Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
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Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
2.1
Representation ID: 9385
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
The Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership welcomes the recognition of the importance of the environment in the Vision, and the commitment to securing a net gain in biodiversity and environmental quality. We also welcome the statement that development will be sensitively planned to complement the borough's natural environment, but this needs to explicitly mention its wildlife alongside intrinsic beauty and character.
We also welcome reference to key green infrastructure initiatives, delivering multiple benefits in the borough. The Greensand Ridge Nature Improvement area, although occupying a small proportion f the borough's area, has been recognised by the LNP and should be referenced.
The Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership welcomes the recognition of the importance of the environment in the Vision, and the commitment to securing a net gain in biodiversity and environmental quality. We also welcome the statement that development will be sensitively planned to complement the borough's natural environment, but this needs to explicitly mention its wildlife alongside intrinsic beauty and character.
We also welcome reference to key green infrastructure initiatives, delivering multiple benefits in the borough. The Greensand Ridge Nature Improvement area, although occupying a small proportion f the borough's area, has been recognised by the LNP and should be referenced.
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
2.2
Representation ID: 9386
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
We welcome Theme 1 and its content, but would suggest it includes a stronger reference to protecting and enhancing biodiversity, including through the forthcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Suggested revision: "Protect and enhance our natural capital resources and the ecosystem services that they provide....."
Suggested revision: Improve access to high quality green and blue infrastructure, including natural green spaces,....."
Theme 2 must make wider reference to sustainable modes of travel and supporting an increase in use beyond the town centres to support a more holistic delivery.
We welcome Theme 1 and its content, but would suggest it includes a stronger reference to protecting and enhancing biodiversity, including through the forthcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Suggested revision: "Protect and enhance our natural capital resources and the ecosystem services that they provide....."
Suggested revision: Improve access to high quality green and blue infrastructure, including natural green spaces,....."
Theme 2 must make wider reference to sustainable modes of travel and supporting an increase in use beyond the town centres to support a more holistic delivery.
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
3.1
Representation ID: 9387
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
The Climate Crisis needs to be considered alongside the Biodiversity Crisis - the two are interlinked, with the natural world providing important regulation to climate systems. The Plan must recognise that it will need to deliver against both to help develop solutions and ensure we mitigate and adapt to a changing world.
The Climate Crisis needs to be considered alongside the Biodiversity Crisis - the two are interlinked, with the natural world providing important regulation to climate systems. The Plan must recognise that it will need to deliver against both to help develop solutions and ensure we mitigate and adapt to a changing world.
Support
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Policy DS1(S) Resources and climate change
Representation ID: 9388
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
We support this policy and welcome link to creating and restoring habitats to maximise carbon storage and sequestration.
We support this policy and welcome link to creating and restoring habitats to maximise carbon storage and sequestration.
Support
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Policy HOU11 Land at Bedford River Valley Park
Representation ID: 9394
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
We support the policy and its objectives, for which the proposed masterplan would be essential. We recommend that the objectives place even greater emphasis on delivery of Forest of Marston Vale objectives and targets, and include an objective around enhanced Biodiversity Net Gain, given the 'flagship' nature of this site for both the Forest and the borough.
We support the policy and its objectives, for which the proposed masterplan would be essential. We recommend that the objectives place even greater emphasis on delivery of Forest of Marston Vale objectives and targets, and include an objective around enhanced Biodiversity Net Gain, given the 'flagship' nature of this site for both the Forest and the borough.
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Policy HOU12 South of Bedford area
Representation ID: 9396
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
We welcome this approach. For resulting development to truly deliver against this policy it must be genuinely environmentally led. This must be fully reinforced through the SPD. This opportunity to demonstrate how an environmentally-led policy can lead to high quality, sustainable development and must be delivered against in full. Looking forward, this should be the model for the whole of the borough (and beyond) as standard within a Local Plan.
We strongly suggest for it to be an "Arc leading new settlement" that development must deliver against all Arc Environmental Principles, including a minimum of 20% Biodiversity Net Gain.
We welcome this approach. For resulting development to truly deliver against this policy it must be genuinely environmentally led. This must be fully reinforced through the SPD. This opportunity to demonstrate how an environmentally-led policy can lead to high quality, sustainable development and must be delivered against in full. Looking forward, this should be the model for the whole of the borough (and beyond) as standard within a Local Plan.
We strongly suggest for it to be an "Arc leading new settlement" that development must deliver against all Arc Environmental Principles, including a minimum of 20% Biodiversity Net Gain.
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Policy DM7 Environmental Net Gain
Representation ID: 9401
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
We welcome this policy and the inclusion of Net Environmental Gain in addition to Net Biodiversity Gain. We highlight the fact that the Borough Council has signed up to the Arc Environment Principles, and therefore the target must be 20% BNG not 10%.
Planning applications must demonstrate the proposed BNG through a calculation based on the latest adopted version of the Defra Biodiversity Metric, while it is suggested that an appropriate mechanism (e.g. the Econometric tool) is used to demonstrate Environmental Net Gain. terminology must be completely clear and ensure that NEG is considered over and above BNG.
We welcome this policy and the inclusion of Net Environmental Gain in addition to Net Biodiversity Gain. We highlight the fact that the Borough Council has signed up to the Arc Environment Principles, and therefore the target must be 20% BNG not 10%.
Planning applications must demonstrate the proposed BNG through a calculation based on the latest adopted version of the Defra Biodiversity Metric, while it is suggested that an appropriate mechanism (e.g. the Econometric tool) is used to demonstrate Environmental Net Gain. terminology must be completely clear and ensure that NEG is considered over and above BNG.
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
6.60
Representation ID: 9405
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
While 10% BNG is not yet enshrined in law it will be, and furthermore the Borough Council has signed up to the Arc Environment Principles requiring delivery of 20% BNG.
While 10% BNG is not yet enshrined in law it will be, and furthermore the Borough Council has signed up to the Arc Environment Principles requiring delivery of 20% BNG.
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Policy DM7 Environmental Net Gain
Representation ID: 9407
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
We welcome this policy and the inclusion of an Environmental Net Gain requirement over and above BNG. Terminology must be clear, and ensure that this is understood. Furthermore, by signing up to the Arc Environmental Principles, a commitment of 20% BNG is essential.
BNG proposals must be demonstrated through a calculation based on the Defra Metric (latest version). ENG must also be demonstrated in any supporting statement using an endorsed methodology (e.g. the Econometric).
We welcome this policy and the inclusion of an Environmental Net Gain requirement over and above BNG. Terminology must be clear, and ensure that this is understood. Furthermore, by signing up to the Arc Environmental Principles, a commitment of 20% BNG is essential.
BNG proposals must be demonstrated through a calculation based on the Defra Metric (latest version). ENG must also be demonstrated in any supporting statement using an endorsed methodology (e.g. the Econometric).
