Core Strategy Issues & Options

Comment

Representation ID: 18998

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

We support the need to ensure specific sites are protected for biodiversity, it is important that there is recognition of the need to ensure that connectivity between sites within the landscape is retained to maintain the landscape beauty particularly in the High Weald AONB. Ensuring the protection and management of ancient woodland in conjunction with renewable sources would be an improvement.

Comment

Representation ID: 18999

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

What are the most appropriate ways to manage flood risk?

There are opportunities for flood storage in floodplains (such as Pevensey and Rother District) and in certain areas increased wooded can reduce the risk to floodplains downstream. In urban areas sustainable drainage systems work well.

Comment

Representation ID: 19000

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

Sustainable building is key to reducing the carbon footprint of the district â€" particularly use of renewable energy. However where there are new build sustainable building should also mean consideration of use of timber alongside other building products, as it has a much lower impact on the environment. We suggest that you set a target for new buildings that they should meet the â€~Very Good’ standard of EcoHomes/BREEAM.

Comment

Representation ID: 19001

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

Rother is fortunate in having opportunities for wood, solar, smallscale hydropower (within existing hammer pond features). Woodfuel could play a important role in this well wooded district. Woodfuel is best used for heating. A large proportion of electricity generation is used for space heating, so this would reduce demand for electricity. Woodfuel works best at a local scale â€" supplying boilers for district heating systems or larger rural dwellings within a 10-20mile radius.

Comment

Representation ID: 19002

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

We encourage Rother Council to set targets for Renewable Energy which are at least 10% of on site generation (the Merton Rule). You may wish to note that other councils, such as Bracknell Forest (currently at submission stage of the LDF Core Strategy) are planning to require up to 20% in larger development.

Comment

Representation ID: 19003

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

It is important that the architectural heritage is conserved and drawn upon in new building design and part of the character involves the use of local materials eg wood, brick (from local clay sources). There are a number of specialised construction companies across the southeast who use local wood products in both traditional and modern ways - such as the Woodland Enterprise Centre at Flimwell.

Comment

Representation ID: 19004

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

You note that the concept of a network of green spaces with linked leisure opportunities may be appropriate for towns in particular. However we stress that it is also important to ensure that there is appropriate access to greenspace for those who live in rural areas. Whilst they may be surrounded by views of the countryside, much of it may be inaccessible. The Forestry Commission England Woodland Grant Scheme is able to give support to woodland owners who wish to open their woodlands for public access.

Comment

Representation ID: 19005

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

We also suggest that you consider using the English Nature Access to Natural Greenspace Standard as part of the audit. On open space provision recent research undertaken across the South East suggests that Rother has 5% of households meeting all the ANGST standards, with 85% of households meeting one of the ANGST standards.

Comment

Representation ID: 19006

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

We support the broad policy statements set out in 4.1 (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xi).

Comment

Representation ID: 19007

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

Care must be taken not damage the areas bordering and including the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in coastal areas not lead to conflicting policies between reducing flood risk and need for development.