Policy DM6 - The Seafront

Support

Representation ID: 1621

Received: 06/05/2014

Respondent: Environment Agency

We are supportive of sections 1 & 2 of Policy DM6, concerning biodiversity and flood risk management.

Comment

Representation ID: 1622

Received: 06/05/2014

Respondent: Environment Agency

Paragraph 4.1 states that 'The Seafront' is not a defined area, the extent of which will be considered on a site-by-site basis with regard to factors including flood risk. As mentioned in our response to the 2011 Proposed Submission consultation, we acknowledge Policies KP1 & KP2 in the adopted Core Strategy, but would have preferred to see a flood risk policy within this document that applied across the entire borough.

Comment

Representation ID: 1644

Received: 14/05/2014

Respondent: Natural England

DM6 (1)(i) refers to limiting adverse impacts on and where possible enhances the biodiversity interests of the local nature reserves and coastal and marine environment.

Sub section (ii) relates to protecting the valuable natural amenity areas of international, European and national importance.

The Council is reminded that in respect of European sites, consideration will need to be given to functional land, as well as the designated sites themselves. Functional land is used as foraging, commuting and perching land for a variety of species, whilst not designated, forms an intrinsic part of the function and ability of the site for species.

Comment

Representation ID: 1645

Received: 14/05/2014

Respondent: Natural England

There are proposals to designate the Thames Estuary as a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) in the long term due to its ecological status. Such zones, when identified, would be of the same status as SPAs and SACs, and should receive the highest level of protection.

Support

Representation ID: 1646

Received: 14/05/2014

Respondent: Natural England

DM6(6) refers to linking into the Green Grid is to be encouraged, providing green chains, links corridors will also link in to our comments above, green spaces providing multi benefits and other Council policies such as sustainable transport options by providing walking and cycling routes and potentially ameliorating areas of deficiency by improving access to and between open spaces.
The Council is reminded that in respect of European sites, consideration will need to be given to functional land, as well as the designated sites themselves. Functional land is used as foraging, commuting and perching land for a variety of species, whilst not designated, forms an intrinsic part of the function and ability of the site for species.

Comment

Representation ID: 1675

Received: 09/06/2014

Respondent: Essex County Council

Note the supporting text has been changed to address ECC previous comment, however the policy has not been amended to include the suggested third measure to the first paragraph.

The suggested measure is still considered to be appropriate to proactively support the natural areas.