Policy RNE1: Green Infrastructure
Development proposals should protect, and where practicable enhance, valued landscapes,The Neighbourhood Plan identifies sites of biodiversity or geological value and soils as shown on Map 13in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan, and minimise impacts on, and providing net gains for, biodiversity where it is practicable to do so. As appropriate to their scale, nature and location, development proposals should:for the application of national decision-making policies on improving the natural environment.
take particular account of the following elements of green infrastructure:
The network of local footpathsTrees and hedgerowsSites of Special Scientific Interest at The Hurst on Cumnor Hill, Spring Farm and Wytham WoodsDesignated Ancient Woodlands, Priority Habitats and Priority SpeciesLocal Wildlife Sites at Chawley, Smith Hill Copse, Long Leys Farm Meadows, Long Copse, Footpath at Chawley, Thames Island west of Farmoor, Farmoor Reservoir and Swinford MeadowCommon land and village greens
maintain and enhance existing on-site biodiversity assets, and provide for wildlife needs on site, where practicable. On-site biodiversity enhancements, such as new roosting features for bats or nesting features for birds, will be supported.
Development proposals that provide wildlife corridors that allow wildlife to move from one area of habitat to another will be supported.
- The policy requires impacts on the natural environment to be considered in accordance with national decision-making policies on improving the natural environment and highlights sites of particular sensitivity. The Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy recognise these sites as existing areas of particular importance for biodiversity. The rural setting of Cumnor Parish is the green area on Map 13. Priority Habitats as defined by section 42 of the 2006 NERC Act1 the majority of which is identified as areas that could become particularly important to biodiversity. Habitats include unimproved grassland, hedgerows, woodland and specific types of wetland. Priority Species are defined under the 2006 NERC Act (these are sometimes termed Species of Principal Importance).
- National decision-making policy N2: Improving the natural environment currently states: “1. To contribute positively to the natural environment and support nature’s recovery development proposals should: a. Consider the environmental qualities of land proposed for development, including habitats, landscape character and the natural beauty of the countryside, and identify opportunities for those qualities to be conserved or enhanced (including through requirements for biodiversity net gain where these apply69); b. Use areas of poorer quality agricultural land in preference to that of higher quality, where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary (taking into consideration land which is classified as best and most versatile agricultural land, and its grade); c. Take suitable opportunities to connect to and strengthen ecological networks that extend beyond the site, drawing on the measures proposed by Local Nature Recovery Strategies, National Forest Strategies and Community Forest Plans, where present, and other relevant assessments; d. Conserve and enhance existing natural features of visual, historic or nature conservation value (such as established trees and hedgerows) wherever possible; and use appropriate landscaping to help create a well-designed place and integrate the development into its surroundings; e. Use green infrastructure provided as part of the scheme and nature-based solutions to secure multiple benefits: such as for biodiversity; surface water and pollution management (including maintaining flow rates and water quality); climate change mitigation and adaptation, and recreation; f. Minimise impacts on biodiversity and include features for species which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs. Development proposals should incorporate integrated nest boxes (commonly known as swift bricks) into their construction unless there are compelling technical reasons which prevent their use, or would make them ineffective; and g. Make sure that green infrastructure and other features to support nature are located and designed to minimise risk of future failure, and that appropriate measures are in place for any necessary long-term management. 2. If significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated or, as a last resort, compensated for, then the development should be refused. 69Although development proposals may incorporate biodiversity enhancements which exceed the statutory objective for biodiversity net gain, this should only be a requirement where it is set out in up-to-date development plan policies for specific site allocations. Decision makers should not give weight to other development plan policies which require biodiversity gains which go beyond the statutory framework, including for development proposals which are exempt.” (which reflects para. 187 of the 2024 NPPF).