the protection of all existing woods and the planting of new woods must be a priority.
Making this change will bring Policies EN4 and EN5 into line with the aspirations of Rutland's top five Blue and Green Infrastructure priorities (GBI), particularly Priorities 1 & 2 (see page 194), and Strategic Objectives (page 15). For these reasons EN4 should be classified as a Strategic Policy in Appendix 1
Object
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5456
Received: 04/01/2024
Respondent: Mary Cade
There should be a presumption against development or redevelopment of land with ancient or veteran trees or ancient woodland. Traditional orchards also often contain veteran trees.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5631
Received: 05/01/2024
Respondent: Mrs laura alcock
Support. All Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees should be fully protected.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5713
Received: 06/01/2024
Respondent: Braunston-in-Rutland Parish Council
Braunston parish council supports policy EN5 but questions the wording ‘wholly exceptional circumstances’ this appears to provide an easy way round the policy
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5764
Received: 06/01/2024
Respondent: Ms Rachel Butler
Fully support
Object
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5771
Received: 06/01/2024
Respondent: Langham Parish Council
Policy seems to make a presumption in favour of development (what 'New development' is like to protect and enhance irreplaceable habitats?). For clarity, and to avoid ambiguity, it should clearly state a presumption against development.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5857
Received: 06/01/2024
Respondent: Braunston-in-Rutland Parish Council
Support
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5864
Received: 06/01/2024
Respondent: RCC Expert Panel on Carbon Reduction
There should be a presumption against development/redevelopment of land affecting ancient woodlands, ancient and veteran trees. Use the same phraseology as in EN6 - “Planning permission for development which would lead to the loss of ancient woodlands, ancient and veteran trees will only be permitted where:”
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5881
Received: 07/01/2024
Respondent: NGO East Mercia Rivers Trust
EMRT support this and suggests the policy is strengthened and the words 'unless there are wholly exceptional circumstances', is removed.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 5923
Received: 07/01/2024
Respondent: Mr Rob Cooke
Agree, but orchards should be included.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 6319
Received: 08/01/2024
Respondent: Mr Chris Read
obvs.
Object
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 6415
Received: 08/01/2024
Respondent: Jane Ellis
While the focus on Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees is supported, the policy should state that development must not impact on, or destroy these features. Trees should be retained as they remove carbon from the atmosphere
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 6442
Received: 08/01/2024
Respondent: Mrs Hilary Smith
Rutland is generally “ under wooded “ compared with other counties , protection of ancient woodland therefore very important .
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 6862
Received: 08/01/2024
Respondent: Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust
We welcome this policy and would not like to see compromised in any way
Object
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 6917
Received: 08/01/2024
Respondent: The Burley Estate
Agent: Savills
The Estate believes that the wording of this policy is confusing and would be made clearer if more consistent
with the standing guidance. Therefore, we propose the following amendments:
“… New development is expected to protect and enhance irreplaceable habitats including ancient woodlands
and ancient and veteran trees. Planning
permission will be refused if development would result in the loss or deterioration of:
1. ancient woodland; and/or
2. the loss of aged, ancient or veteran trees found outside ancient woodland, unless there are wholly exceptional circumstances, and a suitable mitigation and compensation strategy is provided. (See NPPF Para 186(C) or successor.)”
Object
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 7483
Received: 08/01/2024
Respondent: Clipsham Parish Meeting
i) What type of new development would be expected to protect and enhance irreplaceable habitats including ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees? Please explain.
ii) Proposals which avoid or prevent the loss or deterioration will be supported?
iii) This policy needs to be changed to create a presumption against development and clearly defined justifiable exceptions are itemised and explained for clarity of decision making.
Object
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 7896
Received: 07/01/2024
Respondent: CPRE Rutland
This policy needs to be changed to create a presumption against development and clearly defined justifiable
exceptions are itemised and explained for clarity of decision making.
What type of new development would be expected to protect and enhance irreplaceable habitats including ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees? Please explain.
Support
Regulation 18 draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 7945
Received: 08/01/2024
Respondent: Ryhall Parish Council
EN5 Ancient Woodland & Veteran Trees - Support