Comment

Representation ID: 5576

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Chapter 1: Introduction
Paragraph 1.2 refers to sites being assessed in light of transport infrastructure, local services and the environment this is to be welcomed and encouraged. Compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework as required and should assist the Council in delivering sustainable communities and development

Object

Representation ID: 5581

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Strategic Objectives. The document lists eleven objectives of which the Sustainable Communities objective includes "safeguard the Green Belt and protect and enhance valuable landscape and the natural and historic environment". The strategic objective (Para 1.2) is broadly supported; however, the document does not appear to mention designated sites within the borough - other than Green Belt. Contained within the borough's area are the Curtismill Green, Thordon Park and The Coppice, Kelvedon West Hatch Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's). These sites need to be considered in regards to potential for recreational disturbance or pressure in respect of new build developments.

Comment

Representation ID: 5582

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Environmental Protect and Enhancement
This section refers to leisure, cultural and recreational assets which would include the SSSI's mentioned above. The Council needs to reference these sites and consider the potential for impact on them of increased development.

Comment

Representation ID: 5583

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Chapter 2: Increased development could also lead to increased transport and road usage, especially with regards to the M25. This in turn could impact on Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Whilst vehicles are becoming less polluting, the volume of traffic is increasing. NE acknowledges that overall pollution levels are decreasing (i.e. plume from London) but not at a significant rate, and the level of pollutants still exceeds desired levels. NOx is exceeded across most of the Forest, while ozone levels are borderline. Mapping showing the condition of the Forest is available online.Brentwood is advised to consider air pollution in respect of Epping Forest SAC, to liaise with neighbouring authorities.

Comment

Representation ID: 5584

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Chapter 3: Sustainable Communities: Reference to the Curtismill Green, Thordon Park and The Coppice, Kelvedon West Hatch Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's) sites is advised here also as is the reference to NPPF.

Comment

Representation ID: 5589

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Mapping showing the condition of Eppiung Forest in respect of Epping Forest is available at: www.apis.ac.uk

Comment

Representation ID: 5603

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Chapter 5 Environmental Protection and Enhancement. The Council has reference the SSSI's designations in this section and could link this to other sections/chapters as per our comments above, strengthen the document. Paragraph 5.4 under the other environmental considerations refers to water, biodiversity and open space which are welcomed. However, our comments in respect of stronger reference to the SSSI's still stands.

Comment

Representation ID: 5677

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

Community facilities as mentioned under paragraph 6.8 refer to recreation and leisure and this includes green/open spaces. Green Infrastructure as mentioned under paragraphs 6.9 to 6.11 in respect of linking multifunctional green spaces between, across and through new developments by provision of additional, new and enhanced green infrastructure are to be welcomed and broadly supported. Reference to the Curtismill Green, Thordon Park and The Coppice, Kelvedon West Hatch Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's) sites is advised here and these sites will need to be considered in regards to potential for recreational disturbance or pressure in respect of new build developments.

Comment

Representation ID: 5680

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

The issue and topics identified are those that Natural England would wish to see considered by this document and we acknowledge the reference to the SSSI's in paragraph 7.3.2. Consider in more detail the impact upon Brentwood's Local Wildlife Site network; and Priority Habitats and Species; particularly in the context of the Brentwood Borough Local Wildlife Site Review 2012. SA also needs to consider in more detail the recreational impacts upon the local SSSI network. There is only limited reference to the SSSI's within the borough. Hopefully subsequent iterations of the plan will set out a more ambitious approach to ensure recreational impacts upon existing publically accessible natural spaces are robustly addressed and planned for.

Comment

Representation ID: 5689

Received: 25/02/2015

Respondent: Natural England

The joint approach between Brentwood and Braintree is acknowledged and encouraged.