Comment

Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Representation ID: 9499

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: The Forest of Marston Vale Trust

Representation Summary:

We support the principle of of this policy, and moving from biodiversity net gain to a more holistic environmental net gain approach and policy requirement. Consideration should be given as to how environmental net gain is calculated, and we suggest that the Council investigate emerging tools such as the 'Ecometric' and ENCA.

In addition, it would be helpful to provide clarity and guidance on the interaction between policies, notably the interaction with the 30% tree cover requirement within the Forest of Marston Vale. Both policy requirements should be satisfied by development, without any trading off between these different environmental policies.

Full text:

We support the principle of of this policy, and moving from biodiversity net gain to a more holistic environmental net gain approach and policy requirement. Consideration should be given as to how environmental net gain is calculated, and we suggest that the Council investigate emerging tools such as the 'Ecometric' and ENCA.

In addition, it would be helpful to provide clarity and guidance on the interaction between policies, notably the interaction with the 30% tree cover requirement within the Forest of Marston Vale. Both policy requirements should be satisfied by development, without any trading off between these different environmental policies.