Delivering Green Infrastructure 2

National Planning Policy Guidance

The Local Plan National Planning Policy Framework

Joint Statement of Community Involvement

Core Strategy Masterplans

Vision 2031 Joint Development Management Policies

Open Space SPD

Affordable Housing SPD

Adopted 2010

Supplementary Planning Documents Adoption 2014

Section 106 SPD Adoption 2015

Stone Curlew

Woodlark

Nightjar Annex 1 Species within the Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA)

Breckland SPA ď‚›

Stone-curlew, nightjar and woodlark are vulnerable to predation from corvids and foxes and to disturbance caused by human activity, including dog-walking

ď‚›

St Edmundsbury and neighbouring districts (Breckland and Forest Heath) developed cross boundary policy approach to ensure no significant effect on the interest features of the SPA

Core Strategy Policy CS2 Three buffer zones established around the boundary of the Breckland SPA, as shown on the Core Strategy Proposals Map and as set out in Policy CS2 of the Core Strategy; 

A 1500m buffer zone around those parts of the SPA which support or are capable of supporting Stone Curlews

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A 1500m buffer zone around those parts outside of the SPA which have supported 5 or more nesting attempts by the Stone Curlew

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A 400m buffer zone around those parts of the SPA that support or are capable of supporting Nightjar and Woodlark.

What is permitted within the buffers?  

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development that will not adversely affect the integrity of the SPA the re-use of existing buildings/ development completely masked from the SPA by existing development; other development, provided an appropriate assessment demonstrates development will not adversely affect the integrity of the SPA. Within 1500m nesting zones, development where mitigation will avoid/overcome adverse impact/alternative land available

Core Strategy Proposals Map

Core Strategy Bury St Edmunds Strategic growth areas: Policy CS11  Five

growth areas around Bury St Edmunds to provide for approx 4400 dwellings to 2031  Sites range in size from 400 to 1250 dwellings  Recreational pressure on the SPA and open space requirements identified as an issue

Footprint Ecology recreational research 

St Edmundsbury’s Core Strategy was subject to public examination in spring of 2010

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The Inspector found the Core Strategy to be sound

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The main area still of issue was the potential cumulative impacts of development on the SPA particularly in relation to recreational effects

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The inspector went on to say that “…with the main part of the SPA being in neighbouring authorities where the significant areas of growth are located in much closer proximity to the SPA” “… any further research on visitor impact would need to be undertaken in conjunction with the adjoining districts.”

Footprint Ecology recreational research ď‚›

St. Edmundsbury and Forest Heath District Councils approached Footprint Ecology to undertake a visitor survey to explore the consequences of development on the Annex I bird species associated with Breckland SPA.

ď‚›

In particular the work should address the implications of increased housing close to the SPA and potential changes in recreational use of the SPA which may result.

Survey approach: ď‚› To

consider the evidence base relating to urban impacts, recreational disturbance and the bird interest of the SPA.

ď‚› Present

the results of visitor survey work undertaken, and

ď‚› Use

these results to understand the impacts of new development in terms of increased recreational access and potential adverse effects on the SPA.

Visitor Survey work 

Majority of visitors were local (87%) travelling less than 10km

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Local residents visited frequently and throughout the year with slightly higher numbers at the weekend

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Visits were typically short – 2 hours or less

Visitor Survey work – cont. 

Dog walking was the main activity (36% of local residents) with walking and cycling also popular

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Half of all dog walkers lived within 5.5km

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Cyclists travelled furthest (median distance of 31.7km)

Key findings of research 

  

The majority of visitors are local residents (87%) living within a 10km radius.

These visitors are coming to the Forest at least weekly, with many coming more frequently.

People are therefore using Thetford Forest as their local greenspace.

91% of visitors arrive by car.

Suggested precautionary approach 

A 10km zone extending out from SPA should be defined

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Development within the 10km zone is likely to result in increased access and potentially recreational disturbance

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Any new housing within that zone should be identified as development that would have a significant effect as a result of recreational disturbance on the SPA in the absence of any counteractive measures

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The closer housing is to the SPA the greater the additional recreational pressure will be

Suggested counteractive measures included: 

Provision of alternative greenspace equally, if not more, attractive than the European sites – link to green infrastructure projects through the Local Plan

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When designing new recreational space need to consider distance to travel to site, facilities, experience and feel of site, and car parking

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The challenge: to take account of this in the development of the site allocation Local Plans for the borough (Vision 2031)

Vision 2031 timeline February to April 2011 Issues consultation

March to April 2012 Preferred Options consultation

June to August 2013 Submission consultation

July 2014 Inspector’s report

April to May 2014 Modification consultation

January to February 2014 Examination

September 2014 - adoption

Strategic Sites ď‚› Recreational

pressure on the SPA and open space requirements were considered during the development of the strategic site concept statements prepared alongside the Vision document

Fornham All Saints

Bury St Edmunds strategic growth sites

Fornham St Martin

North-West Bury St Edmunds

Great Barton

North-East Bury St Edmunds

Railway

H Westley Moreton Hall

Town Centre

S

Rougham Airfield

Suffolk Business Park

South-East Bury St Edmunds Hardwick Heath

Nowton Park

North West Concept Statement

Vision 2031 The documents included:  Scope for buffers on strategic sites including amenity and recreational use  Policy BV19 allocates15ha of land for amenity public open space for informal outdoor recreation at Rougham Road  Policy BV26 Green Infrastructure - to protect and enhance and provide for community parkland on strategic sites  Mitigation of recreational impact on the SPA was built in at an early stage before the HRA was undertaken

Rural Vision 2031  

Policy RV7: 86 hectares of land at Park Farm, Ingham for leisure, recreation and tourism Policy RV21: 25 homes in Hopton – 400 metres from the Market Weston Fen component of the Waveney – Little Ouse Valley Fens SAC  

significant increase in visitors could result in damage to vegetation on the site.

Policy requires a development brief to be adopted before planning permission granted which must include proposals for influencing recreation in the surrounding area, to avoid a damaging increase in visitors to Waveney-Little Ouse Valley Fens SAC.

HRA Conclusions “These policies will individually and collectively, when implemented, provide alternative places for countryside recreation and therefore intercept some visitors who may otherwise have travelled to the SPA for recreation.�

(Vision 2031 HRAs, September 2014)

Public Open Space Policy (POS)  The

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)  The West Suffolk Planning Authorities – POS  Applying the Policies  Securing the Contributions  Spending the Contributions

Public Open Space Policy (POS) 

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) - Section 8 Promoting Healthy Communities, point 73

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West Suffolk POS Policies http://westsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/Planning_P olicies/supplementaryplanningdocuments.cf m