Developing a vision for Colchester

Natural England does not have any specific comments to make in response to this question.

Natural England wishes to re-iterate the importance of the Middlewick Ranges site (Policy SC2 of the currently adopted Local Plan) as an existing biodiversity asset within Colchester. The area holds substantial interest for nature, including large areas of priority habitat (particularly acid grassland) and nationally important assemblages of invertebrates. The site’s inherent ecological value also increases its function in supporting wider nature recovery ambition across the landscape. Our advice to date has been that we expect:• the firm policies in the current local plan to be fully enacted should any proposal for development come forward here; • planning decisions would be made on the basis of robust, transparent, up to date evidence as to biodiversity interest of the site; • the mitigation hierarchy and national planning policy framework be followed in full to avoid impacts, mitigate for them, and then compensate if there are residual impacts; and, • there to be a clear and realistic plan for not only delivery of mandatory biodiversity net gain (including adherence to the biodiversity gain hierarchy), but also the retention and long-term management of the most ecologically important areas of the site. If these circumstances cannot be met, we would advise your authority that development on the site should not take place. We would not support a weakening of the existing agreed local plan policy with regard to this site.Natural England’s clear preference is to retain the high value wildlife areas and valued local greenspace at Middlewick Ranges. This site, in conjunction with adjacent areas of farmland could also provide a significant opportunity to develop a nature recovery network into the wider countryside

Natural England would like to see a strong focus on climate change and nature recovery within Colchester, incorporated within the overall vision and specific strategic priorities for the new Local Plan. There should also be a clear link between these issues and the importance of the marine environment both for increasing nature recovery and adapting to the impacts of climate change. This should consider alignment with the Essex LNP targets and include direct references to nature recovery networks, the emerging Greater Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the Lawton Principles: ‘Making space for nature’: a review of England's wildlife sites. The Environment Act introduced an increased “biodiversity duty” for Local Authorities to “conserve and enhance” biodiversity. Eventual policy wording should therefore focus on “enhancement” as well as protection of existing natural resources within Colchester and seek to identify opportunity areas to increase connectivity. The Plan should also recognise the important role that green/blue infrastructure and nature-based solutions play in aiding climate change adaptation and mitigation. 2) Colchester’s approach to Biodiversity net gain (BNG) should be compliant with the mitigation hierarchy, as set out in paragraph 186 of the NPPF, as well as the Biodiversity Gain hierarchy, as outlined in the Planning Practice Guidance. Any approach to BNG in Colchester must also take into consideration habitats within the intertidal zone. The Biodiversity metric uses a strategic significance multiplier that identifies priority areas for nature recovery and incentivises a greater uplift of biodiversity units in those locations. The Greater Essex Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is anticipated to help guide BNG habitats to the best strategic locations and there should be a clear link between BNG and LNRS in local plan policy. However, in the interim the Local Authority should use existing strategies and baseline information to inform these areas of “strategic significance” and it is recommended that this is given further consideration as the new Local Plan progresses. The Habitat Networks (England) layer has been developed by Natural England to inform the LNRSs that are currently being developed to support the delivery of BNG and the recovery of biodiversity in line with commitments in the Environment Act. Land for inclusion within the LNRS is currently being identified by the Essex Local Nature Partnership to reconnect fragmented habitats. Future iterations of the new Local Plan should take account of the Greater Essex LNRS and seek to avoid including development allocations that would further fragment existing habitats of biodiversity value, such as Ancient Woodland or species rich grassland. 3) Natural England encourages Colchester City Council to set clear, measurable targets for improving the quantity and quality of green and blue infrastructure provision. This should take into account Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework - Principles and Standards for England and be applied at different scales including area-wide and for individual major developments. The “15 minute neighbourhood” concept that is being encouraged as part of the new Green Infrastructure standards seeks to ensure that everyone has access to good quality natural greenspace within 15 minute’s walking distance from their homes, in line with the Accessible Greenspace Standards and Green Flag Criteria. This has also been referenced within the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan. Natural England encourages the Council to consider a commitment aligned with this target.