BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 108478

Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025

Ymatebydd: The Bird Group

Asiant : Framptons

While we support the general intent of Draft Policy Direction 42, we do not support the Councils intention that developers will be “expected” to increase tree canopy cover on sites that are the subject of a planning application. We consider that this will be unnecessarily burdensome for developers, especially when considered alongside other policy requirements in the emerging SWLP and consequently could impact on viability. Furthermore, this requirement would have negative implications in terms of a developers ability to increase densities on many sites and would not support an effective use of land in meeting the need for homes and other uses.
We note that the justification provided in support of the Draft Policy Direction simply refers to the Local Authorities having a statutory duty to consider the protection and planting of trees when granting planning permission for proposed development, as set out section 197 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and paragraphs 136, 187, and 193 of the NPPF. No similar justification is provided for developers being required to increase tree canopy cover on sites.
Consequently, instead of an increase in tree canopy cover on sites being “expected” , we feel it would be more appropriate if the SWLP simply stated that this would be “encouraged” by the Councils.