Comment

Representation ID: 18426

Received: 07/10/2021

Respondent: Richard Brooks

The following are vitally important policies:
Strategic Priority 2: To adapt to and minimise the impact of Climate Change…..vital if we are to survive.
Strategic Priority 11: To protect and enhance the natural environment, biodiversity, wildlife corridors geological resources, countryside, landscape…. Absolutely vital considering the serious decline in biodiversity we have.
Strategic Priority 10: To prioritise sustainable and active travel….vital to support SP1.
Strategic Priority 13: To manage waste….. – this needs to mention recycling where waste cannot be avoided.
Growth
There is much mentioning of growth when I thought we had realised we cannot keep growing for ever as resources are finite and therefore we should be looking for decline to a base level that is sustainable. There is also a need to give space back to wildlife for it to thrive. Population reduction is needed but slowly to reduce the effects of an increasing older population.
I suspect the plan is out of date as sustainability will need local centres enhanced with mixed development so people don’t need to travel far for facilities or work. Back to self-sufficient villages as much as possible.
Building on the Green Belt is contentious and this was created to form a green lung for the urban area. It must not be sacrificed to short term housing gain. I am also aware that some brownfield sites can become valuable for wildlife and provide greenery in the urban area.