Question 15. Do you agree that we should aim to increase tree cover across the area?
Absolutely, the right trees of course. Note that deciduous trees on shedding leaves put back a lot of carbon at the same time as domestic heating increases. I heard recently that increases in carbon dioxide are slow to reduce. More information on the above is needed to guide and increase interest of individuals and key groups. Encourage great local and national initiatives around trees and planting in general. to commemorate individuals and events e.g. We have a project to plant 39 trees to remember the 39 individuals who died in our village in the 1st World War. Make them mean something. Should we be thinking of areas where people would opt to be buried in a carbon neutral way within woodland. These are rare in many places where people would go for this option if the site existed where they live.
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• The most important reason for significantly increasing tree cover in Greater Cambridge is the long-term sequestration of CO2, although other important benefits include biodiversity gain, improvements to air quality, quality of life, and in some areas, flood alleviation. New woodlands should not be isolated blocks, but should be located where they can relate and connect to existing woodland or other biodiverse sites to reinforce the green space network. • Tree planting should not take place on the few remaining areas of natural or semi-improved grassland. Meadows are important for a diverse range of flora and fauna, and are very effective in fixing carbon through underground storage. New meadows should be encouraged. Larger areas of new tree cover should incorporate glades or clearings to allow light into the woodland floor which will greatly increase biodiversity. A degree of natural wilding will also be hugely beneficial together with a range of native and wildlife friendly species. • Public funds will need to be expended to convert agricultural land, and farmers need to be encouraged to take on the stewardship of the land for environmental purposes. The loss of some crops will be acceptable as more people reduce their meat and dairy consumption.
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• Yes! Cambridgeshire has incredibly low tree cover, and trees are important for climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, trees should perhaps not be planted on peatland as this might lead to further CO2 emissions. http://mires-and-peat.net/media/map23/map_23_01.pdf • We should aim to increase tree cover by planting trees in a way that complements cycling, creating safe, attractive and tree-lined routes. • Cycleways separated from car lanes by trees or shrubbery are ideal
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We would support the increase in tree cover across the area and this could be brought forward through residential-led development such as that proposed at Meldreth with the enhancement of boundary planting. Open spaces should be included within residential developments of an appropriate scale and seek to retain existing mature trees. The scheme at Meldreth would, where possible, endeavour to retain existing mature trees and create a ‘parkland’ type setting for any development on the site.
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It would seem beneficial to increase tree cover across the area, but care should be used in determining how net biodiversity gains are maximised. For example, it is known that peat bog, bramble scrub and lowland meadows have a greater value in biodiversity than blanket tree cover*. A mosaic of habitat creation is therefore preferred over blanket tree cover with the range of habitats determined by a clear understanding of the existing habitat value and potential of the location. Given the importance of the specific context we neither agree nor disagree that this particular measure should be included in the Local Plan, but instead will review specific evidence once that has been presented *Biodiversity Net Gain Research – Savills Rural
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No answer given
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4.49 Newlands Developments agrees with Greater Cambridge that there should be an aim to increase tree cover across the area. Tree planting is key to mitigating the rate of climate change whilst also providing seasonal shading to buildings to mitigate the risk of summertime overheating. 4.50 Opportunities to align local carbon offsetting requirements (e.g. tree planting) with biodiversity offsetting should also be pursued to maximise efficiencies and opportunities between these initiatives. 4.51 Newlands Developments is committed to enhancing ecology including trees on all our development site where feasible.
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No answer given
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5.18 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 5.19 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.
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Yes.
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4.20 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.21 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting
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Q12 – Q15 Biodiversity and green spaces Natural England fully supports recognition of continued biodiversity decline and pressure on Greater Cambridge’s biodiversity and green spaces from water shortage, pollution and development pressure. We welcome the Councils’ commissioning of an evidence based study to inform how the Local Plan can achieve an enhanced and expanded green infrastructure network to guide where development is planned and to deliver new and improved wildlife areas and green spaces. We are pleased that this is being considered in the context of the Natural Cambridgeshire Local Nature Partnership’s (LNP) vision to ‘double nature’ across the County, natural capital investment within the Ox-Cam Arc and the LNP’s Developing with Nature Toolkit. Through our early engagement with the Councils we have already indicated the potential risks to designated wildlife sites associated with increased visitor pressure from new development. We are pleased that this issue will be addressed through the Local Plan Green Infrastructure & Biodiversity evidence base. We have provided the Council’s with detailed advice on this through our previous correspondence. The effects of recreational pressure will need to be fully assessed through the HRA and Sustainability Appraisal (SA). Mitigation to address any adverse impacts will need to be identified. Consideration should be given to the findings and recommendations of the recent Footprint Ecology Visitor Survey* commissioned by the National Trust which predicts significant increases in recreational pressure to Wicken Fen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Ramsar site, part of the Fenland Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Vision Area associated with nearby development such as Waterbeach New Town. The findings also indicate risks to other nearby sites such as the adjoining Cam Washes SSSI; this nationally important site is already at risk from recreational pressure and disturbance to the notified bird interest by people and dogs. As discussed above it is crucial that the Integrated Water Study tackles the issue of decreasing water resources and pressure on the natural environment including chalk streams and other wetland habitat and associated species. A number of nationally designated water-dependent designated sites are potentially at risk as are several important locally designated sites. Impacts to sites downstream such as the internationally designated Ouse Washes SAC, Special Protection Area (SPA), and Ramsar site and Wicken Fen. We welcome that these sites are included within the 15km buffer for assessment of effects through the HRA. Opportunities for retrofitting and tightening water consumption targets must be prioritised. However, the Study also needs to identify opportunities for strategic projects to increase water storage, incorporating extensive wetland habitat creation and restoration of degraded peat soils, and implementation of multi-functional SUDS. We support acknowledgement of the multi-functional benefits of green infrastructure for people’s enjoyment and wellbeing, water storage, absorbing carbon emissions and improving biodiversity. The need to improve and connect green spaces is recognised alongside the need to balance rural biodiversity with other demands on the countryside such as agriculture. The Plan’s biodiversity policy should recognise the hierarchy of international, nationally and locally designated sites across Greater Cambridge. This should be accompanied by a map of the existing ecological network and enhancement opportunity areas. This should be used to guide site allocations / development away from more sensitive areas and to identify opportunities for developers to deliver net biodiversity gain enhancements, noting the Combined Authority’s Doubling Nature Vision i.e. 100% gain. Natural England’s Cambridgeshire Accessible Natural Greenspace Analysis 2010 indicates a deficit in accessible greenspace across Greater Cambridge, particularly South Cambridgeshire. The new Local Plan offers a significant opportunity to address this through the preparation of a biodiversity and green infrastructure enhancement strategy, with the various elements (open space, biodiversity rich habitat, community orchards, allotments etc.) delivered by developers through appropriate policy requirements for major allocations. We support the Councils’ indication that individual development will need to deliver biodiversity net gain (BNG) through measures such as design, landscaping, phasing and monitoring. We agree that BNG can be required for all developments; this is irrespective of whether a loss has occurred. Requirements for smaller developments to deliver through developer contributions for can be set out in a separate BNG / biodiversity policy. It would be helpful if such a document was given the status of an SPD to ensure it was given adequate weight in planning decisions. Given the scale of the environmental challenges and opportunities facing the natural environment a biodiversity SPD could outline how the aspiration of doubling with nature will be delivered on the ground, how BNG will be addressed and how biodiversity enhancement will be priorities and delivered. We will be pleased to discuss this further with the Councils. We would also advise that the costings for delivering the required biodiversity and green infrastructure elements of the local plan is included in the Local Plan’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan (or similar document) – so that the investment required in the natural environment is transparent and are factored into costings for delivering sustainable developments. The plan should recognise that social and economic benefits can be delivered through environmental gains, in addition to enhancing biodiversity. Natural England has a significant evidence base for this, including the Microeconomic Evidence for the Benefits of Investment in the Environment 2 (MEBIE2). Annex A includes more detailed advice to help the Council embed biodiversity net gain into the relevant Local Plan policies. Further advice on what we would expect to be included within Plan policies, including the biodiversity policy, is provided in Annex B. *Saunders P., Lake S., Lily D., Panter C., (2019) Visitor Survey of the National Trust’s Wicken Fen 100 Year Vision Area. Unpublished Report by Footprint Ecology.
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- Broadly Yes but: - education about and more rigorous enforcement of Tree Preservation Orders would be a start. - different approaches are needed for agricultural and non-agricultural areas areas within the GC area and the county.
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4.14 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.15 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.
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4.16 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.17 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.
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We agree. The new Local plan should support the Cambridge Tree Strategy. This will influence the location and type of new development being planned for. We consider there is more opportunity to create development strategies that can specifically deliver on this issue in the more rural areas where land availability is greater with less pressure than edge of Cambridge Locations where the reduction in Green belt is a priority.
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No response proposed.
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4.10.1 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allowing for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.10.2 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.
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4.14 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.15 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.
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2.25. We neither agree nor disagree that this particular measure should be included in the Local Plan, until specific evidence has been considered. Whilst it would seem beneficial to increase tree cover across the area, but care should be used in determining how net biodiversity gains are maximised (as noted in response to question 14 above).
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Pigeon strongly agree that the Plan should aim to increase tree cover across the area as a key part of achieving net zero carbon emissions within the area by 2050. In this regard, the proposed scheme for Pigeon’s site on Land south of St Neots Road, Hardwick will include extensive tree planting in the form of both tree-lined streets and extensive boundary planting to achieve a significant increase in tree planting across the site.
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4.16 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.17 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.
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5.16 Yes, however, with the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 5.17 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting. 5.18 Wates Group selected The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) as Charity of the Year 2018-2020. Wates Group work in partnership with TCV to help raise funds to create healthier and happier communities for everyone, and transform even more precious green spaces. The partnership fits well with Wates Developments’ ethos of sustainability and allows for employees of Wates to volunteer on projects across the country. We are currently looking to help the charity plant 15,000 native trees by 2022 as part of a ‘Treeathlon’.
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4.23 We agree that tree cover should be increased in the area due to the environmental benefits that can be achieved, and the area is known to have a low proportion of woodland compared to the rest of the UK. Whilst the principle of increasing tree cover has a number of environmental benefits, this approach would need to be balanced having regard to the potential changes to the landscape character of an area and other influences such as drainage.
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To improve our environment within a generation and leave it in a better state than we found it will mean that in this area we contribute fully to the creation of a more resilient landscape, with enhanced tree cover, richer in plants and wildlife. This will not happen simply by protecting existing sites, but by identifying where our biodiversity assets and opportunities are; and to prioritise them in land-use planning. This is putting a planning process into a new paradigm, one in which we take an active view of the contribution which areas can make to an overall environmental gain, then to consider the development potential of nominated sites, with a requirement in each case for a net gain from the development proposed. We would welcome this Plan initiating a Cambridge -based Nature Recovery Network, drawing upon examples like the West of England Nature Recovery Network. In doing so the local plan should provide a clear framework and mechanism for new development to be able to contribute to any such District level initiative.
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4.20 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.21 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting.
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3.27 Grosvenor is supportive of the Councils aim to increase tree cover and is committed to providing a 10% increase over existing provision on site. Tree cover provides significant habitat potential and the potential to also sequester carbon emissions, contributing to the Councils zero carbon targets and restoring the regions natural climax vegetation. Public access to woodlands also has the potential to contribute to a community’s wellbeing, through diversified amenity offer and improved tranquillity. New tree planting should be appropriate to its location, sensitive to a locality’s landscape characteristics and comprise species tolerant of more severe weather events.
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4.22 Yes. With the right trees, in the right areas. A policy framework to seek tree cover increase, but allows for a planning balance within decision-making to enable the benefits and impacts of each development to be assessed. 4.23 This could be part of an on-site/off-site solution, which could generate notable s106 funds to achieve significant, meaningful and long-term planted and ecological areas. Ecological outcomes rather than an unconditional focus on native species should be considered in new planting. 4.24 For reference as to how land at Papworth could improve the natural environment please refer to Section 2 of these representations, the Vision Document prepared by Bidwells UDS and the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal prepared by Ecology Solutions. Additional planting and reinforcing existing tree belts is proposed as part of the site allocations.
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However, tree / woodland creation should be undertaken as part of a Tree Strategy. This should include protection of existing biodiversity rich habitats, natural regeneration of woodland, planting of species suitable for the local area / resilient to climate change, and management of existing and new tree stock. WITH REFERENCE TO 4.2.3 A healthy and biodiverse environment is important for the wellbeing of all people who live, work and study within Cambridge. The provision of green spaces allows for a diverse range of learning opportunities, to enhance the curriculum offer and enable the school to offer a wider range of extra-curricular activities. It is also important for informal use and to promote the social and emotional development of pupils.
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3.27 Grosvenor is supportive of the Councils aim to increase tree cover and is committed to providing a 10% increase over existing provision on site. Tree cover provides significant habitat potential and the potential to also sequester carbon emissions, contributing to the Councils zero carbon targets and restoring the regions natural climax vegetation. Public access to woodlands also has the potential to contribute to a community’s wellbeing, through diversified amenity offer and improved tranquillity. New tree planting should be appropriate to its location, sensitive to a locality’s landscape characteristics and comprise species tolerant of more severe weather events.
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