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Appendix 1: Extract from Document LCC01a with regard to the Green Belt.

Question 51. Is there a Green Belt Review which assesses the qualities of the land at the Oglet which is proposed to be released from the Green Belt, and its contribution to the Green Belt?

The City Council did not consider it necessary to undertake a city-wide Green Belt Review because of the opportunities to meet all of its objectively assessed needs for new residential and general employment development on non-Green Belt land elsewhere in the City. The obvious exception to this is the specific issue of the further expansion of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which has grown considerably, to the economic and social benefit of the City Region, since the last time that the Green Belt was considered in a development plan context. The further expansion which has been shown to be necessary is locationally specific such that it can only rationally be accommodated at this particular location.

Contribution of the Land to be released from the Green Belt

An assessment of the land which is proposed to be removed from the Green Belt against each of the five purposes of the Green Belt as set out in national planning policy, is provided in Section 8 ‘Impact on Green Belt’ of Core Document 31.0 Liverpool John Lennon Airport: The Case for the Expansion.

Paragraph 80 of the NPPF (2012) states that Green Belt serves five purposes:

a) to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;

b) to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;

c) to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;

d) to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and

e) to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

The analysis in Section 8 shows that the land to be released comprises a narrow “limb” of land between the airport and the (see Figure 8.1 of Liverpool John Lennon Airport: The Case for Expansion – Core Document 31.0). It does not contribute to preventing neighbouring towns merging into one another, it does not contribute towards the setting and special character of historic towns, and as there are no other potential land opportunities to accommodate the proposed expansion, the need for which arises from growth anticipated at the Airport, it will have no adverse impact on the objective of assisting urban regeneration. There is therefore no conflict with the second, fourth or fifth purposes of the Green Belt. With respect to the first and third purposes of the Green Belt (urban sprawl and encroachment into the countryside respectively), it also concludes that the land makes only a limited contribution to those objectives.

The analysis also concludes that proposed change to the Green Belt boundary south of the airport would not have implications for the wider Green Belt in this part of and it would create a logical and defensible boundary. The boundary would not need to be reviewed at the end of the plan period.

The limited impact on the purposes of Green Belt as a result of the release of the Oglet land from the Green Belt under Policy EC7 must be taken into account in determining whether exceptional circumstances exist to justify the proposed amendment of the Green Belt boundary. This is

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addressed in Part 3 ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ of the Case for the Expansion (Core Document 31.0) which concludes that the uniqueness of the need for and benefits of the planned expansion of LJLA, for which there is no alternative location within the LCR, comprise exceptional circumstances which justify the proposed release of land from the Green Belt.

Other Qualities of the Land to be released from the Green Belt.

Agricultural Land Classification

Section 9 of the Case for the Expansion document (Core Document 31.0) provides summary analysis of the value of the land in agricultural terms. It refers to a study (Core Document 31.8) commissioned by the airport in 2005 to understand the potential impacts on agricultural resources (across the Master Plan area) that would occur should the Airport be expanded as anticipated within the Airport Master Plan (see Core Document CD22).

The Agriculture Assessment Study, undertaken by Reading Agricultural Consultants (who have confirmed that the conclusions of their 2005 study remain valid in 2019), establishes that the land is currently mostly arable, dominated by cereals and oilseed rape with some permanent pasture. The land to the south of the Airport, around the Oglet, mainly supports a mixture of main crop carrots and potatoes, cereals and set-aside or rough grass.

The study identifies that the land to be released from the Green Belt comprises land of both Grade 2 (Very Good) and Grade 3a (Good to Moderate) within the Agricultural Land Classification (See Core Document 31.8 section 2).

Paragraph 112 of the NPPF (2012) advises that “Local planning authorities should take into account the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality”.

The City Council has concluded that since the expansion of LJLA that has been shown to be necessary can only occur in this location there is no option to locate it on lower grade land. The very significant economic and social benefits for the City Region of the planned expansion of LJLA far outweigh the economic and other value of agricultural use of the land. The Sustainability Appraisal of the draft Local Plan also concludes that Policy EC7 would have a “negligible” impact on soil resources (see CD8 Table 5.5 page 54).

Visual Quality of the Land to be Released from the Green Belt.

Section 9 of CD 31.0 The Case for the Expansion also considers the Landscape Quality and Character of the land identified in the Airport’s Master Plan (CD 22) for expansion south of the existing runway. It confirms that existing views of the buildings and structures associated with LJLA are available from many locations in the vicinity. Visual sensitivity from the north of LJLA is low due to the low visual quality in this area. Where appropriate existing boundary mounding and fencing would be upgraded with increased planting alongside Hale Road. The layout, massing, scale and roofscape of buildings within LJLA would be dealt with at planning application stage and is appropriately addressed by other policies in the Local Plan including:

• UD4 Inclusive Design • UD5 New Buildings • HD1 Heritage Assets • GI5 Protection of Biodiversity and Geodiversity

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• R9 Solar Panels To the south of the runway, the visual agricultural character of the land to be released would be changed by the introduction of new buildings. There will be a landscape impact from a development of this scale. The assessment in Section 9 of The Case for Expansion (Core Document 31.0) considers that by retaining features where possible and through screening and planting, this impact can be mitigated.

Neither the City Council nor LJLA have done nor is it considered necessary to do detailed landscape assessments at this stage. Policy EC7 and other Local Plan policies are considered to give suitable protection and development management guidance to ensure that this analysis occurs. In particular careful consideration during detailed design would ensure that where possible, existing landscape features are retained. Subject to these measures, which would be addressed at planning application stage, no significant impacts are envisaged on the shore and the adjacent cliffs. Key residual impacts would be minimised through extensive mitigation planting and earth works to screen and enclose development to the southern boundary as part of the planned coastal reserve. A similar approach was successful in delivery of the existing Garston Coastal Reserve to the west of the Airport and its success provides a high degree of comfort that this would safeguard the visual amenity and accessibility of the Mersey Way coastal path.

It is the City Council’s view that the proposed expansion at LJLA undertaken in accordance with Policy EC7 including robust assessment, design and where necessary, mitigation similar to that already implemented on land to the west, will not lead to significant adverse impacts upon the landscape quality or character of the surrounding area. Suitable landscaping and planting will inform proposals as they progress.

Biodiversity Qualities of the Land to be Released

In addition to consideration of potential impacts on the special interest of the Mersey Estuary, an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the land to be released from the Green Belt was undertaken in 2018 (by Atmos Ecology – see Core Document 31.6). While the survey is not yet as comprehensive as will be required to be prepared in support of a detailed planning application, it’s conclusions on the available evidence are that the habitats on site are predominantly comprise actively farmed arable fields of limited ecological value. It is acknowledged that the arable fields will have the potential to support a number of protected species and that parts of the site are included within local wildlife sites as shown on the Local Plan Policies Map. As such it is agreed that surveys will need to be undertaken to understand the potential impacts that any specific development could have on the species, in order to avoid effects in the design process, and/or to inform appropriate mitigation and/or compensation and enhancement measures.

The Case for the Expansion document (CD31.0) also notes that the planned coastal reserve extension would be managed for a range of objectives including to protect and enhance the landscape; provide habitats and enhance biodiversity; while also facilitating public access in ways compatible with these objectives (see Case for Expansion – CD 31.0 section 9).

It is the City Council’s view and the conclusion of the Liverpool Local Plan Habitat Regulations Assessment that the proposed expansion at LJLA undertaken in accordance with Policy EC7 including robust assessment, design and where necessary, mitigation and/or compensation measures, will not lead to significant adverse impacts upon the ecological interest or biodiversity of the surrounding area.

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Appendix 5: Extract from Document LCC01a with regard to the Green Web and Green Corridors

MM Policy GI1 Green Infrastructure Resources Question 119. This policy refers generally to protection but it does not reflect precisely or accurately the specific circumstances in which protection will be given. In the case of open spaces and biodiversity, these requirements are mostly set out in subsequent policies. In the case of Green Corridors and the Green Web (referred to in 12.6) these need to be justified by evidence and the approach to them needs to be set out in specific policies. It is not precise enough simply to say that these “will be protected and enhanced”. What criteria will be relevant to them? For all these reasons, Policy GI1 is therefore ineffective and unsound and should be deleted.

The purpose of this policy is to identify the key components of Liverpool’s green infrastructure resource and thus sets the strategic context for the subsequent policies in this chapter. It is considered important to do this to provide clarity in respect of the key components of the City’s green infrastructure and to support Corporate/ Mayoral priorities. The final two sentences of paragraph 12.3 states “This policy sets out the types of Green Infrastructure to be protected and enhanced by the Local Plan, informed by the Open Space Study. Subsequent policies set out how this will be achieved, with the exception of the Green Belt to which national policy will apply.” (our emphasis). GI1 is therefore intended to provide the strategic framework for the more detailed policies that follow.

Green Corridors are part of the City’s open space resource as evidenced in Part 11 of the Open Space Assessment Report. This study provides the following definition at paragraph 290 “ The green corridors typology includes sites that offer opportunities for walking, cycling or horse riding, whether for leisure purposes or travel. Such sites also provide opportunities for wildlife migration. This may include river and canal banks, road and rail corridors, cycling routes, pedestrian paths, rights of way and permissive paths”. Their protection is dealt with by Policy GI3 “Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision”, and they are shown on Picture 49, page 226 of the Local Plan.

The Strategic Green and Open Spaces Review Board Final Report (2016), which is referenced in paragraph 12.6 of the Local Plan provides the detailed evidence for the Green Web. In this report the Green Web encompasses all elements of the City’s open space network as identified in Policy GI1 and makes recommendations in respect of improvements/ enhancements to join these spaces up. It is a Corporate policy ambition. At Section 9.5.1 the Report States:

“The overall impact of the network would be the establishment of a ‘Green Web’ for Liverpool, which would make best use of a series of existing and potential linear corridors radiating from the city centre. These would be intersected by three distinct radials circling the city centre, the Victorian parks network of the city, and the outer (and larger) green spaces, for example Hall Park, respectively. The spatial layout of such a network would provide key links between the urban core of the city and its parks and gardens, the River Mersey, and the wider green infrastructure of Liverpool, something which has been scoped previously.” (our emphasis)

On Page 85 the report states:

“The proposed ‘Green Web’ will make extensive use of existing infrastructure within the city. Liverpool is criss-crossed with a series of public rights of way (PRoW), long and shorter cycle paths developed by Sustrans and linear walkways/paths, such as the Otterspool Promenade, which provide

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excellent links between people’s homes, places of work, and local amenities. The ‘Green Web’ will use these links as its foundations for enhancement of the city’s landscape” (our emphasis)

And

“To ensure that the green web network is delivered the Review recommends that it be considered as a programme of strategic investment of city-wide importance. Due to its spatial breadth the network will deliver benefits to the whole city and should therefore be viewed as a key investment proposal within the Local Plan. Elements of the network already exist throughout the city and the proposed ’Green Web’ programme aims to facilitate an expansion of any green and open space that is required to meet the limitations of the city’s existing green space network.” (our emphasis)

The term “Green Web” is not specifically referenced in Policy GI 1. This is because it encompasses all elements of the City’s Green Infrastructure resource. Subsequent policies within the Chapter go on to deal with the different components of the green infrastructure network and address the detailed approach to the protection of different typologies of open spaces assets that the report is seeking to link up. Further, the enhancement of green corridors, to provide improved access to the spaces is dealt with in Policy GI9.

On the basis of the above the City Council respectfully invites the Inspector to re-consider his position with regard to this policy.

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Appendix 7: Extract from Document LCC01a with regard to the Green Web and Green Corridors

Question 122. What is the relationship between the Green Wedges and the Green Web?

In 2014 the Mayor of Liverpool commissioned a review of strategic green and open spaces in Liverpool. The Strategic Green and Open Spaces Review Board (SGORB) established for this purpose was tasked by the Mayor of Liverpool to look at ways to help Liverpool retain, in the context of increasing financial constraints, its many and diverse green and open spaces. The Board’s work was independently chaired and coordinated by Simon O’Brien and comprised local authority Councillors and Officers, and members of the wider academic and third sector communities. Details can be found in Core Document 21.

The ‘Green Web’, a ‘network of linking green corridors’ was one of the 4 key recommendations of the review. “The aim of the network is to provide access to green and open space within, and across the city, in a safe, accessible and connective manner.” The corridors pass through or adjacent to the two Green Wedges areas. Figure 3 of the Mayoral Green and Open Spaces Review report shows the green corridors across the City and their relationship to ‘maintained’ open space. The objective is to link areas of open space across the City via a network of green corridors which would then create a Green Web, as spatial areas within the City which will remain broadly undeveloped.

Please also see our response to question 119 which provides a more detailed explanation of the “Green Web”.

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Appendix 8 – Open Space S106 Contributions

Funding Project Name Project Description Ward Status Amount Green Street Creation of a pocket garden adjacent to the residential development of the £8,000.00 Not yet commenced Pocket Park former Green Man Pub, on Vauxhall Road

Georgian Quarter The project will address urgent issues of safety and security in St John’s Gardens. £84,500.00 Consultation underway. / St John’s Illumination during the Christmas Market on St George’s Plateau demonstrated Geoscan completed. Currently Gardens lighting and animation of the space reduced crime figures for St John’s Gardens commencing procurement Improvement according to the Police. The project will install lighting along the corridor at the process relating to design and Scheme ( linked back of St George’s Hall, linking St John’s Lane with William Brown Street, to installation of lighting to PP1617 -03) significantly improve visibility for pedestrians thus making the area feel safer and underground scans more secure. Additional lighting will enhance the recent tree lighting, installed by LCC, and will complement the heritage and have further positive impact on crime levels in the Gardens.

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Funding Project Name Project Description Ward Status Amount Wildflower City RIVERSIDE & St MICHAELS WARDS: Mersey verges: Riverside Drive, Brunswick Various - Yr 1 £35,850; Yrs Year 1 planting has been Gateways Dock gateway linking Sefton St verges along to Britannia Inn, Otterspool & citywide 2 £55,000 completed. Festival Gdns. Year 2 location currently being RIVERSIDE WARD: Chinatown gateway sites, reviewed. Staff training due in WARD: Corridors and gateway sites (to be confirmed). advance of the Spring sowings. -CENTRAL//WALTON WARDS: North Liverpool Green Spaces: Everton Islington corridor linking to the Landmark sowings in Everton Park, connecting sites include Fraser Street and Loopline verges in Walton. Key seed production sites e.g. & Park, . Project to include a training for Liverpool City Council maintenance staff to optimise sustainability and partnerships for all of the sites and to ensure that Liverpool becomes known for actively supporting biodiversity across a mosaic of green and brownfield sites.

Bat Habitat Habitat improvement, to be delivered by Lancashire Wildlife Trust Allerton £8,000.00 Initial vegetation management Enhancement Hunts Cross took place during Spring 19. Works, Eric Hardy Seasonal works commenced in NR the Autumn 19 and are due to complete before Spring 2020 Cleveland Square Design and deliver public realm and landscape improvements to create an Riverside £45,000.00 To be agreed, consultation with Improvement attractive, usable green space for the local community and business users in the Highways due to adjacent Rope Walks area. Works to include: Paving repairs, landscape development, tree scheme. management and furniture installation.

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Funding Project Name Project Description Ward Status Amount Credit Union This project aims to develop the remaining parts of vacant land, adjacent to Riverside £40,000.00 Project complete. Community Central Liverpool, Credit Union, into a memorial garden and growing space. The Transformation of the play and Garden project will create a small orchard surrounded by a wildflower garden plus a garden space is receiving very children’s play and garden area complete with living willow play tunnels and favourable comments from wood carvings. residents.

Wapping Pocket The new areas will be designed and developed in partnership with local primary TBC Not commenced, approved in Park schools and build on the good practice established in creation of the current principle. Progress delayed due memorial garden. to links to potential highways scheme and adjacent development proposals Argyle The improvement works will include: removing the knee rail, undertaking the Riverside £15,000.00 To be agreed and consultation Street Pocket necessary tree works, undertaking some boundary works, re-instating a pathway, to be commenced Park and introducing some complimentary planting and informal seating.

Utting Avenue Building on improvements to the central reservation including seasonal planting Anfield £35,000.00 Quote sought and extent of Central and trees by use of knee rail fencing to protect the area from vehicles. access needs, fencing and Reservation potential implications for Improvements current verge maintenance (operations and cost) reviewed. Due for further member consultation prior to delivery.

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Funding Project Name Project Description Ward Status Amount Village Vertical The Village Vertical Garden aims to install a state of the art vertical garden or Riverside £26,000.00 Not yet commenced Garden (Argyle St ‘living wall’ in publically accessible spaces and squares. Allowing local residents to area) adopt spaces as gardens for the wider community benefit. The living wall will comprise evergreen, hardwearing plants and shrubbery as suitable for this type of installation. The funding estimate represents the preparation, design and installation of one location.

Broadway Bridges To improve the look of one or both bridges through either painting or use of £45,000.00 Not yet commenced – The site (Loop line) nature based solutions (planting 'vertical garden' etc). coincides with the ESIF- Sustainable Green Travel Corridors Programme - Work Package 4 - which aims to improve access points along the northern Liverpool Loop line. Further discussion is due to ensure a scheme complements ESIF proposals Mandela 8 The Mandela 8 Memorial Project to create iconic artwork and new space, within Princes Park £68,580.66 The main Lake Improvement Memorial Phase 1 Princes Park, through a phased delivery plan. Phase one is the development of works are complete, subject to the access from the park to the island through bridge installation. This Project snagging and some outstanding complements the current works delivering improvements to the functionality, seasonal planting, due in the accessibility and habitats of Princes Park Lake. Autumn. Installation of a new borehole is currently out to tender. Phase 1 of the s106 funded Mandela 8 Memorial Project has been commissioned and is due on site during 19/20

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Funding Project Name Project Description Ward Status Amount Everton Park This is a phased project to provide additional CCTV coverage at 3 key Everton £9,000.00 Completed locations. Conway Street; Queens Road and the View Car Park, Everton Park. The Conway Street element is fully costed to include the cost of the camera; design and implementation. The cost represents this site only with the other two location costs pending.

Urban Tree Bid to Urban Tree Challenge Fund aimed at delivering a series of street tree Multiple £288,628 Funding decision imminent. Challenge Fund / planting schemes at selected locations across the City. Includes Fabric District Cabinet approval to enter Fabric District tree planting, within the public realm, along Stafford Street project partnership and accept tree planting funds will follow subject to grant success Dam Wood Improved entrance and pathway into Croxteth Park alongside Dam Wood area. Croxteth £12,000 Due to commence on site Nov Gateway At Oak Lane round-about 19.

Mandela 8 Phase 2 of project to provide seating and new space on lake in Princes Park. Princes £100,000 Scheduling project Princes Park Phase 1 includes reinstating access from the main park to the island through new Park commencement date to follow (Phase 2) bridge installation. signed off completion of the Phase 1 bridge installation Stalmine Gardens Delivery of infrastructure Improvements (incl: Bins benches etc), tree, wildflower 25,000 Project plan and consultation and ornamental planting, community garden infrastructure. completed. Plan for delivery agreed and underway. Pony Fields Improved access at key entry points along the site boundary improving surfacing 13,500 Not yet commenced and welcome to public open space.

Lister Drive Improve access and pathway network & 33,000 Complete Playing Fields

Newsham Park Planting of new trees Kensington 7,760 Complete trees

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Funding Project Name Project Description Ward Status Amount Croxteth Park – Further funding towards creation of new footpath to connect to Croxteth Park Croxteth 15,000 Complete Dam Wood

St Hilda’s Provision of street trees as part of pedestrian safety scheme 24,000 Recently approved – design works ongoing

Warbreck Moor The provision of new and improvements to existing play areas 29,697 Recently approved – design Park works ongoing

Northway Rec Deliver a range of infrastructure works to park including habitat creation and 31,400 Recently approved – design biodiversity improvement. works ongoing

Kirkdale Green Greening the Vauxhall Road corridor with trees and installation of Kirkdale 40,312 Recently approved – design Links seating/rest/point locations works ongoing

Millennium Road To deliver a new community driven pocket park on vacant land Princes 14,000 Recently approved – design Park works ongoing

Childwall Woods To deliver biodiversity improvement access and pathway works. To enable wider Childwall 22,500 Recently approved – design & Fields funding bid to Land Trust works ongoing

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