Ch. 17 Natural Heritage and Bio-diversity:
- Creation and preservation of ‘wild spaces’ (for example, Upland areas, wooded areas, hedgerows , copses etc.) with controlled access via paths needs to be part of the bio-diversity plan within the CDP.
- Creation of wild spaces with fixed paths when housing developments are sought as part of planning permission.
- Proper buffer zoning between rivers and plantation of conifer trees.
- Enhance and enforce better protection of trees not only on public lands but private lands where development is sought.
Rivers within the county need to have carefully managed buffer zones including proper investigation to protection where planning permission for development is required.
P.324- The guidance is addressed to a range of EU, national and local decision-makers in different sectors. It is also addressed to planners and businesses who may have varying levels of experience in assessing and integrating ecosystem services in policy and planning. It therefore outlines basic concepts, principles and a generic, crosscutting framework for approaching ecosystem services in the common stages of a decision-making process. Within each decision-making stage, readers can find an overview of (i) entry points and steps for integrating ecosystems and their services, (ii) reflections on aspects that need special attention, and (iii) references to tools and resources and to case studies that illustrate the use of these tools and resources. Due to its broad scope across a wide range of decision-making processes and target groups, the guidance provided in this document remains at a relatively general level. This is also a static document in a field of constantly developing research and practice.
Comment:
It is correct to say on P.324 of the CDP that ‘’planners and business have varying levels of experience in assessing and integrating ecosystem services in policy and planning’’. However the CDP should state that ignorance of environmental law is not a defence for allowing poor and incorrect planning decisions. The text on p324 relating to the EU Habitats directive gives the impression to the reader that a general adherence or best endeavours to be compliant to the Directive ‘’will do’’and I would like to request it is re written.