Page 13 - Ickford NP Background Evidence

ICKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN : BACKGROUND EVIDENCE REPORT 13

Within Ickford village itself there are no currently both demand management (reduced energy consumption and
disused brownfield sites of a large enough size and suitable increased efficiency of use) and supply-side measures (low
location to be used for redevelopment. carbon options including fuel mix and renewables). A number
of the plans and programmes state specific targets to reduce
Geology emissions of greenhouse gases. This is led at the national level
Geology is the collective term describing the geological by the Climate Change Act (2008), which sets a legally binding
variety of the Earth’s rocks, fossils, minerals, soils, and target of at least a 34 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions
landscapes together with the processes that form them. by 2020 and at least an 80 per cent cut by 2050 against a 1990
Geodiversity underpins biodiversity by providing diversity baseline.
of habitat and ecosystems, with soil being linked between The main issue faced in Ickford is the possibility of
them. It also embraces the built environment by providing flooding. The high water table means that any additional
the basis for neighbourhood character and local surface water run off has to be properly allowed for through
distinctiveness through building stone and material. storage and slow release measures. In evidence of the high
AVDC Landscape Character Assessment (2008) identified water table there are some 15 or more wells scattered
the geology in Ickford as mixed clay lowlands with some alluvial throughout the village, mainly in the gardens of older
deposits from the watercourses in the area. properties. The risk (severity and likelihood) of flooding is
expected to increase – details of the projected changes
Contaminated Land and Unstable Land under different scenarios is available in EA guidance on
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides a regime flood risk allowances.
for the identification and remediation of contaminated land.
Land contamination is not restricted to previously developed
industrial land but can also occur on greenfield sites and from Box 3: Key Climate Change Issues
natural sources as well as human activities. for Ickford
National planning policy (NPPF) states that planning
policies and decisions should ensure that new development is The main issue identified for Ickford is potential
appropriate for its location to prevent unacceptable risks from flooding, but there are some general trends which
pollution and land instability. Where a site is affected by may affect the south east region including:
contamination or land stability issues, responsibility for
securing a safe development rests with the developer and/or • Higher temperatures and increased number of
landowner. storm events and flooding could result in an
In Ickford there is no land identified as being increased incidence of heat related illnesses and
contaminated. injuries during the summer from dust, pollen
and sun exposure. In Ickford there are several
water courses so the risk of flooding might
Box 2: Key issues for Soil and Geology
increase.
There are limited issues for the soil and geology in • Adverse effect on water quality from
Ickford. The soil quality is poor. watercourse levels and turbulent flow after
heavy rain and a reduction of water flow; a need
Climate change to increase the capacity of sewers.
• Increased drought and flood related problems
The NPPF requires planning to support the transition to a
low carbon future in a changing climate, taking full account such as soil shrinkages and subsidence,
of flood risk and encourage the reuse of existing resources, particularly in areas of clay subsoil.
including conversion of existing buildings, and encourage • Development will need to support climate
the use of renewable resources (for example, by the change mitigation through seeking to reduce
development of renewable energy). greenhouse gas emissions e.g. by improving
Climate-related plans and programmes focus on both energy efficiency and reducing the need to
mitigating the causes of climate change and adapting to the travel.
effects of climate change. Commitments to reducing • Development will need to incorporate climate
greenhouse gas emissions range from the international level change adaptive features e.g. improving flood
to the regional level. The plans and programmes address policy risk management.
development across all sectors and at all levels, combining
VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk