Issues and Options for the Ipswich Local Plan Review

Comment

Representation ID: 25350

Received: 26/10/2017

Respondent: Greenways Countryside Project

Agent: Mr James Baker

Very small open spaces often provide little benefit for people or wildlife. Therefore on small sites it may be better to consider means to aggregate cash contributions to acquire and manage meaningful spaces across a wider area (rather than simply 'enhance' existing spaces). This would mean that all developments could contribute, and the overall area available and managed for people and wildlife would increase.

Comment

Representation ID: 25351

Received: 26/10/2017

Respondent: Greenways Countryside Project

Agent: Mr James Baker

Strong support for the 'green rim' concept. It exists in places already from a wildlife perspective, especially Belstead Brook Park , Orwell Country Park and soon hopefully in the Garden Suburb country park. In other areas there is a need to maximise the space available to keep future options open. It is worth protecting open space in the green rim even if a continuous public foot/cycle and recreation space corridor cannot always be achieved.

Comment

Representation ID: 25352

Received: 26/10/2017

Respondent: Greenways Countryside Project

Agent: Mr James Baker

The wildlife network of the town is excellent, but needs adequate resourcing to ensure efforts to maintain, enhance and monitor it are sufficient (ie: the Greenways Project/Parks Service). In order to greatly improve the value of the network, it is clear that links into the surrounding districts are vital for it to be truly meaningful. Continuity could be achieved by the neighbouring districts having similar networks (and related planning policies) for the relevant areas around the fringes of Ipswich. This would ensure vital connections are maintained across political boundaries.

Comment

Representation ID: 25353

Received: 26/10/2017

Respondent: Greenways Countryside Project

Agent: Mr James Baker

Local Nature Reserve designation affords proper protection for areas valued by people and wildlife. New LNRs should be designated at:
Holywells Park; Christchurch Park; Chantry Park; Bourne Park; Ellenbrook Meadow and open space; Gippeswyk Park, the Garden Suburb Country Park; Braziers Wood (the only Ancient Woodland within the Borough); Braziers Meadow and Ravenswood open spaces; Pond Hall Farm; Landseer Park; Bramford Lane open space; Stonelodge Park; and Bramford Road Recreation ground.
Also, any site which is used as a receptor site for reptiles, being translocated from development sites, should also be given LNR status to ensure ongoing protection and management.

Comment

Representation ID: 25356

Received: 26/10/2017

Respondent: Greenways Countryside Project

Agent: Mr James Baker

Management of open spaces by local authorities (often in partnership with each other and specialist organisations such as Suffolk Wildlife Trust) is the most likely to maintain the wildlife benefit and provides local accountability and a fair distribution of the costs. Management companies and contractors are less likely to sensitively manage wildlife habitats and are not accountable.