Issue - meetings

Planning and Sustainability – (C-075-2020-21) - This report sets out the changes proposed to be made to the draft Green Infrastructure Strategy that was agreed by Cabinet for the purposes of consultation on 15 April 2020.  

Appendices to this report will be distributed separately.

(1)        The Cabinet agreed the Green Infrastructure Strategy as a material planning consideration for the preparation of Strategic Masterplans, Concept Frameworks, pre-application advice, assessing planning applications and any other development management and implementation related purposes within the District; for submission to the Local Plan Inspector; and used to inform the Council’s update to the Habitats Regulations Assessment to support the emerging Local Plan, subject to review with the Woodland Trust;

(2)        The Cabinet agreed that contributions would be sought from residential developments in the parishes of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Theydon Bois towards site specific projects to mitigate the impact of recreational pressure on Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation in the sum of £716 per dwelling;

(3)        The Cabinet agreed the Green Infrastructure Strategy as a framework for guiding partnership working and investment in green and blue infrastructure as part of the Council’s response to the Climate Emergency; and

(4)        The Cabinet agreed that the Planning Services Director, in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder be authorised to make minor amendments to the Green Infrastructure Strategy, including any mapping and links and the addition of a glossary, prior to publication.

The Planning and Sustainability Portfolio Holder, Councillor Bedford introduced the report on the Green Infrastructure Strategy.

The Council’s emerging Local Plan sets out policies in relation to the provision and enhancement of Green and Blue Infrastructure, the protection of the District’s ecological assets and achieving high quality design. To support these policies and address the requirement to provide suitable avoidance or mitigation measures to manage any potential impacts of growth on protected sites, including the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Council had developed a Green Infrastructure Strategy (‘the Strategy’). The Strategy would ensure that high quality Green and Blue Infrastructure, including the provision of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG) and Infrastructure Enhancement Projects, was delivered alongside the growth proposed in the District as part of the emerging Local Plan.

This report sets out the changes proposed to be made to the draft Green Infrastructure Strategy that was agreed by Cabinet for the purposes of consultation on 15 April 2020.   The consultation was undertaken in June and July 2020.

Councillor Philip had a couple of questions. One came from one of his residents to which he had made councillor Bedford aware of. The second question came from the Chairman of the Theydon Bois Parish Council that they were surprised to learn that the Woodland Trust had not been included in the consultation and asked that they have sight of the proposal before it was approved. Councillor Bedford said that he would send a full response to the resident’s question sent to Councillor Philip. This was about a walking route from Debden to Theydon Bois which a lot of councillors and officers had walked and making it more accessible to everyone. As for the comment on the Woodland Trust, the strategy did mention that it would have ongoing consultation with partners, including the Woodland Trust, and he would ask officers to look into this. Councillor Philip asked if a recommendation could be altered to take this into account by adding, at the end of recommendation 1, “subject to review with the Woodland Trust”. This was agreed.

Councillor Heap said that it had been a hard read and asked who was in the Quality Review Panel and did any of them write the report. And, there was mention of charging residents of Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Theydon Bois, but Chigwell was not included, and asked why should we be taxed living here in an urban environment. Councillor Bedford said the quality review panel was an independent body giving independent advice. As for Loughton and Buckhurst Hill they contribute to it as it was done by distance from the SAC, so those closest to the SAC would contribute more. Mr N Richardson confirmed that was the case and that Chigwell was that bit further away.

Councillor Chris Pond said that this report was better than its first version and had been done reasonably well. He assumed that this would be part of the documents we would submit as part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 178