Green Infrastructure, Biodiversity and Ecological Networks Background Paper

Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies

May 2018

Contents

Chapter Title Page

1 Introduction 1

2 Definitions 1

3 Benefits of Green Infrastructure 3

4 Policy Background 4

5 Evidence Base 6

6 Local Corridors 116

7 Green Infrastructure Policies 26

8 Biodiversity and Geodiversity Policies 28

Appendix A Green Infrastructure Corridor Maps 31

Appendix B Biodiversity Opportunity Areas Maps (Ecological 33 Networks)

Appendix C Bibliography 38

1. Introduction

1.1 This background paper informs Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity policies within Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Draft Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies. Critically it identifies local green corridors and ecological networks within the Borough. It also justifies draft policies which seek to create, protect and enhance them.

1.2 This paper focuses on existing and potential corridors as a whole and the functions they perform. It does not replace the need to environmentally assess individual wildlife sites or review the quality and quantity of recreational open spaces within these corridors/networks.

1.3 It will achieve this by:

 Defining Green Infrastructure and Ecological Networks;  Identifying the relevant policies and legislation to provide the policy framework in the Local Plan;  Mapping of existing Green Infrastructure assets within Rushcliffe to inform policies and proposals in the Local Plan; and  Identifying and analysing the needs, opportunities and key locations for new, additional and enhanced Green Infrastructure assets to inform policies; and proposals in the Local Plan.

2. Definitions

2.1 Green Infrastructure covers a wide variety of open spaces, including water and wetland environments (often termed blue infrastructure). There is a clear overlap with ecological networks which seek to prevent the ecological isolation of sites through the creation of wildlife corridors that enable species migration.

2.2 The Environment White Paper (2010) (The Natural choice: securing the value of nature) identifies Green Infrastructure as:

“A term used to refer to the living network of green spaces, water and other environmental features in both urban and rural areas. It is often used in an urban context to cover benefits provided by trees, parks, gardens, road verges, allotments, cemeteries, woodlands, rivers and wetlands.

Green infrastructure is also relevant in a rural context, where it might refer to the use of farmland, woodland, wetlands or other natural features to provide

services such as flood protection, carbon storage or water purification. Green infrastructure maintains critical ecological links between town and country.”1

2.3 Green Infrastructure isn’t restricted by local authority boundaries, and goes beyond the site specific to a more strategic sub-regional scale and beyond. It considers both private and public land and provides a multi-functional connected ecological network.

2.4 The Lawton Review Making Space for Nature identifies an ecological network as:

“a suite of high quality sites which collectively contain the diversity and area of habitat that are needed to support species and which have ecological connections between them…”

2.5 Green Infrastructure assets are wide ranging and vary in scale. They can range from small green spaces, domestic gardens and street tree avenues, to river corridors, cycle routes and local nature reserves. Rushcliffe already has a wealth of Green Infrastructure assets, notably the River Trent corridor, Rushcliffe Country Park and numerous formal and informal open spaces. They provide social, economic and environmental benefits and can be broken down into the following examples:

 Parks, Sports - Urban parks, country and regional parks, playing Pitches and fields, sports pitches and formal gardens gardens  Amenity - Informal recreation spaces, housing green greenspace spaces, domestic gardens, village greens, urban commons, other incidental space, green roofs  Natural and semi - Woodland and scrub, grassland, heath and natural moor, wetlands, open and running water, greenspaces wastelands and disturbed ground, bare rock habitat (cliffs and quarries)  Green corridors - Rivers and canals including their banks, road and rail corridors, cycling routes, pedestrian paths and rights of way  Other - Allotments, community gardens, city farms, cemeteries and churchyards

Multi-functional Infrastructure

2.6 These Green Infrastructure assets fulfil multiple functions that benefit both people and wildlife. Multi-functionality is a key element of Green Infrastructure. These functions are also termed ecosystem services. For example in

1 Forest Research (2010) Benefits of Green Infrastructure. Report to Defra and the Department for Communities and Local Government. 2

Rushcliffe, the Grantham Canal provides cultural heritage, climate regulation (reducing local temperatures), space for sports and recreation, aesthetic value, wildlife and car-free transportation (along the canal path).

2.7 Multi-functionality (or ecosystem services) can be considered at a wider landscape scale, where an area, for example the Trent Valley, provides fresh water, habitats for wildlife, land for food production, flood water storage, sports facilities and recreational and commuter routes. The consideration of corridors at a landscape scale enables the identification of important linkages between individual infrastructure assets, improvements to their connectivity and function and the enhancement of the corridor as a whole.

3. Benefits of Green Infrastructure

3.1 In addition to the clear benefits for wildlife, flood risk reduction, non-motorised sustainable transport, and formal and informal recreation, the Environment White Paper 2011 (The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature) highlights the economic and social benefits of Green Infrastructure. It states that:

“Economic growth and the natural environment are mutually compatible. Sustainable economic growth relies on services provided by the natural environment, often referred to as ‘ecosystem services’. Some of these are provided directly, such as food, timber and energy. Others are indirect, such as climate regulation, water purification and the productivity of soil.”2

3.2 Green Infrastructure assets therefore provide cost savings as they reduce the need for more expensive ‘hard’ engineering solutions (e.g. flood defences). Furthermore, if well designed, maintained and managed they are more likely to attract people who will live, work and spend money in the local area.

3.3 Regarding social benefits the White Paper identifies the positive impact that nature has on mental and physical health. Stating that:

“High-quality natural environments foster healthy neighbourhoods; green spaces encourage social activity and reduce crime.”3

3.4 Green Infrastructure provides opportunities for exercise and physical activity either for pleasure or as a non-motorised transport option. They provide a sense of place, offer spaces for social interaction, an education resource and locally grown food (in allotments, gardens and orchards).

2 The Environment White Paper 2011 para. 8 3 The Environment White Paper 2011 para. 13 3

4. Policy Background

4.1 National policy identifies the value of Green Infrastructure as a concept. It promotes the idea of Green Infrastructure and identifies the value and benefits that are associated with it. It is established as a planning tool and a policy framework, and is essential in delivering sustainable development. National policy identifies that Green Infrastructure is key in providing sustainable communities and healthy towns and rural areas.

National Planning Policy Framework

4.2 The NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) favours sustainable development, identifying it as the golden thread which runs through the planning system.

4.3 Section 11 of the NPPF is the policy specific to the natural environment and it outlines that “the planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by…:

 Recognising the wider benefits of ecosystem services;  Minimising the impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures...”

4.4 It also states that local planning authorities should: “set out a strategic approach in their Local Plans, planning positively for the creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks of biodiversity and Green Infrastructure” (paragraph 114). It makes reference to the need to plan for biodiversity at a landscape wide scale, to identify important wildlife corridors, stepping stones and ecological networks, and the importance of planning to how these are linked and interconnect.

Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy

4.5 The adopted Core Strategy contains clear policy requirements for the Local Plan: Part 2 to identify, protect and enhance Green Infrastructure at a local level and important ecological networks across the Borough. These should complement the primary strategic corridors and prioritise the locations for major residential development, river corridors and the urban fringe.

Policy 16: Green Infrastructure. Landscape, Parks and Open Space

4.6 Part 1 requires a strategic approach to the delivery, protection and enhancement of Green Infrastructure “through the establishment of a network of primary Green Infrastructure corridors and assets [as shown identified in the Core Strategy], together with corridors and assets of more local level which will be defined through Local Development Documents [including the Local Plan Part 2].”

4.7 Part 2a requires the protection and enhancement of existing and potential Green Infrastructure corridors and assets. With priority for new and enhanced strategic Green Infrastructure given to locations for major residential development, the Strategic River Corridors of the Trent, and the Soar rivers, Grantham canal corridor and urban fringe areas.

4.8 Part 2b states that where new development adversely impact on Green Infrastructure alternative scheme designs should be considered before mitigation is provided. The need for and benefit of development will be weighed against the harm.

4.9 Part 2c requires developments should enhance the network (either on-site or off-site).

4.10 Part 2d promotes links to and between the Green Infrastructure network, especially in areas of identified deficit, for recreational and non-motorised commuting purposes and to allow the migration of species.

4.11 Part 3 sets out the requirements of Green Infrastructure, stating that corridors and assets should be as inclusive as possible and multifunctional, listing the numerous functions that Green Infrastructure can serve.

Policy 17: Biodiversity

4.12 Parts 1a and 1b state that biodiversity will be increased by:

“…protecting, restoring, expanding and enhancing existing areas of biodiversity interest, including areas and networks of priority habitats and species listed in the UK and Nottinghamshire Local Biodiversity Action Plans;

4.13 And: “…ensuring that fragmentation of the Green Infrastructure network is avoided wherever possible and improvements to the network benefit biodiversity, including at a landscape scale, through the incorporation of existing habitats and creation of new habitats.”

5. Evidence Base

6C Green Infrastructure Strategy

5.1 The 6C Green Infrastructure Strategy informed the Local Plan: Part 2 Core Strategy, identifying: sub-regional corridors which connect to wider regional corridors; city-scale corridors connect to sub-regional corridors, the urban fringe and urban cores related to principle urban areas; and urban fringe enhancement zones.

6CS Green Infrastructure Corridors (6CS Green Infrastructure Strategy)

5.2 Within Rushcliffe, the Trent Strategic River Corridor and Grantham Canal are identified as sub-regional corridors. This river corridor includes the Fairham Brook (including its floodplain) which flows between Clifton, Ruddington and Gotham into the River Trent.

5.3 City-scale corridors are identified along the River Trent floodplain between Barton in Fabis to Radcliffe, and within the urban fringe improvement area between Ruddington/Mickleborough Hill and Tollerton, including Sharphill. Further city scale corridors exist and these will be identified through this paper and incorporated into Local Plan Part 2.

5.4 The following opportunities for new multi-user greenways include: 6

 Cotgrave Country Park to Holme Pierrepont, and Adbolton;  River Trent to the Grantham Canal, Cotgrave Country Park and towards Cropwell Bishop;  Proposed Trent to Cotgrave Canal link to West Bridgford  Ruddington to West Bridgford and River Trent  Keyworth to Tollerton and Edwalton  Normanton-on-the-Wolds to Cotgrave and Cotgrave Country Park  Barton-in-Fabis to Clifton and River Trent  Ruddington towards Loughborough  Keyworth towards Melton Mowbray

5.5 The urban fringe enhancement zone is indicative. It covers strategic allocations within the Core Strategy (at Land South of Clifton, Edwalton and Gamston/Tollerton) and extends to the outlying settlements of Gotham, Bradmore, Keyworth, Cotgrave and Radcliffe on Trent.

Rushcliffe Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan

5.6 The Playing Pitch Strategy and Action Plan focuses on the provision of outdoor sporting facilities (football, rugby, cricket, outdoor bowling greens, outdoor tennis courts, athletics tracks, outdoor netball courts, and skate parks) across the Borough.

5.7 It has concluded that the existing position for all pitch sports is either demand is currently being met or there is a shortfall. For football, there is evidence of current spare capacity, however, when factoring future demand this becomes a position of shortfall for all pitch formats except adult football where limited spare capacity should be retained in reserve. The future position for other sports such as rugby union shows exacerbation of current shortfalls. In addition, some sports and some areas where demand is currently being met will experience shortfalls.

5.8 As such, there is a need for emerging Green Infrastructure, open space and leisure policies to protect all existing playing pitch provision until demand is met. Some shortfalls can be reduced through increased access to existing provision, for example increased certification of 3G pitches for competitive football.

Local Nature Partnership’s Green Infrastructure – a prospectus for Lowland Derbyshire and Nottingham

5.9 The Local Nature Partnership (LNP) emphasises the need to address Green Infrastructure shortfalls and ensure the delivery of ambitious development

targets are accompanied by the creation of accessible multi-functional Green Infrastructure.

5.10 The prospectus does not identify any existing infrastructure or opportunities beyond the sub-regional and city-wide corridors (titled urban GI corridors) and urban fringe GI enhancement zone in the 6C’s strategy. It is intended that local authorities assess existing GI, identify opportunities and work together to develop a cross boundary GI strategy. This background paper comprises part of Rushcliffe’s contribution to meeting these objectives.

Local Nature Partnership Green Infrastructure – a prospectus for lowland Derbyshire and Nottingham

Nottingham Biodiversity Action Plan

5.11 The Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan identifies 20 priority habitats which in accordance with the NPPF should be preserved, restored and re- created. These habitats are a critical element of the wider ecological network,

providing corridors and stepping stones for priority species and linking designated sites.

5.12 The presence of priority habitats, and opportunities to improve them and their connectivity, has informed the identification of Green Infrastructure and ecological networks which provide multifunctional benefits.

Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy

5.13 The strategy identifies a wide range of issues that affect Rushcliffe’s wildlife. It identifies that Rushcliffe’s most important wildlife is found in a scattered network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Local Wildlife Sites (LWS).

5.14 The strategy considers the importance of the wider countryside (not just nature reserves) and urban areas in supporting our wildlife. It examines the issues surrounding a variety of habitats, and considers opportunities for community involvement and the role of the planning system in conserving our natural heritage.

5.15 The principal objectives for this strategy are to:  Promote ‘Landscape Scale Conservation’ to create a more resilient natural environment.  Promote the maintenance and enhancement of nature reserves.  Promote sympathetic land management for wildlife in rural and urban areas.  Support continuing surveying, monitoring and reporting of Rushcliffe’s biodiversity.  Raise awareness of nature conservation.  Seek to influence the impact of development on wildlife.  Support and develop Nature Conservation in Rushcliffe.

Rushcliffe Biodiversity Opportunity Mapping (BOM)

5.16 The BOM maps indicate that there are a number of opportunities for wetland habitats throughout Rushcliffe, predominantly within the floodplain of the Trent Valley, Soar Valley, Fairham Brook and the Devon/Smite river catchments and their tributaries. This potential has been identified for enhancement, enlargement, creation and reconnection of wetland habitats along these river corridors.

Wetland Biodiversity Opportunity Areas

5.17 There are also opportunities for action on the other broad habitat types. Substantial concentrations of existing grasslands occur in the West Leake Hills, the Gotham Hills, between Stanford and East Leake, south of Keyworth and in the Soar Valley by Sutton Bonnington. The BOM identifies that there are good opportunities to improve, extend and link the grassland habitats in these locations.

Grassland Biodiversity Opportunity Areas 10

5.18 Woodland within Rushcliffe is rather limited, but concentrations do occur around the Gotham and West Leake Hills, along the ridgeline between East Leake and Bunny, and there is a concentration of woodland in and around (to the east of) Cotgrave Forest. There is also good potential for the enhancement of wood pasture at Stanford Hall. In all these locations there are opportunities to create extensive areas of new woodland to improve connectivity, and also to enhance and enlarge the existing woodlands.

Woodland Biodiversity Opportunity Areas

5.19 The BOM maps show that there are several areas where existing habitats and associated opportunities are concentrated, referred to here as ‘Focal Areas’. These are:

 Cotgrave Forest (woodland and grassland);  East Leake/Stanford Hall (grassland);  Fairham Brook(wetlands)  Gotham Hills, West Leake to Bunny Ridgeline (woodland and grassland)  River Smite Corridor (wetland and woodland)  Soar Valley (wetland and grassland)  Rushcliffe Pondscape (Hickling, Keyworth, Willoughby and county boundary)  Trent Valley (wetland and grassland)

Biodiversity Opportunity Areas – Focal Areas

5.20 The BOM identifies large areas where there are limited opportunities. However, in these areas improved hedgerow networks and shelterbelts can be used to improve linkages between woodlands; grassland strips around fields, alongside ditches and roads can help link up isolated grassland sites, and the improved management of ditches, including the creation of buffer strips alongside streams and water courses can serve the dual purpose of linking up wetland sites as well as reducing diffuse pollution. An existing network of live and disused railway lines offer specific opportunities in Rushcliffe for improving the connectivity between habitats.

5.21 Critically, whilst the strategic allocations South of Clifton, East of Gamston/North of Tollerton, Edwalton, and Former RAF Newton are outside these areas. They are expected to provide local linkages between habitats as described above.

5.22 The delivery of these local scale habitat creation, protection and enhancement measures alongside development proposed in the Local Plan would comply with the NPPF’s requirement to protect and enhance the ecological network.

Wetlands for All

5.23 The aim of this multi-partner programme (which includes Rushcliffe Borough Council) is to contribute to the delivery of visionary wetland landscapes with exceptional quality Green Infrastructure in the Trent, Leen and Erewash

Valleys, where local communities can explore and enjoy linked, wildlife-rich, wetland sites.

5.24 The objectives are:

 to increase the scale and quality of informal recreation access facilities available across this landscape-scale area;  to create new areas of priority wetland habitat and enhance existing priority floodplain habitats to meet the agreed vision and aims of the Rushcliffe Biodiversity Opportunity Maps and the National Government Targets for Biodiversity 2020;  to contribute to an important resource for engaging with nature and for increasing health and wellbeing for residents across Nottingham, some of whom are the within the most deprived areas of the Country; and  to provide an enhanced wildlife-rich recreational resource in areas targeted for substantive increases in housing, such as at Gamston.

5.25 Within Rushcliffe, the programme has identified The Nook Local Nature Reserve and Skylarks Nature Reserves as locations where these objectives can be delivered. These would complement similar projects on the north side of the River Trent.

Wetlands for All Project Map

River Trent to Cotgrave Green Infrastructure Project

5.26 Rushcliffe Borough Council, on behalf of the Grantham Canal Partnership, appointed consultants Scott Wilson in 2008 to investigate the feasibility of creating a Green Infrastructure landscape corridor between the River Trent and Cotgrave Country Park (via the Grantham Canal).

5.27 Based around former gravel extraction lagoons, a derelict railway and the Grantham Canal the key features suggested to be included as part of the proposed corridor included:

 New navigable link between the River Trent and the Grantham Canal  New multi-user route or routes, for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders  Marina within or on the edge of Cotgrave Country Park  New landscape elements, aimed at creating a high quality landscape  Possible new Nature Reserve with limited public access.

5.28 The project comprised two principal stages:

Stage 1 – identified potential constraints and opportunities within the area and reviewed a number of route options for the proposed canal link. Recommendations for a preferred canal link route were put forward, including a new A52 multi-user underbridge.

Stage 2 – comprised a more detailed investigation of the preferred canal link route option selected by the Grantham Canal Partnership. The development of the Master Plan for the Green Infrastructure corridor, took into account environmental, recreational, planning issues and an economic assessment of alternative Green Infrastructure scenarios.

Proposed River Trent to Grantham Canal Corridor

5.29 This corridor would provide a vehicle free, pedestrian and cycle link between the River Trent strategic corridor and the strategic allocation at Gamston.

Open Space Strategy 2010

5.30 Although the Open Space Strategy 2010 was not formally published, the evidence base that supports it is extensive and this informed the adopted Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy. It identifies the following existing assets and their quality:

 allotments;  children’s play areas;  natural and semi-natural green space;  outdoor sports provision;  churchyards and cemeteries;  country parks;  green corridors; parks and gardens; and  amenity open space.

5.31 Whilst the information is 7 years old, the vast majority of sites still exist and have not changed. As such it informs the identification of clusters of open space assets that comprise local green corridors which complement and connect the strategic corridors identified in the adopted Core Strategy.

6. Local Corridors

6.1 In order to inform the draft Local Plan Part 2: Land and Planning Policies, the following local corridors and ecological networks have been identified below. In accordance with national planning and environmental policies, and the adopted Core Strategy, these connect Strategic Green Infrastructure (identified within the 6Cs Green Infrastructure Strategy), and/or provide multi-functional benefits for wildlife (establishing ecological networks) and residents and visitors in their own right.

6.2 The potential functions they perform and the supporting evidence that justifies their identification within the Local Plan is explained for each corridor/network.

6.3 Local corridors have only been identified within and on the edge of the main urban area of Nottingham (West Bridgford), Key Settlements (Bingham, Cotgrave, Keyworth, Radcliffe on Trent and Ruddington) and where appropriate those other settlements which were identified as suitable locations for a limited number of new homes within the Local Plan.

6.4 There are clear overlaps between Green Infrastructure corridors, which provide multi-functional benefits and the ecological networks identified through the Biodiversity Opportunity Maps. Most notably the River Trent, Fairham Brook/Ruddington and Cotgrave Forest Corridors which provide flood alleviation, recreational and sporting activities, pedestrian and cycling routes as well as biodiversity functions.

6.5 The Green Infrastructure and Ecological Networks are identified within Appendix A and B.

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network River Trent West Bridgford/Trent  Sports and recreation  6Cs Green Strategic River Corridor. Washlands  Ecological Networks (wetland Infrastructure Strategy Fragmented areas of existing semi- and grassland creation,  Biodiversity Opportunity natural habitat could be linked by protection and enhancement) Mapping Project the extension or creation of new  Floodwater storage  OnTrent Baseline areas of habitat, thus forming larger,  Improved pedestrian/cycleway Study more stable habitat mosaics. on flood bank Opportunities to improve vehicle free connectivity between West Bridgford and Lady Bay River Trent River Trent - Trent  Sports and recreation  6Cs Green Strategic River Corridor. Washlands to Holme  Ecological Networks (wetland, Infrastructure Strategy Fragmented areas of existing semi- Pierrepont (incorporating grassland and woodland  Biodiversity Opportunity natural habitat could be linked by Holme Pierrepont Country creation, protection and the extension or creation of new Mapping Project Park and Skylarks Nature enhancement) areas of habitat, thus forming larger, Reserve)  Floodwater storage  OnTrent Baseline more stable habitat mosaics.  Improved pedestrian and Study Potential for improving the wetland cycling connectivity with West  Scott Wilson (2009) and grassland networks in a large Bridgford, Radcliffe on Trent River Trent to Cotgrave block centred on Holme Pierrepont.

and the Strategic Urban Green Infrastructure Extension at Gamston. Existing wildlife sites require Study maintenance, enhancement and buffering.

Habitat creation and accessibility around Simpkin Farm to provide link between West Bridgford and Holme Pierrepont Country Park.

Area with diverse recreational / destination facilities – Sailing Club, River cruises, Water sports Centre and Country Park, Holme Pierrepont Hall and Church, Skylarks Reserve. Potential to develop facilities with consideration for the biodiversity value.

Opportunities to improve non-

17 Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network motorised connectivity between Radcliffe and West Bridgford and provide linkages between the River Trent corridor and the strategic allocation at Gamston.

Potentially Holme Pierrepont Marina - development of a marina off the Grantham Canal possibly including a visitor centre-cum-café. River Trent River Trent (West) – Clifton  Ecological Networks (wetland,  6Cs Green Strategic River Corridor including to Barton-in-Fabis, River grassland and woodland Infrastructure Strategy Trent Valley Way alternative south Trent and Kegworth. creation, protection and  On Trent Baseline bank, long distance path. Potential enhancement) Study for improving the wetland and  Floodwater storage  Rushcliffe Biodiversity grassland networks. A number of  Improved pedestrian and Opportunity Mapping existing sites provide good areas of cycling connectivity with West  Trent River Trent core habitat and the surrounding Bridgford, Clifton and Barton in floodplain offers potential areas Fabis. where habitat connectivity can be improved, including Thrumpton Hall. Opportunities for Enhancing Accessibility of the Greenspace Network for People. River Trent River  Maintain and improve  Open Space Strategy Tram line to Clifton provides an Trent/Wilford/Compton pedestrian connectivity 2010 important non-motorised route Acres Green Corridor  Ecological Network between Clifton and the City. East (grassland) of the tram line there are numerous open spaces, included Wilford Claypit Nature Reserve, Gresham Playing Fields and semi natural open spaces both north and south of Wilford Lane. Critically, it links to the Fairham Brook corridor and the wider countryside, and the Meadows Recreation Ground north of the River Trent within the City River Fairham Brook/ Packman  Ecological Networks (wetland,  6Cs Green Local River Corridor which links to Trent/Urban Dyke and Rushcliffe grassland and woodland Infrastructure Strategy the River Trent Strategic River Fringe Country Park creation, protection and  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Corridor. Habitat improvement

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network enhancement) Strategy would maintain/enhance the  Floodwater storage  Rushcliffe Biodiversity ecological connectivity of Fairham  Improved pedestrian and Opportunity Mapping Brook Nature Reserve. Potential for cycling connectivity wetland enhancement and  Habitat protection, creation grassland creation and maintain / and enhancement increase flood capacity between  Ecological network Clifton and the Keyworth Wolds within this focal area. – Clifton Gateway / Fairham Pastures development may provide further GI development. Opportunities to link with Country Park and recreational areas south of Ruddington.

Country Park with semi natural habitats and recreational facilities. Opportunities to improve linkages with Great Central Railway and Fairham Brook ecological corridor. Opportunities to enlarge this corridor further east of Ruddington could be realised through the development of land east of the A60 River Former Melton/Old Dalby  Maintain and improve  Open Space Strategy The Green Line is a Trent/Urban Railway Line pedestrian connectivity 2010 Local green corridor which provides Fringe a pedestrian and cycle link between the centre of West Bridgford (River Trent Corridor) with Rushcliffe School and the Strategic Urban Extension at Edwalton. River Trent River Trent (East) – Holme  Ecological Networks (wetland,  On Trent Baseline Strategic River Corridor including Pierrepont to East grassland and woodland Study Trent Valley Way including long Bridgford creation, protection and  Rushcliffe Biodiversity distance path and Local Wildlife enhancement) Opportunity Mapping Sites. Potential for improving the  Floodwater storage  Trent River Trent wetland and grassland networks. A  Improved pedestrian and  Radcliffe number of existing sites provide cycling connectivity between Neighbourhood Plan good areas of core habitat and the Holme Pierrepont, Radcliffe on surrounding floodplain offers Trent, Shelford and East potential areas where habitat connectivity can be improved,

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network Bridgford. including the Lily Ponds, Radcliffe. Boating from Gunthorpe. Opportunities for Enhancing Accessibility of the Greenspace Network for People. River Soar River Soar – from River  Ecological Networks (wetland,  6Cs Green Strategic River Corridor. Potential Trent towards grassland and woodland Infrastructure Strategy for wetland/grassland developments Loughborough creation, protection and  Rushcliffe Biodiversity along the whole of the river corridor, enhancement) Opportunity Mapping but with particular focus on the  Floodwater storage  Trent River Trust: River lowlands around Sutton Bonnington.  Improved pedestrian and Sour Catchment Plan Waterway with Riverside Path. cycling connectivity between  Planning Solutions Opportunities for Enhancing Loughborough and Ratcliffe on Consulting Limited Accessibility of the Greenspace Soar. (2010) North Soar Network for People. Potential link to  Outdoor recreation Trails Syndicate - Long Eaton via Trent Lock. Feasibility Study Create diverse recreational facilities in a rural setting in the south west area of Rushcliffe. Opportunities to link existing opportunities and develop new opportunities to create a destination. Grantham Canal Grantham Canal (River  Ecological Networks (wetland,  6Cs Green Canal with towpath for pedestrians Trent to Cotgrave Country grassland and woodland Infrastructure Strategy and cyclists. The canal is a Local Park, via Ladybay and creation, protection and  ECUS Grantham Canal Wildlife Site and there are further towards Cropwell Bishop) enhancement) Ecological Impact wildlife sites in close proximity along  Improved pedestrian and Study its route. Opportunities for cycling connectivity between Enhancing Accessibility of the West Bridgford, Cotgrave, Greenspace Network for People, Cropwell Bishop, Hickling and Opportunity to develop Pond and villages beyond to Grantham. Wetland Enhancement – ponds and wetlands in a corridor 1km either side of Grantham Canal, providing mitigation for future development of the canal.

Land within this corridor at Gamston, Cropwell Bishop and Cotgrave is proposed as housing sites within the adopted Local Plan Part 1 and the emerging Local Plan

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network Part 2. Development may offer opportunities to improve the corridor, by preserving and enhancing connecting rights of way and protecting and enhancing local biodiversity. Grantham Canal Proposed Trent to  Ecological Network  6Cs Green Opportunities for enhancing Cotgrave Canal link to  Improved pedestrian and Infrastructure Strategy accessibility of the Greenspace West Bridgford – via Polser cycling connectivity (for  Scott Wilson (2009) Network for People. Including a Brook commuting and recreation) River Trent to Cotgrave towpath for pedestrians and cyclists between Cotgrave, Gamston Green Infrastructure plus bridleway in parts and linking Strategic Allocation and the Study bridleway’s plus water sports River Trent Corridor opportunities and angling. Grantham Canal Abbey Road/Gamston  Allotments  Open Space Study Local green corridors link the Canal Local Corridors  Maintain and improve with residential areas around Abbey pedestrian and cycle routes Road and Gamston and Edwalton  Sports and informal recreation Golf Course. spaces  Ecological Network (grassland) Cotgrave Cotgrave Disused Railway  Improved pedestrian and  6Cs Green Opportunities for enhancing Disused Railway Line from Cotgrave cycling connectivity (for Infrastructure Strategy accessibility of the greenspace Line Country Park to Holme commuting and recreation)  ECUS Grantham Canal network for people. Land adjacent Pierrepont and Adbolton between Cotgrave, Gamston Ecological Impact to the line, west of Radcliffe is Strategic Allocation and the Study identified as preferred housing site River Trent Corridor  Scott Wilson (2009) and is identified in the  Recreational open space River Trent to Cotgrave Neighbourhood Plan as a  Sports pitches Green Infrastructure recreational area.  Ecological network Study  Radcliffe on Trent Neighbourhood Plan Keyworth to Keyworth/Stanton on the  Improved pedestrian and  6Cs Green Opportunities for Enhancing Radcliffe, Wolds to Radcliffe on Trent cycling connectivity (for Infrastructure Strategy Accessibility of the Greenspace (Cotgrave via Cotgrave and Cotgrave commuting and recreation)  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Network for People. Forest Country Park between Stanton on the Opportunity Mapping Maintained and improved Ecological Wolds, Keyworth, Normanton,  River Trent to Cotgrave pedestrian rights of way. Improving Network) Cotgrave and Radcliffe on Green Infrastructure pedestrian and cycling connectivity Trent) Study (Scott Wilson) between Stanton-on-the-Wolds,

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network  Habitat protection and  Local Plan Part 2 Keyworth, Normanton-on-the- enhancement (Woodland)  Open Space Study Wolds, Cotgrave, and Radcliffe on 2010 Trent. Linking with rights of way and quiet lanes east of Normanton-on- the-Wolds towards Clipston and Cotgrave. Includes Cotgrave disused minerals line and rights of way that link Cotgrave to Radcliffe.

Protection, enhancement and creation of woodland. Improvements to woodland connectivity between Keyworth and Radcliffe on Trent via Cotgrave Forest and woodlands south of Cotgrave itself

The potential for a marina, with visitor centre/café, off the Grantham Canal within Cotgrave Country Park close to Hollygate Lock (Lock 7) or at the southern end of Cotgrave Country Park, adjacent to Hollygate Lane has been highlighted.

At a local level the corridor should drive improved connectivity between Cotgrave and the Country Park.

Great Central Great Central Railway -  Improved pedestrian and  6Cs Green Heritage Railway including reserves Railway - Ruddington towards cycling connectivity Infrastructure Strategy for Grizzled Skipper butterflies and Ruddington Loughborough  Habitat creation, protection  Great Central Railway potential development of a leisure towards and enhancement Economic Development path alongside the Great Central Loughborough Study Railway. Opportunities for Enhancing Accessibility of the Greenspace Network for People N/A Bingham Linear  Pedestrian and cycle route  Open Space Study Provides link to the Bingham to Walk/Melton Wildlife along Linear Walk 2010 Melton Wildlife Corridor Corridor  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Borough and enhancement Council (2005) Opportunities to improve ecological connectivity. Some limited

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network Bingham to Melton opportunities to improve Wildlife Corridor recreational access. Urban Fringe Edwalton / Sharphill Wood  Habitat protection, creation  6C Green Farmland with consent for housing / Ruddington Corridor and enhancement (woodland Infrastructure development and community park and grassland).  Local Plan Part 1 and associated Local Nature Reserve  Improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity between Edwalton/West Bridgford and Ruddington.

Ecological Networks Cotgrave Forest  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Opportunities are present to and enhancement Opportunity Mapping improve and extend this existing network of woodland and grassland habitats. This opportunity has its focus on Cotgrave Forest & Borders Wood where opportunities exist to enhance this core block of habitat. Potential to create habitat links in three directions away from this block: north, south and west. This potential could strengthen links between existing habitat fragments of woodland and grassland. East Leake/Stanford Hall  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Potential for the restoration of and enhancement. Opportunity Mapping parkland and grassland at Stanford Hall offer good core habitat. This area would form a southern block to an area that offers opportunities to improve habitat connectivity down the eastern fringes of East Leake and into the Kingston Brook. The focus for this area would be enhancing a mosaic of grassland and wetland habitats. Fairham  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Potential for wetland enhancement and enhancement Opportunity Mapping and grassland creation and maintain

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network / increase flood capacity Kingston Brook Corridor  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Potential for wetland enhancement and enhancement Opportunity Mapping and grassland creation and maintain  Floodwater storage / increase flood capacity Gotham Hills, West Leake  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity An existing network of woodland to Bunny Ridgeline and enhancement (woodland Opportunity Mapping and grassland that can be and grassland). enhanced and buffered. There is  Improved pedestrian lots of potential for creating connectivity important links between existing habitats. Includes RoW and potential public access improvements. River Smite Corridor  Habitat protection , creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity The corridor along the River Smite, and enhancement (wetland Opportunity Mapping running north-east through the east and grassland) of Rushcliffe, holds significant potential for wetland and woodland enhancement and creation. Together these could deliver Water Framework Directive objectives as well as creating new areas of habitat. River Soar Corridor  Habitat protection , creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Potential for wetland/grassland and enhancement (wetland Opportunity Mapping developments along the whole of and grassland) the river corridor, but with particular focus on the lowlands around Sutton Bonnington. South Rushcliffe  Habitat protection , creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity A high concentration of ponds exists Pondscape and enhancement (wetland Opportunity Mapping in an area bordered by Hickling, and grassland) Keyworth, Willoughby and the county boundary with Leicestershire. Data suggests that this may be particularly important for great crested newts. Opportunities to maintain and enhance existing ponds, and create new ponds to improve connectivity across the landscape. Trent Lady Bay to  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Strategic River Corridor.

Corridor Strategic Green Local Corridor/Ecological Functions Evidence Base Description Number Corridor Network Gunthorpe Bridge and enhancement (wetland, Opportunity Mapping Fragmented areas of existing semi- grassland and woodland natural habitat could be linked by creation, protection and the extension or creation of new areas of habitat, thus forming larger, enhancement) more stable habitat mosaics. Potential for improving the wetland

and grassland networks in a large block centred on Holme Pierrepont.

Existing wildlife sites require maintenance, enhancement and buffering.

Habitat creation and accessibility around Simpkin Farm to provide link between West Bridgford and Holme Pierrepont Country Park. Trent Wilford to Thrumpton  Habitat protection, creation  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Potential for improving the wetland and enhancement (wetland, Opportunity Mapping and grassland networks. A number grassland and woodland of existing sites provide good areas creation, protection and of core habitat and the surrounding enhancement) floodplain offers potential areas where habitat connectivity can be improved, including Thrumpton Hall.

7. Green Infrastructure Policies

7.1 Core Strategy policy 16 (Green Infrastructure, Landscape, Parks and Open space) sets out general principles that protect and enhance existing and potential Green infrastructure corridors and assets.

7.2 Local Plan Part 2 provides more detailed, development management policies which identify the types of Green Infrastructure assets which contribute to the wider network, and policy criteria that ensure the quality, quantity and connectivity of assets and the performance of the network are maintained and enhanced.

7.3 In accordance with the adopted Core Strategy, Local Plan Part 2 offers an opportunity to identify local corridors and assets that complement the strategic corridors which are identified within the 6Cs Infrastructure Strategy and the Core Strategy. These have been identified above and are shown in Appendix A.

7.4 The Local Plan Part 2 therefore contains two Green Infrastructure policies, the first identifies specific Green Infrastructure assets, the protection that they should be afforded and criteria that should be considered if they are likely to be affected.

Policy 34 Green Infrastructure and Open Space Assets

The following green infrastructure assets will be protected from development which adversely affects their green infrastructure function (or their contribution to a wider network) unless the need for the asset is proven to no longer exist and the benefits of development, in that location, outweigh the adverse effects on the asset:

 Allotments  Amenity Space and Semi-Natural Green Space  Grantham Canal, Rivers, Streams, Lakes, Ponds and Wetlands  Cemeteries and Churchyards  Former Railway Lines (including former Cotgrave Colliery Mineral Line)  Flood Alleviation Areas  Golf Courses  Nature Conservation Sites, Geological Sites and Priority Habitats  Parks, Recreation Grounds and Country Parks  Rights of Way  School Playing Fields  Sports Pitches

26  Woodlands

Development that protects, enhances, or widens their Green Infrastructure importance will be supported, provided it does not adversely affect their primary functions. Where a proposal would result in the loss of Green Infrastructure which is needed or will be needed in the future, this loss should be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of its usefulness, attractiveness, quantity and quality in a suitable location. Replacement Green Infrastructure should, where possible, improve the performance of the network and widen its function.

Planning permission will not be granted for development which would adversely affect access to open spaces and opportunities should be sought to protect or enhance the rights of way network and, where applicable, its open environment.

7.5 The second policy addresses proposals that would affect the Green Infrastructure corridor or which provide opportunities to create additional assets and enlarge or connect the network. This policy also ensures development within the urban fringe (on the edge of the main urban area) provides recreational opportunities, wildlife benefits and enables access to the countryside. This policy does not prevent, in principle, development within an identified Green Infrastructure Corridor and/or urban fringe area. Rather it ensures opportunities to improve the corridors and/or urban fringe functions are realised where it is feasible and viable.

Policy 35 Green Infrastructure Network and Urban Fringe

Proposals within Strategic Green Corridors or Local Green Corridors, as identified on the policies map, should ensure the primary functions of the network are maintained and enhanced. Opportunities to create additional Green Infrastructure assets which enlarge the network, improve its connectivity and/or widen the function of the corridor should be taken where appropriate, provided they do not conflict with the primary functions.

Developments within the urban fringe (on the edge of the main urban area) must, where possible and appropriate, incorporate accessible infrastructure that provides recreational opportunities, wildlife benefits and enables pedestrian and cycle access to the wider countryside.

8. Biodiversity and Geodiversity Policies

8.1 Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy Policy 17 outlines the Council’s broad approach towards the protection and enhancement of biodiversity within the Borough. This will be achieved through improvements to the Green Infrastructure network, the incorporation of features that protect and enhance biodiversity within new development, the use of planning conditions or Section 106 agreements and the avoidance, mitigation, or as a last resort, compensation for any loss.

8.2 Policy 17 states that designated sites will be protected in line with the national hierarchy of sites and that non-designated sites or wildlife corridors will only be permitted where there is overriding need.

8.3 Representations received during consultation on Issues and Options, highlighted support for policies that outlined criteria for the protection of sites, protected sites that are not legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (SSSIs) and which enhanced the ecological network.

8.4 Prior to publication, Rushcliffe Borough Council consulted key nature conservation consultees regarding the biodiversity and geodiversity policies, including Natural England and the Wildlife Trust. Their advice has been taken into consideration and resulted in amendments to the policies below which are considered sound.

8.5 Developing the strategic approach to biodiversity within Local Plan Part 1, Local Plan Part 2 contains two biodiversity and geodiversity policies, the first addresses developments that may affect designated nature conservation sites.

Policy 36 Designated Nature Conservation Sites

Nationally Designated Sites

Development likely to have an adverse effect on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (either directly or indirectly, or individually or in combination with other developments) will not normally be permitted.

Where an adverse effect on the site’s notified features is likely, an exception should only be made where the benefits of the development’s location, clearly outweigh both the impacts that it is likely to have on the features of the site that make it of special scientific interest and any broader impacts on the national network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Locally Designated Sites

Development likely to have a significant adverse effect on a site of local nature conservation value will not be permitted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that there are reasons for the proposal which outweigh the need to safeguard the essential nature conservation value of the site. Locally designated sites include:

 Local Wildlife Sites  Local Geological Sites  Local Nature Reserves  Irreplaceable Habitats

Proposals that are likely to have a significant impact on such sites will be assessed according to the following criteria:

a) Whether works are necessary for management of the site in the interests of conservation; b) Whether adequate buffer strips and other mitigation has been incorporated into the proposals to protect species and habitats for which the Local Site has been designated.

The development would be expected to result in no overall loss of habitat and, as a last resort, any compensation could be expected to include off-setting habitats adjacent to or within the vicinity of any losses proposed.

8.6 Local Plan Part 2 recognises that only a small proportion of the borough’s important habitats and species are located within designated nature conservation sites. It therefore contains a specific policy which seeks to protect and enhance non-designated priority habitats and species.

8.7 In accordance with the NPPF, and informed by the Biodiversity Opportunity Maps, it seeks to protect, create and enhance priority habitats which contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the borough and the connectivity of designated and non-designated sites.

Policy 38 Non-Designated Biodiversity Assets and the Wider Ecological Network

Where appropriate, all developments will be expected to preserve, restore and re-create priority habitats and the protection and recovery of priority species in order to achieve net gains in biodiversity.

Developments that significantly affect a priority habitat or species should avoid, mitigate or as a last resort compensate any loss or effects.

In order to ensure Rushcliffe’s ecological network is preserved and enhanced, development within Biodiversity Opportunity Areas should:

• retain and sympathetically incorporate locally valued and important habitats, including wildlife corridors and stepping stones; and • be designed in order to minimise disturbance to habitats and species.

Outside of the Biodiversity Opportunity Areas developments should, where appropriate, seek to achieve net gains in biodiversity and improvements to the ecological network through the creation, protection and enhancement of habitats, and the incorporation of features that benefit biodiversity.

Appendix A: Green Infrastructure Corridors Maps

Rushcliffe West Green Infrastructure

Rushcliffe West Green Infrastructure 32

Appendix B: Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (Ecological Networks)

Appendix C: Bibliography

 6C Green Infrastructure Strategy (2010) http://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/planningpolicy/localplan/supportingstudies/accord ion/#d.en.8627  Green Infrastructure – a prospectus for Lowland Derbyshire and Nottingham, Local Nature Partnership (2017) http://ldnlnp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Green-Infrastructue-a- prospectus-for-Lowland-Derbyshire-and-Nottinghamshire-low-res.pdf  Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan, Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group. http://www.nottsbag.org.uk/projects.htm#bap  Rushcliffe Biodiversity Opportunity Mapping (BOM), Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group http://www.nottsbag.org.uk/pdfs/RushcliffeBOMReport2015_V3.pdf  Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy (2016), RBC http://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/media/1rushcliffe/media/documents/pdf/environm entandwaste/environment/nature/Rushcliffe%20Nature%20Conservation%20 Strategy%202016_2020%20final.pdf  Wetlands for All, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust