A combined Phase 1 Habitat Survey and Preliminary Ecological Appraisal was undertaken by Sam Lunn for land at Cold Arbour Lane, Sevenoaks on the 12th of August 2016. This assessment was undertaken at the request of Tyrolese Limited, who wish to make a planning application to build an, as of yet, unspecified residential development. 2. The site measures approximately 9 hectares in area and includes a single arable field with two woodland parcels, two small areas of semi-improved grassland, scrub

Green Infrastructure (GI) We note that this local Plan does not include a stand-alone GI policy. We would encourage the local plan to include a clear and robust policy on green and blue infrastructure, which aims to establish, restore, enhance and maintain coherent ecological networks. The local plan should identify and promote GI, seeking opportunities to create, maintain and enhance resilient and coherent ecological networks across the district, including the protection and recovery of priori

Policy 6 Safeguarding Places for Wildlife and Nature Natural England considers this policy to be a significant part of the local plan. An important point is that the plan needs to specifically and clearly aim for measurable net gains for nature. Currently, the policy aims for no net loss, which does not align with the current NPPF (2018). We refer to sections 170 (d), 174 (b) and 175 (d) of the NPPF, which require planning policies to provide measurable net gains for biodiversity. Furthermore,

* Halstead Parish Council strongly support this policy. * HPC feel that several sites proposed within Policy 2 of the plan contradict this policy.

Page 51 SUDS - The policy references "connections to offsite blue green infrastructure"; however, KCC recommends that value should also be placed on existing ditches and watercourses which may traverse any development site; therefore, it would be important to "retain the existing … onsite ponds, ditches and watercourses and any connections to offsite blue green infrastructure" Further. KCC recommends that kerbs and drains may be "wildlife friendly" not just "amphibian friendly". Biodiversity -

Berkeley agree with policy 6, which proposes that in addition to national designations, local areas of importance for biodiversity will be protected from any development which may cause a loss in biodiversity value or habitats. 5.2 Berkeley as a group has made a commitment to achieve a net biodiversity gain on all its new developments. Put simply, this means there will be more nature on every site afterwards than before. To do this we have developed a toolkit to determine the baseline biodiversi

Sevenoaks District Council Regulation 18 Consultation - Draft Local Plan Thank you for consulting us on the above. We have reviewed the draft Local Plan (LP), and find that as it stands, this draft is "unsound" as it fails to address the following issues:  New developments leading to net gain in wildlife value, as stated in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), paragraph 170.  The requirements of the Water Framework Directive - Thames River Basin Management Plan. Please see further de

* Experience has shown that trees with TPO's can be accidentally damaged and subsequently removed with no penalty. The District Council's track record of protecting trees is not robust. Far greater consideration needs to be given to areas where flood risk exists – not on the site itself, but on making previous green belt land impervious to water and therefore the impact on the surrounding area. Simply claiming the site is not a flood risk (as it is up a hill, for example) is unacceptable if the

Support this policy which is consistent with the revised NPPF in respect of AONBs as set out at paragraph 172 which specifies that the conservation and enhancement of wildlife is important within AONBs as well as policy BD1 and BD5 of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan.

Given the level of detail included in Policy 6, should the preparation of supplementary guidance be considered?