Support

Representation ID: 670

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Natural England

Natural England very much welcomes the inclusion of this policy. We welcome the aspiration to plant a minimum of 5000 new trees by 2041. It is important that this is the right tree in the right place - Right tree, right place, for the right reasons - Forestry Commission (blog.gov.uk). Tree planting may not be appropriate for some biodiversity sites including SLINC’s mentioned, as tree planting may not be compatible with its value, or on geodiversity sites for the same reason. We recommend making use of NE’s GI Framework, particularly the urban greening factor and urban tree canopy standards.
The Brierley Hill area is adjacent to Saltwells National Nature Reserve, which includes within its boundaries Doulton’s Claypit Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Brewin’s Canal Section SSSI. Fen’s Pool Special Area of Conservation and SSSI is just to the north. We welcome the principle of improvements to the access to Saltwells National Nature Reserve, in paragraphs 1.45 and 1.46. Likewise we welcome the principle of better connections to Fens Pool nature reserve, in paragraph 1.47. As this site is a Special Area of Conservation, the Habitat Regulations Assessment
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should be utilised in order to ensure there are no adverse impacts. Natural England would be happy to engage with the council on these proposals.

Comment

Representation ID: 770

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

Regarding Fens Pool Nature Reserve and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Trust re-draws attention to its concerns as expressed earlier in this response regarding the need for development proposals to better balance against impact on the protected SAC (ACTION REQUEST).