Agenda item

Councillors T D Sanderson and S L Taylor, Executive Councillors for Planning and Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene to present a report regarding the priority landscapes identified in the Nature Recovery Network for Huntingdonshire.

(The report was considered by the Cabinet at their meeting on 15th October 2024).

The Council considered a report by the Parks and Countryside Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which had been approved by the Cabinet the previous evening formally recognising and adopting the Priority Landscapes of Huntingdonshire.

By way of introduction, the Executive Councillor for Parks and Countryside, Waste and Street Scene, Councillor S Taylor explained that the report marked a significant step forward in the Council’s commitment to enhancing the natural environment in Huntingdonshire and to making sure it is well placed to take advantage of opportunities to invest in and enhance the district’s rich diversity.

The Council were advised that by formerly recognising these landscapes, the Council was ensuring that future development was guided by the principles of biodiversity net gain, allowing the restoration and enhancement of vital habitats whilst continuing to accommodate the needs of a growing population. The work aligned with the Council’s Corporate Plan and Climate Strategy and also contributed to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), led by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Members were also advised that the Cabinet had agreed with the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environment, Communities and Partnerships) that the report and presentation should be forwarded to the Local Plan Advisory Group for their consideration.

In welcoming the preparation of the report and the identification of the priority areas, Members of the Council made several comments regarding the report. With reference to the forthcoming production of the Countywide LNRS, Councillor Davenport-Ray commented on the fact that Huntingdonshire as a District would have a document to directly contribute to this Strategy. Whilst Councillor M Hassall reiterated the importance of the Local Plan Advisory Group being educated on the priority areas and receiving the presentation from the Wildlife Trust. 

In response to a suggestion from Councillor B S Chapman regarding the need to protect the flood plains from development and the potential for the inclusion of further information within the report regarding the protection of these areas, the Executive Councillor explained that the report made reference to nine areas and the river corridors. She encouraged the councillor to refer to the Overview and Scrutiny presentation for further information.

Having outlined his support for the policy and the discussions at Overview and Scrutiny, Councillor R Martin welcomed the forward-thinking approach to new legislation regarding biodiversity net gain and suggested that he would like to see the document incorporated into planning policy. In response to his concerns that the work would duplicate that being undertaken by the County Council, the Council were advised that it would directly contribute to the County Council work. Whilst the Executive Councillor for Planning Services suggested that the integration of the two service areas could be further explored.

Councillor I D Gardener then outlined his concerns regarding potential future development within the Grafham Water area and the need to retain this as a rural natural landscape. In response to which and with reference to the points which had also been made regarding development on the flood plain, the Council were reminded that the document was not a planning document and merely highlighted the Council’s priorities for nature. The Local Plan consultation was the mechanism through which views and opinions were sought on future developments and related issues. The opportunity was also taken to remind Members that 369 sites had been put forward by developers, members of the public, parish councils and various groups and these were being explored within this consultation.

Comment was made by Councillor J A Gray regarding the potential impact on the biodiversity within the district from the placement of solar farms by central government. Finally Councillor T Alban took the opportunity to reiterate that the problems relating to flooding were not just confined to those marker towns located adjacent to the river Ouse and he was pleased that this has been recognised within the report.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that the contents of the report be received and noted.

(At 8.27pm Councillor J Catmur left the meeting and returned at 8.31pm).

(At 8.42pm Councillor S Howell left the meeting and returned at 8.44pm).