Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

With reference to the Green Belt Review, part of the Proposed Local Plan 2011-2031

I have followed the progress of the Green Belt Review in its draft state and just spotted that extra sections have been added to the final version on which I would like to comment/object.

The first is in the analysis of the potential development sites in the green belt. Parcels are shown on the map on page 127 and detailed in the analysis on pages 107 and 108, namely parcel numbers 206 and 311. They are assessed to be of only moderate green belt contribution. I consider both these sites to be significant in that, although they have a boundary with the A!, beyond that lies Mardley Heath Nature Reserve. Wildlife uses this green belt as a very important corridor to move in and out of the reserve, passing over the A1 which is in a cutting at this point. The broader environs seem to have been overlooked in this assessment and should have been considered. These sites should be categorised as significant on their wildlife importance alone.

The same area which contains these parcels, area 6, has been shown on Fig 3.6 page 66 as of only moderate significance. The preceding maps - pages 62 to 65 - and table 3.1 page 41, has this area down as significant contribution. I think an error has been made in preparing the overall map on page 66. Areas 8a and 8b are classified the same as 6 on the table and preceding maps yet are coloured correctly on the overall map. Why is area 6 downgraded on this overall map? It is important that the significant category of area 6 be correctly described.