Local plan scoping consultation

Comment

Representation ID: 2066

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The local plan should ensure that landscape character across the borough is conserved and enhanced. It should seek to enable landscape scale improvements to habitats and biodiversity, through developer contributions, and partnership working. The opportunities offered by Biodiversity Net Gain should be maximised, through the linking of gain sites where possible.

Comment

Representation ID: 2067

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

National Trust places deliver a wide range of public health benefits. These include access to nature, green space and heritage for recreation and wellbeing; learning and skills development; inclusive and affordable experiences; community connection and belonging; employment, training, and volunteering; environmental research; and nature recovery and climate resilience - delivering clean water, air, biodiversity and carbon capture.

Given the significant increase in housing numbers proposed, the increased demand for access to cultural and natural heritage assets such as Trust places should be recognised in local plan policy, with appropriate developer contributions sought in recognition of the additional impact generated.

Comment

Representation ID: 2068

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The National Trust is strongly supportive of measures which address climate change, and would welcome the inclusion in the local plan of the approaches listed.

Comment

Representation ID: 2069

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

National Trust places are often regarded as recreation and community facilities, delivering a wide range of public benefits, as noted. The local plan should maximise opportunities to conserve and enhance these facilities. We would welcome an approach which enables the linkage and expansion of the open space network.

Comment

Representation ID: 2070

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

The National Trust is strongly supportive of an approach which prioritises heritage conservation. Heritage assets are a finite resource, and as such should be given strong protection in local policy. We would welcome an acknowledgement in policy of the need to support development which enables the ongoing conservation of heritage assets.

Comment

Representation ID: 2071

Received: 20/08/2026

Respondent: National Trust

We would agree that the need to deliver significant levels of housing presents design challenges, and that given this securing good design should be a key issue for the local plan. We are supportive of a locally-focused approach, which is based upon an understanding of local landscape and townscape character.