Page 28 - Ickford NP Basic Conditions Statement

28 VISION FOR ICKFORD : ICKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN : BASIC CONDITIONS STATEMENT

The recently produced Neighbourhood Plan for Benson, in South Oxfordshire provides an
excellent example. We are of the opinion that the policy wording around the Environment, Green
Space and Biodiversity is exemplar. We would recommend you considering this document, when
reviewing yours.

Further Recommendations

Natural England would also like to highlight that removal of green space in favour of development
may have serious impacts on biodiversity and connected habitat and therefore species ability to
adapt to climate change. We recommend that the final local plan include:

Policies around connected Green Infrastructure (GI) within the parish. Elements of GI
such as open green space, wild green space, allotments, and green walls and roofs can
all be used to create connected habitats suitable for species adaptation to climate
change. Green infrastructure also provides multiple benefits for people including
recreation, health and well-being, access to nature, opportunities for food growing, and
resilience to climate change. Annex A provides examples of Green Infrastructure;

x Policies around Biodiversity Net Gain should propose the use of a biodiversity measure
for development proposals. Examples of calculation methods are included in Annex A;

Annex A provides information on the natural environment and issues and opportunities for your
Neighbourhood planning.

Yours sincerely,

Eleanor Sweet-Escott
Lead Adviser
Sustainable Development
Thames Team

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VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk