Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission

Support

Representation ID: 10301

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Natural England

Policy HOU12: South of Bedford area
Natural England notes that this policy will take an “environment led approach and focus on enhancing natural capital by continuing to deliver the Forest of Marston Vale and enhancing the multifunctional green infrastructure network”. We welcome this policy which seeks to create GI opportunities by linking a band of ancient woodland that is located to the west of Kempston, stretching south from Hanger Wood SSSI to Wootton Wood.
We also note that the council is preparing “a strategic place making framework to guide development across the policy area”. Natural England has provided comments on the Developing in the Forest of Marston Vale: Design Guide SPD, which can be found in our letter dated 27 July 2022 (our ref: 397525).

Support

Representation ID: 10302

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Natural England

Policy HOU19: Little Barford New Settlement
Natural England notes the inclusion of the policy principle which states that a “biodiversity study with appropriate mitigation and enhancements” will need be required. As this allocation policy is situated approximately 14km away from Eversden & Wimpole Woods SAC, we welcome this commitment, as the SAC is designated for its Barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) interest, which can have a foraging range of up to 20km.

Support

Representation ID: 10303

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Natural England

Policy EMP7: Land at College Farm, Black Cat roundabout, Policy EMP8 Land at Roxton, south west of the Black Cat roundabout
Natural England notes the principle outlined in both policies which states that a “submission of a wildlife and habitat survey with appropriate mitigation and enhancements” will need be required. As these policies are situated approximately between 17km and 18km away from Eversden & Wimpole Woods SAC, we welcome this commitment, as the SAC is designated for its Barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) interest, which can have a foraging range of up to 20km.

Support

Representation ID: 10304

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: Natural England

Policy DM7: Environmental Net Gain
Natural England welcomes the inclusion of a policy on environmental net gain, which helps to deliver the ambitions in the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. We are pleased to see a strengthening of the wording around the enhancement or creation of off-site habitats where net gain cannot be delivered solely on-site, which now states “where it is not possible to deliver net gain solely on-site, there will be a requirement to enhance or create off site habitats”.