Although you have included specific policy on green and blue infrastructure which we fully support, we would like to see a commitment within the overarching strategy for these areas to include reference to the watercourses and water environment which is present within them. Within the opportunities paragraphs, we recommend including wording to support proposals which protect and enhance watercourses and their habitat, thereby increasing biodiversity and improving wildlife networks.

We would like to see a commitment within this policy to support an 8 – 10 metre natural wildlife corridor alongside watercourses contributing towards biodiversity net gain. Please refer to our more detailed comments in relation to policy E4 – green and blue infrastructure for further recommendations which can be incorporated here.

We would also like to see a commitment to support development which removes hard bank protection and includes de-culverting.