Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document (DPD) Main Modifications

Support

Representation ID: 26816

Received: 23/09/2021

Respondent: Natural England

In our previous consultation response (dated 24th September 2021, our ref: 361910), we advised that:
‘policies for larger residential developments (50 units +, or equivalent, as a guide) and any smaller residential developments that are in very close proximity (200m or less) to designated sites, should be amended to reflect that further mitigation will be required beyond a contribution to the Suffolk Coast [Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy] RAMS to ensure no adverse effect on the integrity of any European site as a result of recreational disturbance.’

The council has since provided further information and clarification on how this advice had already been captured by their core strategy policy DM8 and their active Suffolk Coast RAMS SPD. The council highlighted that the residential planning policies within the ‘Site Allocations and Policies (Incorporating IP-One Area
Action Plan) DPD’ outline site constraints only and compliance with policy DM8 and RAMS SPD are sufficient to provides the necessary safeguards with
respect to this issue.

On this basis, we agree with the councils reasoning and are now satisfied that the Plan will not result in adverse effects on the integrity of any of the European sites in question, providing that all mitigation measures are appropriately secured in any related planning permissions, consistent with the Plan policy. As such this advice supersedes our previous consultation letter (dated 24th September 2021, our ref: 361910).

We welcome and commend the various new policy statements which seek to ensure biodiversity net gain.

Object

Representation ID: 26832

Received: 23/09/2021

Respondent: Natural England

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Allocation IP150b is directly adjacent to the Brazier's Wood, Pond Alder Carr and Meadows County Wildlife Site (CWS) which could be affected by urbanisation and recreational disturbance as a result of the new Ravenswood policy sites. The CWS supports many breeding skylark territories. Breeding skylarks are susceptible to recreational disturbance, primarily from dogs-off-leads. You should consider the impacts of the proposed development on any local wildlife or geodiversity sites, in line with paragraphs 174, 175, 179 and 180 of the NPPF and any relevant development plan policy. There may also be opportunities to enhance local sites and improve their connectivity. Natural England does not hold locally specific information on local sites and recommends further information is obtained from appropriate bodies such as the local records centre, wildlife trust, geoconservation groups or recording societies.

We welcome and commend the various new policy statements which seek to ensure biodiversity net gain.

Object

Representation ID: 26833

Received: 23/09/2021

Respondent: Natural England

Legally compliant? Not specified

Sound? Not specified

Allocation IP150b is directly adjacent to the Brazier's Wood, Pond Alder Carr and Meadows County Wildlife Site (CWS) which could be affected by urbanisation and recreational disturbance as a result of the new Ravenswood policy sites. The CWS supports many breeding skylark territories. Breeding skylarks are susceptible to recreational disturbance, primarily from dogs-off-leads. You should consider the impacts of the proposed development on any local wildlife or geodiversity sites, in line with paragraphs 174, 175, 179 and 180 of the NPPF and any relevant development plan policy. There may also be opportunities to enhance local sites and improve their connectivity. Natural England does not hold locally specific information on local sites and recommends further information is obtained from appropriate bodies such as the local records centre, wildlife trust, geoconservation groups or recording societies.