Box 27 - Aims and Objectives for the Environment

Comment

Representation ID: 19389

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Rother Environmental Group

See comment on Box 1
The emphasis on conservation of landscape, heritage and biodiversity misses the point about the key environmental concerns.
The urgent need to reduce CO2 and impact on natural resources justifies an active encouragement of development that helps achieve this. In particular schemes that reduce the need for car travel, provide local food and local renewable energy, reduce waste and assist the local recycling and recovery of waste and reduce water use are all priorities.
These issues are referred to in other parts of the document but deserve to head up the chapter on the environment as they are key to a concerted and meaningful environmental approach.

Object

Representation ID: 19390

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Rother Environmental Group

When reviewing the environmental options for Rother a list of the natural assets of our local environment should be included. This includes the fact that this sunny southern coastal region is especially suitable for solar power. There are also thousands of hectares of poorly managed woodlands, in particular chestnut coppice, that could provide fuel and, by being actively managed, benefit biodiversity. ( this is mentioned in para 9.69 on page 80 but deserves another mention here)

Object

Representation ID: 19391

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Rother Environmental Group

The Aim is not sufficiently strong. The first part of the Aim refers to nature conservation. Although this is a good thing the more urgent need is to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and our consumption of natural resources as well as adapt to the consequences of climate change. We want Rother to become a much more sustainable place!

Object

Representation ID: 19392

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Rother Environmental Group

There should be an aim to assist the efficient recovery and recycling of waste by encouraging the development of appropriate local infrastructure. Including local composting facilities and other facilities for the beneficial processing of food waste.
It should be recognised that the Rye Area is a part of East Sussex that is very poorly served in respect of Household Waste Recovery Site. It is an hour round trip by car to Mountfield. The need for a more local site should be recognised.

Object

Representation ID: 19394

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Rother Environmental Group

The importance of encouraging the development of local food supplies should be added. The encouragement of facilities for the local processing of food, including small local abattoirs, both on farms as well as elsewhere. Providing or protecting spaces in towns and larger villages for weekly farmers markets. ( this is also covered in the Rural Area section Box 18 and Para 9.70 on page 80- but it is of wider significance to the whole district)

Object

Representation ID: 19422

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Campaign for Better Transport

The preferred strategy for the Economy and the aims and objectives for the Environment offer two conflicting policy aims. In the document as a whole, 'the environment' loses as no attempt has been made to reconcile 'economy' with 'environment', or to understand their interdependence.

A (ii) and (iii) are likely in our view (confirmed by the SACTRA Report) to result in damage to local economies which will suffer through expansion of links north. We also believe car borne commuting will expand.

Comment

Representation ID: 19428

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Campaign for Better Transport

We feel that the 'Environment' section acknowledges the very special assets administered by RDC and we feel very positive about this section.

However, there are contradictions between this section and the 'Economy' section that appear to result from a less than holistic approach to drafting the LDF.

Comment

Representation ID: 19441

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Ibstock Brick Limited

The aims and objectives identify that the population and housing growth in Rother also needs to be carefully managed alongside the impact on the environment. The increasing population will place increased requirement on the management of waste. Waste management forms part of the MWDF prepared by the County Council and the importance of linkage between the LDF and the MWDF is already recognized in paragraph 4.29. The development of an integrated waste management facility in the Ibstock quarry may be an importance component in the overall planned growth in Rother and specifically Bexhill.

As part of integrated waste management the production of energy through the conversion of landfill gas to electricity could form an important non fossil energy source.

Object

Representation ID: 19478

Received: 24/02/2009

Respondent: Environment Agency

The Environment Agency request that the Aims and Objectives (Box 27) on page 109 includes the identification and appropriate measures to address any land affected by contamination within the district, in order to leave a legacy of clean land and create a better place and a healthy environment.
Recommendation 10:
Box 27 on page 109 should include a further objective: "(viii) To secure the remediation of land affected by contamination"

Comment

Representation ID: 19718

Received: 02/03/2009

Respondent: Messrs. Chishick, Commotto and Terry

We applaud the inclusion of Objective (vii) to maintain areas of remoteness. The 1997 County Council paper needs to be incorporated into the LDF .

We would urge a reference to the problem of traffic. Excessive traffic volume and speed is one of the most pernicious threats to the environment, particularly in a tourist area.

Comment

Representation ID: 19850

Received: 04/02/2009

Respondent: Crowhurst Society

Why is design placed above the protection of the natural environment in this list? Surely the current i) should be last in the objectives.
The objectives other than the current i) are excellent particularly VII.

Comment

Representation ID: 19987

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: SEERA

Policy NRM 10 of the Proposed Changes seeks to improve noise quality. The core strategy within the Environment Section -Box 27 could be strengthened with inclusion of reference to improving noise quality along side air quality.

Support

Representation ID: 20011

Received: 28/01/2009

Respondent: Ewhurst Parish Council

Support is given to the aim and objective to protect communities from flooding and effectively managing risk at box 27(iii)

Object

Representation ID: 20412

Received: 29/01/2009

Respondent: Sussex Wildlife Trust

The Aim should mention improvements to the natural environment. Simply maintaining the
status quo will not create a robust, well connected environment able to endure the potential effects of climate change alongside an increase in development and human activity.

Objective ii) is confusing and weak. Landscapes need to function in order to be considered 'living'. Where is it not appropriate to enhance ecological and landscape resources?

Comment

Representation ID: 20423

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: BWEA

BWEA strongly recommend that the Council avoid using generic phrases which simply seek to encourage the use of energy efficiency, renewable energy and the minimisation and management of waste and pollution. BWEA therefore strongly recommend the inclusion of an overarching climate change policy and inclusion of discrete, proactive policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable design and construction to provide detailed policy direction on each issue and to ensure that such environmental measures are delivered.