Support

Representation ID: 4552

Received: 27/11/2023

Respondent: The Woodland Trust

The LP should give strong weight to LNRSes for development site allocation at a local level.
• This will be essential to embed avoidance of impacts to existing sensitive natural assets, by providing a ‘spatial’ element to site allocation decisions. It is vital that development is allocated in a way which protects important sites for nature, maintains ecological integrity and maximises potential enhancements from land in recovery.
• Once a site has been allocated in a local plan, it is more likely to receive planning permission, so it is essential to embed ecologically coherent criteria for spatial prioritisation at the framework level.
• LNRSes should also be used to inform priority locations for the provision of green infrastructure, and habitat creation and enhancement through BNG.

Support noted. Allocated sites are identified following an extensive site appraisals process which includes taking into account a number of factors including ones relating to the natural environment. The role of Nature Recovery Plans in informing proposals for biodiversity is set out under the heading ‘Policy Guidance on the requirements and processes for planning applications’ in Policy EN3. Additional text has been proposed to set out the role of the LNRS and it's role in mitigating against the loss of species and habitats associated with climate change and provide further emphasises that Policy EN2 development proposals not subject to the mandatory BNG requirements will still be expected to make a positive contribution towards the LNRS.

Support

Representation ID: 4563

Received: 01/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Kevin Corby

Agree 100%

Support noted.

Support

Representation ID: 4604

Received: 04/12/2023

Respondent: Mr Nigel Roberts

Totally support it.

Support noted.

Object

Representation ID: 4746

Received: 12/12/2023

Respondent: Miss Serena Solanki

Overall I support the need for a local nature recovery strategy but unsure how the council will achieve this.
The policy is wishy washy and doesn't have SMART targets or address the Biodiversity Net Gain amendments to Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Policy
How will the new legislation be enforced to ensure BNG is achieved? What expertise and experience does Rutland County Council have to measure and monitor nature recovery?
The local biodiversity survey and report hasn't been published and so a baseline hasn't been established to measure recovery or improvement.

Comments and support noted. The policy aligns with para 185 of the NPPF that states that, to protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity, plans should identify, map and safeguard components of local wildlife-rich habitats and wider ecological networks areas identified by…..local partnerships for habitat management, enhancement, restoration or creation. The LNRS will be used to inform the preparation of the Local Plan and will guide policy requirements, such as in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain under Policy EN3, by informing the delivery of biodiversity offsetting. It will also help to guide nature-based approaches to carbon removal and storage, and flood prevention as set out in other policies in the Local Plan. It will apply to a wider range of development proposals, some of which will not fall within the requirements of Biodiversity Net Gain. Authorities that are responsible for delivering the LNRS will need to review the strategy and report on progress with its partners and stakeholders within 3 to 8 years of the initial strategy being approved. Thereafter, strategies are expected to be reviewed approximately every 5 years. Baseline studies have been done in both the Rutland Biodiversity Assessment and for the purpose of informing the preparation of the LNRS.

Support

Representation ID: 4779

Received: 16/12/2023

Respondent: Mrs Julie Park

Only if Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust are involved in writing up this Policy as there is no such expertise within Rutland County Council

Comments noted. The Wildlife Trust have been consulted on the Local Plan and have supported the policy In line with their comments some further explanation in the text accompanying the policy has been added. Rutland Council uses the Ecology Service at Leicestershire County Council for advice on planning matters.

Support

Representation ID: 5108

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England welcomes the inclusion of this policy and suggests further additional explanation should be included within the explanatory text of the policy.

Support noted. Agree additional text accompanying Policy EN2 to explain background and role of LNRSs.
Under Why is this policy needed?
The Environment Act 2021 establishes a new mandatory system of spatial strategies ensuring that opportunities to recover nature are joined-up. Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), part of the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan, are aimed at improving, expanding and connecting habitats to address wildlife decline and provide wider environmental benefits for people. They will map the most valuable existing areas for nature, establish priorities, and map proposals for specific actions to drive nature’s recovery and wider environmental benefits.
A Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland is currently being prepared. Across this area, less than 1% of the area has a high biodiversity score and only approximately 6% is covered by woodland, compared to the national average of 13%. The LNRS is needed because Rutland Council has declared a Climate Crisis and Ecological Emergency and there is a need to work together as communities to deal with the problems and impacts of climate change and the loss of species and habitats. It will help to guide nature-based approaches to carbon removal and storage, and flood prevention. The LNRS will be used to inform the preparation of the Local Plan and will guide policy requirements, such as in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain under Policy EN3, by informing the delivery of biodiversity offsetting. Policy EN2 is also aimed at ensuring that development proposals not subject to the mandatory BNG requirements will still be expected to make a positive contribution towards the LNRS. Statutory guidance on alignment between Local Plans and LNRS is anticipated as part of the Government’s work on planning reform.

Support

Representation ID: 5452

Received: 04/01/2024

Respondent: Mary Cade

Blue and Green Ecological Corridors and Stepping Stones need to be mentioned here, and the terms carefully explained in the Glossary. Cross border cooperation is essential when considering 'corridors' and 'stepping stones'. It is essential that Local Nature reserves, candidate wildlife areas etc are not included in Site Allocations, since an allocated site is more likely to gain Planning Permission.

Support noted. Agree regarding wildlife corridors and stepping stones so as in accordance with para 185 of NPPF. Amend Policy EN2 to read: ‘…through proposals such as habitat creation, protection, enhancement, restoration, management, ecological corridors and stepping stones.’
Add into Glossary: Ecological corridors: areas of semi-natural habitat to be protected and enhanced to allow movement of species such as through new native plantings.
Stepping stones - unconnected areas of semi-natural habitat close to corridors, allowing more mobile species to move through the landscape.The Local Plan must make provision for housing and employment development identified to meet the needs of the County to 2041 and the process of identifying sites must take into account other factors, such as the wider economic and social benefits, as well as biodiversity interests.

Support

Representation ID: 5625

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: Mrs laura alcock

All areas of nature should be fully protected. Rutland lacks in protecting nature and biodiversity, focus should be to increase these areas.

Support noted. The purpose of the LNRS (and Policy EN2) is to improve, expand and connect habitats to address wildlife decline and provide wider environmental benefits for people.

Support

Representation ID: 5710

Received: 06/01/2024

Respondent: Braunston-in-Rutland Parish Council

Fine words!
If we didn’t destroy nature in the first place there would be no need to replace it!

Comments noted. The Local Plan must make provision for housing and employment development identified to meet the needs of the County to 2041 in line with the Spatial Strategy. The process of identifying sites must take into account other factors, such as the wider economic and social benefits, as well as biodiversity interests. In addition to local authorities, the LNRS is also aimed at landowners, farmers and environmental groups who also have a role in protecting and enhancing biodiversity outside of the Local Plan process.

Object

Representation ID: 5757

Received: 06/01/2024

Respondent: Ms Rachel Butler

LNRS inclusion is very welcomed, however this policy needs to ensure designations in the existing BAP are carried forward for example Quarry Farm, which is classed as a Candidate Local Wildlife Site in the BAP. RCC has rightly called an Ecological Emergency, the wording needs including & the policy needs strengthening as Rutland County Council has identified a lack of SSSIs for instance.

Comments noted. The Local Plan allocates Quarry Farm (as part of the Stamford North development) for housing and forms a fundamental part of the Spatial Strategy for the delivery of housing. The availability and deliverability of development sites is a key part of ensuring that housing needs are met through the Local Plan. A part of the site is identified as a candidate Local Wildlife Site and would not normally be considered acceptable for development, however, the wider economic and social benefits are considered to outweigh the impact on biodiversity. The proposals will include mitigation to ensure biodiversity net gain secured through a habitat creation and management plan. Extra text to be added to accompany Policy EN2 that describes the Climate Crisis and Ecological Emergency declared by the council and the role that the LNRS will have in tackling these through the Local Plan.

Support

Representation ID: 5855

Received: 06/01/2024

Respondent: RCC Expert Panel on Carbon Reduction

Add mention of ecological corridors and stepping stones in both policies EN2 and EN7. Add “...through habitat creation, protection, enhancement, restoration, management, ecological corridors and stepping stones.”

In the Glossary these two terms need to be simply explained:
• Ecological corridors - areas of semi-natural habitat to be protected and enhanced to allow movement of species. Extend and connect these corridors where appropriate with new native plantings.
• Stepping stones - unconnected areas of semi-natural habitat close to corridors, allowing more mobile species to move through the landscape.
Ref - https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/f43a9840-db4d-4ca4-9236-8b1dda3e32ef/ecological-corridors-and-stepping-stones

Support noted. Agree so as in accordance with para 185 of NPPF. Amend Policy EN2 to read: ‘…through proposals such as habitat creation, protection, enhancement, restoration, management, wildlife corridors and stepping stones.’
Add into Glossary: Wildlife corridors: areas of semi-natural habitat to be protected and enhanced to allow movement of species such as through new native plantings.
Stepping stones - unconnected areas of semi-natural habitat close to corridors, allowing more mobile species to move through the landscape.

Support

Representation ID: 5876

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: NGO East Mercia Rivers Trust

LNRS is critical to address RCC's declared Climate & Ecological Emergencies. RCC recognises it has a lack of SSSI's within the county & no sites which are designated priority habitats should be developed.

Support noted. Reference is to be made in the text accompanying Policy EN2 to the Climate Crisis and Ecological Emergency declared by the council. The Local Plan must make provision for housing and employment development identified to meet the needs of the County to 2041 in line with the Spatial Strategy. The process of identifying sites must take into account other factors, such as the wider economic and social benefits, as well as biodiversity interests.

Support

Representation ID: 5920

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Rob Cooke

This is important, and should join up with LNRs from neighbouring authorities

Support noted.

Support

Representation ID: 6436

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mrs Hilary Smith

I support this policy

Support noted.

Support

Representation ID: 6859

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

The Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust (LRWT) welcomes the inclusion of this policy, however is disappointed to see the lack of
information provided to explain why this policy is needed beyond the listed legislative requirements alone.
Given that the authority has declared an Ecological Emergency, further information should be provided to outline the intrinsic and economic need for spatial strategies for nature’s recovery.
A Local Plan should provide a positive vision for the future of the county whilst addressing serious environmental priorities, therefore great weight should be given to LNRS’s – both for appropriate development site allocation and biodiversity offsetting/enhancement purposes.

Support noted. Additional text to be added under heading ‘Why is this policy needed?’.
The Environment Act 2021 establishes a new mandatory system of spatial strategies ensuring that opportunities to recover nature are joined-up. Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), part of the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan, are aimed at improving, expanding and connecting habitats to address wildlife decline and provide wider environmental benefits for people. They will map the most valuable existing areas for nature, establish priorities, and map proposals for specific actions to drive nature’s recovery and wider environmental benefits.
A Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland is currently being prepared. Across this area, less than 1% of the area has a high biodiversity score and only approximately 6% is covered by woodland, compared to the national average of 13%. The LNRS is needed because Rutland Council has declared a Climate Crisis and Ecological Emergency and there is a need to work together as communities to deal with the problems and impacts of climate change and the loss of species and habitats. It will help to guide nature-based approaches to carbon removal and storage, and flood prevention. The LNRS will be used to inform the preparation of the Local Plan and will guide policy requirements, such as in relation to Biodiversity Net Gain under Policy EN3, by informing the delivery of biodiversity offsetting. Policy EN2 is also aimed at ensuring that development proposals not subject to the mandatory BNG requirements will still be expected to make a positive contribution towards the LNRS. Statutory guidance on alignment between Local Plans and LNRS is anticipated as part of the Government’s work on planning reform.

Object

Representation ID: 7323

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Manor Oak Homes

Agent: Mr Andy Moffat

The supporting text refers to developments that are not subject to mandatory BNG but the Policy that states that (all) “Development proposals will be expected to demonstrate that a 10 positive contribution will be made to regional Nature Recovery Networks and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and for maintaining or creating local ecological networks through habitat creation, protection, enhancement, restoration and/or management”.

Comments noted. Policy EN2 does apply to all development proposals. Where a development is subject to BNG then Policy EN3 would be applied with the LNRS providing a baseline and guidance on the enhancement of biodiversity.

Support

Representation ID: 7371

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: The Society of Merchant Venturers

Agent: Savills

This approach is broadly in line with the requirements of Paragraph 185 of the NPPF

Indeed, ‘Land at Uppingham Road’ and ‘Land south of Stamford Road’ (ref. H1.3) have potential to accommodate high quality development and supporting uses, including green infrastructure such as nature recovery (including biodiversity net gain and habitat creation), in line with the aims of Policy EN2.

Support and comments noted.

Object

Representation ID: 7458

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Cottesmore Parish Council

This policy relates to strategies that haven’t be prepared as yet – so assuming RCC has to produce its own Local Nature Recovery Strategy – when will this happen and how will it relate to the Local Plan?

Object - policy needs further clarification

Comments noted. The preparation of a LNRS is a mandatory requirement under the Environment Act 2021 and is being prepared by Leicestershire County Council on behalf of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Councils. It is likely to be published in July 2025 with a draft document produced later this year. It will be used to inform the preparation of policies in the Local Plan and then, once published, will be used in the interpretation and application of policies. Further text on the background and role of LNRS will be provided in connection with Policy EN2.

Object

Representation ID: 7565

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: House Builders Federation

HBF suggest the environment section of the Plan and the policies within it are not as clear and logical as they could be. Would would suggest for example that the ordering of the issues/policies of the Plan could usefully be changed so that BNG is dealt with before LNRS.

HBF suggest that the BNG policy (and the Environment Chapter in general) needs to more clearly set out how the Plan will adopt recommendations and guidance from the
Local Nature Recovery Strategies (once these have been prepared) and set out the specific BNG solutions that the Council would like to be prioritised when off-site
credits are needed to achieve BNG policy compliance.

The Plan needs to set out receptor sites and appropriate area(s) for BNG off-site unit delivery so that an
ecologist can run the BNG statutory metric correctly, because the local significance of BNG is one of the inputs into the Metric.

Local Nature Recovery Strategies are new initiative, and one has yet to be prepared that covers Rutland. As the LNRS emerges it will be important for this Local Plan to
be kept under review and further public consultation on the interaction between the two documents and/or changes to Local Plan policy to reflect the LNRS may be
needed.

Comments noted. The preparation of a LNRS is a mandatory requirement under the Environment Act 2021 and is being prepared by Leicestershire County Council on behalf of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Councils. It is likely to be published in July 2025 with a draft document produced later this year. It will be used to inform the preparation of policies in the Local Plan (the Reg 19 Plan which will be consulted on) and then, once published, the LNRS will be used in the interpretation and application of policies.

Support

Representation ID: 7748

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Anglian Water

Anglian Water welcomes Policy EN2 on Local Nature Recovery Strategies and is supporting our responsible bodies across the region to produce baseline mapping, identify priorities and so deliver landscape scale connectivity along linear features such as river catchments as well projects like natural flood management which can deliver multiple benefits for nature and nearby communities

Support noted.

Object

Representation ID: 7890

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: CPRE Rutland

Unclear, When will RCC’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy be published for consultation?

Comment noted. The preparation of a LNRS is a mandatory requirement under the Environment Act 2021 and is being prepared by Leicestershire County Council on behalf of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Councils. It is likely to be published in July 2025 with a draft document produced later this year. It will be consulted on early in 2025. It will be used to inform the preparation of policies in the Local Plan (the Reg 19 Plan which will be consulted on) and then, once published, the LNRS will be used in the interpretation and application of policies.

Support

Representation ID: 7942

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Ryhall Parish Council

EN2 Local Nature Recovery Strategy - Support
Ref Quarry Farm

Support noted.