Comment

Representation ID: 10033

Received: 28/07/2022

Respondent: The Southill Estate

Agent: Carter Jonas LLP

SUPPORT

Policy DM7(S) seeks to secure a minimum 10% net environmental gain, which is consistent with the Environment Act 2021. The national 10% biodiversity net gain requirement has not become law yet, but it is likely to be mandatory within the next year or so and would apply to those draft allocations in PSBLP that are adopted.

The Southill Estate owns two parcels of land that are identified as draft allocations in PSBLP: land at Abbey Field West of Elstow site for residential development (Policy HOU 5); and land at Pear Tree Farm Elstow for a science and innovation park (Policy EMP 5). The sites are in agricultural use. The policies for both allocations include requirements that could support net environmental gains as part of the promoted developments. For example, criteria vii of Policy HOU 5 requires an assessment of ecological impacts of the promoted development, and criteria i(d) requires the promoted development to identify opportunities to include green infrastructure and to connect to existing networks. Criteria xi of Policy EMP 5 requires the submission of a wildlife and habitat survey with mitigation and enhancement measures for the promoted development, criteria vii requires the promoted development to include a green corridor, and criteria vi requires a contribution to the Forest of Marston Vale through tree planting on the site.

It is considered that the draft allocations at Abbey Field West of Elstow and at Pear Tree Farm Elstow would contribute towards the delivery of environmental net gains. Policy DM7(S) is supported and no changes are required.