Question 14. How do we achieve biodiversity net gain through new developments?

2.22 The response to Question 12 refers to Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit, which aims to achieve the aim of a net gain in biodiversity through new development. The Toolkit acknowledges the role that development has in supporting the delivery net biodiversity gain.

Please see section 4.0 of the accompanying representations document. This a site whereby a net biodiversity gain is attainable and also offers up an opportunity to take the pressure of other local nature reserves close to the site including Beechwoods Nature Reserve through provision of a substantial country park.

The new Local Plan should recognise that the most effective and efficient way to achieve biodiversity net gain through new developments is for its integration into new communities from the outset. Development should be of a sufficient scale so new green infrastructure and biodiversity habitats can be strategically planned, this will provide greater benefit than the provision of small, uncoordinated and connected new habitats across a range of new small developments. The proposal for a new community at the Six Mile Bottom Estate allows for new green infrastructure and biodiversity habitats to be strategically planned. The proposal will retain woodland areas and hedgerows and establish expansive semi-natural area reserved for wildlife with managed access so that ecology can thrive.

4.19 The new Local Plan must ensure that policy in this matter is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the required biodiversity net gain in the most effective and efficient way for each development, with both on-site and off-site solutions possible. Strategic off site opportunities offer the opportunity to significantly increase biodiversity other than providing site specific biodiversity improvements.

4.9.1 The new Local Plan must ensure that policy in this matter is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the required biodiversity net gain in the most effective and efficient way for each development, with both on-site and off-site solutions possible.

Natural Cambridgeshire’s Developing with Nature Toolkit seeks to achieve a net gain in biodiversity through new development. It is agreed that development can deliver significant biodiversity enhancements. It is suggested that in deciding sites to allocate for development the emerging GCLP assesses not only whether the potential impacts on protected species and habitats can be mitigated but also whether development can deliver biodiversity enhancements. It is requested that sites which can deliver a 10% net gain in biodiversity should be considered favourably in the site selection process for emerging GCLP. However, it should be acknowledged that in some instances net biodiversity gains could be more appropriately provided on alternative or existing nature conservation sites rather than within a development site. It is suggested that the emerging GCLP should also include a policy mechanism that allows for net biodiversity gains to be delivered on alternative sites. A larger biodiversity/greenspace area would also be beneficial for recreation and health and wellbeing. The form and content of the promoted development at land off Hall Lane in Great Chishill has not been determined at this stage, but it could include new green infrastructure for environmental enhancement in conjunction with residential development. The existing hedges and trees at the boundary of the sites would be retained and protected.

4.13 The new Local Plan must ensure that policy in this matter is sufficiently flexible to accommodate the required biodiversity net gain in the most effective and efficient way for each development, with both on-site and off-site solutions possible.

Biodiversity net gain can be achieved through a combination of off-site and on-site measures. Open space provision should include habitat diversification and creation measures, ensuring that the landscape strategy is responsive to the specific ecological assets on site and in the locality to maximise connectivity and species dispersal potential. Initiatives like SuDS, resource efficiency, biodiversity monitoring and reporting should sit alongside any net biodiversity approach and long term management. Should the site be allocated and come forward, Trumpington South can exceed DEFRA’s targets by providing a 25%+ net biodiversity gain through offering a landscaping under Grosvenor’s control that fosters a vibrant community alongside thriving natural environments. Trumpington South provides the opportunity to extend the Trumpington Meadows Country Park providing further valuable contiguous and connected habitats. This would build on the significant biodiversity net gain achieved in the Country Park. There are also opportunities to extend the existing green infrastructure network through the site’s proposed network of green links and interconnected green spaces. Car free zones will also help encourage increased natural habitats.