Bassetlaw Local Plan Green Gaps Report November 2019 Bassetlaw District Council Green Gaps Study 2019 1 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 3 2. GREEN GAPS MASTER MAP 5 3. SITE LANDSCAPE PROFILES 7 4. COMPARABLE APPROACHES IN OTHER LOCAL PLANS / PLANNING AUTHORITIES 10 5. THE PRINCIPLES FOR GREEN GAPS IN BASSETLAW 14 6. ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSED GREEN GAPS AGAINST ACKNOWLEDGED CRITERIA AND DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH GREEN GAP 17 7. OVERALL CONCLUSIONS 36 APPENDIX 1: Links with the 2013 Core Strategy (CS & DMP) and Neighbourhood Plans (NP) in Bassetlaw 38 APPENDIX 2: Context of Natural England National Character Areas: How Green Gaps fulfil Statements 41 of Environmental Opportunity (SEO) APPENDIX 1: Context provided by the 2009 Landscape Study: Landscape Policy Zones 43 Prepared by: CARROLL PLANNING + DESIGN CLIVE KEBLE CONSULTING Woodpark 62 Bank View Road Cappaduff Darley Abbey Mountshannon Derby County Clare Derbyshire Ireland DE22 1EJ V94 AE8P [email protected] [email protected] www.carrollplanningdesign.com www.ckebleconsult.co.uk on behalf of: Bassetlaw District Council NB: Report should be printed and viewed in A3 format Bassetlaw District Council Green Gaps Study 2019 2 1 INTRODUCTION Bassetlaw District Council Green Gaps Study 2019 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY 1.1 Bassetlaw District Council has commissioned Carroll - A basis for the definition of boundaries for and the Planning+Design and Clive Keble Consulting to undertake extent of Green Gaps; and three related studies to support the emerging Local Plan. It has been necessary to ensure that this report on proposed - Comparable approaches in other Local Plans/Planning Green Gaps is consistent with the recommendations in Authorities. the Land Availability Assessment and the conclusions from the Review of the 2009 Landscape Character • Surveys and Analysis: A s s e s s m e n t a s s u b s t a n ti v e p a r t s o f i t r e m a i n a p p l i c a b l e . - The eight Green Gap areas were visited to record the 1.2 The Council wishes to use the new Local Plan following: location, current land use, neighbouring land to safeguard the characteristics of areas of “important uses, topography, landscape features, designations landscape’’ around more sensitive locations where there (within & adjoining), notable views (to/from site), has been high demand for development, including Worksop, recreational and habitat connectivity; Retford, Langold/Carlton and Harworth/Bircotes. Based on small scale indicative maps and locations supplied by - Visits were also undertaken to the wider area around Bassetlaw District Council, the purpose of this report is to the potential Green Gaps. examine the wider context, establish a methodology and identify physical boundaries for each gap and justify why they Presentation of research/findings: are important. 1.4 The structure and chapters of the report reflect the 1.3 The methodology adopted recognises the need to set above, with a focus on descriptive material with general maps the designation of Green Gaps in a clear context, including: and illustrations in the earlier sections. Eight tables follow (one for each of the proposed Green Gaps), supported by • Desk based work: detailed maps and site-specific photographs. Within each of the tables, there is a conclusions section which summarises - Alignment with national policy and guidance; the justification for the Green Gap in question. An overall conclusions section follows, and the report is supported by - Identifying relevant recommendations/actions in the three appendices. Natural England National Character Areas and the 2009 Study; - Identifying how proposed Green Gaps can fulfil Objectives and Policies in the 2011 Core Strategy, where they remain relevant; - Identifying and assessing how (Made & Emerging) Neighbourhood Plans provide a context for Green Gaps; - A consideration of Green Gap purpose and roles in relation to other policies; - The type of areas/land uses which can be included in a Green Gap; Bassetlaw District Council Green Gaps Study 2019 4 2 GREEN GAPS MASTER MAP Bassetlaw District Council Green Gaps Study 2019 5 Bassetlaw Green Gaps Master map Green Gaps N 1 Bircotes/Bawtry Oldcotes/ Langold/Carlton 2 in Lindrick Carlton in Lindrick/ 3 Worksop North Worksop West/Shireoaks & 4 Rhodesia 5 Clarborough/Welham 6 Retford East 7 Retford South/Eaton 8 Retford West Bassetlaw District Council Green Gaps Study 2019 6 3 RELATIONSHIPS Bassetlaw District Council Green Gaps Study 2019 7 3.0 RELATIONSHIPS National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Guidance conservation and enhancement of landscapes. This can include designation of Green Gaps can help to fulfil achievement nationally and locally designated landscapes but also the of SEOs. Appendix 2 of this report highlights how the eight 3.1 In the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF July wider countryside. potential Green Gaps reflect and fulfil the headline SEO) in the 2018) the substantive advice on landscape is in Chapter 15. NCAs that cover Bassetlaw District. (Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment). The Where landscapes have a particular local value, it is important following paragraphs provide a basis for the identification and for policies to identify their special characteristics and be 2009 Landscape Character Assessment designation of Green Gaps. This is separate to the guidance supported by proportionate evidence. Policies may set out on Green Belts and it is recognised in the current assessment criteria against which proposals for development affecting 3.5 The 2009 Landscape Character Assessment was that Green Gaps are not intended to fulfil the function of the these areas will be assessed. Plans can also include policies to prepared by the independent consultants, FPCR, on the Green Belt. avoid adverse impacts on landscapes and to set out necessary instructions of Bassetlaw District Council. It formed part mitigation measures, such as appropriate design principles of the evidence base for the Bassetlaw Core Strategy and “170. Planning policies and decisions should contribute and visual screening, where necessary. The cumulative impacts Development Management Policies Development Plan to and enhance the natural and local environment by: of development on the landscape need to be considered Document (CS), adopted in 2011. The intention was to “… a) protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, carefully.” provide an objective methodology for assessing the varied sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils landscape within Bassetlaw and contains information about (in a manner commensurate with their statutory Natural England National Character Areas the character, condition and sensitivity of the landscape to s t a t u s o r i d e n ti fi e d q u a l i t y i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t p l a n ); provide a greater understanding of what makes the landscape b) recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the 3.3 National Character Areas (NCA) were completed within Bassetlaw locally distinctive.” The study is considered countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital in 2014. They integrate a wide range of environmental in detail as one of the three elements of the work being and ecosystem services – including the economic and other information to create a ‘profile’ for each of England’s 159 undertaken by Carroll Planning+ Design and Clive Keble benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, and major landscape areas, exploring the characteristic landscape, Consulting. of trees and woodland……” wildlife, cultural and geological features to be found, and providing information on how the landscape is changing, 3.6 The 2009 Study does not, in its own right, identify “171. Plans should: distinguish between the hierarchy of how it supports economic activity, and identifying the local land around settlements to be designated as Green Gaps or international, national and locally designated sites; allocate environmental opportunities for the future. Until 2014, protected open areas. However, based on a methodology land with the least environmental or amenity value, where reliance was placed on Joint Character Area descriptions. The applied in other parts of Nottinghamshire, linked to the consistent with other policies in this Framework; take a former character areas were fully revised and updated to Natural England National Character Areas (see following strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks create the NCAs. There are parts of four NCAs in Bassetlaw section), it used five County Character Areas as basis for of habitats and green infrastructure; and plan for the which relate to Green Gaps locations: identifying Policy Zones. Policy Sheets, one per Policy Zone, enhancement of natural capital at a catchment or landscape supported by a plan showing the resultant Policy for each scale across local authority boundaries….” - NCA 30 Southern Magnesian Limestone; Zone were then produced. Each Policy Sheet included an - NCA 39 The Humberhead Levels; overall character summary, specific characteristic features, 3.2 The most recent Planning Guidance (Ministry of - NCA 48 Trent and Belvoir Vales; and a matrix and summary of the landscape condition and Housing, Communities & Local Government - Natural - NCA 49 Sherwood. sensitivity and a representative photograph. Finally, a series of Environment Guidance - January 2016, last updated July 2019) landscape actions was defined for each Policy Zone: is also supportive of the identification and designation of 3.4