Latest developments in planning for the natural environment. Jo Russell, Natural England

Transcription

1 Latest developments in planning for the natural environment Jo Russell, Natural England

2 Natural England s planning role Statutory advisor to Government on natural environment Statutory consultee on development plans, environmental assessment (HRA, SEA, EIA), NSIPs, certain planning applications, development orders, marine plans and marine licences Consenting body for protected species mitigation

3 Framework for Natural England s work Natural Environment White Paper Lawton agenda-bigger, better, more, joined up Biodiversity 2020 Environmental legislation e.g. Habitats and Wild Birds, EIA & SEA Directives, Wildlife & Countryside /CROW Acts, Marine and Coastal Access Act NPPF policies on natural environment National Policy Statements for Infrastructure Marine Policy Statement and Marine Strategy Framework Directive

4 Positive natural environment planning Taking a strategic approach to nature-no net loss Establishing coherent and resilient ecological networksprotecting and improving designated sites, new priority habitat, improving ecological connectivity, valuing ecosystem services, delivering green infrastructure 11,000 ha of new priority habitat created via development projects supported by NE over last 5 years

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6 Our planning service Evidence based and solutions focussed Advise on compliance with EU and UK environmental legislation and NPPF policies on natural environment Focus on areas of greatest environmental risk/opportunity Work to published Standards Use standard letters and paragraphs where appropriate Updated Standing Advice for protected species and ancient woodland Achieved Customer Service Excellence and regularly seek customer feedback

7 How we operate Customer services hub processes all consultations and responds to low risk ones Area Team advisers respond to all medium/high risk planning casework National specialists support advisers on casework Chargeable Discretionary Advice Service to developers (focus on pre-application)

8 NE engagement in planning casework NE responded to 12,882 planning applications in We responded to 98.8% within 21 days or otherwise agreed deadlines ( 11 day average response time) We objected to 2% of cases We provided pre-application advice to developers on 1316 cases We responded to 1455 Local Plans and 816 Neighbourhood Plans consultations and related SA/SEA/HRA We advised on 1200 EIA consultations We dealt with 130 NSIP consultations

9 Customer feedback driving improvements Joint statutory consultee LPA customer survey 2014 The survey showed a high level of customer satisfaction (65% for NE). NE provides clear and consistent planning advice and is a helpful organisation Developer Industry Group and customer panels to discuss issues and share good practice Developer relationship management in place with core developers to achieve better outcomes for business and the environment e.g. staff interchanges, share good news stories, resolve issues

10 Impact Risk Zones GIS tool maps zones around each SSSI and identifies the types of development that have the potential to impact on the SSSI s notified features Designed to help LPAs determine whether a proposed development is likely to affect a SSSI and they must consult Natural England (under Schedule 4 (w) of the DMPO 2015) Intended to be used during the validation process to screen out low risk proposals that do not require consultation with NE Available to download from

11 Impact Risk Zones

12 Wildlife licensing improvement programme Area based working to make delivery more locally responsive and improve join up with planning advice Improvements to online application system Working with CIEEM on earned recognition for ecological consultants to enable faster licensing for low impact bat work Greater use of class and organisational licences Pilot project in Woking on strategic approach to Great Crested Newt licensing focussing on populations and habitat creation

13 Marine planning Providing advice to Defra on Marine Conservation Zones Publishing updated conservation advice for Marine Protected Areas Engagement with MMO in South marine plans to address impacts/ opportunities for Marine Protected Areas, wider marine biodiversity and seascapes NE responded to 1200 marine consultations in 2014/5

14 Supporting plan making Analysis of 19 post NPPF local plans showed: NE advice effective and welcomed by lpas and Inspectors LPAs would welcome more early, informal and face to face involvement Policies focus more on environmental protection than enhancement and few plans deliver net gain for biodiversity Inconsistent application of the mitigation hierarchy Little emphasis on monitoring environmental policies/outcomes

15 Cumulative Landscape and Visual Impacts Assessment Deciding whether cumulative assessment is needed Study area definition Determining the baseline Receptor sensitivity Define which other projects / policies / plans to include Cumulative development scenarios Assessing significance of cumulative effects Mitigation and reassessment Are cumulative effects in line with objectives?

16 The Pilot Project: Devon Landscape Group Development Management: South Hams LPA - Solar development (not EIA, but LVIA required due to potential effects on South Devon AONB) Development Plan: North Devon DC and Torridge DC Joint Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal reviewed all proposed development policies for cumulative effects on protected landscapes (Exmoor National Park, North Devon AONB, Devon Heritage Coast) Focussed on significant effects of housing and employment allocations (in partnership with Exmoor NP and North Devon AONB)

17 Supporting housing delivery Early engagement with developers of major housing sites to resolve issues on designated sites Significant Green Infrastructure opportunities e.g. new garden cities Developing strategic solutions to address recreational disturbance effects on upfront and provide certainty for developers SANGs approach in Solent

18 SANGs enhancing development

19 Transport Green Corridors Partnership with Network Rail, Highways England, Morecambe Bay + Humberhead Levels NIAs enhance ecological connectivity/biodiversity of transport soft estate improve transport infrastructure resilience to climate change/extreme weather

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21 Green Bridges A21 Scotney Bridge First green bridge in UK Mixed use bridge designed for historic landscape purposes Located within the High Weald AONB Ecological benefits evidence of dormice

22 Any Questions? Further information at: organisations/natural-england