POLICY TIP12: LANDSCAPING AND BIODIVERSITY

I agree

I agree

Completely agree

the protection of our local green spaces is paramount

I agree

I agree

Agree

I agree

I agree

We must protect our green spaces and encourage biodiversity

I Agree.

,

I fully support this

agree

I agree

I agree

Support

I agree

I agree

Agree

I agree and support Policy TIP12, Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan

I agree

Again this is necessary to ensure that the future wildlife and flora is protected.

Agree

agree the need for wildlife to thrive is vital, and the very special nature of spaces like brook meadow must be protected.

I agree

Agree.

I approve of this policy. It is very important that new development does not intrude on the peace and tranquility of existing green space and lanes. One should not be aware that the new development exists from such green spaces.

Natural England is a non-departmental public body. Our statutory purpose is to ensure that the natural environment is conserved, enhanced, and managed for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

Natural England welcomes the amendments made to the Plan’s text and policies in response to our previous representations at Regulation 14 (our ref 386583, letter dated 21st April 2022). The revised Plan now provides a more extensive consideration of the value of existing and future green infrastructure provision within the Plan area and the addition of new policies relating to “Landscape & Biodiversity” and “Local Green Spaces” is also welcomed.

Introduction

The Parish Council and Steering Group have worked tirelessly to bring forward the Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan, Colchester Borough Council fully supports the Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan.

It is commended that a positive working relationship has been established with Messing cum Inworth Parish Council, as demonstrated through the Statement of Common Ground.

Policy SG8 of the Colchester Local Plan Section 2 clearly identifies the strategic policies which a Neighbourhood Plan is required to be compliant with. These are Section 1 Polices SP1-9, Section 2 Policies SG1-8, ENV1-5, CC1 and PP1. The Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan is compliant will all of those policies, and additionally Policy SS14.

Vision
CBC supports the vision and objectives of the Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan.

Objectives
CBC supports the vision and objectives of the Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan.

Policy TIP01 – Tiptree Spatial Strategy

CBC fully supports this policy. The Colchester Local Plan Section 2 was adopted in July 2022. The spatial strategy is in accordance with the Colchester Local Plan Section 2, particularly policies SG1, SG2 and SS14.

The spatial strategy clearly outlines how the Neighbourhood Plan will ensure the housing need as identified in the Colchester Local Plan will be met.

The policy has also been updated to consider coalescence between Tiptree and Tiptree Health, which is welcomed.

Policy TIP07 – Mitigating the impact of vehicular traffic through Tiptree Village

CBC fully supports this policy. This policy provides for the first phase of a northern link road associated with the housing allocations at Highland Nursey (TIP15) and Elms Farm (TIP16). This is in accordance with Policy SS14 of the Colchester Local Plan Section 2.

This policy has been informed and is supported by an extensive evidence base including:

Review of Transport Issues Note, prepared by COTTEE Transport Planning – January 2021

Review of Transport Issues Note, prepared by COTTEE Transport Planning – April 2021

Strategic Highways Note, prepared by COTTEE Transport Planning – February 2022

As demonstrated by the deliverability statement within the Housing Topic Paper (Appendix C) and as a standalone document, which forms part of the evidence base for the Neighborhood Plan, the developer (Mersea Homes) has confirmed that the proposal at Highland Nursey and Elm Farm is viable and deliverable, including local infrastructure in the form of a land for a medical facility and future highway enhancements.

Policy TIP11 – Green Infrastructure

CBC fully supports this policy. This policy will provide protection to the green infrastructure network throughout the neighbourhood plan area.

Policy TIP12 – Landscape and Biodiversity

CBC fully supports this policy. This policy provides a number of criteria to ensure that development will not negatively impact upon the natural environment in Tiptree.

Policy TIP13 – Local Green Spaces

This policy has been included within the Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan following review of the consultation responses received at the Regulation 14 stage. CBC fully supports the designation of Local Green Spaces within the Neighbourhood Plan Area.

Each Local Green Space is considered to accord with NPPF paragraph 100.

This policy is supported by the evidence base, notably the Village Questionnaire Results and the Environmental Group Report.

Policy TIP15 – Highland Nursey

CBC fully supports this policy. As demonstrated by the deliverability statement within the Housing Topic Paper (Appendix C) and as a standalone document, which forms part of the evidence base for the Neighborhood Plan, the developer (Mersea Homes) has confirmed that the land for both allocations is available for development, there are no known constraints to development, development is viable and deliverable. A planning application is expected for the first phase of development upon adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan, late 2022/early 2023.

As established in the Employment Topic Paper, 1.04ha of employment land has been lost in Tiptree following the granting of planning permission on appeal for 130 dwellings at Tower End in May 2022. The provision of 1.1ha of employment land at Highland Nursey is therefore considered appropriate and supported by CBC, as this presents an opportunity for an enhanced area of employment land to be delivered and there is no overall net loss.

An additional criteria could be added to the policy regarding the historic environment. This could read as “Development must conserve, and where appropriate, enhance the significance of heritage assets (including any contribution made by their settings). Designated heritage assets close to the allocated site include the Grade II Hill Farmhouse and Pan in the Woods”.

Policy TIP16 – Elms Farm
CBC fully supports this policy. As demonstrated by the deliverability statement within the Housing Topic Paper (Appendix C) and as a standalone document, which forms part of the evidence base for the Neighborhood Plan, the developer (Mersea Homes) has confirmed that the land for both allocations is available for development, there are no known constraints to development, development is viable and deliverable. A planning application is expected for the first phase of development upon adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan, late 2022/early 2023.

An additional criteria could be added to the policy regarding the historic environment. This could read as “Development must conserve, and where appropriate, enhance the significance of heritage assets (including any contribution made by their settings). Designated heritage assets close to the allocated site include the Grade II Elms Farmhouse, barn and stable and the Maypole”.