Core Strategy Consultation on Strategy Directions 2008

Support

Representation ID: 19370

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England welcomes the draft Strategy's requirement at the local level for development to be 'carried out in a manner that makes full provision for walking, cycling and public transport as an integral part of scheme design' (Box 35(b(ii))), and the draft Strategy's specific focus on 'improvement in the availability, quality and efficiency of bus routes and pedestrian safety [and] cycle networks and facilities' (iii).

Comment

Representation ID: 19371

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England would like to commend Rother on its realistic, flexible approach to development dependent on the Bexhill Hastings Link Road project. The draft Strategy's outlining of risks and incorporation of contingencies associated with completion of the project manages to uphold priorities to protect rural character and environmental assets, and to encourage economic growth.

Support

Representation ID: 19372

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England welcomes the emphasis of the Preferred Strategy for Landscape Stewardship (Box 28, p.111) on a holistic protection of the natural environment, including undeveloped and remote areas, open landscape between defined settlements, and the urban fringe.

Comment

Representation ID: 19373

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England stresses the importance of protecting designated sites for nature conservation. Key issues are the impact of development in terms of recreational disturbance, water quality and pollution; expansion of adjacent development, such as industrial estates; and encroachments from small-scale development. Due consideration should also be given to the impacts on SSSI's that are not internationally designated. Growing activity linked to water sports such as kite and wind surfing at Camber Sands SSSI may be an increasing issue. A particular issue with Dungeness Romney Marsh and Rye Bay SSSI is the expansion of industrial development.

Comment

Representation ID: 19374

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

As the Council is aware, there is a proposal to extend Dungeness to Pett Level SPA and to designate some of the area as a Ramsar site. We have recently provided the Council with indicative maps and a list of interest features/ Please note that these will be in draft form and may be subject to change. Once DEFRA has given approval for the consultation period the SPA/Ramsar attains potential international status and will be protected as a matter of government policy. Due consideration should be given to these proposed changes in this and future Development Plan Documents. The HRA should take full account of these amendments.

Object

Representation ID: 19375

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

The draft Strategy does not allow for reduced development pressure on areas of high flood risk or the coastline, noting that this 'would fail to achieve regeneration objectives' (para. 12.42). Recognition of the impact of development in flood plains on natural ecosystems, the sensitive coastal ecosystem around Rye Harbour should be made.
The draft Strategy should incorporate a recognition of this impact in the Environment chapter, Flood Risk section.
We would welcome a commitment to produce an ecological assessment and monitoring report of Rother's coastal habitats, including assessing opportunities for managed retreat and mitigating against development in the long-term.

Support

Representation ID: 19376

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Limiting growth in rural villages to those with a range of services (Box 3, pg.29) will help to prevent urban sprawl and protect the character of the countryside and of rural communities.

Support

Representation ID: 19377

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England commends Rother District's explicit recognition of the 'ecological, agricultural, public enjoyment and intrinsic value of the countryside' (Box 3(i), pg.20

Comment

Representation ID: 19378

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) should be included. We would draw your attention to Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) which states that 'Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity'. Section 40(3) also states that 'conserving biodiversity includes, in relation to a living organism or type of habitat, restoring or enhancing a population or habitat'.

Comment

Representation ID: 19379

Received: 17/02/2009

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England welcomes Rother Council's commitment to monitor and report annually on progress towards achieving the objective of the Core Strategy (Box 37(ii)).

We would like to see air pollution associated with the Bexhill Hastings Link Road included amongst the measured targets.
We would also like to see the inclusion of BAP habitat for monitoring/target purposes.