The GLNP feel that it is important for all stakeholders to be involved in the planning process, as such we are keen to work closely with Local Authorities and communities to prepare local policy which achieves mutual benefits for nature and society while meeting the multiple objectives required by national policy and legislation.
Below are the key points that we feel should be considered in the development of your Neighbourhood Plan. This advice is based on the joint values and positions as agreed by our members.
Sustainability
Development must be done in a sustainable way. Paragraph 7 of the NPPF states that the purpose of the planning system is to “contribute to the achievement of sustainable development”. This includes an environmental objective which requires planning to “protect and enhance our natural, built and historic environment; including making effective use of land, improving biodiversity, using natural resources prudently, minimising waste and pollution, and mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon economy” (NPPF, Paragraph 8c).
Biodiversity and Geodiversity
Biodiversity losses in Greater Lincolnshire have been huge and still continue. It is important that this is reversed, therefore development should not only avoid harming the existing natural environment, but also contribute to net gains in biodiversity.
Existing valuable sites and species must be protected and seen as part of an ecological network. Therefore, the impacts beyond the development must be considered, along with identifying opportunities for enhancement including by connecting sites and habitats.
Geodiversity is the variety of rocks, minerals, soils and landscapes together with natural processes which form them. Our geodiversity provides resources needed to sustain our way of life. The value of this is not well recognised within the planning system currently. The particular geodiversity resources of Greater Lincolnshire need to be recognised, protected and enhanced.
Paragraph 174d of the NPPF calls for plans to protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity by “…minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures;” while paragraph 175 states that Plans should “…take a strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks of habitats and green infrastructure; and plan for the enhancement of natural capital at a catchment or landscape scale across local authority boundaries.”
Paragraph 179 of the NPPF calls for plans to protect and enhance biodiversity and geodiversity and that they should:
“a) Identify, map and safeguard components of local wildlife-rich habitats and wider ecological networks, including the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity; wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them; and areas identified by national and local partnerships for habitat management, enhancement, restoration or creation, and
b) promote the conservation, restoration and enhancement of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species; and identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity.”
Policy 28 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan commits to “A high quality, comprehensive ecological network of interconnected designated sites, sites of nature conservation importance and wildlife-friendly greenspace” achieved by “protecting, enhancing and managing natural assets.” It goes on to commit to “addressing gaps in the ecological network by ensuring that all development proposals shall provide net gain in biodiversity.” (Policy 28 3a)
Neighbourhood plans should reflect national and local policy regarding the protection and enhancement of the natural environment including net gains for biodiversity, the enhancement of ecological networks and protection of Geodiversity.
Green Infrastructure
It is important that the planning system recognises the concept of natural capital and the wider benefits that the natural environment has for society. These multiple benefits can be delivered by integrating biodiverse green infrastructure into both existing and new development. Green infrastructure could:
Paragraph 20d of the NPPF states that strategic policies should make sufficient provision for “conservation and enhancement of the natural… environment, including landscapes and green infrastructure” while paragraph 34 requires plans to “set out the contributions expected from development” including “infrastructure (such as that needed for education, health, transport, flood and water management, green and digital infrastructure).”
Furthermore paragraph 92c makes it clear that, along with other community services, planning policies should “aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which enable and support healthy lifestyles…through the provision of safe and accessible green infrastructure…”
Policy 28 3a.iii. of the South East Lincolnshire Plan commits to “addressing gaps in the ecological network by ensuring that all development proposals shall provide net gain in biodiversity, by incorporating beneficial biodiversity conservation features on buildings, where appropriate; and maximising opportunities to enhance green infrastructure and ecological corridors, including water space.”
Neighbourhood plans should recognise the importance of green infrastructure and the multiple benefits it provides for society, it should reflect national and local policy. Green infrastructure strategy should seek to help planning meet mutual objectives for nature and society.
Climate change
The effects of climate change are already being felt and are likely to become worse. The protection, enhancement and management of the natural environment is a crucial part adapting to these effects. Healthy ecological networks rich with biodiverse habitats are also important for climate change mitigation, absorbing greenhouse gasses and offsetting any carbon that cannot be reduced. This is a key aspect of meeting national and local net zero targets by 2050.
Paragraph 8c of the NPPF states that the environmental objective for sustainable development includes “mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon economy” while paragraph 20d calls for strategic policies to make sufficient provision for and planning measures to “address climate change mitigation and adaptation”. Paragraph 153 goes into more detail highlighting the requirement for Plans to “take a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change, taking into account the long-term implications for flood risk, coastal change, water supply, biodiversity and landscapes, and the risk of overheating from rising temperatures” it goes on to state that policies should “support appropriate measures to ensure the future resilience of communities and infrastructure to climate change impacts”.
Paragraph 7.5.1 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan states that “there is an increasing need for South East Lincolnshire to mitigate and adapt to climate change” while Policy 31 requires “all development proposals … to demonstrate that the consequences of current climate change has been addressed, minimised and mitigated.”
Neighbourhood plans should recognise the role of the natural environment in fulfilling requirements for the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. This should include both relevant opportunities for offsetting emissions and the use of green infrastructure to reduce the impacts of climate change. The susceptibility to the effects of climate change of any habitats used must be considered to ensure long term effectiveness.
Data and evidence
Credible data is central to ensuring effective local planning and policy making. Supporting data for your Neighbourhood Plan is available by contacting the GLNP at info@glnp.org.uk.